Sloppy Joe Sliders Recipe

Prep

Finely chop the yellow onion and green bell pepper so they measure about 1/2 cup each. Mince the garlic.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. When shimmering, add the chopped onion and green pepper. Sauté 3–4 minutes until softened and starting to brown at the edges.

Push the vegetables to the side of the pan and add the ground beef to the center. Break it up with a spatula and cook 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no pink remains and beef begins to brown.

Add the minced garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir to combine with beef and vegetables and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

Lower the heat to medium. Stir in 3 tablespoons ketchup and 2 tablespoons tomato paste into the beef mixture, coating solids evenly.

Add 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (if using).

Pour in 1/4 cup water and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and simmer 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens to a saucy but still spoonable consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning (add a pinch more salt or a little more brown sugar for sweetness or vinegar for tang) as desired.

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Slice the top halves off the 12 Hawaiian slider rolls so you have a bottom tray and a top tray of buns. Place the bottom halves in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet or in the dish.

Spoon the sloppy joe mixture evenly over the bottom halves of the rolls, distributing the filling so each slider gets roughly the same amount. If desired, place a pickle slice on each for added tang.

Replace the top halves of the rolls. Brush the tops with 2 tablespoons melted butter. Sprinkle dried onion flakes or sesame seeds over the buttered tops if using.

Bake in the preheated oven 8–10 minutes until the buns are warmed through and edges are slightly toasty. For a crisper top, broil 1–2 minutes more, watching closely to avoid burning.

Remove from oven and let sit 2 minutes. Serve warm, pulling sliders apart as needed.