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 something irresistibly cozy about mixing sweet with savory, and that’s exactly what makes this Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe a standout. Roasted sweet potatoes add a tender, slightly sweet base to the classic sloppy joe mix, turning it into a comforting, hearty bowl that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

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 honestly can’t get enough of this Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe—it’s comfort food with a fresh twist. The roasted sweet potatoes add a natural sweetness that perfectly balances the tangy, savory beef sauce. Plus, it’s an easy, filling meal that comes together in under an hour.

Flavor Harmony: The sweet, earthy notes of roasted sweet potatoes complement the zesty, saucy sloppy joe meat really well.
Healthy Twist: Roasting instead of frying the sweet potatoes keeps things lighter without sacrificing taste or texture.
Simple & Satisfying: You don’t need fancy ingredients or much prep—just good staples that you probably already have in your kitchen.
Customizable: Whether you want it spicier, sweeter, or loaded with toppings, you can easily make it your own.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays its part in creating a bowl that’s bursting with flavor yet balanced and inviting. The secret is in simple seasoning paired with wholesome ingredients that cook quickly and come together effortlessly.

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: Roasting enhances their natural sweetness and gives a tender but sturdy bite—perfect as a base to soak up the sloppy joe goodness.
Avocado Oil: It has a high smoke point, so it’s great for roasting and adds a mild flavor that doesn’t overpower the sweet potatoes.
Chili Powder & Garlic Powder: These spices add warmth and depth, elevating both sweet potatoes and meat mixture.
Ground Beef: Lean beef keeps things hearty without being greasy, yet flavorful enough when combined with the rich sauce.
Yellow Onion: Adds sweetness and texture to the meat, softening as it cooks and mixing beautifully with the spices.
Tomato Sauce & Ketchup: They build the tangy, familiar sloppy joe base — go for good-quality, flavorful sauce and ketchup for best results.
Honey: Just a touch sweetens the tomato base and balances acidity without being overpowering.
Worcestershire Sauce: A subtle umami booster that deepens flavor complexity.
Dried Mustard & Celery Seed: They add a mild kick and complexity that elevates the sauce beyond basic sloppy joes.
Dill Pickle Slices & Red Onion: Fresh and tangy toppings that provide crunch and a lively contrast once you assemble your bowls.

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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 about this Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe is how easy it is to adjust based on what you like or what’s in your fridge. I often swap out the beef for turkey or even plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian spin.

Spice it up: I sometimes add a pinch of cayenne or a few dashes of hot sauce when I want a little more kick—it works like a charm!
Veggie boost: Toss in some diced bell peppers or shredded carrots with the onions if you want extra veggies and texture.
Cheesy topping: Melty cheddar or pepper jack sprinkled on top right before serving adds a creamy indulgence.
Make it gluten-free: Just skip any bread sides and load up your bowl with the meat and roasted sweet potatoes for a naturally gluten-free meal.

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: Roast those sweet potatoes to perfection

Start by preheating your oven to 425°F and lining a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper—this makes cleanup a breeze. Toss your sweet potato cubes with avocado oil, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Don’t be shy with your hands here; coat every cube evenly so they roast up beautifully. Spread them out in a single layer and roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through. You want them tender and starting to brown on the edges for that perfect caramelized flavor.

Step 2: Brown the beef and aromatics

While the sweet potatoes roast, heat some oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef and diced onion, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are soft and translucent, about 6-7 minutes. This step builds the base flavor, so keep the heat steady and don’t rush—it’s worth the time.

Step 3: Spice up and simmer the sloppy joe sauce

Once your meat and onions are ready, sprinkle in the dried spices along with salt and pepper. Give it a good stir, then pour in the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire, and honey. Stir everything to make sure all that beef is coated in the savory-sweet sauce. Turn your heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens nicely. This step is where all the flavors meld together, so patience really pays off here.

Step 4: Bring it all together and serve

Divide the roasted sweet potatoes among bowls, then spoon over your sloppy joe mixture. Top with dill pickle slices and thinly sliced red onion for a crunchy, tangy contrast. Serve immediately while everything’s warm and inviting—this combo is just the right balance of cozy and fresh.

Top Tip

After making this Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe a dozen times, I picked up a few small tricks that really make the difference in flavor and texture. These simple tips help you get consistently delicious results without fuss.

Even Roasting: Cut your sweet potatoes into similar-sized cubes so they cook evenly and brown nicely.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Giving potatoes space on the baking sheet helps them roast crisp rather than steam.
Let Simmer Slowly: Lower the heat for the sloppy joe sauce and let it thicken gently—it intensifies flavor and avoids drying out the meat.
Taste as You Go: Adjust seasoning before serving. Sometimes a little extra honey or Worcestershire balances the acid and brings it all together.

How to Serve Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe

Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

For garnishes, I love adding crisp dill pickle slices—they add a bright, tangy crunch that cuts through the richness. Thin slices of red onion bring a mild sharpness and bite. If I’m feeling fancy, I might add a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or a dollop of sour cream to cool things down.

Side Dishes

Since this is a filling bowl on its own, I usually keep sides simple—a green salad with a citrusy vinaigrette or some roasted Brussels sprouts complement it well. Sometimes, crispy baked potato wedges if I’m feeling indulgent!

Creative Ways to Present

For a casual party, I’ve served this in scooped-out sweet potato skins topped with the sloppy joe mixture, making for cute individual “boats.” It’s a fun way to present and makes for easy finger food, too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge. The sweet potatoes hold up well for up to 3-4 days, and the sloppy joe mixture actually tastes better the next day as the flavors mellow and combine.

Freezing

If you want to freeze portions, I recommend freezing the sloppy joe meat alone—sweet potatoes can get a bit mushy after freezing and thawing. Reheat the meat sauce thawed, then roast fresh sweet potato cubes to keep texture vibrant.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet or microwave. If the sauce thickened too much in the fridge, add a splash of water or broth as it warms. This keeps it saucy and delicious without drying out the meat.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use another type of meat in this Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe?

Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based meat substitute work wonderfully. Just adjust cooking time as needed to ensure the meat is fully cooked.

How spicy is this Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe?

This recipe has mild heat with chili powder and a touch of mustard, but you can easily adjust the spices to your taste by adding cayenne or hot sauce for extra kick.

Can I make the sweet potatoes ahead of time?

Yes! You can roast the sweet potatoes a day ahead and store them in the fridge. Just reheat them gently in the oven or microwave before serving to refresh their texture.

What are good toppings for Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls?

Classic toppings like dill pickles and red onion bring wonderful crunch and tang. You can also add shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, or even sliced avocado for creamy richness.

Final Thoughts

This Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe has become one of my go-to meals for a reason—it’s satisfying, easy, and just a little special with those roasted sweet potatoes. It hits all the right notes: a bit sweet, a bit savory, with some tangy crunch to finish. Whether for a weeknight dinner or casual weekend lunch, I really think you’ll enjoy making and eating it as much as I do.