Do you need ideas for what to serve with Sloppy Joes? Try one of these tasty side dishes to complete a quick family dinner or impress your family and friends at a potluck or party.
What to Serve with Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes are an easy-to-make American comfort food made with simple, pantry ingredients. Chances are, if you grew up in the US, you probably have some cherished childhood memories of Sloppy Joe nights, often accompanied by tasty sides such as french fries, potato chips, or tater tots. But if you are having trouble deciding what to serve with Sloppy Joes – serve the sandwiches hot and fresh with one of these delicious sides.
- 1. French Fries
- 2. Tater Tots
- 3. Southern Potato Salad
- 4. Roasted Potatoes
- 5. Sweet Potato Fries
- 6. Sweet Potato Wedges
- 7. Mashed Potatoes
- 8. Potato Chips
- 9. Arugula Spinach Salad
- 10. Broccoli Salad
- 11. Cucumber Carrot Salad
- 12. Caesar Salad
- 13. Homemade Coleslaw
- 14. Corn Salad
- 15. Pasta Salad
- 16. English Pea Salad
- 17. Macaroni Salad
- 18. Fruit Salad
- 19. Carrot Fries
- 20. Zucchini and Squash
- 21. Corn on the Cob
- 22. Mashed Cauliflower
- 23. Pressgurka
- 24. Deviled Eggs
- 25. Baked Beans
- 26. Egg Salad
- 27. Mac and Cheese
- 28. Onion Rings
The Best Potato Sides
1. French Fries
Crispy fries are a classic side dish for Sloppy Joes. Cook them from frozen in the air fryer until they turn golden brown, or try these fool-proof homemade French fries.
2. Tater Tots
Name a more iconic food duo than Tots and Joes. Go ahead, I’ll wait. Tater tots are the easiest side dish to serve with Sloppy Joes and a family favorite!
3. Southern Potato Salad
This classic potato salad features fork-tender potatoes tossed in a creamy, well-seasoned dressing.
Try healthy potato salad with full-fat yogurt if you prefer a lighter option.
4. Roasted Potatoes
Don’t skip on crispy roasted potatoes in the oven. The versatile potatoes go with everything from bison steak and grilled tandoori chicken to Sloppy Joe sandwiches and sliders.
5. Sweet Potato Fries
Cooking frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer is one of my favorite ways to enjoy them.
6. Sweet Potato Wedges
7. Mashed Potatoes
Creamy gluten-free and dairy-free mashed potatoes are a perfect way to sop up any leftover Sloppy Joe mixture on your plate.
If you prefer something more outside of the box, then try mashed potato french fries!
Photo Credit: Well Fed Baker
8. Potato Chips
Homemade potato chips are easy to make and a classic side for Sloppy Joes.
Photo Credit: My Therapist Cooks
All You Need is A Fresh Salad
There is something so refreshing about serving a simple green salad alongside a savory meal like a Sloppy Joe.
9. Arugula Spinach Salad
Whip up a quick arugula and spinach salad when you need a side dish in a pinch. Serve with your favorite salad dressings, such as:
10. Broccoli Salad
Enjoy this classic broccoli salad with tangy cranberries, crispy bacon, sunflower seeds, shredded cheddar cheese, and a luscious homemade dressing.
Photo Credit: Salad, Soup, and Sweets
11. Cucumber Carrot Salad
A refreshing cucumber and carrot salad cuts through the richness of Sloppy Joes.
12. Caesar Salad
Classic Caesar salad with crisp homemade croutons and Caesar dressing never misses, at least for me. It will forever be my go-to side dish when craving something light and refreshing.
13. Homemade Coleslaw
Homemade cole slaw incorporates shredded cabbage, carrots, mint leaves, cilantro, and scallions, all tossed in an umami-rich dressing with fresh jalapeño.
You can also try Carolina-style vinegar coleslaw. The tangy salad is a perfect side dish for Sloppy Joes.
14. Corn Salad
Simple corn salad is a tasty side dish for Sloppy Joes, but why not take it to the next level with a chili cheese Fritos corn salad recipe?
The crunchy Fritos perfectly complement the naturally sweet corn and lime dressing.
Photo Credit: Whiskful Cooking
15. Pasta Salad
If you’re looking for the perfect potluck side to serve with Sloppy Joes, gluten-free pasta salad is the answer!
It’s packed with fresh greens and veggies dressed in homemade pistachio pesto, an ideal pairing for the hot, hearty sandwich.
16. English Pea Salad
Old-fashioned English pea salad is simple and easy to prepare, making it a go-to side dish when I am short on time.
Photo Credit: Entirely Elizabeth
17. Macaroni Salad
Southern macaroni salad is a staple side dish for gatherings and get-togethers. The taste and texture make it an ideal pairing for beef ribs, brisket, BBQ chicken, and good ole Sloppy Joes!
Photo Credit: Quiche my Grits
18. Fruit Salad
You can always serve the classic American sandwich with fresh fruit like oranges, berries, or apple slices.
Consider making a fruit salad with a sweet citrus dressing if you want something more put together. The fresh salad is a great way to complement homemade Sloppy Joes.
Photo Credit: I Heart Eating
Vegetable Side Dishes
Don’t stress too much preparing your favorite side dishes for classic Sloppy Joes when fresh veggies are an option. Serve the sandwiches with crisp bell peppers, carrots, celery, or juicy cherry tomatoes with a side of my dill pickle ranch dressing to dunk them in.
19. Carrot Fries
Make carrot fries in the oven or air fryer for a healthy and delicious side dish you can pair with anything.
Photo Credit: I Heart Vegetables
20. Zucchini and Squash
Roasting summer squash and zucchini in the air fryer gives you perfectly tender, golden veggies in just 15 minutes.
It’s a quick and easy side that gives you plenty of time to focus on your main dish.
More Air Fryer Vegetables:
21. Corn on the Cob
Few things are as satisfying as a buttery corn on the cob, and learning how to make it is easy. Follow these easy steps for how to cook corn on the cob on the stovetop, grill, microwave, and oven.
22. Mashed Cauliflower
Mashed cauliflower and Sloppy Joes are a match made in heaven! The creamy cauliflower is an excellent way to balance the messy-goodness of Sloppy Joe’s.
23. Pressgurka
Make pressgurka, a Swedish pickled salad made from fresh cucumbers. The sweet and sour pickles pair perfectly with IKEA Swedish meatballs, Instant Pot pot roast, or a delicious Sloppy Joe.
And hey, if you don’t feel like making pickles from scratch, you can always serve the sandwiches with dill pickles from the grocery store!
If you enjoy Sloppy Joes, try one of these quick dinner ideas!
More Sloppy Joe Side Dishes
24. Deviled Eggs
Sloppy Joes are a hit even with picky eaters, making them perfect for large gatherings like potlucks, barbecues, and picnics.
That’s why I love pairing them with crowd-pleasers like deviled eggs.
25. Baked Beans
Homemade baked beans with hamburger are an easy dinner or side dish when you don’t know what to serve with Sloppy Joes.
26. Egg Salad
Combine hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, pickles, and simple seasoning to make a creamy egg salad side dish.
27. Mac and Cheese
Who doesn’t love a pot filled to the brim with creamy mac and cheese? It’s the ultimate comfort food!
And if you’re looking for the creamiest, cheesiest side dish, one-pot Dutch oven mac and cheese is the way to go.
Photo Credit: Recipes They Want
28. Onion Rings
If you are gathering Sloppy Joe sides, crunchy onion rings need to be on the list.
Photo Credit: Feed Grump
What is the Best Way to Serve Sloppy Joes?
When the Sloppy Joe mixture is seasoned and piping hot, spoon the mixture onto a toasted sesame seed bun, buttery Texas toast, garlic bread, hamburger buns, or pillowy-soft Hawaiian rolls (like the ones I use to make brisket sliders). Then, finish your sandwich with delicious toppings.
Pile them high with pickle slices, tangy coleslaw, pickled yellow onion, bacon, thick tomato slices, sour cream, red onion, fried egg, cheese slices, or BBQ sauce- try Cheerwine BBQ sauce, raspberry chipotle BBQ sauce, or Carolina gold BBQ sauce.
And it’s not a party until you’ve tried Sloppy Joe dip. Serve the filling for the sandwiches in a slow cooker with Fritos or tortilla chips on the side for scooping.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I serve with sandwiches besides chips?
If still need a few Sloppy Joe sides, there are plenty of options! While classic sides like crunchy potato chips or french fries are a good choice, don’t limit yourself.
Seasonal fruit such as berries, melon, oranges, grapes, pineapple, or apple slices are a delicious option.
Pair the sandwich with piping hot soup such as chicken noodles, carrot pumpkin, tomato, or potato soup.
What’s the difference between a Sloppy Joe and a Sloppy Jane?
A Sloppy Jane is a Sloppy Joe made with ground turkey instead of ground beef.
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