Looking for ideas on what to serve with sloppy joes? Then this list of delectable side dishes is the perfect place to start!
Feel free to add not one, but 2 or more sides to serve alongside your favorite sandwich!
What do you get when you mix ground beef, onion, bell peppers, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup or tomato sauce, and spices on a sandwich bun?
Are you also thinking about sloppy joes?
Sloppy joes have been truly enjoyed by many since their creation in the 1950s, and the young ones are at the helm of their top consumers.
Sloppy joes are also easy to put together and inexpensive, making them a go-to sandwich to serve during dinner time.
If you love them, then you’re invited to my next sloppy joe party!
Honestly, I’m obsessed with it.
Every bite of this moist, meaty, and hearty sandwich makes me feel like I’m riding a time machine, transporting me back to my childhood.
Yum!
Though sloppy joes are tastier when consumed alone, pairing them with the right side items can level up your sandwich-eating experience.
Now you might be wondering what goes well with sloppy joes; there’s a lot, really, and you’re unlocking some of them today!
From our Hawaiian Macaroni Salad to the Parmesan Crusted Crushed Turnips, here are some of my favorite side dishes that are great alongside sloppy joes.
When it comes to sides, I always opt for this Hawaiian Macaroni Salad.
It’s creamy enough to gel well with the savory flavor of the sandwich.
Aside from being an ideal candidate for a sloppy joe side, this salad is great to serve for a hot summer BBQ party or holiday get-together.
2. Pasta Salad
This creamy Pasta Salad is one of those sides to go with sloppy joes.
It’s light, simple to put together, and has a pretty dominant ranch flavor that you can’t resist.
I love pasta salad.
My obsession with this recipe led me to create variations such as spiral pasta, peas and carrots, chopped tomatoes, bacon (Oh-la-la!), and cheese.
When I’m thinking about other tasty sides, this no-mayo Carolina coleslaw is always on my mind.
It features a sweet and tangy profile that complements well with the rich flavor of sloppy joes.
Spice up your picnic favorites or complete your sloppy joe meal with this coleslaw!
What’s unique about this version is its Italian touch and the absence of rice, too.
However, it tastes just like the classic recipe!
It mixes lean ground beef, bell peppers, tomato sauce, seasoning, mozzarella cheese, and polenta, causing a burst of flavor to the overall dish.
They’re also delicious when paired with your childhood favorite sandwich, sloppy joes.
If you’re still wondering about what goes with sloppy joes, then this next recipe might be the one you’re looking for.
These Sweet Potato Fries are so crispy–thanks to the magic of air fryers.
Feel free to add spices and herbs for additional flavor, too.
There’s nothing quite like the taste of freshly grilled sweet corn on a hot summer afternoon.
Even though it’s one of the favorites to serve at a backyard party, this dish is also a great candidate to partner with sloppy joes.
Whether it’s grilled or boiled, the corn’s crunchy texture and sweet flavor can blend perfectly with sloppy joes.
Learn how to cook corn on the cob using three simple methods.
7. Tater Tots
The secret behind the addicting taste of these Tater Tots is paprika.
It’s incredible how it combines well with the potatoes and other ingredients.
The presence of black pepper in the mixture also adds both heat and depth of flavor to the overall dish.
Like french fries, tater tots are delicious when dipped in a sauce such as ranch, garlic aioli, or BBQ sauce.
They’re a great bet to pair with your sloppy joes too!
8. Baked Beans
If you haven’t tried eating sloppy joes with baked beans, you’re missing out big time.
Baked beans are a hearty dish that’s enjoyed at backyard parties, family gatherings, and potluck.
It features a sweet and spicy flavor profile coming from brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and dry mustard.
The recipe will never be complete with bacon slices and pork and beans soaked in tomato sauce.
Yum!
You’ll never see leftover sloppy joes at the table when you serve this classic Macaroni & Cheese on its side.
This childhood classic is so tasty and gets a major flavor boost from cheddar cheese.
Also, the recipe is pretty simple to put together.
10. Potato Chips
The lightness and crispness of potato chips combine perfectly with the softness of the sloppy joes.
It’s also more enjoyable when served with dipping sauces on its side.
All you need to do is wash and dry the potatoes, slice them thin, then soak slices in cold water to rinse away starches.
Dry the potatoes thoroughly and season them with your favorite spices, then let all your air fryer do the rest.
11. Caesar Salad
This version of Caesar salad is egg– and anchovy-free, yet it’s as tasty as the traditional one.
The recipe doesn’t require you to have a blender, which is a piece of good news.
It would be best if you had a suitable mixing bowl and whisk.
It’s creamy, rich, and tangy enough to make you fall in love with each bite.
There are endless options for this Caesar recipe, you can add chopped crisp bacon, grilled chicken chunks, radishes, and oh…tomatoes!
12. Onion Rings
Crunchy golden onion rings are gorgeous and fun to eat.
This recipe is for beer-battered onion rings, and it includes a recipe for a lime mayo sauce.
Considering how quick this is to put together and cook, you got this, and it will be a real delight.
If you are looking for the perfect sides for sloppy joes, then give this recipe a try.
Blackened Broccoli is a great way to work in some veggies.
To cook this sloppy joe side dish, you need broccoli, garlic cloves, olive oil, sesame oil, and a few spices.
Yes, there are a few ingredients involved, and it only takes 10 minutes to cook.
14. Kale Salad
Kale is such a versatile and hearty leafy green.
This is why it stands up as a fantastic side dish for sloppy joes.
You will get so many Mediterranean flavors packed into a salad using this recipe.
It includes chickpeas, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, sunflower seeds, tahini, sunflower seeds, and spices.
15. Fruit Salad
A creamy fruit salad is a refreshing side dish.
It combines the perfect mixture of sweet and creamy, which makes it a lovely complement to your next sloppy joe dinner.
Prep your fruit and then combine it with some Greek yogurt.
It is a true delight!
16. Baked Potato
Air fryers and baked potatoes are best friends.
We love to cook baked potatoes to go with sloppy joes and then load them up with all of the best-baked potato toppings.
You can quickly prep your potatoes, oil them and salt them.
Then let them bake in the air fryer while you prepare the rest of your meal.
17. Wedge Salad
There is something about a classic Wedge Salad that just makes people smile.
It is such a simple side dish to prepare, but it is fun to eat and tasty.
This recipe features iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, chives, and blue cheese dressing.
Is there anything more festive than a salad that you can eat with tortilla chips?
This Green Goddess Salad has become a HUGE hit on Tik Tok of all things.
In total, it will only take you 10 minutes to create.
You will need green cabbage, cucumbers, green onions, baby spinach, fresh basil, shallots, and several other ingredients.
19. Cranberry Sauce
This holiday classic can be served on the side as a tarty, tangy complement to Sloppy joe.
Its acidity and taste can help balance the richness of the sandwich.
It does this without overpowering the meaty goodness of the dish.
Orange juice should help downplay the natural bitterness of cranberries.
Add a layer of this on sandwiches.
It best complements those with barbecue, Worcestershire, and tomato sauce-based ones, as well as with grilled cheese!
Around November is a great time to score fresh cranberries at your local market.
The easy-to-make recipe can very well be your next must-have for Thanksgiving meals and other parties and special occasions.
But you can feel free to make some to enjoy on the weekends and on sloppy-joe-eating-contests.
It also adds that nice pop of color to your dishes.
20. Rich Onion Soup
Onions add depth of flavor to any dish, but when you’re patient enough, following a more upgraded process can level up your dining experience even further.
Waiting to perfectly caramelize the onions and then adding some beef broth can be a heartwarming complement to the sandwich.
You might want to add some dry white wine into the mix as well.
This ingredient is known to enhance the flavors of this homemade soup even more.
Having a warm bowl served on the side can be a savory pairing to the main meal.
It’s also perfect for the chillier months so you and your family can dig into your favorite sandwich in a more enjoyable way.
It’s definitely a recipe that’s good to learn as it is a popular comfort food.
21. Tomato Soup
By choosing ingredients that are already present in the sandwich, it is easy to enhance the flavors of the dish.
A hearty bowl of warm tomato soup can help tie together all the rich meaty, oh-so-sloppy-delicious goodness of the main course.
This recipe is truly appetizing with its bright color that will make the entire dining experience even more satisfying.
It’s a thick, flavorful soup sans the cream.
It’s sure to please family and friends who appreciate the labor of love that goes into making soup that is not from the can.
22. Dill Pickles
Any type of pickle can go on most types of sandwiches, but it’s a totally taste-enhancing experience when you choose to go the extra mile with this process.
This recipe for Dill Pickles is worth the time you put into it as it has an addictive flavor with the garlic-and-dill combination.
The crispiness and tanginess of this complementary side will surprise some, but it can be quite refreshing.
It’s so tasty that you might end up making a jar of these and storing them in the fridge for snacking.
To achieve the best flavor, you’d want to give it a few days to develop its flavor in the cold temperature.
Once it’s ready, you can add a layer to the sandwich for a mind-blowing experience.
23. Pesto Asparagus
A vegan side dish need not be boring.
This recipe is loaded with flavor, upgrading a sauteed asparagus dish.
What is great about it is that it adds a nice crunch to sandwiches.
The flavors are complementary–especially the garlic, pesto, and pine nuts.
Add the balsamic vinegar, and it strikes a nice balance to the rich taste of Sloppy joes.
Saute it with sun-dried tomatoes and garnish with grape tomatoes and parmesan.
This way, the combination will pair deliciously with most dishes even better.
It’s great with many meat dishes ranging from chicken, pork, and beef to seafood like salmon and shrimp.
Make the game day even more fun by pairing Sloppy joes with another sporting event favorite!
The great cut on these potatoes makes them look fun and creative.
For extra fun, you’ll find this recipe has a Mexican take on this crowd-pleaser.
For a twist, they added black beans, salsa, and Mexican cheese blend along with grilled chicken pieces.
Throw in some more deliciousness with tomato, cilantro, red onion, and sour cream to level up the food combo.
When you have a platter of this on the side, it will make any party with friends one to remember.
Got yourself a harvest of summer squashes but don’t know what to do with them?
There are plenty of ways to cook summer squash that make it not just appetizing, but also addictive–just like these chips.
The yellow squash variety is often sold at local grocers all year round, so chances are you won’t have any trouble looking for them when you need to make sides.
This side dish is full of complementary flavors with the garlic and cheese combination.
It’s there to add texture and crunch to balance the sloppiness of the sandwich.
And, since this variety of this type of food grows really large, you won’t have problems making a big enough batch with even just one or two of these.
Green beans and carrots work just fine as standalone sides.
But, when you put them together, this combination is a solid choice.
To make it more delicious and oh-so-pretty on your table spread, this recipe is one to follow.
The clever process calls for wrapping the veggies in delicious fatty bacon with a sweetened glaze.
There is garlic butter glistening up this side dish as well making it extra yummy.
If you want to add a touch more flavor, then you can do so by finishing the bundles off on the grill.
Just like coleslaw matches the taste of sandwich meals, it follows that these mini cabbages will also be a fun option to try.
It really brings out the flavor of grilled sandwiches and barbecue-flavored dishes.
These are also perfect for meals that have a lot of meaty goodness in them.
A great way to really enhance the flavor of this veggie so you can enjoy it in the best possible way has to do with the cooking technique.
Roasting brings out the sweetness in the brussels sprouts.
And then to ensure that it is tender while still packing in some crunchiness, then you’ll have to trust the balsamic mixture.
Remember to choose the vibrant-colored ones when making this as a side dish, and not those that are turning yellow.
What’s an easy side dish that is a lot less sloppy version to consume than the main meal?
It’s these skewers that are packed with different flavors and textures.
When you choose the best ingredients to roast, and then assemble them in the most succulent way, you’ll end up with a sure party pleaser.
You’ll love the aromatic fragrance the vegetables give out as they get cooked to perfection.
All you need are the best vegetables, like red onion, zucchini, and a rainbow of colorful bell peppers.
These finger foods work well as sides or as an added layer to sandwiches.
It’s a good option for when you want to make keto-friendly, vegan, and gluten-free meals.
It holds really well together, forming patties with the combination of ground flaxseeds and chickpea flour.
To season these low-carb fritters, the recipe calls for cumin and cilantro.
Then, add an extra kick of cayenne pepper.
And there you have it–a great side dish for sandwich lovers.
The neutral nutty taste of turnips is what makes them quite a versatile vegetable.
It works great in soups as well as in sautees and salads.
But have you tried it pan-fried as fritters?
You’ll be surprised by how the humble turnip can be used to make a compact, firm, patty-like mixture.
You can also add more tasty goodness to this recipe by throwing in some herbs like rosemary, chives, and parsley.
Carrot coleslaw is the closest thing to this zesty salad.
The same tangy, flavorsome, earthy, and refreshing flavor that’s signature to outstanding coleslaw is present here.
Ingredients include: Dijon mustard, fresh parsley, scallions, honey, and salt.
32. Zucchini Tots
Zucchini and carrot shreds make a sneaky and wholesome addition to the filling of these tots.
The cheeses and Italian seasoning help mask the vegetable’s earthy taste so that even the pickiest eaters can enjoy it.
To prevent your tots from becoming soggy, remember to squeeze off as much water as you can from the shredded zucchini.
Ingredients include: Grated zucchini, shallots, parmesan, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
You guessed it: Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are crispy florets slathered in hot buffalo sauce.
“Wings” is a play on words, as they are an excellent substitute for chicken wings.
A good-for-you addition to your beefy, saucy Sloppy Joe.
Ingredients include: Cauliflower, paprika, black pepper, cassava flour, and buffalo sauce.
If you want something refreshing and light, try this butter lettuce salad.
The radishes and avocado add a pleasant crunch and smooth texture to the butter lettuce’s soft texture.
Last but not least, a bright and tangy lemon dressing binds it all together and cuts through the heftiness of the sloppy joe.
Ingredients include: Butter lettuce, cucumbers, radishes, chives, and lemon juice.
As a warm, quick, and simple side dish, carrots and peas are a tried-and-true classic.
Plus, the honey and dijon give this dish a subtly sweet taste and pleasant zing that sets it apart.
Ingredients include: Butter, carrots, frozen peas, salt, and apple cider vinegar.
Surely, potatoes are a popular choice for a side dish.
Yet another flavorful side was revealed to me by this recipe: cheesy, buttery mashed cauliflower.
Though it’s made with two kinds of cheese—goat cheese, with its distinctive tang, and cream cheese, which is mild and creamy—this hearty mash keeps its light-filled texture.
Have it in a meaty Sloppy Joe, and you’ll be set for the day.
Ingredients include: Cream cheese, goat cheese, cauliflower, salt, and pepper.
Our tried and tested Garlic Cauliflower Mash
37. Avocado Salad
Avocados are also exceptionally rich, buttery, and luscious.
Have it with some sliced red onions, tomatoes, and a tangy lime dressing, and you’ll already have a stunning, best-tasting avocado side dish.
It’s an effortless side that perks up your plate with its gorgeous pop of color and will surely awaken your taste buds.
Ingredients include: Cilantro, cherry tomatoes, red onion, mozzarella cheese, and avocados.
Oyster mushrooms are meaty in texture and have a delicate umami note.
The taste is licorice-like with a hint of earthy flavor.
Imagine how delicious it would be after being drenched in a savory coating and deep-fried to a golden brown.
Ingredients include: Oyster, starch, egg, oil, and salt.
Maque Choux is a traditional Cajun dish made of corn and peppers cooked in bacon fat until softened and flavored with a Cajun seasoning combination.
This corn salad dish is a zestier and spicier twist to your usual corn side dish.
Ingredients include: Bacon, yellow onion, sugar, frozen corn, and creamed corn.
Fresh Brussels sprouts are given a new breath of life when wrapped in savory bacon and sprinkled with brown sugar before being baked till juicy and crispy.
As you take a bite, you’ll enjoy the savory bacon juices and the nutty, sweet Brussels sprouts.
Because everything tastes better with bacon.
Ingredients include: Brussels sprout, honey, bacon, smoked paprika, and butter.
41. Roasted Tomatoes
Sweet, juicy tomatoes are a culinary delight.
And roasting them in the oven enriches their flavor.
They’ll shrink and blister, but the flavor will be intensified beyond your wildest dreams.
Ingredients include: Tomatoes, basil, oregano, thyme, and salt.
Grilled mushrooms are my new obsession.
The earthy, umami flavors are brought out so nicely by the smoky grill.
Nothing beats grilled portobellos seasoned with garlic powder, paprika, oregano, and a sriracha glaze for a pleasant fiery taste surprise.
Ingredients include: Portobello mushrooms, balsamic vinegar, paprika, sriracha, and dried oregano.
It’s time for another scrumptious potato dish.
There’s a buttery, garlicky crunch on the surface and a light, airy within, all coated in delectable garlic butter and parmesan cheese.
The crunchiest, crispiest parts are along the ridges at the top.
Ingredients include: Baby potatoes, garlic, grated parmesan cheese, kosher salt, and black pepper.
Smashed Red Potatoes (Air Fryer Recipe)
This lovely melon and refreshing ball salad are sure to please.
Blue cheese, walnuts, and a lemon vinaigrette enrich the dish’s flavors.
Salad’s crispy texture and refreshing taste provide a welcome counterpoint to all that savory delight.
Ingredients include: Watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, walnuts, and blue cheese.
I’m hesitant even to call this a recipe because making these green beans is so simple.
Yet, they’re really good.
Green beans are boiled and then mixed in a buttery, umami-rich soy sauce.
Before serving, sprinkle with sesame seeds to add crunch.
Ingredients include: Green beans, soy sauce, butter, sesame seeds, and salt.
This recipe for Fried Pickles will give you a delectable plate of crunchy and tasty goodness.
Using buttermilk, which is thicker than regular milk, ensures that all of the dill pickles are coated in the seasoned flour so they crisp up nicely when deep-fried.
Crispy and tart-fried pickles are best dunked in cool, sweet ranch or sticky honey mustard.
Also, no soggy fried pickle chips here, thanks to this tried and tested recipe.
Ingredients include: Dill pickles, buttermilk, paprika, egg, and cornstarch.
47. Greek Salad
This classic salad is like a little garden in a bowl, waiting to be devoured.
This bright and zesty salad provides a nice balance of flavors.
Ingredients include: Romaine lettuce, feta cheese, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and manzanilla olives.
When roasted, cauliflower gets a pleasant savory char and becomes flavorful, making it a superb dish.
The flavor of these steaks is spot on; they are savory and creamy.
These tender, juicy steaks won’t have any missing flavor.
Ingredients include: Cauliflower, Cajun seasoning, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
The sweetness and starchiness of the sweet potato hash match the savory filling of Sloppy Joe perfectly.
In addition, the sweet potato chunks’ crunch is an excellent complement to the Sloppy Joes’ suppleness.
Ingredients include: Sweet potato, bell peppers, jalapeno pepper, fresh sage, and extra virgin olive oil.
50. Glazed Carrots
A bag of carrots is one of those things that I never run out of in my fridge.
They’re cheap, last for weeks, and may be used for various dishes–like this one.
They are divinely sweet, luxuriously tender, and delightfully shiny.
As a bonus, this recipe will help you achieve that exquisite texture in one of the most efficient ways—using the microwave.
Ingredients include: Carrots, brown sugar, honey, coconut oil, and salt.
They’re lightly charred and smokey, and the flavors really intensify and caramelize.
But if you want to make them sing, prepare these vegetables with balsamic vinegar.
That burst of acidity makes all the difference.
Ingredients include: Bell pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, red onion, and eggplant.
General Tso’s tofu stir-fry is one of my favorite dishes ever.
Really, I don’t think there’s anyone who isn’t.
It tastes great.
But this cauliflower-based take on the classic meal is superior.
These florets are roasted till crisp and covered in a gingery sauce.
You shouldn’t be surprised if you find yourself craving it repeatedly.
Ingredients include: Cauliflower, chili garlic, maple syrup, avocado oil, and cornstarch.
I know it may sound fancy but fear not.
Fior di latte is an Italian cheese that is similar to fresh mozzarella but has a creamier texture.
Add sugar snap peas, cashews, seeds, and a homemade herbaceous basil dressing for a gourmet and varied salad.
Ingredients include: Cashews, sunflower seeds, sugar snap, and rice malt syrup.
Combine two of the season’s best ingredients for a delicious meal.
In this salad, the contrast between the sweet peaches and the tangy tomatoes brings out the best in both ingredients.
Basil leaves add a pleasant aroma and unite the two contrasting flavors effectively.
Just what you need to balance all that meat in your Sloppy Joe.
Ingredients include: Onion, peaches, tomatoes, honey, and olive oil.
55. Garlic Bread
You can use the garlic bread to wipe the meat juices off your plate.
Toasted bread and a delicious sandwich, of course, please.
Softened garlicky butter will seep into every crevice of the bread, making it more irresistible.
Whether you pick them up at your local bakery or whip up a batch in your kitchen, they will go over well.
Ingredients include: French bread, unsalted butter, garlic, parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley.
The bottom line
There are indeed other side dishes for sloppy joes that can take you back to the good old days.
They’re just waiting for you out there and ready to be unlocked!
Please keep in mind the golden rule of picking the right sides for sloppy joes: choose a dish that’s not too fatty, oily, and starchy to avoid overpowering the sandwich.
More About Sloppy Joes
What To Serve With Sloppy Joes: 55 Tasty Sides
Looking for ideas on what to serve with sloppy joes? Then this list of 55 delectable side dishes is the perfect place to start!
Ingredients
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
- Pasta Salad
- Carolina Coleslaw
- Stuffed Peppers
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Corn On The Cob
- Tater Tots
- Baked Beans
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Potato Chips
- Caesar Salad
- Onion Rings
- Blackened Broccoli
- Kale Salad
- Fruit Salad
- Baked Potato
- Wedge Salad
- Green Goddess Salad
- Cranberry Sauce
- Rich Onion Soup
- Tomato Soup
- Dill Pickles
- Pesto Asparagus
- Loaded Waffle Fries
- Garlic Parmesan Yellow Squash Chips
- Bacon Wrapped Green Bean & Carrot Bundles
- Balsamic Brussel Sprouts
- Grilled Vegetable Skewers
- Broccoli Fritters
- Parmesan Crusted Crushed Turnips
- French Grated Carrot Salad With Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette
- Zucchini Tots
- Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
- Butter Lemon Salad With Lemon Chive Dressing
- Honey Dijon Peas And Carrots
- Cauliflower Mashed
- Avocado Salad
- Fried Oyster Mushroom
- Cajun Corn Maque Choux
- BBQ Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts
- Roasted Tomatoes
- Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
- Smashed Potato With Garlic Butter And Parmesan
- Triple Melon Salad
- Sesame Green Bean
- Fried Dill Pickles
- Greek Salad
- Cajun Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
- Sweet Potato Hash
- Glazed Carrots
- Balsamic Grilled Vegetables
- General Tso's Cauliflower
- Sugar Snap Pea Salad With Fior Di Latte
- Tomato And Peach Salad With Basil
- Garlic Bread
Instructions
- Skim through our What To Serve With Sloppy Joe list.
- Select the side dish that looks good.
- Prep the ingredients as instructed.
- Be sure to share this list of foodie finds!