Rudolph sloppy joe sliders are mini sloppy joe sandwiches on buttered slider buns, topped with black olive eyes, a cherry tomato nose, and pretzel antlers to look like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. They are a fun and filling option for any Christmas party spread.
The sloppy joe filling comes together in about 15 minutes using ground beef and Manwich sauce, and the decorating takes only a few minutes more. These are great for holiday parties, Christmas Eve dinners with kids, or any gathering where you want something more substantial than just snacks on the table.
For more Christmas party food ideas, check out these Christmas party foods for a full roundup, or try the Santa Toy Bag Oreos for a fun dessert to follow.
If you are hosting a Christmas party, the Christmas Mega Bundle has a full set of printable games for adults, teens, and kids to play while everyone eats. Just print and play.
Ingredients
- Ground beef, 90/10
- Manwich sauce
- Slider buns, buttered
- Black olives
- Cherry tomatoes
- Pretzels
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Preparation: Gather all decorating ingredients and set them out in small bowls. Slice the black olives in half and cut the rounded top off each cherry tomato so they sit flat as noses.
Step one: Add the ground beef to a skillet over high heat. Cook, breaking it apart, until fully browned. Drain any excess fat.
Step two: Add the Manwich sauce to the browned beef. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens slightly.
Step three: Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto the slider buns.
Step four: Place one black olive half on each side of the top bun for eyes.
Step five: Press the cut end of a cherry tomato onto the bun below the olive eyes for the nose. A toothpick can be used to secure it, but use caution if children are eating.
Step six: Break each pretzel in half and press both halves into the top of the bun at an angle to create the antlers.
Hint: Cut the cherry tomato from the rounded end so you get a flat surface that sits more securely on the bun without rolling around.
Recipe Tips for Success
- Use 90/10 ground beef so the filling is not too greasy - excess fat can make the slider buns soggy quickly.
- Assemble and decorate the sliders right before serving so the buns do not get soggy from the sloppy joe filling sitting too long.
- If serving to young children, skip the toothpick for the cherry tomato nose - press it in firmly and it will hold well enough without it.
- Keep the sloppy joe filling warm in the pan on low heat while you set up the decorating station so everything is ready to go at once.
Storage
Store leftover sloppy joe filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat before assembling fresh sliders. Decorated assembled sliders are best eaten immediately.
Complete the Occasion
Rudolph Sloppy Joe Sliders
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef 90/10 preferred
- 1 can manwich sauce
- 1 pack slider buns
- 8 black olives
- 8 cherry tomatoes
- 8 pretzels broken in half
Instructions
- Prepare decorating ingredients: slice olives in half, cut rounded top off cherry tomatoes. Set aside in small bowls.
- Cook ground beef in a skillet over high heat until fully browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add Manwich sauce. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Spoon sloppy joe mixture onto slider buns.
- Place one black olive half on each side of the top bun for eyes.
- Press cut cherry tomato onto bun below the eyes for nose. Secure with a toothpick if needed (caution with children).
- Break pretzels in half and press into top of bun at an angle for antlers.
Notes
Store leftover sloppy joe filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop before assembling. Assembled sliders are best eaten immediately. **Recipe Tips**
* Use 90/10 ground beef to keep the filling from making buns soggy.
* Assemble right before serving for best results.
* Skip the toothpick for young children — press the tomato firmly and it holds.
* Keep filling warm on low heat while setting up the decorating station.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is just an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
