49 of the Best Sloppy Joe Sides
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They’re tangy, saucy, and oh so good–who doesn’t love Sloppy Joes?! The only thing better than a plateful of the deliciously messy sandwiches is a plate of them with these Sloppy Joe sides served alongside!
From creamy and crunchy salads to a wide variety of veggies served up in different ways to potato salads, salsas, and so much more, this list of side dishes for Sloppy Joes has you covered.
So the next time you ask yourself what to serve with Sloppy Joes, scan this list of incredible side dish ideas and try something new!
Easy Coleslaw
Crisp and creamy coleslaw is the perfect counterpoint to the savory and saucy sandwiches. You can even add it inside your Sloppy Joes! This colorful coleslaw recipe has green and red cabbages along with carrots and fresh cilantro.
Grilled Corn Salad
This summery salad with fresh-grilled corn, juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumber, creamy avocado, and fresh herbs all dressed with a zippy lime dressing goes so well with the beefy sandwiches!
Classic Potato Salad
A classic for a reason! Creamy potato salad makes a hearty and nostalgic side dish for Sloppy Joes. Not only can it be made ahead of time, it’s best when you do!
Grilled Asparagus
Tender asparagus stalks, grilled to perfection and dressed up with Parmesan cheese? Yes, please! This fresh green side looks great on the plate next to your Sloppy Joe sandwiches. Tastes great, too!
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Buttery corn on the cob is summery, juicy deliciousness! When you’re looking for veggie Sloppy Joe sides, this sweet corn on the cob is a great choice.
Grilled Zucchini
Sturdy zucchini is great for grilling, and these full-of-flavor slabs are fun to make, too! We keep it simple here with a few seasonings and an option for grilling right on the grates or cooking inside foil. Either way, grilled zucchini makes a great side dish for Sloppy Joes!
Grilled Potatoes
With garlic and rosemary, these grilled red potatoes are golden, tender, and amazing with Sloppy Joes. They’re cooked using parchment and for perfectly cooked potatoes (and easy clean-up, too).
Grilled Mexican Street Corn
Not just a delicious appetizer, grilled Mexican street corn makes an awesome side, too. Sweet corn on the cob is cooked until tender, then smothered with typical elote ingredients–mayo, crema, Cotija cheese, chili powder, and fresh lime juice. The flavors pair perfectly with everyone’s favorite sloppy sandwich!
Quick Pickled Red Onions
Pickled red onions add so much flavor–either to the side of Sloppy Joes or right on top! To make them, cut a small red onion into ¼-inch thick half-moons and add them to a jar or bowl. Top with the juice of 2 or 3 limes and a big pinch of salt. Stir or shake and let it all hang out for 15-20 minutes, tossing occasionally.
Tortellini Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is a cool and easy companion to Sloppy Joes. This tortellini salad, with pasta and veggies tossed in a creamy Italian dressing, can be made ahead of time so easy to serve this Sloppy Joe side, too!
Macaroni Salad
Creamy, classic macaroni salad is one of those crowd-pleasing Sloppy Joe sides that is the perfect companion for the deliciously messy sandwich. This one’s tangy, a little sweet, and easily customizable.
Cowboy Caviar
When you’re wondering what to serve with Sloppy Joes, this cowboy caviar is the answer! Part salsa, part dip, part salad, cowboy caviar is tangy and fresh tasting with beans, black-eyed peas, corn, fresh veggies, spicy jalapeno, and lots of cilantro.
Black Bean Salad
Canned black beans, corn, crunchy bell peppers, and lots of veggies make this black bean salad shine! It’s the perfect companion for Sloppy Joes, and can be made ahead of time. Easy and delicious!
Broccoli Salad
Tangy Greek yogurt lightens up this fresh broccoli salad with walnuts, red onion, smoky bacon, and sweet dried cranberries. It’s a colorful side that’s a great side for Sloppy Joes!
Quinoa Taco Salad
With lots of creamy avocado tossed with quinoa, tomatoes, bell peppers, beans, salsa, and cheese, this fresh-tasting salad pairs well with the saucy sandwiches!
Apple Slaw
Sweet and crunchy apples join up with cabbage and tangy whole mustard in this fresh slaw-style salad. This crisp salad might just be the ultimate answer to the question, “What to serve with Sloppy Joes?!”
Steak Fries
What’s a good old-fashioned sandwich without fries? These seasoned steak fries are cooked until crispy and tender, and, when served up with Sloppy Joes, they’re the perfect pair.
Fruit Salad
Who doesn’t love fruit salad?! This version has sweet berries, juicy peaches, crisp pomegranate arils, and fresh basil for a refreshing, sweet companion to your Sloppy Joe feast.
Cucumber Salad
Everyone loves cucumber salad! This classic crisp salad has sliced cukes with tomato wedges and strips of red onion tossed with an Italian-seasoned vinaigrette.
Mac & Cheese
What pairs with a classic comfort food favorite like Sloppy Joes? Another classic comfort food favorite: Mac and cheese! This version is a stovetop mac that comes together quickly and easy, with tender elbow macaroni in a thick and rich cheese sauce.
Homemade Dill Pickles
Pickles have a home alongside just about any sandwich, but are especially good as a side dish for Sloppy Joes! These homemade dill pickles are crisp and tangy with loads of fresh dill.
Grilled Vegetables
A colorful array of fresh veggies goes perfectly with Sloppy Joes! These roasted vegetables include green beans, bell peppers, zucchini or yellow squash, onion, and mushrooms, all flavored with balsamic vinegar, garlic, and rosemary and are roasted until tender and delicious.
Sweet Potato Fries
These smoky spiced sweet potato fries bring a few more nutrients to the table, plus, they’re delicious! They’re tossed with cumin, cracked pepper, and olive oil, then baked until crispy and tender. Yum!
Baked Beans
What’s a burger without baked beans?! These smoky baked beans are thick, rich, and full of flavor–and one of the most perfect sides for Sloppy Joes we can think of!
Bistro Salad
This light and crunchy salad is just the green veggie side you’re looking for. Crisp greens, fresh herbs, and pickled onions are tossed in a tangy vinaigrette for a refreshing side that everyone will love.
Corn Salsa
Crisp, refreshing, and a little spicy, this sweet corn salsa hits the spot! Corn, onion, cilantro, and jalapenos join up with lime juice, vinegar, and spices for this colorful salsa that’s great next to–or on–Sloppy Joes.
Egg Salad
Classic egg salad brings even more protein to the equation with hearty, healthy eggs! This version has onion, chives, and pickle juice for a full-of-flavor affair.
Vinegar Coleslaw (No Mayo)
If you’re not a fan of creamy coleslaw with mayonnaise, this vinegar-based coleslaw is for you! No mayo in sight, just crunchy cabbage along with crunchy fennel, sweet apple, dill, and caraway seeds. It’s a great cool counterpoint to hearty Sloppy Joes!
Spinach Salad
If you’re looking for dark leafy greens to go along with your Sloppy Joes, this spinach salad is where it’s at! Fresh spinach, smoky pecans, hard-boiled eggs and/or apple, and a balsamic vinaigrette make a hearty salad that’s a refreshing counterpoint to the tangy sandwiches.
Spicy Watermelon Salad
Cool watermelon joins up with cucumber, tomatoes, and creamy avocado along with spicy Calabrian peppers for a unique twist on watermelon salad that goes perfectly with the flavors of Sloppy Joes. That gorgeous golden mango vinaigrette takes it over the top!
Fried Pickles
These crunchy fried dill pickles are made in the air fryer, for a lighter take on deep-fried pickles. Serve them up with Greek yogurt ranch sauce for delicious dipping.
Avocado Salad
Crisp veggies pair up with creamy avocado in this refreshing salad. The cilantro lime dressing takes it over the top! It’s the perfect veggie side.
Tomato Peach Salad
This quintessential summer salad has fresh peaches, creamy avocado, and crisp cucumbers on a bed of greens, all topped with fresh basil leaves. The creamy dill tahini dressing seals the deal!
Air Fryer Tater Tots
Puffs of potato that are crisp on the outside and light inside–what’s not to love about tater tots?! These tots are made from frozen and cooked up in the air fryer for super easy, extra crisp potato goodness.
Southwest Pasta Salad
Pasta salad meets Tex Mex deliciousness in this kicky side! Curly pasta, black beans, juicy cherry tomatoes, and corn are tossed in a spicy chipotle ranch dressing. This one’s full of veggies and a great answer to the question of what to serve with Sloppy Joes!
Bacon Avocado Potato Salad
This creamy concoction levels up potato salad in every way! With baby potatoes, crisp celery, scallions, creamy avocado, and smoky bacon in a tangy lightened-up dressing. Yum!
Strawberry Salad
This juicy strawberry salad is fresh, tangy, and a great side dish! Crisp greens are tossed with strawberries, caramelized pecans, pears, cucumbers, red bell pepper, and onions. Ramen noodles and salted sunflower seeds add crunch and goat cheese crumbles add tangy creaminess. That strawberry balsamic vinaigrette seals the deal!
Jimaca and Mango Salad
Crunchy jicama sticks, crisp cucumber and bell pepper, and sweet mangoes join up in this fresh salad with a bit of heat thanks to aleppo chile flakes.
Orzo Salad
With fresh herbs and tons of veggies, this loaded orzo pasta salad makes an amazing side! It’s easy to make ahead of time, too.
Street Corn Salad
Charred corn kernels are tossed with scallions, cilantro, fresh jalapeno peppers, and Cotija and then tossed in a creamy lime-mayo dressing. This one has it all!
Fried Green Tomatoes
Thick green tomato slabs are coated in cornmeal and fried until tender and delicious. Serve them next to–or inside!–your Joes.
German Potato Salad
Tangy and smoky, German potato salad is a great hearty side dish that makes the perfect Sloppy Joe side! Creamy potatoes, bacon, onions, and a tangy hot dressing give this potato salad so much flavor.
Shishito Mango Salsa
This smoky, chunky salsa features charred shishito peppers, mangoes, and more fresh flavors for a unique salsa that’s both sweet and spicy. Serve it alongside Sloppy Joes with some chips, or eat it like a salad! It’s excellent served right on your Sloppy Joes too.
Chipotle Apple Sweet Potato Salad
With roasted sweet potatoes, apples, and tomatoes, this twist on potato salad is full of flavor! The chipotle dressing brings a tangy heat to the equation.
Crispy Tostones
Hearty plantains are cut into slices and fried until crispy. Add plenty of salt and eat them like French fries!
Arugula Salad
Fresh arugula joins up with Parmesan cheese and pine nuts for this simple and easy salad. The tangy lemon vinaigrette is excellent with the peppery arugula!
Bell Pepper Salad
A medley of colorful bell peppers makes this delicious bell pepper salad! Strips of crisp and bright peppers join up with onion plus a tangy vinaigrette for a vibrant and crunchy Sloppy Joe side dish.
Mediterranean Salad
The crisp, fresh veggies in this salad make a vibrant display next to Sloppy Joe Sandwiches. This one is super simple and easy to make, and a total crowd pleaser!
Air Fryer Potato Chips
Crisp and crunchy potato chips, made right in your air fryer! Make them up to a week ahead of your camping trip or barbecue, and store them in an airtight container.