Sloppy Joe Sweet Potato Bowls
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These Sloppy Joe Bowls are a hearty twist on the classic sandwich—served over roasted sweet potatoes and topped with crunchy coleslaw, tangy pickles, and pickled red onions. It’s comfort food reimagined, with bold flavor and a colorful presentation that’s both filling and fun.
Looking for more bowl recipes? Try this Halal Cart Beef Rice Bowl or Street Corn Chicken Bowls next.
Sloppy Joe Bowls are the ultimate cozy dinner—sweet, savory, and totally satisfying!
I love how the roasted sweet potatoes soak up all that tangy, rich sloppy joe sauce. Plus, with crunchy coleslaw, pickled onions, and crisp pickles on top, every bite is full of texture and flavor.
This recipe is a fun and wholesome way to enjoy classic comfort food in a healthier, more balanced way.
Love sloppy joes? Try these big mac sloppy joes next.
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make these sloppy joe bowls:
Ingredient Notes
Sweet Potatoes – Cut into even 1-inch pieces so they roast evenly.
Ground Beef – I recommend using 93/7. Ground turkey or chicken also work.
BBQ Sauce – Use your favorite brand; I love Kinder’s or Stubb’s.
Coleslaw – Store-bought saves time, but you can make homemade for extra crunch.
Pickles & Pickled Red Onion – Add a tangy balance to the richness.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Recipe Variations
Swap sweet potatoes for roasted cauliflower or brown rice.
Use ground turkey or lentils for a lighter or vegetarian version.
Add shredded cheese or avocado for extra richness.
Top with a fried egg for a brunchy twist.
How to Make Sloppy Joe Bowls: Step by Step
Here are quick visual instructions. Be sure to check out the full instructions with exact ingredients in the printable recipe card below.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then toss the sweet potato pieces with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and ½ teaspoon salt. Spread them in a single layer and roast for 30 minutes, or until fork-tender.
Step 2: While the sweet potatoes roast, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped white onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until translucent. Stir in the ground beef and cook for 7–10 minutes, until browned, then drain any excess grease.
Step 3: Stir in the tomato sauce, BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
Step 4: Divide roasted sweet potatoes and coleslaw between two bowls. Spoon the sloppy joe mixture on top. Add pickles, pickled red onion, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Short on time? Use pre-chopped sweet potatoes and bagged coleslaw mix.
Want extra heat? Add hot sauce or chili flakes to the beef mixture.
These bowls keep well in the fridge—store components separately for freshness.
Great for lunch the next day! Just reheat the sweet potatoes and sloppy joe mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Ground turkey, chicken, or even lentils all work well.
Not at all—try brown rice, cauliflower rice, or even roasted squash as the base.
Store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.
I hope you love these Sloppy Joe Bowls! Please consider leaving a star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below. Thank you so much!
More Dinner Ideas
Sloppy Joe Sweet Potato Bowls
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes cut into 1” pieces
- ½ lb ground beef
- 1 ½ cups coleslaw prepared or store-bought
- ¼ cup pickles
- ¼ cup pickled red onion
- ½ medium white onion chopped
- 3 tbsp olive oil divided
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp mustard
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tsp salt divided
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then toss the sweet potato pieces with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and ½ teaspoon salt. Spread them in a single layer and roast for 30 minutes, or until fork-tender.
- While the sweet potatoes roast, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped white onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until translucent. Stir in the ground beef and cook for 7–10 minutes, until browned, then drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
- Divide roasted sweet potatoes and coleslaw between two bowls. Spoon the sloppy joe mixture on top. Add pickles, pickled red onion, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
The nutritional details for recipes are estimated using MyFitnessPal and can vary with different products, measurement accuracy, and source reliability. We aim to provide accurate information but cannot guarantee the precise accuracy of the nutritional data