Description
These bite-sized Sloppy Joe Sliders are the ultimate party appetizer, combining classic comfort food flavors with sharp cheddar cheese and caramelized onions. They come together in under 30 minutes, making them a stress-free, crowd-pleasing option for any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 fat ratio)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 12 slider buns (Hawaiian or potato rolls)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds (optional)
- Extra shredded cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Dice the onion and mince the garlic.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat if necessary, leaving about a tablespoon for flavor.
- In the same skillet, add a splash of oil if needed. Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add tomato paste to the onions and stir for 1 minute. Pour in sloppy joe sauce (or homemade mix), Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and mustard. Stir well.
- Return the cooked meat to the skillet. Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to thicken the sauce. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
- Slice slider buns in half horizontally. Place bottom halves on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Spoon a generous amount of the sloppy joe mixture onto each bun bottom. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and place the top halves of the buns on the cheese.
- Mix melted butter with poppy seeds (if using). Brush the tops of the buns with the butter mixture.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted and buns are golden brown. Broil for the last 1-2 minutes for extra browning, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Let cool for 2 minutes before serving.
Notes
Do not drain all the beef fat as it adds flavor. Simmer the sauce to ensure it is thick and prevents soggy buns. Toast buns lightly before adding meat if worried about sogginess. Use sharp cheddar for better flavor balance. Do not freeze assembled sliders; freeze the meat mixture separately instead.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 sliders per servin
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 18
Keywords: sloppy joe sliders, party appetizer, easy recipes, comfort food, ground beef recipes, slider buns, cheddar cheese, quick meals, tailgate food