Sloppy Joe Bowls: A Sweet & Savory Twist on a Classic

If you love Sloppy Joes but want something a little more nutrient-packed (and less, well… sloppy), this Sloppy Joe Bowl is your new go-to. It’s everything you crave—sweet, savory, creamy, crunchy—in one easy, satisfying meal.

This isn’t your average Sloppy Joe. We’re taking that nostalgic flavor and giving it a feel-good upgrade by serving it over a fluffy roasted sweet potato, topping it with crunchy coleslaw, and adding bread & butter pickles for a pop of tangy sweetness.

Whether you’re looking for a fast weeknight dinner, a healthy comfort food swap, or a meal prep recipe that actually tastes good on day 3, this one checks all the boxes.

Why You’ll Love This Sloppy Joe Bowl

• Balanced & Filling: Packed with protein, fiber, and flavor.
• Fast & Easy: 25 minutes from start to finish.
• Meal Prep Friendly: Make components ahead for quick assembly all week.
• Customizable: Works with ground turkey, beef, or even plant-based crumbles.

Tips & Swaps

• No sweet potatoes? Use regular baked potatoes or even frozen fries as a base.
• Prefer beef or vegetarian? Sub in lean ground beef or plant-based crumbles.
• No bread & butter pickles? Use dill for more tang, or skip them altogether.

---

Make It a Meal Prep Star

Prep the slaw and sloppy joe filling ahead of time and store them in separate containers. Cook your sweet potatoes in bulk and reheat as needed. You’ll have a balanced lunch or dinner ready in minutes all week long.

Sloppy Joe filling gets served over a roasted sweet potato and topped with tangy, creamy coleslaw with bread & butter pickles for a touch of sweetness.

This meal is the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and satisfying. Great for meal prep or a weeknight dinner that comes together fast!

Sloppy Joe Bowls

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1, 14-16 oz bag of coleslaw mix ~12 cups
• ¼ cup whipped mayo
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 4 medium sweet potatoes
• 1 lb ground turkey
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup bread and butter pickles chopped if desired

Method

 

1. In a large bowl, mix coleslaw mix with mayo, vinegar, and sugar. For best flavor, prepare 1–2 hours ahead or make a batch to use throughout the week.
2. Cook the sweet potatoes using your preferred method: For the fastest option, pierce each potato with a fork, wrap in a damp paper towel, and microwave for 5–10 minutes until soft. To bake, preheat the oven to 400°F, pierce the potatoes, and place them directly on a baking sheet; bake for 40–50 minutes until fork-tender. For a roasted or air-fried version, peel and cube the sweet potatoes, toss with a little oil, salt, and pepper, then roast at 425°F for 25–30 minutes or air fry at 375°F for 15–20 minutes, shaking halfway through.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground turkey until browned and fully cooked. About 5-7 minutes.
4. Stir in ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 2–3 minutes to let the flavors come together.
5. Slice open each sweet potato and fluff with a fork. Top with turkey mixture, a big scoop of slaw, and bread & butter pickles. Enjoy!

Notes

Feel free to use any sort of ground meat or vegetarian crumbles.
Regular pickles work well in place of bread & butter (it will just lack the bit of sweetness!)
May sub regular potatoes in place of sweet or even use frozen fries of your choosing.