Korean Turkey Sloppy Joe Sliders (Print Version)

Sweet and spicy ground turkey on soft buns topped with tangy crunchy slaw for a delicious fusion take on comfort food.

# Components:

→ Turkey Filling

01 - 1 lb ground turkey
02 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
06 - 1/4 cup gochujang
07 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
08 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
09 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
10 - 1 tablespoon ketchup
11 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 2 green onions, sliced

→ Slaw

14 - 2 cups shredded green cabbage
15 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
16 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
17 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
18 - 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
19 - 1 teaspoon sugar
20 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
21 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ For Serving

22 - 8 slider buns
23 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, optional

# Method:

01 - In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage, carrots, and green onions. In a separate small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, mayonnaise, sugar, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Toss dressing with vegetables until evenly coated. Refrigerate until assembly.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and ginger; cook 1 minute more until fragrant.
03 - Add ground turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking meat apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Stir in gochujang, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, sesame oil, and black pepper. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens. Fold in sliced green onions and remove from heat.
05 - Toast slider buns if desired. Distribute generous portions of turkey filling onto bottom half of each bun. Top with crunchy slaw and sesame seeds if using. Place top bun on each slider and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It bridges two comfort food worlds in a way that feels totally natural, not forced.
  • The crunchy slaw against the warm, spicy turkey creates this textural contrast that keeps you reaching for another slider.
  • You can have dinner ready in 40 minutes flat, which means weeknight wins without sacrificing flavor.
02 -
  • Don't skip the ginger—it's not a background note; it's essential for that authentic Korean flavor profile that sets this apart from regular sloppy joes.
  • If your slaw sits too long at room temperature, it'll get soggy; keep it cold and assemble right before eating.
  • The filling will thicken as it cools, so if it looks slightly looser than you'd like at the end of cooking, that's perfect.
03 -
  • Toast your slider buns right before assembly so they're warm and slightly crispy without drying out.
  • Make the slaw and turkey filling ahead of time; just assemble fresh so the slaw stays cold and crunchy.
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