Name: Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 medium sweet potatoes cut into 1/2 inch cubes (about 3 cups); 2 tablespoons avocado oil; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste; Freshly ground black pepper to taste; 1 pound lean ground beef; 1/2 cup diced yellow onion; 8 ounces tomato sauce; 1/2 cup ketchup; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon dried mustard; 1/4 teaspoon celery seed; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste; Freshly ground black pepper to taste; Dill pickle slices; Sliced red onion

There’s just something so satisfying about the cozy, tangy flavors of a classic Sloppy Joe paired with tender roasted sweet potatoes that makes this Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe a real standout. It's the kind of meal that feels hearty, comforting, and surprisingly fresh all at once.

The image shows a black frying pan filled with a thick, rich meat sauce. The sauce has small pieces of browned ground meat mixed with finely chopped orange carrots, all coated in a dark reddish-brown tomato sauce that looks chunky and hearty. The frying pan's handle is white with a slight gray mark, and the pan sits on a white marbled surface. Steam rises gently from the sauce, adding a sense of warmth and freshness to the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I absolutely adore this Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe because it takes all the familiar flavors of a Sloppy Joe and freshens them up with a splash of vibrant, healthy ingredients. It’s the kind of dish that comes together easily but feels like you put in a lot of love—and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love that?

Balanced flavors: The sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes pairs beautifully with the tangy, savory sloppy joe meat.
Easy prep: Minimal hands-on time means it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual weekend meal.
Customizable: Whether you want to swap beef for turkey or add extra veggies, this recipe flexes to your taste.
Comfort meets nutrition: It feels indulgent without being heavy, thanks to those nutrient-rich sweet potatoes.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this recipe really lies in how the simple ingredients come together to create layers of flavor and texture. Roasting the sweet potatoes brings out their natural sweetness while the Sloppy Joe meat sauce combines tangy and savory notes for a perfect balance.

Flat lay of fresh cubed sweet potatoes, a small white bowl of avocado oil, a small white bowl of chili powder, a small white bowl of garlic powder, a small white bowl of kosher salt, a small white bowl of freshly ground black pepper, raw lean ground beef in a simple white ceramic dish, diced yellow onion in a small white bowl, a small white bowl of rich tomato sauce, a small white bowl of bright red ketchup, a small white bowl of golden honey, a small white bowl of Worcestershire sauce, a small white bowl of dried mustard, a small white bowl of celery seeds, fresh dill pickle slices arranged neatly on a white plate, thinly sliced red onion rings on a small white dish, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Sweet potatoes: Cubed and roasted, they add comforting sweetness and an earthy backdrop to the meal.
Avocado oil: Its mild flavor and high smoke point make it ideal for roasting the sweet potatoes to crispy perfection.
Chili powder & garlic powder: These spices give a gentle kick and warmth to the sweet potatoes and the meat.
Kosher salt & black pepper: Essential to season both components and to elevate all the flavors.
Lean ground beef: The star of the sloppy joe meat, offering protein and richness without excess fat.
Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and texture when cooked with the beef.
Tomato sauce & ketchup: Bring that classic Sloppy Joe tangy, saucy goodness everyone loves.
Honey: A touch of sweetness that balances the acidity of the tomato ingredients.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds umami depth and complexity.
Dried mustard, celery seed: These spices add subtle layers of flavor that make the sauce special.
Dill pickle slices & red onion: Fresh toppings providing crunch, acidity, and a bright finish.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most about this Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. You can switch up the protein, spice levels, or even your toppings to match what you have on hand or your mood that day.

Swap the beef: I’ve tried ground turkey and even plant-based crumbles with great success — it’s lighter but still packs flavor.
Extra veggies: Sometimes I toss in diced bell peppers or corn to the meat mixture for added texture and color.
Spice it up: Love a little heat? Add a pinch of cayenne or some diced jalapeños when cooking the beef.
Cheese topping: Melting a bit of sharp cheddar or pepper jack on top just takes it over the edge for a cozy treat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe

The image shows a white bowl with three main sections of food. The bottom right section has a thick layer of cooked ground meat in a reddish-brown sauce with a chunky texture, and a silver fork is digging into it. The top left section has a pile of bright orange roasted sweet potato cubes seasoned with black pepper, showing some dark grill marks. On top of the meat near the center, there are thin, curved slices of purple-red onion placed over the meat. On the left side of the onion slices, there are four thick, pale green pickle slices stacked slightly irregularly. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep & Roast Those Sweet Potatoes

Preheat your oven to 425°F—it’s hot enough to get those sweet potatoes nicely caramelized. Toss the cubed sweet potatoes with avocado oil, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper right on the baking sheet. I like to use my hands here to make sure every cube is evenly coated. Pop them in the oven and roast for about 25-30 minutes, tossing once halfway through. You’re aiming for tender inside with just a little golden crisp on the edges.

Step 2: Cook Up the Sloppy Joe Meat

While the sweet potatoes roast, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a little oil. Brown the ground beef and the diced onion, breaking up the meat with your spoon. Once it’s cooked through and the onions are soft, add your spices—chili powder, dry mustard, celery seed, garlic powder—as well as salt and pepper. Stir everything well before pouring in tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire, and honey. Turn the heat to medium-low and let it simmer gently for 10-15 minutes. This slow bubbling helps thicken the sauce and deepen the flavors, so be patient and stir occasionally.

Step 3: Bring It All Together

Once the sweet potatoes are roasted and the meat sauce is thickened up, it’s assembly time. Divide the roasted sweet potatoes into bowls, spoon the sloppy joe meat over, and top with dill pickle slices and red onion for a little extra zing and crunch. That contrast is what really brings the bowl to life.

Top Tip

After quite a few batches, I realized a few little tweaks can make a big difference when making this Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe. These tips save the day and help you get consistent, delicious results every time.

Roast evenly: Cut your sweet potato cubes as evenly as possible to ensure uniform cooking—this way, none of your pieces come out mushy or underdone.
Don’t rush the sauce: Letting the sloppy joe mixture simmer low and slow thickens that sauce perfectly, giving you the rich texture I love.
Season as you go: Taste the meat sauce before simmering and adjust spices; sometimes I add a splash more Worcestershire or a pinch more salt depending on the ketchup brand.
Toppings matter: That final zing from pickles and raw onions cuts through the richness and elevates the whole bowl.

How to Serve Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe

Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Personally, I’m all about dill pickle slices and thinly sliced red onions—they add crunch and a lovely tang that complements the rich meat sauce and sweet potatoes. Sometimes I add a little chopped cilantro or a dollop of Greek yogurt for creaminess. Don’t skip the pickles; they’re what really give it that classic Sloppy Joe punch.

Side Dishes

This recipe is hearty enough on its own, but I often serve it alongside a simple green salad or steamed green beans for some freshness. Sweet cornbread muffins or crusty bread also pair nicely if you want something to scoop up any extra sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist during casual get-togethers, try serving the sloppy joe mixture and sweet potatoes in scoopable lettuce cups or even inside baked bell peppers. It makes the meal feel special and adds an extra pop of color to your table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep the roasted sweet potatoes and the sloppy joe meat stored separately in airtight containers in the fridge. This helps maintain the texture of the sweet potatoes and keeps the meat sauce vibrant. Leftovers stay fresh for about 3-4 days.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the sloppy joe meat mixture successfully (but not the roasted sweet potatoes, which can get mushy). Just portion the meat into freezer bags or containers and thaw overnight when you’re ready to eat. It reheats beautifully in a skillet or microwave.

Reheating

To reheat, I warm the sloppy joe meat gently in a skillet with a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce. The sweet potatoes are best reheated in the oven at a low temperature (around 300°F) to bring back a bit of crispness, but the microwave works fine in a pinch.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Swap the ground beef for plant-based meat crumbles or cooked lentils, and use vegetable broth in place of Worcestershire sauce to keep it vegetarian-friendly without sacrificing flavor.

What’s the best way to roast sweet potatoes evenly?

Cut your sweet potatoes into uniform ½-inch cubes and spread them out in a single layer. Toss them halfway through roasting to ensure even browning, and make sure your oven is fully preheated for consistent heat.

Can I prepare this recipe in advance?

Yes, you can roast the sweet potatoes and prepare the sloppy joe meat mixture a day ahead. Store them separately in the fridge and reheat gently before serving for a quick meal.

How can I make the sloppy joe sauce thicker?

Simmer the meat sauce on low heat for longer, stirring occasionally. You can also add a small amount of tomato paste or reduce the amount of liquid ingredients to get your desired thickness.

Final Thoughts

This Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s proof that you can make a classic comfort dish feel fresh, nourishing, and wonderfully easy. It’s great for busy nights but impressive enough to share with friends, and I always find myself going back for seconds. Trust me, once you try this, it might just become one of your go-to dinners too!