Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can make the filling ahead of time and store it in the fridge, covered, for 3 - 4 days . Then, when you want to assemble the sliders, just heat it up in the microwave or in a skillet, and continue on with the rest of the recipe instructions. Because the sloppy Joe filling is so moist, you will need to assemble and bake the sliders right before serving so the bread doesn't get overly soggy.

Can I freeze sloppy Joe sliders?

You can definitely freeze the prepared filling. Once it's cooled down, just place it in an airtight container and freeze for 2 - 3 months . However, the prepared sliders need to be eaten right away for the best flavor and texture!

What sides should I serve with sloppy Joe sliders?

If you are serving these sliders as a dinner entrée, they would taste great with buttery corn on the cob, a green salad, or even a cup of smoky black bean soup ! For a party, they would serve well as a heartier, more filling appetizer, so the rest of the snacks could be a little lighter, like chips and dip, cut fruit, a cheese platter, etc.

Sloppy Joe Sliders

Name: Sloppy Joe Sliders
Prep time: 7 min
Cook time: 23 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter, melted; 1 teaspoon neutral oil (canola, vegetable, etc.); 1 1/2 pounds 93% lean ground beef (see notes); 1 large sweet onion, finely diced; 3/4 cup ketchup; 3 tablespoons tomato paste; 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce; 3/4 cup water; salt and pepper, to taste; 12 slider buns or 24 mini "party" rolls (for mini sliders); 10 slices American cheese (see notes); 1 teaspoon poppy seeds (optional)

Sloppy Joe Sliders

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Sloppy Joe Sliders are an easy to make, crowd-pleasing party appetizer or snack! These hearty sliders can be made in only about 30 minutes.

Author: Kate
Prep Time: 7 minutes
Cook Time: 23 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: appetizers, snacks, main course
Method: bake, stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon neutral oil (canola, vegetable, etc.)
1 1/2 pounds 93% lean ground beef (see notes)
1 large sweet onion, finely diced
3/4 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup water
salt and pepper, to taste
12 slider buns or 24 mini "party" rolls (for mini sliders)
10 slices American cheese (see notes)
1 teaspoon poppy seeds (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Line a 9 x 13 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving some to overhang on the sides. (See note.) Brush bottom of the lined pan with a thin layer of melted butter, reserve the remaining melted butter for the top of the buns. Set pan and remaining butter aside.
For mini sliders using party rolls: Place the party rolls on a cutting board, leaving them attached. Using a large serrated knife, cut the party rolls in half horizontally. Set aside.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 2 - 3 minutes until beginning to brown, breaking up into small chunks with a wooden spoon. Season beef with salt and pepper.
Add the finely diced sweet onion and continue to cook, stirring frequently, for 3 - 4 minutes, until the onion is translucent. Season again with salt and pepper.
Turn heat down to medium-low. Add the ketchup, water, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste. Stir to combine and simmer for 4 - 5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens. Taste the sloppy Joe filling and add more salt and/or pepper if needed.
Place the bottom half of the slider buns or party rolls on the butter-brushed pan. Do not separate the bottom rolls from each other.
Distribute the sloppy Joe filling evenly across the bottom buns. Top with sliced cheese. You may need to break a couple slices in half to better fit the last section of the pan. Then add the slider bun/party roll tops on top of the cheese (do not separate tops from each other).
Brush the tops with remaining melted butter and sprinkle with poppy seeds (optional).
Bake in the preheated oven until the buns are browned and the cheese is melted, 9 - 11 minutes.
For mini sliders: Use the overhanging parchment paper to lift the mini sloppy Joe sliders out of the pan, and remove them to a cutting board. Cut the mini sloppy Joe sliders apart using the large serrated knife. For regular sliders: remove from the pan individually by hand or using a spatula. If needed, cut apart with the edge of a spatula or small knife. Serve immediately.

Notes

Using 93% lean ground beef saves you from having to drain excess grease from the pan after browning the meat. However, you can substitute other ground beef, just carefully drain any excess grease from the pan before adding in the liquid ingredients.

If you don't like American cheese, feel free to substitute any other type of sliced melting cheese you prefer. Good options would be Monterey Jack or mild cheddar.

Lining the pan with parchment paper with some overhang on the sides makes it very easy to lift out the mini sliders from the pan so they can be cut apart before serving. If you are using regular-sized slider buns, feel free to line the pan, but it's not as necessary since the buns can be removed more easily from the pan one-by-one. If you choose not to line the pan, still brush the bottom of the pan with butter.

Find it online: https://nibbleanddine.com/sloppy-joe-sliders/