Crowd-Pleasing Sloppy Joe Sliders

Sliders are my go-to for pretty much any kind of gathering: BBQs, potlucks, game day spreads, birthday parties, you name it.

There’s something about mini sandwiches that people just gravitate toward.

You can make a big tray, set it down, and they’re gone before you even get your drink.

They’re also great for weeknight dinners when you want something fun but low effort.

Out of all the combos I’ve tried, sloppy joe sliders are one of my favorites.

They’re saucy, cheesy, and ridiculously easy to throw together with stuff I usually already have on hand.

Plus, they somehow manage to feel nostalgic and totally satisfying at the same time!

What You Need to Make Sloppy Joe Sliders

These little sliders pack all the flavor of a full-size sloppy joe but are way more fun to eat!

Olive oil – Just enough to get things sizzling in the pan.
Ground beef – The heart of the filling; go for lean if you don’t want extra grease.
Onion – Diced up small so it melts right into the meat mixture.
Green bell pepper – Adds a little color and a subtle crunch.
Garlic – Because everything’s better with a little garlic.
Ketchup – Gives it that classic sloppy joe sweetness.
Brown sugar – Just a spoonful to balance the tang.
Yellow mustard – Adds that signature zingy kick.
Worcestershire sauce – Brings a deep, savory flavor to the mix.
Salt – Just enough to pull everything together.
Black pepper – For a little heat and balance.
Slider buns – Soft, squishy, and ready to soak up all that saucy goodness.
Cheddar cheese – Melts beautifully over the hot filling.
Melted butter – Brushed on top to help the buns crisp up in the oven.
Garlic powder – Mixed with the butter for extra flavor.
Dried parsley – Sprinkled on top so they look as good as they taste.

Heat up some olive oil in a skillet and toss in your ground beef.

Break it up with a spoon and cook until it’s browned and fully cooked through.

Stir in your chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic.

Cook everything together for a few minutes until the veggies soften and start smelling amazing.

Pour in the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper.

Stir well and let it all simmer for about five minutes until thickened.

Keep the heat on medium-low so it doesn’t burn while reducing.

Cut the buns in half and lay the bottoms in a greased baking dish.

Spoon the sloppy joe mixture evenly across, then add your cheddar slices.

You can swap in shredded cheese if that’s what you’ve got.

Place the top halves of the buns on, then brush with melted butter mixed with garlic powder and parsley.

Use a pastry brush to get butter into all those edges (it’ll crisp up perfectly).

Pop the dish into a 350°F oven for 10–12 minutes until the tops are golden and the cheese is gooey.

If the tops start to brown too quickly, lay a piece of foil loosely over the top.

Take them out, let them cool for a few minutes, and start handing them out.

These get messy fast, so keep napkins close.

(And leftovers reheat well in the oven or air fryer for a quick snack later!)

These sloppy joe sliders are quick, easy, and always a hit.

Perfect for parties or busy weeknights when you need something filling without a lot of fuss.

Ingredients

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
Add onion, green pepper, and garlic. Cook until softened, about 4–5 minutes.
Stir in ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened slightly.
Slice slider buns in half and place the bottoms in a greased baking dish.
Spoon the sloppy joe mixture evenly over the buns and top with cheese slices.
Add the top buns, then brush with melted butter mixed with garlic powder and parsley.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the cheese is melted.
Serve warm with extra napkins nearby.