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    Home » Side dishes

    What to Serve with Sloppy Joes (22+ Ideas!)

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on March 25, 2022, updated May 10, 2024 - 1 Comment

    Look no further for what to serve with Sloppy Joes! In this list of more than 22 side dishes for Sloppy Joes there is something for everyone: veggies, potatoes, bread, beans and more - from healthy to indulgent and everything in between.

    collage showing different sides to serve with sloppy joes
    Jump to:
    • Potato Sides
    • Pasta Sides
    • Bean Sides
    • Snacky Sides
    • Bread Sides
    • Veggie Sides
    • Ranch Coleslaw
    • Reviews

    Growing up, a Sloppy Joe sandwich was a rare treat for me.

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    It's definitely not a thing in Sweden, but whenever we travelled to the US Dad and I would ditch Mom one day, and head to Arby's. There we'd devour a Sloppy Joe or two covered in tomato sauce with extra barbecue sauce, and that was about it until we returned the year after.

    As an adult, I still have them far too seldom. But let's change that, shall we? With amazing ground beef versions and equally delicious vegetarian versions like my friend Katie's Lentil Sloppy Joes I really don't have an excuse anymore.

    Not to mention the list of some of my favorite side dishes that you'll find below... all quick and easy to make, of course!

    Potato Sides

    Potato side dishes like fries are a classic for Sloppy Joes. Check out the options below for a few classics, as well as a few new versions.

    Fries

    16-18 minutes

    Fries these days come in all shapes and sizes and I've yet to find a version that doesn't go great with Sloppy Joes. From the classic choice of French fries to sweet potato fries and waffle fries, they're some of the best sides for your meal.

    waffle fries on a blue plate with red dipping sauce
    french fries on a plate with two dipping sauces
    Ore Ida Fries in Air Fryer
    Learn how to cook Ore Ida Fries in your air fryer, with minimal prep and 12-14 minutes of cooking. They come out perfectly crispy, and it's optional to add a tiny bit of olive oil.
    sweet potatoes on a plate next to a dipping sauce.
    Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in Air Fryer
    With just 2 minutes of prep & 14 minutes of cooking you can make the best frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer. Perfectly crispy with a little bit of olive oil, and ready to dip in your favorite sauce!
    Check out this recipe
    waffle fries on a blue plate with red dipping sauce.
    Air Fryer Frozen Waffle Fries
    With minimal prep & less than 12-15 minutes of cooking you can make the best waffle fries in air fryer. Perfectly crispy and golden, and all ready to serve with your favorite dipping sauce!
    Check out this recipe
    Frozen Curly Fries in Air Fryer
    With minimal prep & 12 minutes of cooking you can make the best Frozen Curly Fries in Air Fryer. Perfectly crispy and golden, and all ready to serve with your favorite sauce!
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon

    20 minutes

    Softer than fries, more baked than fried - and deliciously seasoned with just a little bit of salt and cinnamon. These Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes are definitely worth the time!

    sweet potatoes on a plate next to a dipping sauce
    close up of air fryer sweet potatoes
    Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
    Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes are done in just 15 minutes and come out perfectly baked. Seasoned with cinnamon & salt they're a great side for fish and chicken - and a delicious snack on their own.
    Check out this recipe

    Air Fryer Potato Wedges

    20 minutes

    These Air Fryer Potato Wedges are crispy on the outside - and perfectly baked on the inside. The best wedge you'll ever have - seasoned with just a tiny bit of salt and olive oil.

    close up of air fryer potato wedges
    close up of air fryer potato wedges
    Air Fryer Potato Wedges
    15 minutes is all you need to make the best air fryer potato wedges. Lightly seasoned with salt & olive oil they're baked to perfection i the easiest way possible - and a great healthier alternative.
    Check out this recipe

    Fried Potato Salad with Bacon

    30 minutes

    Potatoes fried in bacon fat can't go wrong - especially not if it's served with bacon and you still get to call it a salad!

    roasted potato salad
    roasted potato salad
    Fried Potato Salad with Bacon & Homemade Aioli
    This Fried Potato Salad features bacon fat pan-fried potatoes are tossed with bacon, scallion and a homemade Smoked Paprika Aioli!
    Check out this recipe

    Mashed Potatoes

    30 minutes

    The best Mashed Potatoes are made without milk - just add extra butter for the creamiest mashed potatos ever.

    mashed potatoes in a blue bowl
    mashed potatoes in a blue bowl
    Mashed Potatoes without Milk
    The best mashed potatoes without milk have no extra ingredients - just more butter! Done in under 30 minutes these mashed potatoes are the perfect side dish and will have you wanting to finish them all by yourself.
    Check out this recipe

    Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

    35 minutes

    These roasted potatoes are super easy to make and lightly seasoned with olive oil, garlic, fresh herbs and sea salt. A perfect side that allows your Joe's to shine!

    roasted fingerling in a white bowl
    roasted fingerling potatoes on a sheetpan
    Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
    Delicious oven roasted fingerling potatoes are golden on the outside and creamy in the center. Easy to make and these potatoes are also perfect for breakfast!
    Check out this recipe
    Air fryer fingerling potatoes.
    Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes
    Make deliciously crispy and buttery Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes in under 30 minutes with super simple prep. It's the perfect flavor-packed side for any dinner!
    Check out this recipe

    Garlicky Smashed Potatoes

    40 minutes

    If you've got a bit more time these Garlicky Smashed Potatoes are a must to try! So delicious with garlic, butter and Parmesan cheese, and sure to turn your Sloppy Joe dinner into a feast.

    closeup garlicky smashed potatoes on a baking tray
    Smashed potatoes topped with parmesan and parsley.
    Roasted Smashed Potatoes with Parmesan
    These garlicky Smashed Potatoes are the perfect preppable dinner party dish. Easy to make with just a few ingredients, they turn out crispy, cheesy and just plain delicious.
    Check out this recipe
    Air fryer smashed potatoes on a blue plate.
    Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
    Make the best Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes in under 30 minutes, all in your air fryer! Loaded with garlic flavors and a nice cheesy Parmesan crisp, this recipe will quickly become your go-to dinner party side.
    Check out this recipe

    Loaded Mashed Potatoes

    45 minutes

    Sides don't get much more indulgent than this! Mashed potatoes are loaded with cheese, bacon and sour cream for the ultimate comfort food experience.

    loaded mashed potatoes in a casserole dish
    loaded mashed potatoes in a casserole dish
    Loaded Mashed Potatoes
    Loaded Mashed Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food recipe. This homemade casserole is extra indulgent with cheese, bacon and sour cream.
    Check out this recipe

    Tater Tots

    50 minutes

    Another classic side for Sloppy Joes - and this version of Air Fryer Tater Tots is 100% homemade. Quick to make when starting with boiled potatoes, and seasoned to perfection.

    air fryer tater tots next to a small bowl with ketchup
    air fryer tater tots next to a small bowl with ketchup
    Homemade Air Fryer Tater Tots
    Learn how to make Tater Tots at home - easy to make and loaded with amazing taste. Seasoned with garlic & onion powder, salt & pepper they come out crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside.
    This recipe includes both air fryer and oven instructions.
    Check out this recipe

    Pasta Sides

    A pasta salad is a great side when you want to serve Sloppy Joes for a crowd - and make it a complete meal. Below are multiple versions, depending on which flavor profile you're after.

    Macaroni Salad

    15 minutes

    This Healthy Macaroni Salad is made with a lighter dressing than the classic recipe and has chunks of hard boiled eggs and crisp vegetables.

    a spoonful of macaroni salad
    a spoonful of macaroni salad
    Healthy Macaroni Salad (With Hard Boiled Eggs)
    This Healthy Macaroni Salad is made with a lighter dressing than the classic recipe and has chunks of hard boiled eggs and crisp vegetables!
    Check out this recipe

    Dill Pickles Pasta Salad

    15 minutes

    Combine 2 classic Sloppy Joe sides in one with this Dill Pickle Pasta Salad. Creamy pasta combines with dill pickle juice to create the perfect side dish.

    dill pickle pasta salad in a black bowl
    dill pickle pasta salad in a black bowl
    Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
    An easy Dill Pickle pasta salad recipe featuring plently of pickles and fresh dill in a simple creamy dressing coating. Includes recipe video.
    Check out this recipe

    Ranch Pasta Salad

    30 minutes

    Ranch flavors are what makes this pasta salad stand out - and makes it the perfect side for any bbq type dish.

    ranch pasta salad in a bowl
    ranch pasta salad in a bowl
    Ranch Pasta Salad
    Ranch pasta salad offers a delicious twist on a classic cookout dish! It is a quick and easy to make side dish. Perfect for your next BBQ or get together.
    Check out this recipe

    Mac and Cheese

    65 minutes

    This simple Macaroni and Cheese is the best version of this dish you'll ever make. And so easy too - just dump and bake.

    a spoonful of mac and cheese being lifted out of the pan
    a spoonful of mac and cheese being lifted out of the pan
    Simple Mac and Cheese Recipe without Flour
    Making Mac and Cheese has never been this easy! With just 10 minutes of prep and 45 minutes in the oven you can make the best baked Mac and Cheese - in one pan, without boiling, and without flour. With both Cheddar and Gruyere this is as cheesy & flavor packed as it gets!
    Check out this recipe

    Bean Sides

    Beans are another classic side for Sloppy Joes, and possible to vary in so many ways. While baked beans do take a while to make it's mostly waiting time, while the beans are baking themselves.

    Barbecue Baked Beans

    2 hours+

    These baked beans are so flavor packed you'll want to have them as a side for anything - and they're easy to make, you can even use canned beans!

    barbecue baked beans
    barbecue baked beans
    Barbecue Baked Beans
    Instead of soaking beans overnight, try these quick baked beans using canned beans and jarred sauce for barbecue baked beans worthy of your picnic.
    Check out this recipe

    Boston Baked Beans

    4 hours+

    These sweet & savory baked beans are a true comfort food. Molasses and Worcestershire sauce add loads of depth, and bacon takes it all to the next level.

    boston bake beans in a red dish
    boston bake beans in a red dish
    Boston Baked Beans Recipe
    The BEST Boston baked beans recipe! The molasses and Worcestershire add such richness and depth making them the ultimate comfort food.
    Check out this recipe

    Snacky Sides

    Onion Rings

    12 minutes

    Onion rings are great for a snacky side for your Sloppy Joes - the gentle bite from the onion is a great pairing for all that barbecue sauce.

    onion rings on a plate with dipping sauces
    onion rings on a plate with dipping sauces.
    Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings
    With minimal prep & less than 10 minutes of cooking you can make the best Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings. Perfectly crispy and golden, and all ready to serve with your favorite sauce!
    Check out this recipe

    Tortilla Chips

    13 minutes

    Sure, you can buy amazing Tortilla Chips - but it's so much more fun making them yourself! And once you find out how easy it is, there's really no going back.

    close up of air fryer tortilla chips
    homemade tortilla chips on a blue plate
    Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
    Make homemade Air Fryer Tortilla Chips in under 10 minutes - and forget all about the storebought kind. With just a little bit of oil and a sprinkle of salt, they come out crispy and golden - and perfect for all your dipping needs.
    Check out this recipe

    Potato Chips

    1 hour

    Making potato chips at home is also so much easier than you think. It takes some time, but a lot of it is just waiting.

    homemade potato chips on a white plate
    homemade potato chips on a white plate
    Homemade Potato Chips
    Making your own Homemade Potato Chips from scratch is easier than you think and so rewarding. It may take a little bit of time, but once you know how to make your own potato chips, you’ll know it’s worth the extra work!
    Check out this recipe

    Bread Sides

    For some the hamburger buns are enough, but I love some extra bread to soak up all that amazing sauce.

    Biscuits

    20 minutes

    Flaky biscuits go great with any BBQ type dish. These cheddar cheese biscuits are no exception!

    a cheddar bay biscuit on a plate
    a cheddar bay biscuit on a plate
    Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
    These copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits From Scratch are a tasty addition to any dinner. An easy one-bowl recipe that beats boxed mix every time.
    Check out this recipe

    Cornbread

    30 minutes

    Cornbread is another must to serve with Sloppy Joes. This version uses almond flour to make it gluten free!

    a piece of cornbread
    Healthy Almond Flour Cornbread (Gluten Free)
    Best ever healthy cornbread recipe made gluten free with almond flour. It is moist and buttery with crisp edges; so good that it tastes like the real thing!
    Check out this recipe

    Title

    text

    Turkish bread on a cooling rack.
    Turkish Bread
    Make this easy Turkish Bread with a total of just 15 minutes of prep. This soft, delicious, focaccia style overnight bread is soft inside with a crispy crust. Having homemade bread in the morning has never been this easy!
    Check out this recipe

    Veggie Sides

    Adding some veggies to your Sloppy Joes is a great move. Have your comfort food, and make it healthier too!

    Green Beans

    9 minutes

    There's something about crisp and earthy green beans that pairs so well with Sloppy Joes. A great choice for adding some healthiness to your meal!

    green beans on a blue plate
    green beans on a blue plate
    Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans
    With minimal prep & 4 minutes of cooking you can make the best Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans. Perfectly soft they're a great side for any dinner!
    Check out this recipe

    Cauliflower Coleslaw

    10 minutes

    Change it up with cauliflower instead of cabbage in your coleslaw. This fresh and pretty light coleslaw version has a nice kick from Dijon mustard.

    caulislaw in a bowl
    closeup of raw cauliflower salad
    Raw Cauliflower Salad
    This "Caulislaw" mixes cauliflower, carrots & red onions with a perfectly balanced mayonnaise dressing. It's the perfect side for your next barbecue, or why not top your burgers with it? Quick, earthy, healthy and with loads of flavor it's a versatile side you'll be coming back to over and over again.
    Check out this recipe

    Ranch Coleslaw

    15 minutes

    Ranch coleslaw.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd / alwaysusebutter.com.

    With store-bought mayonnaise & ranch dressing this Ranch Coleslaw couldn't be easier to make - or more loaded with flavor!

    Cheesy Corn

    15 minutes

    a spoonful of cheesy corn

    Cheesy corn is a delicious side, and the creaminess goes great with Sloppy Joes. A great alternative to corn on the cob!

    a spoonful of cheesy corn
    Corn Cheese Recipe
    Indulge in the creamiest gooiest corn cheese recipe! It’s a rich side dish that just might make you forget you have an entree!
    Check out this recipe

    Which recipe are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below and share what you're making on Instagram with the tag #alwaysusebutter!

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • Buffalo mac and cheese.
      Buffalo Mac and Cheese
    • Sour cream mashed potatoes.
      Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
    • Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
      Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese (Dump-and-Bake!)
    • Ranch coleslaw.
      Ranch Coleslaw

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kathryn

      March 28, 2022 at 3:27 pm

      There are so many delicious recipes! Thanks for using my macaroni salad 🙂

      Reply

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