What to Serve with Sloppy Joes: 27 Yummiest Side Dishes
What to serve with sloppy joes! These flavorful side dishes make an easy dinner on a busy weeknight, but are also special enough for a party.
Sloppy joes are a classic comfort food that almost everyone loves.
This hot sandwich, brimming with lean ground beef in a super tasty sauce, and served on a hamburger bun.
You can easily whip up a homemade sauce with a can of tomato paste or tomato sauce, a little brown sugar, and worcestershire sauce.
(Or feel free to use the cult classic Manwich sauce from a can!)
Some people like to use ground turkey instead of beef, or add green pepper and red onions to their homemade sloppy joes.
No matter exactly how you like to eat them, they’re simple enough for just about anyone to cook.
Plus, it’s easy to make a very large batch, making them perfect for a party or family gatherings.
Now that you’ve decided to make them, you may be wondering what sides go with sloppy joes.
Luckily, I’ve put together a list of sides so you know exactly what to serve.
Let’s dive in!
Sides for sloppy joes
1. Baked beans
It doesn’t get any easier than baked beans.
Even though it’s simple, this easy side dish is always a crowd favorite.
You can even keep them warm in your slow cooker until it’s time to serve dinner.
2. Tator tots
To add to the comfort food effect, consider serving tator tots.
The crunchy little morsels are so soft and tender inside, and taste amazing dipped in ketchup.
Bake up a bag of frozen tots, or really impress everyone with these cheesy loaded tator tots!
3. Corn on the cob
Mmmm…corn on the cob. So sweet, so tender, so juicy.
They’re so fresh (and budget-friendly) all summer long, and almost everyone adores them.
Just be prepared with lots of napkins if you plan to serve corn on the cob with your sloppy joes.
4. Potato salad
I don’t know about you, but potato salad is one of my all-time favorite side dishes.
Classic potato salad turns basic ingredients like potatoes, celery, mayo, and mustard into something amazing.
It truly is more than the sum of its parts.
Add in some hard-boiled eggs and you’ve really got a winner!
5. Macaroni and cheese
To fully reach next level comfort food, serve up some mac and cheese with your sloppy joes.
You can use a simple boxed mix, or whip up melty, creamy baked macaroni and cheese from scratch.
No one will be talking – just mowing down their dinner.
6. Mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes, am I right?
They’re simple and inexpensive, and one of those potato sides that are always a family favorite.
Mashed cauliflower is a good alternative if you’re eating low carb or doing keto.
7. Coleslaw
Homemade coleslaw is crunchy, creamy, and slightly sweet.
Not to mention it only has 4 ingredients!
Everyone will be so impressed when you tell them you made it yourself.
8. French fries
Waffle fries, curly fries, with seasoning or without, you really can’t go wrong by serving french fries.
They go so well with hamburgers, so why not sloppy joes too?
9. Green salad
A simple green salad is a healthier option, if you’re looking to balance your meal out a bit.
A caesar salad is always a favorite, or try an arugula salad with cherry tomatoes and pine nuts in an easy, tangy vinaigrette.
10. Potato chips
It seriously doesn’t get any easier than opening a bag of potato chips.
There are so many flavors available, and you could even set out some french onion dip to go with it.
Or if you want to feel like a gourmet, whip up a batch of these air fryer potato chips instead.
11. Macaroni salad
Macaroni salad has that “like Grandma used to make” comfort food aspect that makes everyone feel right at home.
It’s an easy make-ahead side dish made with a few budget-friendly ingredients.
And it’s the perfect side dish for sloppy joes on a hot day when you don’t want to heat up the kitchen.
12. Glazed carrots
These brown sugar glazed baby carrots are so tender and simple to make.
With only 4 ingredients, they’ll become your go-to side dish.
They feel fancy and special, but only you’ll know that you whipped them up in 10 minutes.
13. Onion rings
Good old-fashioned onion rings aren’t just for the drive thru anymore.
You can whip up a batch of crispy yet tender onion rings right at home!
(Or feel free to use a bag of frozen ones if you want to be ‘efficient.’
14. Baked potatoes
You could make a traditional Russet baked potato topped with butter, sour cream, and maybe even a little cheddar cheese.
Or try some roasted red potatoes with garlic, parmesan, and herbs for a unique twist.
15. Broccoli cheddar rice
Cheesy broccoli rice casserole feels like pure comfort food.
Even the pickiest eaters will like it!
And if you’re in a time crunch, feel free to use the store bought packet of broccoli cheddar rice instead.
16. Sweet potato fries
Sweet potatoes are a bit healthier than a traditional potato, since they are high in vitamins.
Oven baked sweet potato fries are crispy, well-seasoned, and totally addicting.
Or consider an easy sweet potato hash with onions and garlic.
17. Pasta salad
This quick and easy pasta salad tastes really fresh, thanks to the crunchy veggies, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and simple homemade dressing.
You can keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days, so feel free to make it early!
18. Dill pickles
Maybe you like Claussen dill pickle spears, or want to try your hand at making homemade refrigerator pickles.
Either way, pickles are always the answer to what to serve with sandwiches of any kind.
19. Roasted green beans
Roasted green beans are a light and healthy side dish, perfect for more filling meals like sloppy joes.
Simply toss them in a little olive oil, salt and pepper, and maybe a little garlic powder.
Then set-it-and-forget-it in the oven for about 15 minutes at 425 degrees.
20. Zucchini potato bake
I’ve been making this zucchini potato bake for years, and I get compliments on it every.single.time.
It’s so inexpensive and simple, yet somehow makes potatoes, zucchini, and bread crumbs taste super indulgent.
21. Cheesy potatoes
This easy cheesy potato recipe can be made with frozen, canned, or fresh potatoes, and a few other ingredients from your pantry.
It’s special enough for a holiday, easy enough for a weeknight, and crowd pleasing enough for a party.
22. Black bean salad
Black bean salad is light and refreshing, but delicious enough that everyone will be asking for the recipe.
It comes together fast with canned black beans, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and red onions, and then gets tossed in a simple tangy homemade dressing.
Make it ahead of time if you really want the flavors to meld.
23. Rice pilaf
True rice pilaf is made more special with a little orzo pasta mixed in.
It’s fluffy and flavorful, will please even the pickiest eaters, and is versatile enough to go with any main dish.
24. Roasted garlic brussel sprouts
These garlic roasted brussels sprouts are really tender and tasty.
The few simple ingredients create a mouthwatering side dish you’ll be surprisingly excited to serve.
25. Fruit salad
This perfect fruit salad has a sauce to die for.
Be prepared for everyone to go back for seconds!
Try to make it at least 4 hours ahead of time so all the flavors have time to come together into something truly magical.
26. Steamed broccoli
Broccoli is one of those veggie sides for sloppy joes that will make you feel better about serving such a hearty sandwich.
This crisp-tender and vibrant green steamed broccoli is made special with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon.
27. Bacon wrapped asparagus
If you don’t think you can get the family to eat steamed broccoli, serve bacon wrapped asparagus instead.
Even the ‘meat and potatoes’ guys will be giving this elegant dish a try.
It’s the perfect mix of healthy and indulgent, and let’s face it – bacon just makes everything better.
Ready to serve these sides for sloppy joes?
I hope this list of good sides for sloppy joes has given you lots of inspiration for what to serve.
Whether you want to keep it simple with chips, make it healthier with vegetables, or keep the comfort food theme with potatoes, any of these great ideas will have your family gobbling down their delicious meal.
What to serve with sloppy joes! These flavorful side dishes make an easy dinner on a busy weeknight, but also special enough for a party. 1. Choose 1-3 side dishes that you'd like to serve with your sloppy joes
Sides for Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
Instructions
2. Gather the ingredients and prepare the meal
3. Serve your sloppy joe dinner for all to enjoy
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