Korean Turkey Sloppy Joe Sliders (Printable version)

Sweet and spicy Korean-style ground turkey on soft buns with crunchy tangy slaw for easy party bites.

# What You'll Need:

→ Turkey Filling

01 - 1 pound ground turkey
02 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 inch piece fresh ginger, grated
06 - 1/4 cup gochujang
07 - 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
08 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
09 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
10 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
11 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
12 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Crunchy Slaw

13 - 2 cups shredded green cabbage
14 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
15 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
16 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
17 - 1 teaspoon honey
18 - 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
19 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Assembly

20 - 8 slider buns
21 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds for garnish, optional

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, rice vinegar, honey, sesame seeds, salt, and pepper. Toss with shredded cabbage and carrots. Refrigerate until ready to use.
02 - Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and grated ginger; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
04 - Stir in gochujang, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. Stir in sliced green onions and remove from heat.
05 - Toast slider buns lightly if desired. Spoon a generous amount of turkey mixture onto each bun bottom, top with crunchy slaw, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and cover with bun tops.
06 - Serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sweet-spicy balance hits perfectly without ever tipping into overwhelming heat, so even soy sauce skeptics will ask for seconds.
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, making these feel fancy enough for entertaining but easy enough for a Tuesday night dinner.
  • That crunchy cabbage slaw provides the textural contrast that transforms a simple slider into something restaurant-worthy.
02 -
  • Gochujang can vary wildly in heat level depending on the brand, so taste the sauce before adding all of it and adjust based on your heat tolerance and your guests' preferences.
  • Don't skip chilling the slaw—cold, crisp cabbage against warm turkey is what elevates these from ordinary to memorable, and room-temperature slaw loses that crucial textural contrast.
03 -
  • Toast your slider buns lightly right before serving—it creates a subtle barrier that keeps them from getting soggy while adding a delicate crunch that plays beautifully against the soft filling.
  • Make the slaw first so it has maximum chill time, which firms up the cabbage and allows the flavors to marry without your attention, leaving you free to focus on the turkey sauce.
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