What to Serve With Sloppy Joes: 41 Recipe Ideas

You’re making Sloppy Joes for dinner, but do you know what to serve with Sloppy Joes?

Let’s be honest, you can’t go wrong with this all-American dish. These meaty, saucy sandwiches make the perfect lunch or dinner because they’re so easy yet delicious. Plus, there are tons of foods you can serve with Sloppy Joes.

From french fries to a variety of salads, there are hundreds of sides to make when Sloppy Joes are on the menu. Keep reading if you want to level up your Sloppy Joe side dish game. Below are our favorite delicious side dishes you can serve with America’s favorite dinner.

Traditional Food to Serve With Sloppy Joes

Some of the best side dishes to serve with Sloppy Joes include potato salad, coleslaw, and corn on the cob. These classic foods are traditionally served with Sloppy Joes because their flavors blend so well together. Plus, they’re so simple to prepare. It’s a win-win situation all around.

Smoked Corn on the Cob

The sweetness of the corn goes perfectly with the meaty flavor of Sloppy Joes. For even better results, try making this smoked corn on the cob.

Baked Beans

These baked beans with bacon complement well the flavors of meat and tomato sauce, making them the perfect side dish for Sloppy Joes.

Old Fashioned Potato Salad

This old-fashioned potato salad is one of my favorite side dishes because it’s so simple to make and goes well with anything.

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Macaroni Salad

This smoky Southern macaroni salad is a flavorful twist on the classic side dish, featuring a creamy dressing infused with smoky paprika and a medley of crunchy vegetables. The perfect accompaniment to any cookout or potluck, this salad brings a touch of Southern charm to your table.

Homemade Dill Pickles

Homemade dill pickles are the perfect addition to Sloppy Joes and any other sandwiches or hamburgers.

Mashed Cauliflower

This mashed cauliflower with roasted garlic is the perfect side dish for Sloppy Joes if you’re on a low-carb or keto diet.

Mac and Cheese

This mac and cheese is a creamy and indulgent side dish with a velvety cheese sauce. This classic comfort food pairs perfectly with sloppy joes, providing a delightful contrast in flavors and textures.

Homemade Potato Chips

Store-bought potato chips are a great side dish to serve with Sloppy Joes, but if you want to make your meals better, try making these homemade oven-baked potato chips.

Rasta Pasta Salads

Rasta Pasta is a vibrant and flavorful Caribbean-inspired dish that combines tender pasta with a rich, creamy sauce infused with Jamaican jerk seasoning, bell peppers, onions, and garlic. This unique fusion of Italian and Caribbean flavors creates a delightful and satisfying meal that’s perfect for those seeking a little culinary adventure.

Air Fryer Dishes to Serve With Sloppy Joes

I love cooking with the air fryer. Not only does this appliance make cooking faster, but it also lets you make delicious foods with little to no effort. Below you’ll find the best of our top air fryer recipes to serve with Sloppy Joes.

Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Serving Sloppy Joes with these crispy Brussels sprouts is a simple way to eat more veggies.

Air Fryer Potato Skins

These crispy air-fried potato skins are one of my favorite sides to serve with Sloppy Joes because they are easy to make and incredibly tasty too! Top them with bacon, fresh chives, and sour cream for the best results.

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

These cheesy 3-ingredient jalapeño poppers are a delicious but easy side dish to serve with Sloppy Joes.

Air Fryer Waffle Fries

French fries are the ideal side dish to serve with Sloppy Joes. Trust me, you can’t go wrong with these air-fried waffle fries. For a healthier option, you can use sweet potato fries instead!

Crispy Air Fryer Green Beans

You won’t want to eat green beans another way once you’ve tried this crispy air-fried green beans recipe!

Air Fryer Polenta Truffle Fries

Why have simple french fries when you can have these delicious air fryer polenta fries with your Sloppy Joes instead?

Green Bean Fries

Serving green beans with Sloppy Joes is a simple but effective way to add more vegetables to your diet. And if you want to try these veggies in a new, delicious way, you should try making these crispy green bean fries.

Air Fryer Blooming Onion

Trust me, you won’t want to have onion rings with Sloppy Joes after you’ve tried this simple air-fried blooming onion recipe!

Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli

Who said broccoli is better fresh? Maybe a not-so-well-know fact is that often, frozen veggies are more nutritious than fresh ones because they are frozen at the peak of ripeness when they contain the highest levels of nutrients. They also don’t lose their nutritional value as quickly as fresh vegetables. So try this no-fail air fryer frozen broccoli recipe.

Veggies to Serve With Sloppy Joes

Believe it or not, Sloppy Joes can make for a healthy and well-balanced meal. There are many recipes for healthy Sloppy Joes you can try. In addition to this, you can serve your sandwiches with veggies, below are some delicious ideas.

Mediterranean Cucumber Salad

This refreshing Mediterranean cucumber salad is made with only ten ingredients, including cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, and mint.

Sweet Potato Hash

This delicious sweet potato hash is so easy to make and goes well with the meaty flavor of Sloppy Joes. This vibrant, hearty accompaniment adds a touch of natural sweetness and warmth to your plate, perfectly complementing the bold flavors of sloppy joes.

Copycat KFC Coleslaw

Kentucky Fried Chicken coleslaw might be as famous as their chicken. If not, it’s close to it. This copycat recipe tastes just like the real thing. Promise! This version is perfect for when you want to make Sloppy Joes for dinner on busy weeknights and need to quickly throw together a side dish.

Loaded Tater Tots

Potatoes are one of the best side dishes for Sloppy Joes and these tater tots loaded with cheddar cheese are no exception!

Crispy Tobacco Onions

Tobacco onions are a deliciously crispy and addictive side dish featuring thinly sliced red onions, coated in seasoned flour and deep-fried to golden perfection. These crunchy, savory morsels add a delightful texture contrast to Sloppy Joes, making them an irresistible accompaniment to the classic sandwich.

Redneck Caviar

Also known as Cowboy or Hillbilly Caviar, Redneck Caviar is a mix of beans, veggies, herbs, and delicious vinegar dressing. A perfect side!

Potato Wedges

Seasoned potato wedges are a scrumptious side dish featuring crispy, oven-baked potato wedges generously coated in a blend of savory herbs and spices. These delectable wedges offer a satisfying crunch and burst of flavor, making them an ideal accompaniment to a variety of main courses.

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad

Who said Brussels sprouts weren’t tasty? This Brussels sprout salad with pancetta will make you rethink everything you knew about veggies!

Fajita Veggies

These Chipotle copycat fajita veggies are a great way to add extra flavor to your Sloppy Joes. Trust me, you won’t want to have bell peppers any other way once you’ve tried this recipe!

Desserts to Serve With Sloppy Joes

There’s no better way to end a long day than with some Sloppy Joes followed by a sweet treat. There are countless desserts you can serve with Sloppy Joes, below are our faves.

Cherry Pie

This old-fashioned cherry pie is not only incredibly easy to make but goes well with the meaty taste of Sloppy Joes!

4-Ingredient Banana Bread

This super easy 4-ingredient banana bread hits the spot. It uses cake mix so it comes together in a flash. It’s a perfectly sweet ending to savory Sloppy Joes.

Oreo Brownie Trifle

This Oreo brownie trifle does not only go well with Sloppy Joes but is also incredibly easy to make. It’s the perfect dessert to make with your kids!

White Chocolate Cookies

These white chocolate and nut cookies are not only yummy but also healthy, thanks to the macadamia nuts!

Fruity Pebbles Treats

Nothing says Americana quite like Fruity Pebbles treats. They’re perfect when you’re looking to use up that leftover bag of marshmallows and are always a crowd-pleaser.

Banana Split Ice Cream Cake

This banana split ice cream cake is so delicious and simple to make. It’s the perfect dessert to serve with Sloppy Joes.

Raspberry Cheesecake Bars

These raspberry cheesecake bars are packed with flavors that go perfectly well with Sloppy Joes.

Pumpkin Dump Cake

Sloppy Joes are so easy to put together, so it makes sense to serve them with a dessert that’s very easy to make. Well, this 2-ingredient pumpkin cake is a perfect choice.

Million Dollar Pie

Try Million Dollar Pie for a tasty and satisfying dessert with creamy filling, chopped fruit, and nuts. Perfect for any sweet craving.

Eclair Cake

This simple no-bake eclair cake is so simple to make yet so delicious! Its decadent flavor makes it the perfect complement for Sloppy Joes.

Yummy Cocktails to Serve With Sloppy Joes

Blue Motorcycle Drink

Also an exceptionally strong drink, a blue motorcycle drink combines a variety of liquors including rum, tequila, vodka, gin, and Blue Curaçao. It also contains lemon-lime soda and sour mix for the perfect sweet and sour taste.

Sweet Tart Shot

Love a sour cocktail, this sweet tart shot recipe can also be made into a martini. It might be sweet, but it also has a great balance of sourness to it. It’s not your grandmother’s cocktail.

Spicy Mint Margarita

The heat from the Serrano chilis in this spicy mint margarita cuts right through the heaviness of the meat from the Sloppy Joes.

Irish Trash Can Drink

If you’re looking for a delicious, fruity, and strong cocktail, an Irish trash can drink is a perfect cocktail to make. Drinker beware, however, though it’s fruity, it’s still strong.

Pink Señorita

Similar to a margarita, a pink señorita using pink lemonade instead of lime juice. Think of it as the prettier, sweeter cousin to the traditional marg.

Tropical Sangria

If you’re used to sangria being made with red wine, give this tropical sangria recipe a try. It’s a perfect cocktail to go with Sloppy Joes because the lightness offsets the heaviest of the meat.

Sloppy Joe FAQS

Why do they call it a Sloppy Joe?

The name “Sloppy Joe” is believed to have originated in the 1930s at a café in Sioux City, Iowa. The story goes that a cook named Joe came up with the idea of combining ground beef with a tomato-based sauce and serving it on a bun. Due to the messy nature of the sandwich, it was dubbed a “Sloppy Joe.”

What goes well with Sloppy Joes for a side?

Several side dishes pair well with Sloppy Joes, such as coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, french fries, pickles, corn on the cob, green salad, macaroni and cheese, and roasted or steamed vegetables.

how do people eat Sloppy Joes?

Sloppy Joes are typically served on a hamburger bun or a soft roll, with the meat mixture sandwiched between the two halves of the bun. People often eat them with their hands, similar to a burger, although using a fork and knife is also an option due to the sandwich’s messy nature.

What is a Manwich?

Manwich is a brand of canned sloppy joe sauce that was introduced in the 1960s. The product is designed to be mixed with cooked ground beef or turkey to create a quick and easy Sloppy Joe sandwich. The name “Manwich” is a combination of “man” and “sandwich,” emphasizing the hearty nature of the dish.

What goes well with a Manwich?

Side dishes that go well with a Manwich sandwich are similar to those that pair well with Sloppy Joes. Some options include coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, french fries, pickles, corn on the cob, green salad, macaroni and cheese, and roasted or steamed vegetables.

Looking to explore a new type of ground meat? Try out a ground bison recipe and ground elk recipe.

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Have questions or suggestions about what to serve with Sloppy Joes? Leave them in the comments below.

Looking to explore a new type of ground meat? Try out a ground bison recipe.

Have questions or suggestions about what to serve with Sloppy Joes? Leave them in the comments below.