Korean Turkey Sloppy Joe Sliders (Print)

Sweet and spicy ground turkey in Korean chili sauce, topped with tangy cabbage slaw on soft slider buns.

# Ingredients:

→ Turkey Filling

01 - 1 lb 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 - Pinch of salt and pepper

→ Assembly

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

# 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 vegetable 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 for 5 to 6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
04 - Stir in gochujang, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens. Fold in green onions and remove from heat.
05 - Toast slider buns lightly if desired. Spoon 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 slaw stays crisp and tangy even after sitting for a few minutes, so you're not racing against soggy bread.
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, which means you can go from idea to serving in a single episode of your favorite show.
  • Ground turkey keeps things light without sacrificing the bold, umami-forward flavor that makes people ask for seconds.
02 -
  • Don't skip toasting the sesame seeds in the slaw—they taste exponentially better when they've had a little heat, and it takes literally 30 seconds in a dry pan.
  • If your sauce looks too thin after simmering, leave the lid off the skillet for another minute or two; the liquid will cook down and become glossier and more clingy.
03 -
  • Don't overcrowd the skillet when cooking the turkey; give it space to brown instead of steam, and if you need to work in batches, do it.
  • Gochujang can be salty, so taste the filling before you add more soy sauce—you might not need the full amount depending on your brand.
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