Kid-Friendly Mini Turkey Meatball Sliders with Honey-Mustard Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Small turkey meatball sliders with a sweet and tangy honey-mustard sauce, perfect for kids’ lunches or parties. This American-inspired kid-friendly recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 6 American cuisine 280 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground turkey, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 large egg, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  2. Step 2: Form the mixture into 12 small meatballs, about 1.5 inches each. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned.
  3. Step 3: While meatballs bake, whisk together 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1/4 cup mayonnaise in a small bowl to make the honey-mustard sauce.
  4. Step 4: To assemble, spread about 1 tsp of honey-mustard sauce on the bottom half of each mini slider bun. Place one meatball on each bun, top with a small piece of lettuce, and cover with the bun top.
  5. Step 5: Garnish each slider with a cherry tomato half on a toothpick for a colorful, kid-friendly presentation.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Kid-Friendly Mini Turkey Meatball Sliders with Honey-Mustard Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Kid-Friendly Mini Turkey Meatball Sliders with Honey-Mustard Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground turkey from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Kid-Friendly Mini Turkey Meatball Sliders with Honey-Mustard Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Kid-Friendly Mini Turkey Meatball Sliders with Honey-Mustard Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Kid-Friendly Mini Turkey Meatball Sliders with Honey-Mustard Sauce?

American kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes