sloppy joe side dishes
Food

23 Best Sloppy Joe Side Dishes to Elevate Your Entire Meal

Sloppy Joes — a rich, cheesy, and flavored classic sandwich — has been an all-time favorite with adults and kids alike. Browned beef and seasoned veggies simmered in a rich tomato sauce and served in warm buttery hamburger buns — what’s not to like! And while this messy and ultra-delicious dish is wonderful on its own, pair it with the right side dish and you have a meal no one can resist!

Are you stumped as to what to serve with it? This article’s got you covered. Here are 23 sloppy joe side dishes you can indulge in to bring some variety to your dinner menu.

#1. Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

If you’re looking to make a statement with a simple side dish, look no further than this bacon-wrapped asparagus recipe. It’s made with only four ingredients — asparagus spears, extra virgin olive oil, black pepper, and thick-cut bacon strips — and is simple enough to whip up in little time and yet elegant enough to elevate your messy sandwich!

#2. Baked Mac and Cheese

If you didn’t receive the memo, we’re bringing together two childhood favorites to create an irresistible meal! Cheesy mac, a white creamy sauce, and a buttery breadcrumb topping paired with the sweet and savory Sloppy Joe? Even the pickiest of eaters are sure to enjoy this wonderful combo!

#3. Baked Parmesan Zucchini

This cheesy baked parmesan zucchini recipe is super easy to prepare. For someone who’s spent a lot of time preparing Sloppy Joes, this side dish will be a breeze to make. Make it with zucchini, olive oil, parmesan, salt, and pepper, then serve this veggie side dish alongside warm Sloppy Joes to round up the meal nice and good.

#4. Creamy Mashed Cauliflower

A healthier take on mashed potatoes, make this low carb pairing for your hearty Sloppy Joes by blending boiled cauliflower florets with garlic cloves, butter, parmesan cheese, sour cream, and seasonings in a food processor. To serve, drizzle with melted butter and fresh parsley (optional). Keep the consistency smooth or chunky depending on your preferences.

#5. Dill Pickles

Crispy, tangy dill pickles perfectly complement the sweet and savory Sloppy Joes. Make them at home by filling a jar with sliced cucumbers, garlic, mustard seeds, peppercorns, dill sprigs, white vinegar, cane sugar, and sea salt, and chilling it for 24-48 hours to allow the flavors to develop. It’s a simple side dish that will have you coming back for more.

#6. Fruit Salsa

This refreshing fruit salsa is made with kiwis, golden apples, raspberries, strawberries, and fruit preserves served with cinnamon chips. If you enjoy fruits, his sweet salsa is sure to tick all the right boxes for you. Serve it in a bowl to accompany the flavorsome Sloppy Joes and impress your guests!

#7. Garlic Bread

Ready for a carb-load? Make this toasty, herby, and garlicky crowd-pleaser using French bread, butter, parsley, parmesan, and garlic, and watch how it elevates your Sloppy Joe. This recipe is extremely customizable, so feel free to explore the variations to make it to your liking.

#8. Glazed Carrots

To make a simple side dish, simmer tender carrot slices in a mixture of brown sugar and butter, and then finish it off with a sprinkling of parsley. This deliciously simple side dish takes only 15 minutes to prepare — perfect for putting together a great meal with Sloppy Joes.

#9. Homemade Potato Chips

Potato chips are delicious on their own, but they’re even better when served with the wholesome Sloppy Joes. Instead of purchasing a big bag of chips, make your own potato chips with russet potatoes, vegetable oil, and salt. The process yields a fresh batch of crispy, crunchy chips and will spell the success of your dinner night!

#10. Homemade Waffle Fries – Chick-Fil-A Copycat

Sloppy Joes and fries are an elite pairing! To make a healthy version of Chick-Fil-A waffle fries, simply cut potato slices, soak them in cold water for 30 minutes, drain the water, pat dry the potato slices to strip them off moisture, and bake until golden brown. Serve hot to enjoy!

#11. Perfect, Extra Crispy Homemade Onion Rings from Scratch

This classic side dish has graced the menu of many summertime favorites, and Sloppy Joe is no exception. It’s also very easy to prepare. Just coat onion rings in flour, then combine the remaining flour mixture with egg, milk, and salt, and coat the onion rings in this mixture. Finally, coat the onion rings in breadcrumbs and fry until crisp. Enjoy!

#12. How to Make the Best Homemade Tater Tots

These homemade baked tater tots are what dreams are made of! All you need is potato, salt, pepper, a touch of cornstarch, as well as some chopped fresh parsley and cheddar cheese. Once baked, they’re positively wonderful when paired with the oh-so-delicious Sloppy Joes!

#13. How to Make THE BEST Potato Salad

A classic Southern potato salad, this recipe uses Yukon gold potatoes, vinegar, miracle whip, egg, celery seed and stalk, and mustard to create a hearty, creamy, and tender dish. Allow the salad to chill for an hour or so to let all the flavors blend together. Serve chilled with hot Sloppy Joes and other summertime favorites for a filling meal!

#14. Macaroni Salad

This hearty and healthy macaroni salad is the perfect dish to put together when you’re hosting a Sloppy Joe-themed evening. Elbow macaroni, celery, red pepper, onion, and diced hard-boiled eggs are tossed together with a delightfully creamy mayo-based dressing. Refrigerate the salad for an hour before serving, and watch everyone reaching for seconds while they scarf down their Sloppy Joes!

#15. Microwave Corn on the Cob

A humble, simple recipe to make the best corn on the cob! In this microwave recipe, all you need to do is microwave the cobs, remove the husk and silk, and slather them with butter, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Serve hot as a side dish for Sloppy Joes.

#16. Our Favorite Saucy, Smoked Baked Beans

If you’re looking for a truly filling meal, pair your Sloppy Joes with baked beans! To make this recipe, smother baked beans in a thick sauce made of Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, chipotle, and a few other ingredients. Whether you’re throwing a Sloppy Joe dinner party or a barbecue, this baked bean recipe is guaranteed to win hearts.

#17. Perfect Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Crispy golden on the outside and deliciously tender on the inside, this roasted Brussel sprouts recipe will make you forget you’re eating veggies! Its irresistible caramelized flavor complements the savory Sloppy Joes wonderfully and is sure to become a staple in your meal rotation!

#18. Perfect Roasted Green Beans

The natural sweetness and fresh crunchiness of green beans make for a great accompaniment to the tasty Sloppy Joe. To make this instant crowd-pleaser, drizzle olive oil and salt over the green beans and roast until crisp with some golden, caramelized spots. Transfer them to a serving dish and enjoy!

#19. Quick and Easy Pasta Salad

Ready in only 20 minutes, this quick and easy pasta salad recipe is made with simple ingredients. Make it with penne or bow tie pasta, colorful veggies, parmesan cheese, mozzarella balls, fresh parsley or basil, and a vinaigrette-based dressing. Serve with the decadent Sloppy Joe sandwich for a flavorful and nutrition-packed meal.

#20. Simple Steamed Broccoli

Looking for a healthy, light, nutritious side dish to go with your Sloppy Joes? Make this steamed veggie recipe by placing broccoli florets in a steamer, covering with a tight-fitting lid, and cooking until the broccoli is green and soft. Serve them with some butter, a squeeze of lemon, a sprinkle of soy sauce, and toasted sesame oil to enjoy.

#21. Spinach Apple Salad

This tart and juicy spinach apple salad is sure to become your go-to side dish for any meal. To make, toss apple, pear, spinach, and baby greens with a tart balsamic dressing and top with crunchy maple-glazed walnuts or pecans to serve. You can even tailor this delectable dish to your preferences. Explore different variations to find your holy grail for pairing with a Sloppy Joe.

#22. Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are an instant hit that can elevate any dinner menu. To prepare, pack poblano peppers with a mixture consisting of ground beef, onion, rice, salt, garlic, and tomato sauce, then bake. For an extra kick, top it with cilantro and cheese. The creamy, savory dish goes together fantastically with Sloppy Joes.

#23. Sweet Potato Hash

This recipe for sweet potato hash is a healthy all-in-one meal that tastes even better when served as a side dish with Sloppy Joes. The savory dish includes a generous dose of vegetables and protein that are seasoned and cooked to perfection. It’s also extremely adaptable; simply add your favorite ingredients to personalize it to your liking.

AboutRibana Hategan

Ribana is a certified pastry chef and passionate home cook who curates and develops recipes that are high on nutrition. She develops and tests cost effective, nutritious meals using quality ingredients to help people better their everyday eating experiences.