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    Home » Recipes » Recipe Roundups

    January 13, 2021 Last Modified: September 11, 2021 By Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com Leave a Comment

    What To Serve With Sloppy Joes

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    Do you have everything you need to make some delightfully meaty sandwiches and now you're wondering 'What To Serve With Sloppy Joes'? I like to keep my sloppy joe sandwich sides pretty simple, similar to what I'd serve with hamburgers or hot dogs. My favorite sides all work for summertime grilling, picnics, and serving with your sloppy joe sandwiches at potlucks too!

    Large square closeup image of sloppy joes on buns with chips.

    What To Serve With Sloppy Joes

    The classic sloppy joe sandwich is always a hit in my home, and a crowd-pleaser when I pack it along to potlucks! The combination of browned ground beef, green bell peppers, and onions in a hearty tomato sauce always hits the spot!

    While beef is typically used in most sloppy joe recipes, pork can also be used. My mother shared her memory of childhood sloppy joes, which was a reminder to me: my lovely Grandma Janet occasionally over-cooked a roast beef (gasp!). When she did, she would grind up the tough and beyond well-done roast beef meat and use it for her sloppy joes!

    Table of contents

    • What To Serve With Sloppy Joes
    • Best Vegetable Side Dishes to Serve With Sloppy Joe Sandwiches
      • 1. Corn On The Cob
      • 2. Green Beans
      • 3. Summer Squash & Zucchini
      • 4. Garden Salad
      • 5. Coleslaw
    • The Best Potato Sides to Eat With Sloppy Joes
      • 6. French Fries
      • 7. Tater Tots
      • 8. Chips & Dip
      • 9. Mashed Potatoes
      • 10. Potato Salad
      • 11. Sweet Potato Fries
    • Pasta Sides That You Need With Sloppy Joes
      • 12. Mac & Cheese
      • 13. Pasta Salad
      • 14. Macaroni Salad
    • More Tasty Sloppy Joe Side Dishes
      • 15. Onion Rings
      • 16. Fried Dill Pickles
      • 17. Baked Beans
      • 18. Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts
    • Best Desserts to Have With Sloppy Joes
      • 19. Fruit Salad
      • 20. Ambrosia Salad
      • 21. Blackberry Crisp
      • 22. Pineapple Bars
      • 23. Apple Dump Cake
      • 24. No-Bake Cookies

    Even if you didn't overcook your roast beef, you can always use leftovers as your meat for the hearty sloppy joe sauce.

    Whatever meat you choose to use, here are some of my favorite side dishes to serve with my sloppy joes! All of these sides are great with your sloppy joe sandwiches whether it's a comfort food family dinner, potluck, or an easy game night meal!

    Plus my favorite desserts for serving after you enjoy your sloppy joe dinner. They're perfect for summertime or any time of the year!!

    Best Vegetable Side Dishes to Serve With Sloppy Joe Sandwiches

    The best vegetable sides for a great messy sloppy joe sandwich include quite a few of my summertime favorites! Fresh from the garden is always best, but my garden isn't set up here at the property.

    Yet. Lots of garden boxes and a chicken coop are in the works for summer 2021!!

    1. Corn On The Cob

    Milk Butter Boiled Corn on the Cob
    I love serving up my tasty milk butter boiled corn on the cob for any family meal but especially with something hot of the grill! It's just as easy as boiling or steaming corn on the cob, but this version is so superbly sweet and soft that you will make it your new 'go-to' method of cooking your corn!
    Check out this recipe
    Halved sweet corn cobs shown in the water, milk, and butter mixture that they were boiled in on the stovetop.

    I think any which way you prepare your corn on the cob is pretty easy to do, so it comes down to what's the most flavorful. This milk butter version of boiled corn on the cob leaves your corn nicely tender, with an even coating of butter.

    Corn is a great finger-food to serve with sloppy joes for lunch or dinner!

    2. Green Beans

    Garlic Green Beans with Bacon
    A tasty vegetable side dish that goes well with a variety of main dish entrees, these buttery pan-fried Garlic Green Beans with Bacon are also extremely easy and fast to make!
    Check out this recipe
    large square overhead closeup of garlic green beans.

    Another wonderfully easy vegetable side dish is green beans! I love, love, love green beans with garlic and bacon. It's like peas and carrots, foods that just really belong together.

    These quick and easy pan-seared green beans are a go-to veggie side for family dinners any night of the year.

    3. Summer Squash & Zucchini

    Sauteed Zucchini and Yellow Squash
    Sautéed Zucchini and Yellow Squash with garlic and Parmesan cheese is one of the absolute easiest ways ever to enjoy your abundant crop of summer squash! These are two of my favorite veggies, and they are absolutely delicious when pan fried with garlic then tossed in Parmesan!
    Check out this recipe
    This quick and easy sauteed zucchini and yellow squash recipe is easy to make and perfect with some garlic and Parmesan cheese!

    One of my all-time favorite foods of summertime has got to be squash! I'm more of a summer squash fan, even though I do love many of the winter squash varieties as well.

    My Grandma Janet's home had an amazing perennial herb garden and well-landscaped yard. It wasn't a huge yard so she didn't fully garden there. BUT she always had a few plants of the yellow crookneck squash. Thus, the beginning of my love story with the deliciously tender yellow squash.

    Since my family only eats the yellow squash to make me happy, I usually combine it with zucchini as I have here in this sauteed squash and zucchini side dish. Top to with Parmesan cheese or not, it's still so wonderfully tasty!

    4. Garden Salad

    A simple green salad or garden salad is a light and healthy side dish to enjoy with your sloppy joes! It's easy to make and can be served with everyone's favorite dressing flavors to keep the whole family happy.

    Grab a plate and chop up some iceberg, green leaf, or romaine lettuce then add some sliced cucumbers and cherry tomatoes for a great salad!

    5. Coleslaw

    Cool and creamy coleslaw is a fantastic contrast to your sloppy joes! It's another super easy salad side dish for your dinner.

    Grab our friend Holly's coleslaw dressing recipe and chop up some cabbage. All it takes is a quick to stir to coat the cabbage and you have some tangy-but-not-too-sweet coleslaw!

    Southern Coleslaw
    Quick and easy Southern coleslaw is a classic favorite side dish with crunchy veggies that are tossed with a flavorful, creamy dressing! Southern coleslaw isn’t just for the summertime—it’s great for anytime you want a quick, delicious side!
    Check out this recipe
    Square image of Southern coleslaw in a white bowl.

    The Best Potato Sides to Eat With Sloppy Joes

    The responsible mom in me likes to talk about vegetable sides, but the kid that grew up enjoying school lunch sloppy joes knows that potato sides are awesome! Everyone agrees that their favorite sides are one or more of these potato side dishes!

    6. French Fries

    Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
    These perfectly crispy Air Fryer Frozen French Fries are the best way to enjoy fantastic fast-food style fries at home! Pop open a bag of frozen fries while your air fryer heats up and get ready to serve the freshest french fries ever with your lunch or dinner!
    Check out this recipe
    Large square image of air fryer frozen french fries served with ketchup.

    Who doesn't love some french fries with a toasty hot sandwich?! They're a wonderful finger food to dip into your favorite dipping sauce while enjoying a meaty sandwich.

    While simple french fries are a very popular choice, they're still runner-up to the next potato side on our list!

    7. Tater Tots

    Air Fryer Tater Tots
    These easy Air Fryer Tater Tots are the quickest way to get perfectly crisp tater tots when using frozen tater tots! No matter the air fryer model you use, your air fried tater tots are sure to become a favorite!
    Check out this recipe
    Large square angled overhead image of air fryer tater tots on white plate.

    This may be the number one pick amongst family and friends for 'what to serve with sloppy joes'! While quite a few foods were mentioned in common by everyone I asked, this round potato snack had the most votes.

    I totally get why too! The shape of the tater tots makes them perfect for cleaning up your plate after the sloppy joe filling has overflowed from your sandwich buns.

    For an easy variation and a bunch of cheesy goodness, top the tater tots with cheese when cooking and serve up some cheesy tater tots instead. More yumminess!

    8. Chips & Dip

    French Onion Dip
    This delicious homemade French Onion Dip requires only sour cream, dried minced onion, and seasoning to make this flavorful appetizer dip! If you don't have French onion soup mix on hand, no worries! You can make this completely from scratch version and still have an incredibly tasty dip for chips, crackers, bread, and veggies!
    Check out this recipe
    large square angled overhead image of french onion dip in wooden bowl.

    The simplest side ever! Pop open a bag of some crispy potato chips and you have an easy meal that everyone loves!

    Serve your chips on the plate, or in a family-size bowl for everyone to grab more as needed. Adding some dip like my flavorful French onion dip is optional, but delightfully tasty!!

    My daughter absolutely loves using fritos for scooping up the mess she makes when enjoying some hearty sloppy joe sandwiches! She gets it from her Dad!

    9. Mashed Potatoes

    Garlic Red Skin Mashed Potatoes
    Creamy garlic red skin mashed potatoes with roasted garlic and cream cheese are a classic holiday side dish and a staple for great family meals! The smooth, rich potatoes still have a few lumps to enjoy all of the wonderful textures of your red potatoes.
    Check out this recipe
    These delightfully creamy Garlic Red Skin Mashed Potatoes are loaded with roasted garlic and cream cheese for the ultimate silky texture with just enough lumps to let the red skin potato flavor shine!

    Creamy or buttery and fluffy mashed potatoes are another great potato side dish that goes extremely well with your sloppy joe sandwiches! My garlic red skin mashed potatoes are tasty on their own, but they are unbelievably wonderful when some sloppy joe meat is mixed in with them!

    10. Potato Salad

    There are many versions of potato salad that would be an excellent side dish for your sandwiches! From a classic mayonnaise-based potato salad to something fun like a baked potato salad. Yum!

    Loaded Baked Potato Salad
    My creamy loaded baked potato salad includes all of your favorite baked potato toppings mixed together, and it's so easy to make! This potato salad makes for a wonderful summer side dish, but you can serve it year-round and you won't hear any complaints!
    Check out this recipe
    Square closeup on the dished loaded baked potato salad in black bowl.

    11. Sweet Potato Fries

    These delicious fries can be super quick and easy if you bring home a bag of ready to bake, cut fries! They're delicious in the air fryer too!

    If you have sweet potatoes on hand, you can cut them into fries and bake or fry them. The sweet potatoes cook quickly and the flavor pairs very well with sloppy joes!

    Pasta Sides That You Need With Sloppy Joes

    There are some fantastic pasta side dishes that pair exceptionally well with savory sloppy joe sandwiches! All of these classic pasta dishes are household staples in my home and are easy to make.

    12. Mac & Cheese

    Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese
    This absolutely delicious Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese is wonderfully creamy and extra cheesy! Made with a minimum of three cheeses to make the best ever mac and cheese that is sure to be a family favorite!!
    Check out this recipe
    My easy to make Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese is the best creamy mac and cheese that your family is sure to love!!

    Cheesy mac & cheese is an excellent side dish to serve with your sloppy joe dinner! The creamy deliciousness that makes this such a comfort food classic works so very well with the hearty beef sandwiches!

    13. Pasta Salad

    Pasta salad is as simple as cooking up your pasta! Mix a bit of Italian dressing with your favorite Italian-inspired ingredients like mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, red onion, and maybe some thin-sliced zucchini or bell peppers.

    Toss your cooked pasta with the dressing and ingredients, then refrigerate and serve!

    Tuna Pasta Salad
    My creamy tuna salad with pasta is a relatively healthy main course or side dish that is perfect for any occasion! Bow tie noodles, tuna, red onion, and Greek yogurt are all featured in this incredibly easy dish!
    Check out this recipe
    Best tuna salad with pasta served in white bowl on light background.

    14. Macaroni Salad

    My grandmother's classic macaroni salad includes cooked macaroni pasta, mayo, vinegar, sugar, mustard, celery, red and green bell peppers, and carrots. Season with salt and pepper to taste and toss with the pasta once it's cooled.

    Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
    Hawaiian macaroni salad is a delectable side dish that includes chilled pasta, mayonnaise, vinegar, and pineapple juice! This popular pasta salad is the perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and savory- it's sure to be a new favorite!
    Check out this recipe
    Best Hawaiian macaroni salad served in white bowl on light background.

    More Tasty Sloppy Joe Side Dishes

    Depending on what you have on hand, if you have any picky eaters in the house, or just want something that falls outside of 'the usual' sides that are served with sloppy joes here are some more great ideas! A couple of easy fried sides, and a couple that are deliciously wonderful bbq and picnic type sides!

    15. Onion Rings

    Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings
    I'm absolutely loving these Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings for how incredibly easy and super crispy they turn out in just minutes! The ease of getting as-good-as-deep-fried foods in these air fryers is just amazing. I love the ease of cleanup and both hubby and I love these perfectly crisped onion rings with a big, juicy burger!!
    Check out this recipe
    large square image of crispy air fryer frozen onion rings stacked 8 high with dip on the side.

    Truly super quick onion rings! They're made by Alexa, which is my favorite brand of frozen onion rings. I do love making these homemade, but sometimes even I want a simple meal.

    16. Fried Dill Pickles

    Air Fryer Pickles
    Fantastically crispy Air Fryer Pickles are a delicious and healthier way to enjoy this popular fried dill pickle appetizer! The whole family loves the crunchy Panko bread crumb coating on this tangy dill pickle snack! Serve it up with your favorite dipping sauce for a 'better than' deep fried dill pickles treat!
    Check out this recipe
    Air fryer pickles in a picnic basket, being dipped in sauce.

    My fried dill pickle chips are amazing! I made these in the air fryer using those large Kosher dill pickles, and they came out super crispy with that tangy dill pickle center.

    They're a great part of a finger-food themed lunch or dinner with your sloppy joe sandwiches. Of course, a simple dill pickle slice on the side is always a hit!

    17. Baked Beans

    Baked Beans with Ground Beef and Bacon
    Rich and hearty Baked Beans with Ground Beef and Bacon are a satisfying side dish with BBQ dinners and more! The savory baked beans are made slightly sweet with a touch of brown sugar made even better with added smoky flavors from hickory smoked bacon and liquid smoke!!
    Check out this recipe
    Super easy barbecue baked beans loaded with hearty, beefy flavors and smoky richness with just a touch of delicious sweetness!!

    I think anything barbecue, like these baked beans, compliments a sloppy joe superbly! The sweet and savory flavors are a match for the flavors in a sloppy joe sandwich.

    18. Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts

    BBQ Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts
    Grilling during the summer is a spectacular treat (especially when our summer is so short!) and grilled vegetables are SO GOOD....but, everything's better with bacon 🙂
    Check out this recipe
    BBQ Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts

    Another barbeque side that just pairs well with sloppy joes! These easy to make bbq brussel sprouts are wrapped in bacon for a delicious side that can qualify as finger-food if you want it to. Just keep the napkins handy 🙂

    Best Desserts to Have With Sloppy Joes

    Whether you choose the simple fruit salad, classic ambrosia salad, or an amazing fruit dessert, these are all perfectly suited to match the flavors of your sloppy joe meal! All of my tasty fruit desserts are amazing, and wonderfully suited to summertime meals.

    Or go with the classic no-bake cookie that has been served at potlucks and family gatherings for...well, forever. They travel well and there's no need to turn on the oven!

    19. Fruit Salad

    A fresh salad of summertime fruit that's a light option after such a hearty, savory meal. Simply wash and slice your favorite fruits, then mix with citrus juice ( orange, lemon, or lime ) and a touch of honey.

    20. Ambrosia Salad

    A creamy fruit salad that combines cool whip and sour cream with mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, miniature marshmallows, coconut, and maraschino cherries. It's an absolutely delicious dessert salad to serve after your meal!

    21. Blackberry Crisp

    Blackberry Crisp
    My favorite summertime blackberry tradition is this delicious blackberry crisp!!
    Check out this recipe
    My favorite summertime blackberry tradition is this delicious blackberry crisp!!

    One of my summertime favorite desserts! This blackberry crisp is a super easy dessert to make that everyone loves!

    The fresh blackberries are long-awaited and make a stunning crisp, but don't let the winter weather stop you from enjoying this classic dessert year-round! Frozen berries can easily be used in place of the plump berries of summertime so that you can enjoy this treat all year long!

    22. Pineapple Bars

    Pineapple Bars
    If you love pineapple (and/or lemon bars), you are sure to love this super easy pineapple bars recipe! Canned pineapple works in a pinch, but cut up half of a whole fresh pineapple and get ready to be hooked for life on this sweet and tangy treat!!
    Check out this recipe
    Rich, delicious pineapple bars are simply amazing either with fresh or canned pineapple!

    One of my most requested potluck recipes! Everyone loves these sweet and perfectly tangy pineapple bars! Their shortbread cookie crust is the perfect pairing for the luscious pineapple filling!!

    23. Apple Dump Cake

    Apple Dump Cake
    The incredibly tasty Apple Dump Cake is a super easy dessert, despite the not-so-great name! Apple pie filling, cake mix, and butter are layered in a 9 x 13 pan and baked until golden. This is a perfect dessert for last minute entertaining!
    Check out this recipe
    This 3 ingredient apple dump cake, or apple cobbler dump cake, is an incredibly tasty dessert that you can have ready to serve in no time at all!

    It's a snap to make this cake mix recipe when all you need is a 9 x 13 baking pan and 3 ingredients! Top off this buttery apple dump cake with a generous scoop of ice cream for the perfect dessert after your sloppy joes!!

    24. No-Bake Cookies

    Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
    Rich and fudgy Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies are super easy to make with just 7 ingredients! These stove top cookies are ready in only 30 minutes, without turning the oven on to bake! Plus, they're an extremely popular cookie that everyone loves!
    Check out this recipe
    cooled and set chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies are ready to eat, stacked here in a set of five cookies with some assorted cookies in the background

    Another nostalgic childhood recipe that is worth repeating over and over again! The fudgy deliciousness that no-bake cookies are known and loved for is so easy to make that you can let the kids make this no-bake dessert while you make dinner!

    That rounds out all of my favorites to include with a sloppy joe dinner, even though I'm sure I'll think of more that would be equally perfect! I hope you enjoy your savory, beefy sloppy joes and get a chance to try out some tasty new sides!

    large square closeup image of sloppy joes on buns with chips.
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    What To Serve With Sloppy Joes

    Do you have everything you need to make some delightfully meaty sandwiches and now you’re wondering ‘What To Serve With Sloppy Joes‘? I like to keep my sloppy joe sandwich sides pretty simple, similar to what I’d serve with hamburgers or hot dogs. My favorite sides all work for summertime grilling, picnics, and serving with your sloppy joe sandwiches at potlucks too!
    Author | Angela
    Servings: 1
    Prep 0 minutes
    Cooking 0 minutes
    0 minutes
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    Ingredients
     

    • Corn On The Cob
    • Garlic Green Beans with Bacon
    • Sauteed Zucchini and Yellow Squash
    • Garden Salad
    • Coleslaw
    • Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
    • Air Fryer Tater Tots
    • French Onion Dip
    • Garlic Red Skin Mashed Potatoes
    • Potato Salad
    • Sweet Potato Fries
    • Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese
    • Pasta Salad
    • Macaroni Salad
    • Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings
    • Air Fryer Pickles
    • Baked Beans with Ground Beef and Bacon
    • BBQ Bacon Wrapped brussel Sprouts
    • Fruit Salad
    • Ambrosia Salad
    • Blackberry Crisp
    • Pineapple Bars
    • Apple Dump Cake
    • Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies

    Instructions

    • Select the appetizers, sides, and desserts for your sloppy joe lunch or dinner meal.
    • Gather the equipment and ingredients needed to prepare the recipes.
    • Serve and enjoy your sloppy joe dinner!
    Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
    Course 4th of July, Appetizers, BBQ, Dinner Recipes, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    author profile photo
    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

    Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!

    bakeitwithlove.com/
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    Hi there, I'm Angela! I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, recipe creator, animal lover, and total foodie. I love sharing recipes that are new, fun, and creative as well as great classic recipes just like my Grandma used to make!

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