50 Side Dishes to Serve with Sloppy Joes

OK – now that you’ve got your joes – let’s dive into what to serve with these little delights!

Veggie Side Dishes for Sloppy Joes

Technically Sloppy Joes have vegetables – I mean there’s ketchup! But – you probably need more than that! So here’s some favorite veggie recipes that go great with Sloppy Joes or Maid Rites!

• Longhorn Steakhouse Broccoli – this steamed broccoli is tossed in butter and is a favorite of everyone!

• Italian Green Beans – Italian Green Beans with tomatoes are a way to take normal green beans and add a whole new taste to them! You’re adding tomatoes, garlic, Italian herbs and a little sprinkle of Parmesan cheese! These green beans are a perfect side dish for any meal and they’re really easy to make!

• No Cook Fridge Pickles –Quick and easy pickled cucumbers with no heat or cooking required. Tasty in sandwiches or as a crunchy garnish.

• Texas Roadhouse Green Beans – these green beans are loaded with onion and bacon and are my absolute favorite restaurant side dish

• Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad – this is a veggie dish and a salad but it’s a favorite for me! I love this broccoli salad so much I make it at least once a month!

• Traeger Corn -Traeger corn on the cob is one of those summer staples that I’m obsessed with! Being from Iowa – I can never get enough fresh corn – summertime and farmers markets are my favorite! The best part is – grilled corn on the cob is super simple!

• Traeger Baked Beans – these are rich, sweet and savory. They take some time but are perfect side dish for any dinner! Leftovers are even better!

Air Fryer Veggies

Now – not everyone has an air fryer – which I really can’t comprehend! I mean – it’s amazing!!!! I love air fryers so much I have two! I love the Paula Deen Air Fryer – it’s HUGE and super easy to use! Here are my favorite veggies that you can make while your Joes are gittin’ sloppy!

• Air Fryer Avocado Fries – These Air Fryer Avocado Fries will hit the spot at your game day parties – it’s the appetizer all your friends will be talking about! These also have a super zing of cilantro lime – and they’re ready in minutes!!! 

• Air Fryer Jalapeno Fries – Air Fryer Jalapeño Fries are going to be your families new favorite side dish!!! They are my new favorite snack- I ate 3 peppers in one sitting!!! Crunchy peppers with a little zing done in 10 minutes!

• Air Fryer Carrot Fries – Roasted carrots are great – but they take time – UNLESS you’re making them in your air fryer! These crispy air fryer carrot fries are a tasty and quick side dish for any meal!

• Air Fryer Cheesy Tomatoes – Jazz up plain tomatoes in your air fryer just by adding a little cheese and fresh basil! It brings out the best in the tomatoes and is ready in minutes!

• Air Fried Pickles – Fried pickles are one of my favorite appetizers and I’ve been dying to try them in the air fryer. The thing is – I like fried dill pickles with batter – and you can’t really do a true “batter” in an air fryer – so what could I do? 

• Air Fried Onion Rings – Homemade onion rings in the air fryer are amazing! You can’t beat the crispness of these – plus I’ve got a secret ingredient for more flavor! And I made a fun zingy dippin sauce to go with the air fryer onion rings! Crunchy & saucy! Yum!

• Air Fried Crunchy Deviled Eggs – these are a copycat from a restaurant in Atlanta and they are delicious! A fun way to jazz up deviled eggs!

• Air Fryer Smash Brussels Sprouts – This delicious recipe for Air Fryer Smashed Brussels Sprouts is the perfect side dish for any meal! Steamed, smashed and air fried – then sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, olive oil and garlic salt – this easy recipe for crispy Brussels sprouts only takes 15 minutes of cooking time!

• Air Fryer Cherry Tomatoes – these little guys burst in the air fryer and are juicy, sweet and a perfect quick side dish!

Delicious Salads & Dip Side Dishes

Another way to load up on veggies and fruit to go with Slop-Slop-Sloppy Joes is to make a salad! Or – you can make a salad into a dip! Yeah – I said it!!! Serve your dips with tortilla chips like Scoops and you’ll also add some crunch into your favorite sides!

• KFC Cole Slaw – KFC Coleslaw is a classic side dish! It’s got a creamy dressing that is a little sweet and very simple. With spring here, I have been craving coleslaw and made this simple copycat KFC Coleslaw recipe in minutes!

• Cucumber & Tomato Salad – This copycat salad from Taziki’s is a perfect summer salad with loads of tomato, cucumbers and pickled red onions.

• Watermelon & Feta Salad – This is my favorite summer salad – it’s so refreshing and the saltiness from the feta is so yummy!

• Olive Garden House Salad – the classic standard for a house salad – everybody knows it and loves it! The dressing is easy to make too!

• Asparagus & Kale Salad – full of veggies like kale, asparagus and bell peppers plus creamy goat cheese then tossed in a Lemon Dijon Dressing

• Fruit Salad – grab a bunch of fresh fruit and an easy “sauce” for this delicious fruit salad. This is a great side dish in the summer months!

• Chick-Fil-A Kale Salad – Kale, cabbage and almonds tossed in an apple dijon vinaigrette – so light and hearty at the same time and it’s a super healthy side dish!

• Wedge Salad Dip – I love a wedge salad with bacon and blue cheese – add some ranch dressing for a base and suddenly you have a delicious dip!

• Spinach Artichoke Dip – Spinach artichoke dip can be made without mayo – and still be a delicious creamy, savory blend of tender spinach, tangy artichokes and rich cheeses.

• Cheesecake Factory Chopped Salad – romaine lettuce, apples, tomato, avocado, corn and more – its a delicious side for any meal

• Spinach Arugula Salad – This Spinach Arugula Salad is light, creamy and crunchy with a delicious honey dijon vinaigrette.

• Seven Layer Salad Dip – I love a seven layer salad but making it into a dip might be even better!

• Maggianos Chopped Salad – full of yum with bacon, tomatoes, avocado and an easy homemade dressing!

Easy Potato & Bread Side Dishes for Sloppy Joes

There’s more than just potato chips and potato salad for a Sloppy Joe side dish – check these out:

• Taco Johns Potato Oles – these sweet & spicy fast food copycat potatoes have been a favorite of mine since high school! (and that was a LONG time ago). They’re made with crispy crowns – but you could use tater tots or potato wedges too!

• Gold Star Garlic Parmesan Fries – take your favorite fries and drizzle them with this delicious Garlic Parmesan aioli! You’ll be licking the plate!

• Air Fryer Diced Potatoes – yummy little bites of potato that are super crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside

• Air Fryer Potato Skins – these little mini potato skins are a new favorite – crunchy outside and filled with bacon, cheese and sour cream! And you can make them even quicker in the air fryer!

• Taco Bell Cheesy Potatoes – these were discontinued from the Taco Bell menu but you can easily make them at home!

• Cheeseburger Fries – I’m a big fan of Freddy’s Steakburgers so I put everything from a cheeseburger on fries and topped it with Freddy’s seasoning & fry sauce! So good!

• Dominos Parmesan Bread Bites – indulge in these little garlic butter parmesan bread bites! A pizza night favorite is good with sloppy joes too!

• Sweet Potato Fries – I love sweet potatoes in any form – so these fries were right up my alley. Served them with a little maple syrup!

• Hawaiian Roll Garlic Bread – lots and lots of cheese inside sweet Hawaiian rolls!

Best Pasta Side Dishes

Another thing I can never get enough of as an easy side dish are pasta salads and macaroni & cheese dishes! So here are my absolute favorites:

• Chicken Salad Chick Pasta Salad – a very light Italian dressing with Rotini pasta, olives and cheese

• Jarlsberg Macaroni Salad – I love Jarlsberg Dip so much that I decided to add pasta into it and it was so good!

• Ruby Tuesday Pasta Salad – pasta, ranch, peas and ham – it’s a favorite!!! So many Ruby Tuesdays are closed but this is a favorite still!

• Panera Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Mac & Cheese – this copycat is perfection and I love the bits of broccoli and carrot in it! Too bad they took it off the menu!

• Chicken Salad Chick Grape Salad – such a unique salad with grapes, pecans and yogurt – so yum!

• Greek Pasta Salad – lots of seasoning with banana peppers, tomatoes and more!

• Creamy Mac & Cheese – this is hands-down my favorite mac & cheese – I love it saucy and cheesy! A classic comfort food!

Refreshing Drinks & Yummy Desserts to go with Sloppy Joes

Some of the best side dishes are drinks & desserts! Sweets always pair well with Sloppy Joes – so make some lemonade and have a delicious (and easy) dessert! Here are my favorites!

• Red Robin Freckled Lemonade – one of my favorite restaurants beverages – loads of fresh strawberries!

• Air Fryer Grilled Pineapple – I’m a pineapple lover and didn’t really know that I could like it even more – and then I put it in my air fryer!!! Sprinkle it with brown sugar and wow!

• Rhubarb Dream Bars – I love rhubarb and being from Iowa – I’m a fan of all desserts rhubarb filled – these bars are super easy to put together and delicious!

• Pineapple Sunshine Cake – how can you not like a cake with “sunshine” in the name?! It’s a light cake with a flavored whipped frosting – so good!

• Crustless Apple Pie – I love apple pie but sometimes I want something easier – this is it! Slice your apple and coat it with a yummy crumble mixture & bake!

• Cherries in the Snow – This is basically a no-bake cheesecake and it’s AMAZING!