• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Tasty Tip
  • Recipes
  • Tutorials
  • Guides
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Tutorials
  • Guides
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Tutorials
    • Guides
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Side Dish

    50 Best Side Dishes for Sloppy Joes for a Crowd

    Published: Feb 4, 2023 · Modified: May 15, 2023 by Tami McBride · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Wondering what to serve with sloppy joes for a crowd at a party? This article has tons of easy side dish ideas like salad, pasta, veggies, finger foods, and desserts.

    Sloppy joes on a bun with potato chips as a topping.

    Saucy, meaty, and satisfying. Yep! Sloppy joes are on the menu.

    But no savory sandwich is as enjoyable without a few side dishes to back it up. Sides help stretch the meat further, provide complementary flavors, and complete the meal.

    What are the best side dishes to serve with sloppy joes at a party? Salads, grilled vegetables, chips, and jello are the most popular side dishes to serve with sloppy joes. But don’t overlook easy desserts like cookies, Rice Krispies treats, and brownies.

    Get more info on food for a crowd and serving tips.

    You may also be interested in how many sloppy joes to plan per person. This helpful article includes tips to stretch your filling further.

    Salads That Go with Sloppy Joes

    Wondering what salads go with sloppy joes? From zesty coleslaw to a refreshing Caesar, get all the salad ideas that will add a delightful crunch and balance to your deliciously messy sloppy joes.

    1

    Strawberry Spinach Salad

    The combination of sweet strawberries, fresh spinach, and crunchy pecans is the right fit for a sloppy joes party. Your guests will be back for seconds, guaranteed.

    2

    Coleslaw

    Coleslaw is a classic side dish to serve with sloppy joes. Eat the slaw on the side, or top your sloppy joe with it. A side and a topping. Nothing better than that.

    Guests will love this traditional recipe with their sandwiches.

    3

    Potato Salad

    Cookout, potato salad, and sloppy joes? If that is your kind of party, whip up a big bowl of potato salad with hard-boiled eggs, mayo, and dill relish.

    Want to jazz things up? Then throw in a few pickled jalapenos. Lively potato salad is coming your way.

    4

    Caesar Salad

    A Caesar salad is one of the easiest dishes to make for a party. And when sloppy joes are on the menu, Caesar salad is a great match. Meat and green salad? Now that is a balanced meal.

    5

    Cucumber Salad

    Fresh and crisp, a cucumber salad is light and invigorating. Just what you need with saucy sloppy joes. Cool cucumbers are an appetizing party side dish any time of year.

    6

    Cherry Fluff Salad

    Nothing says, “party’s on,” like a fruity dessert salad. Cherry fluff is sweet and creamy and an unrivaled match for sloppy joes. Your party guests will agree when they gobble it up.

    7

    Garden Salad

    When your salad needs a splash of color, make a garden salad. Greens, tomatoes, bell peppers, and red onions are the right combination. Drizzle with your favorite dressing for a wonderful sloppy joe pairing.

    8

    Quinoa Black Bean Salad

    Quinoa black bean salad is a healthy, filling salad that is marvelous for an outside party. It is made with fluffy quinoa, hearty black beans, fresh spinach, and sauteed summer vegetables. You know you’re going back for seconds.

    9

    Easy Jiffy Layered Cornbread Salad without Beans

    Serve cornbread salad next time you have sloppy joes on the menu. Cornbread cubes, tomatoes, olives, and shredded cheese make up this unique salad. Drizzle it with dressing and sprinkle it with bacon.

    10

    Broccoli Salad

    A broccoli salad is the ideal side dish to prevent guilt about gobbling down a sloppy joe. Healthy broccoli salad has a burst of sweet and salty flavors. Broccoli, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon. Yep! That’s a winning combination.

    11

    Vintage 1950s Ambrosia Salad

    When you want fruity and creamy, try ambrosia salad. Ambrosia is the best side dish for a crowd. And it is a perfect way to lighten you up after eating a meaty sandwich.

    12

    Kale & Brussels Sprout Salad

    Shredded veggies, crunchy pecans, and sweet Craisins are drizzled with a creamy maple vinaigrette. You’re gonna want seconds of this salad.

    13

    Italian Pasta Salad

    It’s like throwing pizza ingredients in a pasta salad. Yep. I’m talking salami, pepperoni, olives, and cheese sprinkled in with cooked noodles. You will love this almost-pizza pasta salad at your next party.

    14

    Mandarin Orange Salad

    You will love this salad if you like mixing fruit with salad greens. It is made with a spring mix of greens, crunchy nuts, and mandarin oranges. Everything you need for a simple side salad that will dazzle your guests.

    15

    Apple Walnut Salad

    Apple walnut salad is bursting with flavor. Crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, salty cheese, and earthy greens. What more could you ask for in a salad?

    16

    Greek Pasta Salad

    Greek pasta salad is stuffed with Kalamata olives, red onions, cucumbers, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese. It is a wonderful recipe to serve alongside sloppy joes.

    The light, fresh pasta salad will be a crowd favorite.

    17

    Easy Mexican Fruit Salad

    Try this easy Mexican fruit salad recipe (pico de gallo fruta). It is the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and salty. Vibrant, colorful summer salad you will make again and again.

    18

    Apple Snickers Salad

    Make this tasty apple Snickers salad for your party. Apples, peanuts, and caramel flavors swirl together to make this unforgettable dish. It is just what you need next to sloppy joes to jazz up lunch.

    19

    Mandarin Orange Jello Salad with Sherbet

    Not your ordinary jello salad. The secret ingredient in this jello recipe is sherbet. Serve this orange jello salad as a sloppy joes side. Your guests won’t be disappointed.

    Wondering how long sloppy joes last? Find out the shelf life of the classic sandwich (in the fridge and freezer).

    Vegetables that Pair with Sloppy Joes

    What are the best vegetables to serve with sloppy joes? Grilled veggies or cold vegetable platters are fantastic when paired with a sloppy sandwich.

    20

    Crudite Platter

    Make a colorful crudite platter with fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, bell peppers, and cucumbers. Serve this popular side dish with hummus or guacamole for dipping.

    21

    Baked Carrots with Brown Sugar Glaze

    Roast a sheet pan of fresh carrots with a sweet and spicy brown sugar glaze. Carrots are the best veggie to highlight the savory deliciousness of a meaty sandwich.

    22

    Grilled Corn on the Cob

    Corn on the cob is fantastic at any cookout or backyard barbeque. Roast the cob on the grill and slather it with butter, salt, and pepper. You will love corn’s fresh, sweet flavor paired with sloppy joes.

    23

    Green Beans with Bacon

    Green beans are a fabulous vegetable to serve with sloppy joes. The tender-crisp crunch of the cooked beans offsets the saucy filling of the joes. Top the string beans with bacon, and you have a party side dish worth repeating.

    24

    Grilled Asparagus

    Smoky, charred asparagus is ideal for outdoor summertime parties. Serve it next to sloppy joes to add a flavorful vegetable to the food table.

    25

    Roasted Zucchini

    Roasting is the best way to prepare zucchini. It stays crisp-tender and is a perfect match for a summer sandwich. Your party guests will love it.

    26

    Spinach Artichoke Dip

    Spinach artichoke dip is one of the easiest recipes to serve at a party. Especially when you make it in a slow cooker. The soft, cheesy mixture will stay warm throughout your get-together.

    And nothing pairs better with sloppy joes than a hot dip served with pita or tortilla chips.

    Finger Foods and Other Sides

    You will love this selection of easy sides to eat with sloppy joes.

    27

    Chips

    Potato chips or Fritos will be a hit with sloppy joes. Plus, they are the easiest sides you can provide. And they make a fun topping too. Tear open a few bags and let your guests have at it.

    • Potato chips. Buy here.
    • Fritos. Buy here.
    28

    Baked Beans

    A meat sandwich like sloppy joes goes great with a scoop of warm baked beans. Sweet and spicy flavored beans are irresistible, especially with crumbled bacon on top. Give them a try tonight.

    29

    Baked Macaroni and Cheese

    Ultra-creamy mac and cheese with a crunchy, buttery top is the ultimate comfort food. Serve it with sloppy joes for a dynamic pairing everyone will appreciate.

    30

    Cheese and Crackers

    When you want a light and fun side, serve cheese and crackers. A cheese board is an appetizing contrast to sloppy joes.

    Choose two or three cracker varieties. Then cube two types of hard cheese and serve one soft cheese. Light, easy, and unique side for sloppy joes.

    • Ritz crackers. Buy here.
    • Town House crackers. Buy here.
    31

    Deviled Eggs

    Deviled eggs are the right choice to go with sloppy joes. This fabulous party food is a breeze to whip up. Serve them cold next to your warm sandwich.

    32

    Jalapeno Poppers

    Jalapeno poppers are one of the finest finger foods to serve at a party. They go quite well with a meaty sandwich.

    Spicy jalapenos are cooled with cream cheese and flavored with bacon. What more could you ask for?

    33

    Hummus and Pita Bread

    Consider smooth, creamy hummus when you need to feed a crowd. The bitter, tart flavor and interesting spices are a must-have at any party. Dip pita bread or veggies in the hummus for a delightful taste.

    34

    Caprese Skewers

    Fresh, healthy, and unique. You will want to snack on a few of these skewers. Spear cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil for the most popular appetizer at the party.

    35

    Tater Tots

    Pop a few crispy, crunchy tots on your plate to eat with your sloppy joe. Seasoned with salt and pepper, homemade tots are simple. But they are much more appetizing than the ones from a bag.

    Make a batch and see why sloppy joes can’t live without tots.

    36

    Sweet Potato Souffle

    Sweet potato souffle is more than just a holiday side. Sweet potatoes and beef have always gone well together. The souffle and a warm sloppy joe make a stunning combination.

    37

    Seasoned Rice

    Full-flavored rice and sloppy joes make a distinctive combo. Get light, fluffy, flavorful rice that doesn’t stick to the pan when you follow my simple tricks to rice perfection.

    38

    Baked Potatoes

    Is your party small? Then consider serving baked potatoes as a side for sloppy joes. Baked potatoes are cheap and filling. Plus, they can replace the buns if any guests are eating gluten-free. Bake, open, and top with sloppy joes filling and shredded cheese.

    39

    Sweet Potato Fries

    Sweet potato fries are an exciting dish to eat with sloppy joes. Perfectly seasoned and crispy baked, these fries will be gobbled up in no time.

    Eat them on the side or as a topping on your sandwich.

    40

    Charcuterie Board

    Hard cheese, nuts, cured meat, and crackers make up a party-sized charcuterie board. You may not have thought of pairing a charcuterie board with sloppy joes.

    But the finger food side goes right along with a two-hand sandwich. Try them together at your next get-together.

    41

    7-Layer Dip

    If you want a side dish your friends will remember, make a 7-layer dip. Refried beans, sour cream, guacamole, tomatoes, green onions, olives, and cheese make up the layers.

    Dip your tortilla chips in the dip for the ultimate satisfaction.

    Desserts that Go with Sloppy Joes

    Need a tasty dessert for sloppy joes? Try cookies, pudding, cake, and more.

    42

    Hershey Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Hershey's chocolate chip cookies are traditional picnic food. Just like sloppy joes. Make a batch of cookies for dessert at your next sloppy joe potluck.

    43

    Strawberry Banana Pudding

    Strawberry banana pudding is a flavorful twist on the classic. Layer vanilla wafers (or a different cookie) on the bottom. Then stack strawberries, bananas, and vanilla pudding on top. You won’t have leftovers with this recipe.

    44

    Snickerdoodle Cookies

    Snickerdoodles aren’t just for the holidays. Especially when you have a thick, buttery, best-ever recipe. Serve snickerdoodles any time of year when sloppy joes are on the menu.

    45

    Dessert Skewers with Fruit and Cake

    Light and easy, dessert skewers are a breeze to make. Slide fresh berries, marshmallows, and cake cubes (or cake croutons) on the stick. Then drizzle with melted white chocolate to add some class.

    46

    Leftover Birthday Cake Rice Krispies Treats

    Rice Krispies are convenient to serve at a party. And you will like this birthday cake recipe with marshmallows, white chocolate, and cake crumbs.

    Put out the serving plate and the treats will be gone before you know it.

    47

    Cream Cheese Banana Pudding with Chessmen Cookies

    You are missing out if you don’t serve banana pudding for a crowd. Everyone loves this pudding layered with Chessmen cookies, banana slices, and vanilla pudding. Serve it at picnics, BBQs, cookouts, and parties.

    48

    Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

    A Bundt cake is delicious at a casual party. Its beautiful shape needs little decoration. This means it is easy to make for a potluck.

    It will be popular when you serve it with sloppy joes.

    49

    Gooey Cinnamon Rolls

    No one will refuse a batch of cinnamon rolls. And no need to start from scratch if you have limited time. You can make canned cinnamon rolls taste homemade with just a few simple steps.

    Warm, gooey, and irresistible. Cinnamon rolls are an incredible dessert to pair with sloppy joes.

    50

    Foolproof Nestle Chocolate Chips Fudge

    The prep time takes minutes for this microwavable chocolate chip fudge recipe. Then chill, cut, and serve. It is the easy dessert you’ve been waiting for.

    Make a batch or two, and watch it disappear.

    Check out how to doctor up Manwich sloppy joes. Easy ideas to turn the flavor of sloppy joes up a notch.

    Sloppy Joes Toppings

    You have your sides. But don’t forget your sloppy joes toppings:

    • Pickled vegetables, such as cucumbers, red onions, or jalapeños
    • Potato chips or Fritos
    • Sliced Cheese

    See the complete list of the best toppings for sloppy joes. And find out all the ways you can turn the sloppy filling into leftover recipes.

    Now that you have your sloppy joes sides and toppings, you are ready to party.

    Did you like this post? Then let's be social. FOLLOW ME on INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to keep up with the latest happenings.

    More Side Dish

    • Platter of baked turkey sliders.
      50 Best Side Dishes for Turkey Sliders
    • Bowl of navy bean soup with spoon and crusty bread in the background.
      50 Best Side Dishes to Serve with Navy Bean Soup
    • Bowl of crab soup with a glass of water and more crab in the background.
      50 Best Side Dishes to Serve with Crab Soup
    • Bowl of mushroom soup with a spoon and a slice of toasted crusty bread next to it.
      50 Best Side Dishes to Serve with Mushroom Soup

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a comment! Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Woman decorating a lemon raspberry cupcake in a kitchen.

    Hey there, Foodie Friend! I'm Tami and I’ve never set foot in a fancy cooking school. But with a pinch of curiosity, a dash of trial and error, and a few kitchen shenanigans, I’ve created a recipe box full of crowd-pleasers to share with you. And I’m gonna divulge all the savory secrets and clever culinary hacks I’ve learned along the way. If you want your homemade goodies to be ridiculously tasty, grab your whisk, put on your apron, and let’s get started.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Mini loaf of chocolate chip zucchini bread.
      Easy Mini Loaf Zucchini Bread with Chocolate Chips
    • Stack of decorated Christmas sugar cookies on a plate.
      25+ Simple Christmas Desserts (Quick & Easy Recipes)
    • Two stacked zucchini muffins on a plate.
      Easy Zucchini Breakfast Muffins with Greek Yogurt
    • Stack of chewy pumpkin snickerdoodles on a plate.
      Best Chewy Brown Butter Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About The Tasty Tip
    • Privacy Policy
    • Nutrition Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Policy

    Reader Services

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Google Web Stories

    Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 The Tasty Tip, LLC

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    SettingsAccept
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT