What to Serve with Sloppy Joes [11 Best Side Dishes]

Easy Sloppy Joe side dish ideas, from potato salad to sweet potato hash, and green beans to homemade tater tots. Discover what to serve with Sloppy Joe’s today.

Sloppy Joes Sandwich

Sloppy joes are a great way to feed a crowd. Whether you’re preparing a backyard party or just want to make a regular family dinner special, these sandwiches help you take your meals to the next level. Everyone loves the savory flavor of ground beef and intense sauce.

If you want to make your sloppy joes even more delicious, then the choice of side dishes is key. Whether you go for classic BBQ sides or try something more innovative, this roundup of serving ideas will help make even a regular Thursday night dinner one to remember.

Homemade Tater Tots

Homemade Tater Tots

Everyone loves tater tots. These crispy barrels of fried potatoes frequently top any list of the best potato preparations. However, if you don’t have any frozen tater tots on hand or just want to control how much grease goes into the meal, then homemade tater tots are the way to go.

Making your own tater tots is surprisingly easy. Start by parboiling potatoes and shredding them using a box grater. Then, drain and season the shredded potatoes, form into tots, and fry.

Sweet Potato Fries

cajun sweet potato fries

Sloppy joes and French fries are a classic diner and BBQ combination. If you want to take this combo to the next level, replace regular French fries with sweet potato fries. The sweet flavor of the sweet potato pairs well with the sweetness of sloppy joe sauce.

Making sweet potato fries is similar to making regular fries. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into sticks. Season the fries, then deep fry them or bake them if you’re feeling health-conscious.

Microwave Corn on the Cob

Microwave Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob is a dish that screams comfort and summer. However, if you’re craving corn on the cob but don’t have time to pull out your grill, you can make corn on the cob in the microwave.

All you have to do is clean a corn ear, wrap it in a damp paper towel, and put it in the microwave for 5 minutes. The result is a perfectly cooked corncob that nobody will know came from this appliance.

Deep-Fried Dill Pickles

Deep-Fried Dill Pickles

Many people associate sloppy joes with state fairs and other amazing summer events. Deep-fried treats are other staples of summer fairs, including deep-fried pickles. If you have a deep fryer or deep saucepan and some patience, you can make this treat at home and enjoy the combination of bitter, sweet, and greasy flavors.

Start by cutting the pickles into slices. Make a batter out of flour, milk, egg, and seasonings, then dredge the pickles. Fry until golden and crispy.

Creamy Homemade Mac & Cheese

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

There’s no more stereotypical comfort meal than sloppy joes and mac & cheese. The creamy, mild flavors of mac & cheese balance out the sometimes-bold flavors of sloppy joes. 

You can finish this mac & cheese recipe in the oven to create that delicious crispy crust, or just let it bubble away on the stovetop until browned. To make the sauce, you need butter, flour, shredded cheese, and cream cheese. Make the sauce, season it to taste, then add your cooked noodles.

Sweet Potato Hash

Sweet potato hash

Sweet potato hash is a popular breakfast dish that combines sweet potatoes, eggs, bell peppers, sausage, and anything else you want to add to it. However, it also makes a great side dish for sloppy joes if you want to serve up a Western-style brunch.

To make this dish, start by cubing sweet potatoes and frying them in a skillet along with bell peppers, onions, and any other ingredients you want to add. Top with eggs and cook until the eggs are set.

Green Beans

Garlic Sautéed Green Beans

Green beans are one of the best vegetables to serve along with sloppy joes thanks to their simplicity. Simple cooking methods let the bitter, fresh flavors of these vegetables shine through and balance out the richness of the sloppy joes.

There are a few different ways that you can prepare green beans, but the easiest way is to sauté them. Dump green beans in a skillet with butter and garlic. Watch them carefully to be sure that they don’t overcook.

Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed Peppers

If you want to continue the country-western theme of your meal, stuffed peppers are a great accompaniment to sloppy joes. Their slightly spicy, rich, peppery flavors balance out sloppy joes perfectly if you are willing to go to the effort of stuffing peppers.

The other great thing about stuffed peppers is how much control you have over the filling. You can make it anything you like, from ground beef or black beans to quinoa.

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed Potatoes

No matter what you’re serving, you can’t go wrong with mashed potatoes. Everyone loves this starchy comfort dish. Plus, it makes a great base for sloppy joes because the potatoes soak up the excess sloppy joe sauce.

To make mashed potatoes, boil peeled potatoes until tender. Then, use a potato masher to mash them with butter and cream until smooth and creamy.

Mashed Cauliflower

Mashed Cauliflower

What if you want a dish that is just as delicious and comforting as mashed potatoes, but you’re trying to eat healthy? Then mashed cauliflower is your answer. Mashed cauliflower has fewer calories and carbs than mashed potatoes but is still tasty and fluffy.

To make this dish, steam or boil cauliflower until tender. Then, use a food processor to pulse the cauliflower with garlic, sour cream, and Parmesan.

Baked Potato Salad

Baked potato salad

Everyone loves baked potatoes, and potato salad is a classic dish at every BBQ, so why not combine the two into one side dish that makes the perfect party accompaniment for sloppy joes? Plus, the creamy flavors of this dish balance out the savoriness of sloppy joes.

Instead of using a traditional potato salad dressing, you use traditional baked potato toppings to make this salad. Toss cubed potatoes in sour cream, and top with bacon bits, shredded cheese, and chives.

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