If you’re wondering what to serve with your sloppy joe, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, I list 39 of the most popular side dishes for sloppy joes.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best side dishes to serve with sloppy joes are coleslaw, zucchini tots, sweet potato wedges, potato chips, and onion rings. You can also serve butter lettuce salad, fried dill pickles, stuffed celery sticks, or boiled corn on the cob. For an unusual but tasty option, try BBQ peach baked beans.
Ready? Let’s jump right in.
Classic coleslaw
The familiar mix of crunchy shredded carrots and cabbage drenched in a tangy mayo dressing is the prefect contrast for your meaty sloppy joe.
Whether you serve this slaw on the side or stuff it inside your sandwich, you’re guaranteed to have a delicious meal.
In a rush? Use a bagged coleslaw mix and store-bought mayo to make this in a flash.
Why we love this recipe: it’s a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
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Classic coleslaw
Make it lighter
Greek yogurt coleslaw
Make it dairy-free
Cilantro lime slaw
Cheesy zucchini tots
Zucchini tots are a great way to sneak more veggies into any meal.
They’re loaded with shredded zucchini and also cheese, so even your pickiest eaters will barely be able to taste the earthy vegetable.
Enjoy these crispy treats with your sloppy joes instead of fries for a semi-healthy meal.
Why we love this recipe: you can easily make them gluten-free.
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Cheesy zucchini tots
Skip the zucchini
Broccoli cheddar bites
Go back to basics
Homemade tater tots
Roasted sweet potato wedges
These sweet potato wedges are seasoned with a classic combination of garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder, giving them a sweet-but-savory flavor.
Psst… not a fan of these spices? You can also use things like cayenne, cumin, cinnamon, or your favorite herbs.
Use these lightly crisp and fluffy wedges to mop your sloppy joes’ sauce.
Why we love this recipe: the oven does most of the work for you.
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Roasted sweet potato wedges
Bust out the air fryer
Air fryer sweet potato wedges
Fire up the grill
Grilled sweet potato fries
Beer-battered onion rings
The key to getting those picture-perfect onion rings?
Making them with a beer batter! The beer’s carbonation is just what you need to achieve light, crispy crusts.
Not a fan of beer? Soda water works too.
Psst… need more things to have with your onion rings?
Why we love this recipe: you get restaurant-quality onion rings in the comfort of your kitchen.
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Beer-battered onion rings
Make it simple
French fried onion strings
Make it fun
Blooming onion
Butter lettuce salad
This butter lettuce salad is great during summer or when you fancy something light.
It features a medley of contrasting textures courtesy of the tender butter lettuce, crisp radishes, and creamy avocado.
Then everything is tied together with a bright, zippy lemon dressing that will cut through your rich sloppy joe.
Why we love this recipe: you only need seven ingredients to make this salad, including the dressing!
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Butter lettuce salad
Make it different
Grilled romaine
Ditch the leafy greens
Classic Waldorf salad
Salt and vinegar potato chips
These chips’ salty, tangy flavor will balance out the deep meaty flavors of your sloppy joe and add a nice crunch.
Skip the bagged chips, though. The homemade version is leagues better and easy to make too.
All you need are three ingredients – the potatoes, salt, and vinegar – plus a mandoline slicer to get those paper-thin crisps.
Why we love this recipe: you can flavor them with whatever you want.
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Salt and vinegar potato chips
Make it low-carb
Sea salt and vinegar kale chips
Make it cheesy
Baked parmesan crisps
Carrots and peas
Carrots and peas are a classic combo for a warm, quick, and easy side dish.
And this recipe takes things up a notch by adding honey and fresh thyme leaves for a hint of sweetness.
Psst… you can also add some corn or green beans in.
Why we love this recipe: it only takes 15 minutes to get on the table.
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Carrots and peas
Make it creamy
Creamed peas and potatoes
Make a salad
Pea salad
Fried dill pickles
This is a must-try if you love munching on dill pickles!
The acidity from the pickles works as a palate cleanser, so you can taste the rest of the flavors from your sloppy joe more clearly.
Pro-tip: make sure your oil is hot enough to avoid soggy pickles.
Why we love this recipe: they’re super addictive.
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Fried dill pickles
Make it dairy-free
Vegan air fryer fried pickles
Skip the pickles
Fried green tomatoes
Milk boiled corn on the cob
Have you ever tried boiling corn in a milk and butter bath?
This method yields tender, sweet corn brimming with a creamy, buttery flavor that goes nicely with your more savory sloppy joes.
You won’t need any extra butter with how tasty this boiled corn is.
Why we love this recipe: everything you need should already be in your pantry.
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Milk boiled corn on the cob
Fire up the grill
Grilled corn with basil butter
Make it different
Corn fritters
Ranch stuffed celery sticks
These stuffed celery sticks are a fantastic low-carb accompaniment to your sloppy joes.
Each celery stick is filled with a tasty cheddar and bacon ranch mixture – creating a crunchy, creamy, and oh-so-delicious treat.
You can easily whip up a batch in just 15 minutes.
Why we love this recipe: they’re great for serving a crowd.
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Cheddar bacon ranch stuffed celery sticks
Make it fancy
Mediterranean stuffed celery sticks
Change the flavor
Italian cream cheese stuffed celery sticks
Greek orzo salad
Try this orzo salad if you’re looking for a hearty side dish that won’t make you feel like you need a nap right after.
It’s a melting pot of different flavors, but what seals the deal for this pasta salad is its simple but zesty Greek dressing.
Why we love this recipe: it’s perfect for meal prep so make extra and eat it for lunch the next day too.
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Greek orzo salad
Make it creamy
Macaroni salad
Skip the pasta
Chopped Greek chickpea salad
Parmesan spinach mac and cheese
For an indulgent side dish, try mac and cheese.
The combination of your sloppy joe’s rich, tomato-ey meat filling tastes superb when mixed with a luscious cheesy sauce.
The spinach gives this combo a nutritious boost, and a few broccoli florets wouldn’t hurt either!
Why we love this recipe: it’s ideal even for those busy weeknight dinners.
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Parmesan spinach mac and cheese
Make it dairy-free
Vegan mac and cheese
Make it crispy
Fried mac and cheese bites
Bourbon peach BBQ baked beans
Baked beans are a go-to Southern side and these don’t disappoint next to a sloppy joe – it makes the meal even more sloppy!
And I bet you’ve never had peaches in your baked beans.
They bring a summery vibe to the meal, while not distracting from the smokey flavors of chipotle, paprika, bacon, and balsamic vinegar.
Why we love this recipe: it’s a warm and hearty dish that is BURSTING with flavor.
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Bourbon peach BBQ baked beans
Go classic
Spicy baked beans with bacon
Make it cheesy
Cheesy white bean tomato bake
What To Serve With Sloppy Joes – Potato Chips
Equipment
- mandoline slicer
- instant read thermometer
Ingredients
- 2 lbs potatoes Russet potatoes
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar
- 2 tbsp vinegar powder
- 1 tsp table salt
- 4-5 cups vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Slice your potatoes on the thinnest mandoline setting and place them into a large bowl.
- Add the vinegar and mix so all the potato slices are fully coated. If the potatoes are not fully submerged, add some water until they are. Let the potatoes rest for 1-2 hours.
- Drain the potatoes and dry them. You can let them air dry or use a paper towel if you're in a rush.
- Combine the salt and vinegar powder in a large bowl and set aside for later.
- Heat the frying oil in a wide pan until it reaches 350 degrees, for best results use an instant read thermometer to monitor the temperature.
- Once the oil is ready, drop a few potato slices into the oil and let them fry for 3-5 minutes, turning them over half way through.
- When the chips are golden and crispy, remove them from the oil and let them drain for a few seconds on a paper towel. Them quickly toss them in the salt and vinegar powder mix before they cool down too much.
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