Sloppy joe sides you can serve with your loose meat sandwiches for dinner are here. From vegetables to French fries, salad and more. This is how to take your 3 ingredient sloppy joes to the next level with creative or classic sides that are cold or hot for your guests.

Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe
Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

We don’t just have one favorite sloppy joe side dish, there are many. Depending on whether we serve them on buns, as sliders, or inside a hand pie depends on what we serve with each. From easy to more complex we have a bunch of options for you here. (affiliate links present)

Sloppy Joe Side Dishes

Loose meat sandwiches are a classic American comfort food made with ground beef or another ground meat cooked in a tomato-based sauce and served on a bun. When it comes to serving them there are several delicious side dishes from Frozen Corn on the Cob to fries you can pair with them to create a well rounded and satisfying meal.

You can use any meat you would like to make the main dish. Ground turkey sloppy joes would be lowest in fat while sausage would have the most but also gives you more flavor overall, you choose. Use large buns like you see here above or smaller served as slider sloppy joes too.

Old Fashioned Loose Meat Sandwiches

Sides for Sloppy Joes

Now there are many tweaks out there to make the original out of the ordinary like our sloppy joe Philly cheesesteak. If you are here you want just the basic loose meat sandwich. I get it. There are directions to how to make “regular” ones below for your liking as we talk about the “extras” you’ll like to pair with this like;

  1. Crispy, salty potatoes are a classic choice to complement the saucy and savory Joes.
  2. Creamy Red Cabbage Coleslaw provides a cool and slightly sweet contrast to the rich and spicy flavors of homemade Sloppy Joes. It’s also great for adding some crunch.
  3. Pickles, whether dill or bread-and-butter, can add a tangy and crunchy element to your easy recipe meal. You can serve them on the side or even inside the sandwich.
  4. Grilled or microwave corn on the cob is a perfect side dish for sloppy joes. It’s a simple, wholesome choice that pairs well with the flavors of the sandwich.
  5. Instant Pot baked beans are a hearty and flavorful side dish that complements the sweetness of the Sloppy Joe sauce. They are also a classic choice for backyard barbecues.
  6. Creamy mac and cheese can be a comforting side dish that both kids and adults. Everyone will love alongside this classic meal. Served warm or cold like macaroni salad, either way works great as sides to serve with sloppy joes.

Remember that the choice of side dish can vary depending on personal preferences and dietary restrictions. Feel free to mix and match to create your ideal duos…….but wait, we have more choices below too.

A spoonful of brown sugar held over a pot of simmering ground meat, the irresistible aroma beckons as the perfect prelude to delectable Sloppy Joes.

How can you serve sloppy joes without buns?

There are many ways to serve these too though. You don’t just have to put it in the middle of a bun either. We love it in the center of our Hand Meat Pies with puff pastry. Or use refrigerated pie crust and those are fun for the kids. Your side may be different depending on which way you serve the main dish too….

What are the best Sides for Sloppy Joes?

  1. A fresh green or corn salad recipe with a vinaigrette dressing can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of Sloppy Joes. Add some fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions for extra crunch and flavor.
  2. For a healthier alternative to regular French fries, try air fryer sweet potato fries. They’re sweet, slightly spicy, and pair well with the savory Sloppy Joes.
  3. A colorful fruit salad with a mix of fresh fruits like melons, berries, and citrus segments is great. Something like this can add a refreshing touch to your meal.
  4. Crispy, battered and fried onion rings can be a delicious and indulgent side dish to enjoy with your Sloppy Joes.
  5. Steamed, roasted or boiled broccoli or green beans provide a nutritious and lighter option to balance out the meal.
  6. Warm garlic bread or garlic toast can be a tasty accompaniment to these. Especially if you want to turn your meal into a sandwich.

If you are going to a potluck in the hot sun you might prefer something cool. You just prep the ingredients. Cool and throw together with a light dressing for an easy side dish full of flavor. Pasta salads of any kind work well with this as it is typically creamy like potato salad or coleslaw to top our Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes is great.

A spoon scoops thick, hearty sloppy joes from a pot, perfect for pairing with your favorite sloppy joe sides.

Choosing the best side dish to complement your main course depends on various factors. Include the flavors and ingredients of the main dish, your personal preferences, dietary restrictions, and the occasion. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect side dish:

How do you Choose the Best Side Dish?

  1. Look for something that complement the flavors of the main course. For example, if your main dish is spicy, consider a cooling and refreshing side like a cucumber salad.
  2. Think about texture. If your main dish is softer like our Sloppy Lentil Joes, pair it with a side dish that offers some crunch or crispiness. Think of things such as roasted vegetables or coleslaw.
  3. Take into account any dietary restrictions or preferences of your guests, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or low-carb options. Make sure there are side dishes that accommodate everyone’s needs.
  4. Use seasonal ingredients to inspire your side dishes. Fresh, in season produce tends to be more flavorful and readily available, making it a great choice for side dishes.
  5. Think about the visual appeal of your meal. A colorful side dish can make your meal more visually appealing and appetizing. It’s also an opportunity to add variety to the plate.
  6. Pair a protein rich main course with vegetables or grains to create a well rounded meal.
  7. Consider classic pairings. There’s a reason why certain side dishes are classic companions to specific main courses. For example, steak often goes well with mashed potatoes.
  8. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try new combinations. Sometimes unexpected pairings can be surprisingly delicious.
  9. Consider the temperature as hot sides are great for warming meals, while cold sides are refreshing in warmer weather.
  10. Sometimes, the simplest side dishes can be the best. A perfectly cooked and seasoned vegetable medley or a bowl of steamed rice can be just what you need to complete a meal.
  11. If you’re cooking for a group, consider asking your guests if they have any favorite side dishes or dietary restrictions. Try to accommodate their preferences.

Ultimately, choosing the best comes down to your personal taste and the context of the meal. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try different combinations until you find what works best for you and your guests.

What are the best ground beef side dishes?

Now you can use a side to be actually part of the actual meal. What I mean by this is think outside of the box. When it comes to fries and air fryer tater tots they become enough carbs where you really only want to dive into one so make that your “bun”. Let’s talk about this for a hot second shall we….

What I mean by this is bake in the oven or in your Ninja Foodi until crisp. Let the meat sit in the sauce to marinate and get even better, covered on the stove. Then spoon some tots into a bowl. Cover with the meat and we love cheese on top of all the things.

But wait….there’s more. Let’s talk chips. You could do the same thing where the side becomes the main dish. LIke with air fryer nachos, this killer meat mixture can be served on top!! You following me here?? Layer it on, then the cheese on top of there and jalapenos if you dare. Let it melt and get brown and bubbly on the top. OH yes I did!! Get that you don’t have to serve these independently, but together sometimes is added fun.

A sloppy joe sandwich with saucy ground meat filling on a sesame seed bun, perfectly paired with classic sloppy joe sides, served on a white plate.
5 from 1 vote

Sloppy Joe Sides

By The Typical Mom
Sloppy joe sides are side dishes you can serve with loose meat sandwiches for dinner. From vegetables to French fries, salad and more.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Equipment

  • 1 pan

Ingredients 

  • 2 lbs ground beef, or turkey
  • 1.5 c ketchup
  • 6 tbsp mustard
  • 4 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/2 onion, diced, optional

Instructions 

  • Add meat and diced onions into skillet over medium heat. Cook and break up until there is just a little bit of pink left on meat. Drain grease.
  • Lower heat to low and add ketchup, mustard and brown sugar. Fold together so meat is well coated. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes then turn heat off and serve. Put a lid on meat that isn't served immediately so it stays warm and continues to marinate.
  • Serve on buns with sides like a side salad, vegetables or something to add to your bun like crispy tater tots or a scoop of cool coleslaw.

Nutrition

Serving: 1oz, Calories: 366kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 81mg, Sodium: 610mg, Potassium: 468mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 239IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 41mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!

About The Typical Mom

Justine is the creative mind behind The Typical Mom and The Typical Family on YouTube. She began blogging about easy recipes, budget friendly activities for kids, and fun family travel destinations in September 2012.

You May Also Like

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.