What to Serve with Sloppy Joes: 21 Best Sides

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Are you a fan of sloppy Joes. If so you may be wondering what to serve with sloppy joes or what are some good sides for sloppy joes? In this post, I will share with you some of the best side dishes to serve with your next batch of sloppy joes.

What To Serve With Sloppy joes

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What Are Sloppy Joes?

Sloppy Joes are a popular American dish made by simmering ground beef or other meats with tomatoes, onions and sometimes green bell peppers. The name “sloppy Joe” alludes to the way that the filling tends to “slop” out of its bun.

Sloppy Joes are usually served on a hamburger bun or sliced bread, but they can be served on any type of bread or even wrapped in a tortilla.

Sloppy Joes are also sometimes referred to as “sloppy joes” and “beef sloppy joes”.

What to Serve with Sloppy Joes

What is the best meat to use with sloppy joes?

Are you a fan of sloppy Joes. If so you may be wondering what to serve with sloppy joes or what are some good sides for sloppy joes?

In this post, I will share with you some of the best side dishes to serve with your next batch of sloppy joes.

What Are Sloppy Joes?

Sloppy Joes are a popular American dish made by simmering ground beef or other meats with tomatoes, onions, and sometimes green bell peppers.

The name “sloppy Joe” alludes to the way that the filling tends to “slop” out of its bun.

Sloppy Joes are usually served on a hamburger bun or sliced bread, but they can be served on any type of bread or even wrapped in a tortilla.

Sloppy Joes are also sometimes referred to as “sloppy joes” and “beef sloppy joes”.

sloppy joe american sandwich

What’s The Difference Between A Sloppy Joe And A Manwich?

There is some debate on what the difference is between a sloppy joe and a Manwich.

Some say that the only difference is the name, while others say that a Manwich contains more of a tomato-based sauce whereas a sloppy joe is more like a stew.

I think both are delicious and it comes down to personal preference.

What is the best meat to use with sloppy joes?

The best meat to use with sloppy joes is ground beef or a mix of different meats such as pork, turkey, and veal.

Some people may also like chicken in their sloppy Joe mix.

Best Sauces For Sloppy Joes

There are many different types of sauces that can be used for sloppy joes.

The most popular and classic sauce is a ketchup sauce and tomato paste mix.

Other popular sauces include BBQ sauce, garlic sauce, onion soup mix, and Worcestershire sauce.

You can serve sloppy joes with sour cream or cream cheese on the side with tomato sauce, and dill pickles.

How To Make Sloppy Joes

It’s really easy to cook up super tasty sloppy joes. For stovetop sloppy joes made from turkey mince try this delicious recipe.

You can also make Instant Pot Sloppy Joes by following our popular Pressure cooker sloppy Joes Recipe.

Once you’ve cooked your sloppy joes, you’ll want some ideas of what to serve with sloppy joes for dinner or at a party. Enjoy!

cooked sloppy joe mix iron skillet made with ground beef

What to serve with sloppy joes?

Here are our top recommendations of side dishes to serve with sloppy Joe sliders.

Best Vegetable Sides To Serve With Sloppy Joes

Corn On The Cob

Corn on the cob is a great summer side dish to serve with sloppy joes. Who doesn’t love cooked corn?

Sweet corn is a great side. Grill or boil to cook corn and enjoy!

Instant-Pot-Corn-on-the-cob

Coleslaw and sloppy joes

Creamy coleslaw is always a good idea, especially when it’s served on top of a delicious slider.

Coleslaw can bring out the flavor of your savory sloppy joes dinner and is a great pairing for the meal.

Southern Green Beans

I love green beans and they are a classic side dish that pairs well with sloppy joe meat.

For a tasty twist, try this recipe for southern-style green beans.

You could also try roasted green beans or cook some in the air fryer.

Southern Green Beans

Roasted Potatoes

Roasted potatoes are the perfect comfort food and they go so well with sloppy joes.

You can roast any type of potato, but we recommend Yukon gold potatoes.

You could also season thinly sliced potatoes and roast them in the oven or air fryer.

pressure-cooker-roasted-potatoes

Caprese Salad

This light and refreshing salad is a great way to balance out the richness of the sloppy joes.

Try an easy recipe for Caprese salad with cherry tomatoes.

Potato Salad

A classic potato salad is another great side dish to serve with your sloppy joes. This Instant Pot potato salad dish recipe is a must-try! Check it out here!

instant pot Potato Salad

Glazed Carrots

These glazed carrots are a tasty and healthy side dish. They go great with any type of sandwich, including sloppy joes!

air fryer carrots

Cauliflower Mash

This healthy mashed cauliflower is a delicious alternative to mashed potatoes. It’s a great way to sneak some veggies into your meal.

cauliflower cheese

Best Pasta Sides To Serve With Sloppy Joes

Now for some pasta salad ideas to pair with your sloppy joe’s recipe.

Macaroni Salad

For something a little different, try macaroni salad as a side for your next batch of sloppy joes. This easy recipe can be made ahead of time and is perfect for a potluck or picnic.

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Three Cheese Ravioli

Three cheese ravioli is one of those delicious recipes everyone will love. Cook an easy pasta dish today. It’s the perfect side for sloppy joes.

Macaroni and Cheese

Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? This three-cheese macaroni and cheese recipe is a cheesy delight that will be loved by all.

instant pot Mac and cheese pasta

Fusilli Salad with Cherry Tomatoes

A colorful pasta salad is full of flavor and goes great with sloppy joes. It’s the perfect dish to bring to a potluck or picnic.

Rustic Pasta Salad

This rustic pasta salad is a hearty dish that is perfect for a winter meal. It’s full of flavorful vegetables, and penne pasta and it goes great with sloppy joes.

This would make a great side dish cuisine.

More Sides For Sloppy Joes

For a tasty sloppy joe dinner try eating sloppy joes with the following tasty recipes:

Baked Beans

Easy-baked beans are a classic side dish and they go great with sloppy joes.

For a twist, try this recipe for Hawaiian baked beans recipe with bacon and brown sugar.

hawaiian baked beans

Sweet Potato

Whether it’s sweet potato chunks, sweet potato fries, or sweet potato hash, sweet potatoes are a great way to get your veggies in.

Sweet potatoes create a delicious and sweet contrast to the savory flavors of the sloppy joe. Learn how to roast sweet potatoes here.

roasted sweet potato cubed

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are always a good idea. They’re creamy, comforting, and go great with just about anything.

For an extra flavorful mashed potato try this recipe for Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes.

instant pot garlic mashed potato

Roasted Broccoli

This healthy side dish is a great way to get your veggies in.

Roasted broccoli is a delicious and easy side dish that goes great with sloppy joes.

Creamed Spinach

This rich and creamy side dish is full of flavor and goes great with sloppy joes.

Try sauteed spinach with garlic, for an easy and fast sloppy joe’s side.

French Fries

Who doesn’t love fries? They’re the perfect side for any sandwich, including sloppy joes.

sloppy joes with french fries

Onion rings

Onion rings are a delicious and easy side dish. They go great with sloppy joes, burgers, and more.

Try making some homemade onion rings or air fryer onion rings and serve with your next batch of sloppy joes.

Onion rings and french fries at a pizza party

Zucchini Fries

These crispy zucchini fries are a delicious and healthy alternative to french fries. They go great with any sandwich, including sloppy joes.

Grab the olive oil and pop some zucchini fries in the air fryer for something different. You’ll love the sweet flavor and crispy texture.

Chips and Dip

For a fun and easy side dish, serve chips and dip with your sloppy joes.

Try homemade guacamole or a tasty pineapple fruit salsa or a tomato salsa dip.

salsa

Tater Tots

Tater tots are always a hit, especially when they’re served with sloppy joes. Try cooking them in the air fryer for a great side dish. You could also try serving cheesy tater tots with your sloppy joes.

Best Fruit Sides To Serve With Sloppy Joes

Watermelon

Watermelon is the perfect summer fruit and it goes great with sloppy joes. Slice up a watermelon and enjoy!

Strawberries

Fresh strawberries are a delicious and healthy side to serve with sloppy joes. You can also add them to your favorite fruit salad recipe.

Blueberries

Blueberries are a delicious and healthy way to get your fruit fix. Serve them with sloppy joes or add them to a fruit salad.

Creamy Fruit Salad

A cream-based fruit salad is a delicious and easy side dish. It’s full of fresh fruit, and it goes great with sloppy joes.

What To Serve With Sloppy Joes At A Party

If you’re serving sloppy joes at a potluck rather than making a sloppy joe meal you may want to serve with the following foods:

  • hot dogs
  • bacon-wrapped asparagus
  • potato chips
  • hard-boiled eggs
  • caesar salad
  • dill pickles
  • french fries
  • Brussel Sprouts covered in parmesan cheese
  • simple green salad
  • cheese souffle
  • stuffed poblano peppers
  • shakshuka
  • dice fresh veggies such as roasted butternut squash and eggplant and pop in the air fryer.

Best Bread Sides To Serve With Sloppy Joes

Hush Puppies

These cornmeal-based fried balls of dough are a popular side dish, especially in the South. They go great with any seafood, but they’re also delicious with sloppy joes.

Cornbread

Cornbread is a classic Southern side dish that goes great with just about anything, including sloppy joes. Try a jalapeno cornbread for a little bit of spice.

what to serve with cornbread

What To Serve With Sloppy Joes Then?

For a tasty dinner pair, you’re sloppy Joes with any of the side dishes mentioned on this page.

We have plenty of recipes and you can cook your food on the stovetop, in the air fryer, or in the instant pot.

What are you waiting for? Get cooking!

Angela Milnes is a Qualified Early Years Teacher who has specialised in teaching. She has a wealth of experience teaching young children and adults. Angela has also taught cooking classes and loves to share both family recipes and easy instant pot recipes here on The Instant Pot Table. Follow her on Pinterest!

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