Sloppy Joe Sliders

These Sloppy Joe Sliders are filled with sweet and tangy sloppy joe filling and melted cheese on fluffy Hawaiian rolls.

Ready in just 30 minutes, these quick and easy manwiches are classic comfort food – perfect for parties, potlucks, or busy weeknights.

There’s a reason why recipes like these old-fashioned Sloppy Joe Sliders are classics.

Essentially a miniature Sloppy Joe sandwich, the filling is made with juicy ground beef cooked with onions and garlic, then mixed with basic yet flavorful ingredients like ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and just a hint of chili powder.

To make these tasty little sandwiches, we pile the Sloppy Joe filling on top of soft and fluffy Hawaiian rolls, top with shredded cheddar cheese, and finish each roll with melted butter and sesame seeds before baking. 

The result is the most cheesy, delicious baked Sloppy Joe Sliders you have ever tasted!

Love sloppy joes? Check out this Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole and Sloppy Joe Garlic Toast.

Sloppy Joe Slider Recipe Highlights

1. Simple Ingredients – The majority of the ingredients needed to make the filling are pantry staples like ketchup, mustard, tomato paste, onions, and Worcestershire sauce. Add ground beef and Hawaiian rolls to your grocery list, and you’ll be set.
2. Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe – The prep for making these sliders couldn’t be easier. It’s just a matter of sauteing onions and beef with the other filling ingredients, assembling as one large sandwich, and baking.
3. Everyone Loves Them – Need a last-minute dinner idea that you know everyone will eat? Sloppy Joe’s it is!

Key Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make these tasty mini sandwiches:

Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

• Ground Beef: 90/10 ground beef will give you super flavorful, non-greasy Sloppy Joes. If you use 80/20, make sure to drain all of the grease after you finish cooking the ground beef.
• Ketchup and Mustard: The combination of ketchup and mustard is what gives Sloppy Joes their signature tangy, sweet, and savory flavor.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce to your Sloppy Joes will enhance the umami flavors and give it a rich, meaty taste.
• Tomato Paste: Adding tomato paste or sauce can help thicken the Sloppy Joe mixture and give it a richer tomato flavor.
• Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese is super easy to sprinkle on top and saves you from cutting slices to fit each slider. Other tasty options could be pepper jack or mozzarella cheese.
• Rolls: Kings Hawaiian Rolls are perfect for making sliders because they are soft, tender, and have a distinctive sweet flavor. A good substitute would be another small, soft bun that is sturdy enough to hold up to the juicy filling.

How To Make Sloppy Joe Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls

1. Prepare the Hawaiian Rolls. Slice the rolls in half and place them into a baking dish.
2. Cook. Saute until the beef is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, tomato paste, and chili powder.
4. Simmer the Sloppy Joe filling. Combine and simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.

4. Transfer the sloppy joe mixture over the slices bottom half of the Hawaiian rolls, and spread evenly.
5. Add shredded cheese on top of the sloppy joe mixture.
6. Brush the tops with melted butter, and sprinkle the sesame seeds.
7. Bake. Cook for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Cool slightly before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Use shredded cheese. Shredded cheese saves you time cutting slices to fit the Hawaiian rolls. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as Pepper Jack or Swiss cheese.
• Make the filling ahead of time. You can prepare the Sloppy Joe filling in advance and reheat it when you are ready to serve. 
• Use the right slider rolls. Because Sloppy Joes are so moist, you need to choose rolls that are soft yet sturdy enough to hold up without getting soggy. King’s Hawaiian rolls work perfectly, but another similar slider roll will work well as a substitute.
• Add extra ingredients. Feel free to get a little creative with the filling, such as chopped bell peppers, pickled jalapenos, or spices like cumin or garlic powder.

Storing Tips

• Refrigerator: Store leftover Sloppy Joe filling in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: The filling can be transferred to freezer bags and stored for up to 2 months. To thaw, transfer to the refrigerator overnight. 
• To reheat: To reheat the sloppy joe sauce, either microwave or place in a small saucepan with a little water and heat over medium heat. Stir frequently, heating until the filling is warmed through.

How to Serve Sloppy Joe Sliders

Part of a summer BBQ menu. In my opinion, some of the best sides for Sloppy Joes are other classic comfort foods that you might find at a summer barbecue. This Homemade Coleslaw, Pesto Potato Salad, Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, or Grilled Vegetable Kabobs would fit right in.

Lunch for kids. For a fun lunch with the kiddos, serve Sloppy Joe Sliders with Homemade French Fries, Stovetop Mac and Cheese, or potato chips.

An easy weeknight family dinner. If these mini sandwiches are being served for dinner, serve with veggies and potatoes such as these Creamy Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, or Roasted Broccolini.
Appetizers for a tailgate or game day party. Sloppy Joe sliders don’t have to be a main course – these mini sandwiches work great as a party appetizer. Serve along with other part food favorites like Italian Hoagie Dip, Cold Spinach Artichoke Dip, and Slow Cooker Chicken Wings.

Recipe FAQs

Do I have to use Hawaiian Rolls to make Sloppy Joes?

Hawaiian rolls are popular because of their slightly sweet flavor and soft texture, making them a great match for savory Sloppy Joes. But feel free to use other rolls, just make sure they’re sturdy enough to stay intact and not get soggy.

Can I make these sliders ahead of time and reheat them?

While I wouldn’t assemble Sloppy Joe Sliders ahead of time, you can prepare the filling the day before. Store in an airtight container in the fridge overnight.

Just before you are ready to serve them the next day, reheat the filling over medium heat, adding a touch of water and stirring frequently until warm. From there you can assemble and bake as directed!

How long will the sloppy joe sliders stay fresh after making them?

Assembled Sloppy Joe Sliders are best enjoyed fresh. The filling, however, can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. To make more sliders later in the week, just reheat the filling, assemble, and bake as directed.

Can I freeze the sloppy joe sliders for later?

Sort of—Sloppy Joe filling can be transferred to freezer bags and stored for up to 2 months. To thaw, transfer to the fridge overnight so that you can reheat and assemble them the next day.

These Hawaiian Roll Sloppy Joe Sliders are seriously delicious. Be sure to pin this recipe for the next time you need a quick and easy weeknight meal or party appetizer.