If you are trying to figure out What to Serve with Sloppy Joes, this list is exactly what you are looking for. Here are dozens of the best recipes that go well as a side dish. There's more than just coleslaw and fries (though we have those too) plus bonus dessert recipes too!
What are Sloppy Joes?
This classic sandwich combines tomato sauce, seasonings, and ground beef into a hot sandwich that is so delicious & comforting. My gluten-free 3-Ingredient Sloppy Joe recipe is a fan favorite for good reason.
Whether you call it a loose meat sandwich, Manwich, or sloppy joes, these are great things to eat with them. If you ever wondered why they are called "sloppy joes" find out at Sloppy Joe wikipedia page
Recipe Categories
To help you decide what to offer with sloppy joes, I have broken down the list into some subcategories. So based on your mood, preference, or diet, there is something for everyone such as healthy salads, mayo-based salads, keto, simple family-favorites, and fancy sides.
This list of what to make with sloppy joes includes:
- Vegetables
- Salads
- Fries & Potatoes
- Soups
- Low-Carb Sides
- Other Side Dishes
- BONUS: Desserts too!
Jump to:
Vegetables
Air Fryer Green Beans
In just 10 minutes, this recipe for crispy air fryer green beans is the best. This simple side dish with few ingredients is quick & easy.
Air Fryer Green Beans
Baked Green Beans with Everything But the Bagel Seasoning
These delicious baked green beans will be a family favorite. The nutty everything bagel sesame seasoning that includes garlic and onion adds so much flavor. This quick & easy sheet pan veggie recipe.
Roasted Green Beans with Everything Bagel Seasoning
Smothered Green Beans
This quick green bean side dish with bacon is ready in just 20 minutes.
Smothered Green Beans
Roasted Potatoes & Broccoli
Two yummy side dishes in one sheet pan recipe - oven roasted potatoes & broccoli florets are the ultimate pairing. The spice mix add a ton of flavor & it pairs with anything from fish to chicken or beef. This easy vegetable side takes little prep & the small pieces cook fast in the oven. This simple yet fancy recipe is vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, & dairy-free.
Roasted Potatoes & Broccoli
Caramelized Brussel sprouts with Brown Sugar, Bacon, & Blue Cheese
Caramelized Brussel sprouts with brown sugar are a wonderful simple side dish. To make Brussel sprouts even more wonderful add bacon and blue cheese for a sweet, salty, creamy, and nutty delight.
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Blue Cheese
Slow Cooker Collard Greens
Tender slow cooker collard greens are perfectly seasoned for a delicious southern side dish. These bacon-cooked greens are tender, rich, and full of flavor. There is no easier recipe.
Slow Cooker Collard Greens
Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
The ultimate easy recipe for Slow Cooker Creamed Corn. This simple dump & go CrockPot side dish is a comforting Southern classic.
Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
Bacon Fried Corn
This easy recipe for bacon fried corn is a Southern classic. Fresh corn off the cob is cooked in the skillet & seasoned for a sweet, salty, & tasty side dish no one can resist. The kernels are cooked in bacon drippings with onion until tender & crisp. It only takes 20 minutes & 4 ingredients to pan-fry this vegetable into your new favorite summer comfort food.
Bacon Fried Skilet Corn
Salads
Asian Avocado Peanut Coleslaw
If you want an easy peanutty coleslaw recipe, this Asian avocado peanut coleslaw is the best. This chopped slaw recipe is bursting with fresh vegetables that are dressed in a homemade Asian-inspired dressing that is salty, sweet, and spicy. This slaw is vegan and gluten-free and sure to be one that everyone loves.
Asian Avocado Peanut Coleslaw
Fruit Salad with Cool Whip
This fresh fruit salad with Cool Whip is light, sweet, & creamy. The easy dessert recipe is healthy, refreshing, & a summer favorite. It is perfect to serve at BBQ, cookouts, potlucks, parties, & easy to make a lot to feed a crowd. A holiday favorite at Easter, Mother's Day, 4th of July, Memorial Day, & Labor Day. It is gluten-free, vegetarian, & better for you than classic ambrosia - made without coconut or marshmallows.
Fruit Salad with Cool Whip
Broccoli Salad with Apples & Cheese
This healthy broccoli salad with carrots, raisins, apples, and cheese is amazing. The creamy greek yogurt dressing is low-fat and made without mayo. It is tangy, crisp, fresh, and sweet in every bite. It holds up great for potlucks and barbecues. It is even great as a leftover, unlike other salads.
Broccoli Salad with Apples & Cheese
Summer Pesto Pasta Salad
This simple yet flavorful pesto pasta salad is a summer favorite. The cold tri-color rotini salad with a pesto dressing, tomatoes, & olives is great for a light lunch or a side dish. Using mostly inexpensive pantry staples, this budget-friendly recipe is the best. With Italian & American flavors, serve with BBQ, roasts, grilled chicken, seafood, sandwiches, & soup to complete your meal.
Summer Pesto Pasta Salad
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
This easy recipe for a fresh, tasty, & simple Mediterranean Orzo Salad is fantastic. The healthy vegetables & lemon vinaigrette are the best. The quick 30-minute side or main dish salad is vegan & vegetarian approved - or add feta & salami for a heartier option. Great make-ahead idea for lunch, dinner, picnics, & potlucks.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Simple Spinach Salad
Toss together this quick & easy simple spinach salad in just minutes. The crunchy croutons are made from scratch & with a homemade dijon vinaigrette this is the best recipe hands down. It's a fresh & healthy side dish that goes with any meal or enjoy for lunch. Pile on some protein for an entree dinner.
Simple Spinach Salad
Spinach Blueberry Salad
A colorful salad of fresh spinach, ripe blueberries, sharp parmesan, & crunchy pecans is a lovely spring recipe. It's fresh, nutty, sweet, & savory in every delicious bite.
Spinach Blueberry Salad
French Potato Salad
Tender warm herbed potatoes in a Champagne dijon vinaigrette with fresh herbs are bright, tangy, and crowd-pleasing. This is the best potato salad recipe without mayo. It is great for parties, picnics, & BBQs to feed a crowd. A fun summer side dish that's gluten-free, vegan, & dairy-free.
French Potato Salad
Italian Green Bean and Potato Salad
This easy side dish recipe for Italian Green Bean and Potato Salad is a summer favorite. It has fresh veggies and herbs, no mayo. & tons of flavor. Great to serve with grilled or BBQ meats and seafood, sandwiches, & soups. It's gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, & healthy (low-fat).
Green Bean & Potato Salad
Cold Rice Salad
The best spring or summer salad of rice and fresh fava beans. The cold rice salad It is tossed with lemon vinaigrette & topped with scallions and lemon zest for a bright pop of flavor.
Cold Rice Salad
Mexican Watermelon Cucumber Salad
A refreshing summer salad with the zing of Tajin added to watermelon, cucumber, and toasted pepitas. This simple recipe is a great side dish with all your Mexican favorites - tacos, enchiladas, & tortas.
Watermelon Cucumber Salad
Mediterranean Chopped Salad
The best Mediterranean chopped salad is packed with garbanzo beans for protein and a bunch of fresh vegetables. Loaded with Greek & Italian produce like tomatoes, cucumbers, artichokes, & olives plus a homemade Italian vinaigrette dressing recipe. Great for lunch, dinner, side, or appetizer. It is gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, healthy, & tasty for everyone to enjoy.
Italian Chopped Salad
Creamy Coleslaw
This classic recipe for creamy coleslaw is the perfect pairing for sloppy joes.
Creamy Coleslaw
Creamy Cucumber Salad
A creamy garlic dill dressing is tossed with freshly sliced cucumbers and red onion for a simple side dish.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Fries & Potatoes
Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle French Fries
For an easy foolproof method for cooking frozen crinkle-cut french fries in the air fryer, try this recipe. They will be hot, crispy, and yummy with just the right amount of time to cook in the air fryer. Plus delicious dips and seasonings to add for the best air fryer french fries.
Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle Fries
Deep-Fried Sweet Potato Fries
Homemade deep-fried sweet potato fries are a quick and easy family favorite recipe. This fantastic method to deep fry & season them makes the best appetizer or side dish.
Deep-Fried Sweet Potato Fries
Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes
For the best baked sweet potatoes in the air fryer, try this easy recipe. They come out crispy & tender in less time than from the oven.
Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes
Toaster Oven Baked Potato
Making baked potatoes in the toaster oven is an easy and delicious way to cook this classic side dish. The skin turns out crispy and the inside is soft and fluffy. If your toaster oven has a convection setting, this baked potato recipe is super quick
Toaster Oven Baked Potato
Pan Fried Potatoes & Onions
Fire up your skillet and pan-fry some potatoes and onions for a hearty side dish. This easy recipe is ready in 30 minutes & takes only a few ingredients. This southern recipe for seasoned russet potato cubes is a classic American dish great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The potatoes are crispy & fork-tender - plus gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, & dairy-free.
Pan Fried Potatoes & Onions
Avocado Potato Salad
This wonderful no-mayo potato salad is full of flavor with corn, radish, and avocado.
Avocado Potato Salad
Homemade Kettle Chips
For a crunchy side dish, homemade kettle potato chips are a must-have to eat with sloppy joes.
Homemade Kettle Chips
Soups
Slow Cooker Potato Leek Soup
Slow cooker potato leek soup is a rich & creamy soup that is wonderful for lunch or a first course at dinner. Leeks and potatoes are a classic combination for a hearty yet smooth soup. It has a bit of cayenne for some heat that pairs well with the heavy cream for balance.
Slow Cooker Potato Leek Soup
Roasted Cherry Tomato Soup
The most amazing roasted cherry tomato soup is an easy recipe that only takes 30 minutes. It's creamy, savory, rich & tastes gourmet. A touch of garlic & basil makes this an Italian classic. Serve with grilled cheese for lunch or as a starter for dinner. Simple ingredients like summer ripe fresh red tomatoes, onion, & garlic are oven-cooked, simmered, & blended for a chunky or smooth soup. Gluten-free, low-carb, & keto-friendly too!
Roasted Cherry Tomato Soup
Soup de Chalet Swiss Cheese & Potato Soup
A rich cheesy soup with potatoes and macaroni makes a comforting side dish.
Swiss Cheese and Potato Soup
Roasted Capsicum Soup with Basil Oil
The ultimate fancy roasted red pepper soup pair well with any sandwich.
Roasted Capsicum Soup with Basil Oil
Low-Carb Sides
Homemade Pickles with Leftover Pickle Juice
Homemade pickles are so easy to make when you reuse pickle juice or brine for this recipe. In 24 hours quick refrigerator pickles are crisp and ready. Fermentation to turn cucumbers into pickles has never been easier.
Refrigerator Pickles from Leftover Pickle Juice
Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad
This cool, crispy, and spicy asian cucumber salad is delicious. The flavor-packed side dish recipe is a summer favorite. The fresh & healthy salad is low-calorie, gluten-free, & vegan.
Spicy Cucumber Salad
Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
Air fryer shishito peppers char up with crunchy blistered skins for so much flavor. In minutes you have one of the best appetizers. For a sweet, spicy, and smoky bite there is nothing more simple yet delicious as these peppers.
Air Fryer Blistered Shishito Peppers
Other Side Dishes
Deep-Fried Beer-Battered Onion Rings
Onion rings are a classic fried treat that is so easy to make homemade. This beer-battered recipe for onion rings is deep-fried until crispy & crunchy. It's the perfect side dish, snack, or appetizer.
Beer-Battered Onion Rings
Old-Fashioned Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Bacon
Creamy macaroni & cheese with caramelized onions & bacon is a classic old-fashioned recipe. The best homemade baked mac and cheese begins with a traditional roux, 3 kinds of cheese & al dente elbow pasta. This family-favorite casserole recipe is creamy, comforting, & simple to make.
Baked Mac & Cheese with Bacon
Healthier Breaded Mushrooms
Crispy breaded mushrooms are a crunchy and healthy side dish that everyone will love.
Healthier Breaded Mushrooms
Desserts Too!
Here are some of my favorite desserts to enjoy after a meal of sloppy joes.
Coconut Milkshake
The ultimate creamy coconut milkshake is made with ice cream. It is thick, cool, rich, & has a tropical vibe. The island flavor of yummy coconut milk makes a great recipe. Just 2 ingredients for this easy dessert, drink, or snack. Perfect in summer.
Coconut Milkshake
Caramel Stroopwafel Milkshake
Caramel Stroopwafel Milkshake is a vanilla ice cream treat with caramel, cinnamon, and wafer cookies. It is easy, cool, and delish!
Caramel Stroopwafel Milkshake
Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
This fun & easy recipe for sugar cookies with sprinkles is a colorful dessert everyone loves. The soft & chewy cookies are loaded with nonpareils for a crunchy rainbow treat. The simple sprinkle cookie recipe is the best for birthday parties, Christmas, Easter, holidays, pride month, & celebrations.
Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies
The best fresh-baked chocolate chip marshmallow cookies are everything: crispy edges, melty chocolate, gooey toasted marshmallows, and a chewy center. The homemade cookies loaded with chocolate chips & mini marshmallows are a favorite recipe. Use milk, dark, or semi-sweet chopped chocolate or chunks too.
Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies
Fruity Pebbles Cereal Bars
Instead of Rice Krispies treats, make this easy recipe for the best colorful Fruity Pebbles cereal bars. The squares are chewy, gooey, crunchy, & tasty. Top with a drizzle of vanilla candy melts for the ultimate sweet treats.
Fruity Pebble Cereal Bars
M&M Rice Krispies Treats
For gooey and chewy Rice Krispies treats with M&M candies, this easy recipe is the best. This recipe has colorful chocolate candies and extra marshmallow for a sweet snack or dessert everyone loves.
M&M Rice Krispie Treats
How to Make Banana Ice Cream (ice cream maker recipe)
Creamy & rich homemade banana ice cream is so easy to make in the ice cream maker. This fresh fruit recipe uses just 5 simple & all-natural ingredients. This eggless recipe has a classic vanilla base & mashed bananas to make the best ice cream.
Banana Ice Cream
Coffee Ice Cream
For the best homemade coffee ice cream recipe made in the ice cream maker, try this easy recipe. It's rich, creamy, & yummy. The simple recipe is a no cook, no egg custard, & gluten-free dessert perfect for summer.
Coffee Ice Cream
Butter Brickle Ice Cream
This easy homemade butter brickle ice cream is the best recipe. The rich brown sugar caramel flavor with toffee bits is a classic combo. The old-fashioned sweet treat is nostalgic. Churn in a Cuisinart or any ice cream maker for a creamy, crunchy, & rich summer dessert.
Butter Brickle Ice Cream
Other Recipe Roundups
Need to pair up other main courses with delicious sides, try these articles:
35 + Sides for What to Serve with Sloppy Joes
Here is a variety of side dishes to serve with sloppy joes plus as easy sloppy joe recipe.
Ingredients
Top 5 Favorites from the dozens shared above!
- BACON FRIED CORN
- SIMPLE SPINACH SALAD
- DEEP-FRIED SWEET POTATO FRIES
- SPICY CUCUMBER SALAD
- BAKED MAC & CHEESE WITH BACON
Instructions
- Make any of these side dishes to serve with sloppy joe sandwiches, wraps, or burgers.
- Store leftovers according to the recipe instructions.
Notes
My easy 3-Ingredient Sloppy Joe Recipe pairs well with any of these sides!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Caroline Parrott says
That cucumber salad looks fab!
Nisha says
Wow so many delicious choices, My top favorites would be the battered onion rings, roasted capsicum soup, pickles, kettle chips, and avocado and potato salad :). They all are great choices . Wonderful share!
Angela says
Thanks for checking out the list of the best sides for eating with sloppy joes. I hope you found a few new favorite recipes.
Deborah says
I love these ideas. Especially the kettle chips, pickles, and onion rings! Thanks for sharing.
Angela says
You are welcome and the homemade pickles recipe is so good.
Beth says
This is a great-looking selection of recipes. I think I'd have to go with the coleslaw and the breaded mushrooms first to go with my Joe's.
LaRena Fry says
A great list of side dishes to complete a sloppy joe meal. So many choices.
Jacqueline Debono says
Great list of side dish ideas for sloppy joes. I like the idea of the onion rings , breaded mushrooms and the kettle chips! All on my to try list now!