Wondering what to serve with sloppy joes? From classic potato salad and macaroni salad to onion rings, vegetables, and cheesy casseroles, these easy side dishes help complete the meal.
If you haven’t tried my homemade Sloppy Joes yet, be sure to start there. You can also turn the same sloppy joe mixture into Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread or Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole for easy family dinners.
Jump to:
- Macaroni Salad with Cheddar Cheese
- Healthy Potato Salad (No Hard-Boiled Eggs)
- Brussels Sprouts & Kale Salad
- Rainbow Pasta Salad
- Waldorf Pasta Salad with Pineapples
- Fruit Salad with Honey Lemon Dressing
- Frozen Onion Rings in the Air Fryer
- Sliced Potatoes in the Air Fryer
- Crispy Roasted Ranch Potatoes
- Honey Glazed Baby Carrots
- Easy Pan Fried Green Beans
- Easy Italian Roasted Broccoli
- Roasted Zucchini & Summer Squash
- Easy Queso Blanco Mac and Cheese
- Jalapeño Cream Cheese Corn Casserole
- Cowboy Baked Beans
- Old Fashioned Coleslaw
Classic Salads for Sloppy Joes
These make-ahead favorites are perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and busy weeknight dinners.
Macaroni Salad with Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar macaroni salad is a timeless dish packed with flavor! This recipe combines cooked elbow macaroni with sharp cheddar cheese, chopped celery, and diced red onion. A creamy dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, and a hint of Dijon mustard brings it all together. It's the perfect side dish for summer picnics, or your next potluck or backyard bbq!
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Healthy Potato Salad (No Hard-Boiled Eggs)
This Healthy Potato Salad is made without hard-boiled eggs and features tender potatoes, celery, red onion, and sweet pickles in a creamy dressing made with light mayonnaise and nonfat yogurt. For a completely egg-free version, use your favorite egg-free mayonnaise substitute.
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Brussels Sprouts & Kale Salad
Brussels Sprouts & Kale Salad is a copycat of the Cracker Barrel recipe and features pecans and cranberries and is topped with a simple maple vinaigrette.
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Tri-Color Pasta Salad
Rainbow Pasta Salad is easy to make and bursting with fresh flavor. The best part? It comes together in less than 30 minutes! We keep things simple by enlisting the help of grocery store staples, using store-bought dressing to make this recipe super quick and hassle-free.
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Fresh Fruit Salads
If you’re looking for something light and refreshing, fruit salads pair surprisingly well with the sweet and savory flavors of sloppy joes.
Waldorf Pasta Salad with Pineapples
Learn how to make a flavorful Waldorf pasta salad with pineapples. This modern twist on the classic salad is perfect for a light meal or appetizer.
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Fruit Salad with Honey Lemon Dressing
Fruit Salad with Honey Lemon Dressing is made with fresh fruit available all year round (even winter). Perfect for any potluck or gathering.
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Potato Sides and Onion Rings
These hearty sides help turn sloppy joes into a filling family meal.
Frozen Onion Rings in the Air Fryer
Frozen Onion Rings in the Air Fryer come out crispy and golden in about 15 minutes. Easy instructions with no preheating required.
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Roasted Ranch Potatoes
Roasted Ranch Potatoes feature Hidden Valley Dressing mix, olive oil, salt and pepper. Wow your guests with this easy trendy recipe!
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No-Soak Air Fryer Sliced Potatoes
Looking for the crispiest air fryer sliced potatoes? This easy recipe requires no soaking and takes just 15 minutes! The perfect fast side dish for chicken, steak, or pork chops.
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Vegetable Sides
Add a colorful vegetable side to balance out a sloppy joe sandwich.
Honey Glazed Baby Carrots
These Honey Glazed Baby Carrots are an easy, healthy, and flavorful side dish that the whole family will love. They are made with a handful of ingredients like carrots, creamy butter, and a touch of honey. The recipe comes together in just minutes, making it a perfect, fuss-free choice for a busy weeknight dinner, a holiday meal, or any time you want something quick and delicious.
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Pan Fried Fresh Green Beans
Ditch the canned beans for these Super Easy Pan Fried Fresh Green Beans! Only 5 simple ingredients and 15 minutes for a perfectly tender-crisp, garlicky side dish that even the kids will love. The ultimate healthy weeknight solution!
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Italian Roasted Broccoli Recipe
Looking for a healthy side dish that’s easy, flavorful, and ready in no time? This Easy Italian Roasted Broccoli is just what you need! With three simple ingredients and a quick trip to the oven, you can turn fresh broccoli florets into a delicious dish that pairs perfectly with just about any main dish.
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Roasted Zucchini & Summer Squash
Roasted Zucchini & Summer Squash is an easy, delicious, and healthy five ingredient side dish that can be on the table in no time.
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Comfort Food Favorites
These cheesy and comforting sides are perfect when you’re craving classic comfort food.
Easy Queso Blanco Mac and Cheese
A creamy, foolproof queso mac and cheese made with Velveeta queso blanco, pasta, milk, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. This easy weeknight dinner comes together quickly and is always a family favorite.
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Jalapeno Cream Cheese Corn Casserole
Enjoy a delicious side dish for any occasion with this Jalapeno Cream Cheese Corn Casserole. It's easy to make and packed with flavor!
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Classic Cookout Sides
No sloppy joe roundup would be complete without these backyard barbecue favorites.
Cowboy Baked Beans Recipe (from Wendie at Butter Your Biscuit)
This Cowboy Baked Beans Recipe is ideal for a dish that’s hearty, savory, and has the perfect amount of tangy sweetness. It makes for the perfect side to pair with all of your favorite comfort foods!
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Old Fashioned Coleslaw With Vinegar (from Carlee at Cooking with Carlee)
Fresh vegetables combine with a super simple sweet and tangy vinegar based coleslaw dressing for a fresh and fabulous side dish. This old fashioned coleslaw recipe is the perfect salad for so many occasions.
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Easy Desserts to Finish the Meal
A sloppy joe night doesn’t need a complicated dessert. These easy favorites are perfect for backyard cookouts, family dinners, and casual gatherings.
Mississippi Mud Cake (with cake mix)
Make a delicious chocolate treat with this Easy Mississippi Mud Cake recipe. Perfect for chocolate lovers and gatherings with family and friends.
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Tornado Cake (Do Nothing)
Tornado Cake, also known as Texas Tornado Cake or Do Nothing Cake is so easy and the best part is that you make the topping right after it comes out of the oven. That means you get to eat it not too long after it comes out of the oven!
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Peach Thumbprint Cookies
Peach Thumbprint Cookies feature a buttery shortbread-style cookie filled with peach pie filling and drizzled with a tasty cinnamon glaze. Think of them as tiny peach pies. And yes, they’re just as delicious as they sound!
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Peanut Butter Cowboy Cookies Recipe
These Peanut Butter Cowboy Cookies are a peanut-butter-lover’s twist on the famous Laura Bush cookie recipe. They’re big, chewy, and loaded with flavor. This recipe for Cowboy Cookies is basically a chocolate chip cookie taken up a notch with the addition of peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, chopped pecans, and coconut. They’re a cookie fan’s dream come true!
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More Questions About Sloppy Joes
What sides go well with Manwich?
The same sides that pair well with homemade sloppy joes work with Manwich, including potato salad, macaroni salad, baked beans, coleslaw, and corn casserole.
What can you eat with sloppy joes besides bread?
If you want something besides buns, try serving sloppy joe meat over baked potatoes, rice, roasted potatoes, or even lettuce wraps.
What is a lighter side dish for sloppy joes?
Fresh fruit salad, coleslaw, Brussels sprouts salad, roasted zucchini, and roasted broccoli are lighter side dishes that balance the richness of sloppy joes.
About Mindy
Mindy has been cooking for over 30 years, starting as a young mother who learned how to create delicious meals on a budget. Today, she shares approachable recipes made with everyday ingredients that are easy, affordable, and family-friendly. Her goal is to show that great food doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.