Ground Turkey Sloppy Joe Sliders Recipe for Game Day or Parties

These Sloppy Joe Sliders feature ground turkey simmered in a homemade sloppy joe sauce made with ketchup, mustard, tomato paste, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Topped with shredded mozzarella and baked until golden, they come together in under an hour — a perfect, crowd-pleasing option for weeknights, game day, or potlucks.

Make your sloppy joe mix from scratch instead of using canned sauces. This recipe yields about 8 sliders and can be doubled or tripled to feed a larger crowd. It’s simple to prepare and easy to scale, making it ideal for family dinners or hosting.

Ingredients

• Ground turkey. A lighter alternative to ground beef while still delivering great texture and flavor.
• Mustard. Dijon gives a sharper tang; yellow mustard works if you prefer a milder taste.
• Ketchup & tomato paste. Combining both adds balanced sweetness and depth to the sauce; tomato paste brings richness while ketchup adds familiar sweetness. Brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire round out the flavor.
• Vegetables & aromatics. Onion, green bell pepper, and garlic for savory body.
• Sliders. Slider rolls, shredded mozzarella, melted butter, and Italian seasoning to finish and brown the tops.

See the recipe card below for exact quantities.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add diced onion and green bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.

Step 2: In a bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the mustard, ketchup, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, and water.

Step 3: Pour the sauce into the cooked turkey mixture, stir to combine, and simmer for about 10 minutes to let the flavors meld and the sauce thicken slightly.

Step 4: Arrange the bottom halves of the slider rolls in a large baking dish or on a sheet pan. Spoon the turkey mixture onto each roll, then top with shredded mozzarella. Place the top buns on each slider.

Step 5: Brush the tops of the buns with melted butter mixed with Italian seasoning to encourage browning and add flavor.

Step 6: Bake at 375°F for 15–20 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the rolls are golden. Let the sliders rest a few minutes before serving so they hold together better.

Serving Suggestions

Serve as an appetizer or main dish. These sliders pair well with crispy potato wedges, a fresh pasta salad, or other crowd-pleasing sides. They’re great for casual gatherings, potlucks, or game day spreads.

Storage & Reheating

• Cool sliders completely before storing in the refrigerator for up to a few days.
• Reheat gently in the oven until warmed through to keep the bread from getting soggy.
• Prepare the turkey mixture up to 48 hours ahead and refrigerate. Reheat the mixture in a skillet before assembling and baking to avoid soggy bottoms.

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Ground Turkey Sloppy Joe Sliders

Sloppy Joe Sliders are made with ground turkey simmered in a homemade sloppy joe sauce, then baked until cheesy and golden. This family favorite is perfect for hosting!

Prep Time
10 mins

Cook Time
45 mins

Total Time
55 mins

See the full post for extra tips and photos

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Sauce

• 1 tablespoon mustard (Dijon or yellow)
• ½ cup ketchup
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ cup water

Sliders

• Slider rolls
• ¾ cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the turkey and brown while crumbling for about 5 minutes.
• Add the diced onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, salt, and black pepper.

Sauce

• Whisk the sauce ingredients together in a bowl or measuring cup. Pour into the turkey mixture, stir, and simmer for about 10 minutes.

Sliders

• Place the bottoms of the slider rolls in a large baking dish. Spoon the turkey mixture onto each roll and top with shredded mozzarella. Add the top buns and brush with melted butter mixed with Italian seasoning.
• Bake for 15–20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the rolls are golden. Let cool a few minutes, then serve warm.

Sarah’s Tips

• Shred your own mozzarella for better melting.
• Adjust sauce sweetness and heat to suit your taste.

Tools I Use for This Recipe

• Knife
• Cutting board
• Large skillet
• Baking dish or sheet pan

Serving: 1 Slider

Calories: 161.56 kcal | Carbohydrates: 9.74 g | Protein: 16.58 g | Fat: 6.8 g

Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary based on brands and portion sizes.