47 Creative Ways to Use Leftover Sloppy Joe Meat: Tips and Ideas

If you’re like us, you love a good sloppy joe. But what do you if you have a ton of leftover meat? Over the years we have gotten better about making smaller amounts of foods, but sometimes we do over make dinner or have a ton of leftovers from a party.

Instead of just reheating it and eating it the same way, we’ve come up with over 45 different ways to use leftover sloppy joe meat. So, next time you make sloppy joes, you’ll have plenty of ideas for how to use the leftovers.

Breakfast and Brunch

Here are some ways we have used leftover Sloppy Joe mix for breakfast!

1. Sloppy Joe Breakfast Burritos

Transform your leftover sloppy joe meat into a delicious breakfast burrito! Simply heat up the meat and add it to a tortilla with scrambled eggs, cheese, and any other toppings you desire. Roll it up and enjoy a hearty breakfast on-the-go.

2. Sloppy Joe Breakfast Casserole

Make a breakfast casserole by layering your leftover sloppy joe meat with eggs, cheese, and hash browns. Bake until the eggs are set and the cheese is melted for a tasty and filling breakfast dish.

3. Sloppy Joe Omelets

Create a sloppy joe omelet by whisking eggs and pouring them into a hot skillet. Add your leftover sloppy joe meat and any other desired toppings, like cheese, onions, or peppers. Fold the omelets over and cook until the eggs are set.

4. Sloppy Joe Hash

Make a hash by frying up diced potatoes and onions until they are crispy. Add your leftover sloppy joe meat and cook until heated through. Top with a fried egg and enjoy a savory breakfast dish. There are so many ways to use leftover sloppy joe meat, and breakfast is no exception. These four ideas are just a few of the many ways you can transform your leftovers into a delicious breakfast or brunch dish.

Appetizers and Snacks

Here are the best ways to use Sloppy Joe mix for small appetizers and snacks.

5. Sloppy Joe Egg Rolls

Egg rolls are a great way to use up leftover sloppy joe meat. Simply roll the meat up in egg roll wrappers, fry or bake them, and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

6. Sloppy Joe Stuffed Mushrooms

Remove the stems from mushrooms and fill each mushroom cap with sloppy joe meat. Top with shredded cheese and bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

7. Sloppy Joe Sliders

Sliders are a perfect party food, and leftover sloppy joe meat makes a great filling. Simply spoon the meat onto slider buns and top with your favorite toppings, like cheese, pickles, or onions.

8. Sloppy Joe Dip

Sloppy joe dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s easy to make with leftover meat. Simply mix the meat with cream cheese, sour cream, and your favorite seasonings, then serve with chips or veggies.

9. Sloppy Joe Poutine

Poutine is a Canadian dish that consists of french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. Leftover sloppy joe meat makes a tasty addition to this classic dish.

10. Sloppy Joe Empanadas

Empanadas are a great way to use up leftover meat, and sloppy joe empanadas are no exception. Simply fill empanada dough with the meat, fold over, and bake until golden brown.

11. Sloppy Joe Queso Dip

Queso dip is a cheesy, delicious snack that can be made even better with leftover sloppy joe meat. Simply mix the meat with melted cheese and your favorite seasonings, then serve with chips.

12. Sloppy Joe Pinwheels

Pinwheels are a tasty and easy appetizer that can be made with leftover sloppy joe meat. Simply spread the meat onto tortillas, roll up, and slice into bite-sized pieces.

13. Sloppy Joe Taquitos

Taquitos are a great snack that can be easily made with leftover meat. Simply roll the meat up in tortillas, fry or bake them, and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. As you can see, there are many ways to use up leftover sloppy joe meat in appetizers and snacks. Whether you’re hosting a party or just looking for a tasty snack, these ideas are sure to please.

Sandwiches and Wraps

These are ways we have reused sloppy joe meat for lunches!

14. Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese

Take your grilled cheese game to the next level by adding leftover sloppy joe meat. Simply add a layer of meat between two slices of bread with your favorite cheese and grill until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy.

15. Sloppy Joe Wraps

For a quick and easy lunch, wrap some leftover sloppy joe meat in a tortilla with lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheese. Add some hot sauce for an extra kick.

16. Sloppy Joe Subs

Load up a sub roll with leftover sloppy joe meat and your favorite toppings, such as onions, peppers, and cheese. Toast the sub until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted.

17. Sloppy Joe Paninis

For a gourmet twist on the classic sloppy joe sandwich, make a panini. Add leftover meat, cheese, and your favorite veggies to a ciabatta roll and grill until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted. We use a George Forman grill to toast ours!

18. Sloppy Joe Pita Pockets

Stuff a pita pocket with leftover sloppy joe meat and your favorite veggies, such as lettuce, tomato, and cucumber. Add some hummus or tzatziki sauce for a Mediterranean twist.

19. Sloppy Joe Bagel Sandwiches

For a breakfast twist or a hearty lunch, we take leftover sloppy joes and serve the meat on a toasted bagel with a fried egg and cheese. Add some hot sauce for an extra kick.

Salads

Here are some clever ways to use leftover Sloppy Joe meat in Salads!

20. Sloppy Joe Salad

One way to use leftover sloppy joe meat is to turn it into a salad. Simply mix the meat with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and any other vegetables you like. Top it off with some shredded cheese and a dressing of your choice, and you have a quick and easy meal.

21. Sloppy Joe Taco Salad

If you want to add a little more flavor to your salad, try making a sloppy joe taco salad. Mix the meat with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, black beans, and corn. Top it off with some crushed tortilla chips and a dressing of your choice.

22. Sloppy Joe Cobb Salad

For a more filling salad, try making a sloppy joe cobb salad. Mix the meat with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, avocado, hard-boiled eggs, and bacon. Top it off with some blue cheese crumbles and a dressing of your choice.

23. Sloppy Joe Pasta Salad

Mix the meat with cooked pasta, tomatoes, onions, and Italian dressing. This is a great side dish for burgers or hotdogs and adds little extra protein to the meal!

Soups and Stews

24. Sloppy Joe Chili

We love chili, and adding leftover sloppy joe meat to it is a great way to give it a new twist. Simply add the meat to your favorite chili recipe and let it simmer for a few minutes to let the flavors meld together. We like to add some kidney beans and corn to ours to make it extra hearty and filling.

25. Sloppy Joe Goulash

Goulash is a classic comfort food that’s perfect for using up leftovers. To make sloppy joe goulash, cook some elbow macaroni according to the package instructions, then mix it with the leftover meat and some tomato sauce. Top it with shredded cheddar cheese and bake it in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

26. Sloppy Joe Soup

Sloppy joe soup is a delicious and easy way to use up leftover meat. To make it, simply sauté some onions and garlic in a large pot, then add some diced tomatoes, beef broth, and the leftover meat. Let it simmer for a few minutes to let the flavors meld together, then serve it with some crusty bread for dipping.

Main Dishes

Here are ways we reuse Sloppy Joes for another dinner!

27. Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers

Cut off the tops of bell peppers and remove the seeds. Fill each pepper with sloppy joe meat and top with shredded cheese. Bake in the oven until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted. These are great with a side salad and super filling too!

28. Sloppy Joe Baked Potatoes

Bake potatoes until tender. Cut them open and fill them with sloppy joe meat. Top with shredded cheese and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

29. Sloppy Joe Quesadillas

Top a tortilla with sloppy joe meat and shredded cheese. Place another tortilla on top and cook in a skillet until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy.

30. Sloppy Joe Pizza

Spread pizza dough with tomato sauce and top with sloppy joe meat, shredded cheese, and any other toppings you like. Bake in the oven until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.

31. Sloppy Joe Tacos

Fill taco shells with sloppy joe meat and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese.

32. Sloppy Joe Nachos

Top tortilla chips with sloppy joe meat, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and jalapenos for a delicious and easy snack or appetizer.

33. Sloppy Joe Stuffed Zucchini

Cut zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Fill each zucchini half with sloppy joe meat and top with shredded cheese. Bake in the oven until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted.

34. Sloppy Joe Shepherd’s Pie

Spread leftover sloppy joe meat in the bottom of a baking dish. Top with mashed potatoes and bake in the oven until the potatoes are golden brown.

35. Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese

Mix leftover sloppy joe meat with cooked macaroni and cheese. Top with breadcrumbs and bake in the oven until the breadcrumbs are golden brown. …and so on.

36. Sloppy Joe Tacos

Taco shells are the perfect vessel for your Sloppy Joe leftovers. Top the flavorful meat with shredded cheese, crisp lettuce, and juicy tomatoes for the perfect taco. Your family will love this fast and easy twist on a classic dish.

37. Sloppy Joe Quesadillas

Quesadillas are a great way to use up leftover Sloppy Joe meat. Simply spread the meat on a tortilla, sprinkle with cheese, and fold in half. Cook in a skillet until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy. Serve with your favorite toppings.

38. Sloppy Joe Shepherd’s Pie

Turn your Sloppy Joe leftovers into a hearty Shepherd’s Pie. Simply layer the meat in a baking dish, top with mashed potatoes, and bake until golden brown. This is a great way to use up any leftover vegetables as well.

39. Sloppy Joe Calzones

Sloppy Joe Calzones are a kid-friendly and easy-to-make meal that combines the classic flavors of Sloppy Joes with a crispy and flaky pastry crust. The dish is made by filling crescent dough or pizza dough with Sloppy Joe meat and cheese, then baking until golden brown and delicious. The result is a tasty and satisfying meal that is perfect for a quick and easy dinner or a fun weekend lunch.

40. Sloppy Joe Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Sloppy Joe Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are a delicious and hearty dish that combines the classic flavors of Sloppy Joes with tender cabbage leaves. The dish is made by filling cabbage leaves with Sloppy Joe meat then baking them until the cabbage is tender and the filling is hot and flavorful.

41. Sloppy Joe Stuffed Twice Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes are a great canvas for your leftover Sloppy Joe meat. Simply scoop out the center of a baked potato. Then mix the potato with Sloppy Joe meat, cheese, and any other toppings you desire. This is a great way to use up any leftover vegetables as well.

42. Sloppy Joe Pizza

Pizza is a great way to use up any leftovers, including your Sloppy Joe meat. Simply spread the meat on a pizza crust, top with cheese, and bake until golden brown. This is a great way to use up any leftover vegetables as well.

43. Sloppy Joe Casserole

A Sloppy Joe casserole is a great way to use up your leftover meat. Simply layer the meat in a baking dish with your favorite vegetables and top with cheese. Bake until golden brown and bubbly. We make this with tater tots too!

44. Sloppy Joe Stroganoff

Stroganoff is a classic dish that can be easily adapted to use up your leftover Sloppy Joe meat. Simply mix the meat into your favorite stroganoff recipe for a delicious twist on a classic dish.

45. Sloppy Joe Baked Beans

Move over Beans & Wienies, let’s make it with leftover Sloppy Joe meat! The dish is made by combining baked beans with Sloppy Joe meat and baking until hot and bubbly. The result is a tasty and satisfying meal that is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a family gathering. The dish can be served with a variety of sides, such as cornbread, coleslaw, or roasted vegetables.

46. Sloppy Joe Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is a great way to use up your leftover Sloppy Joe meat. Simply mix the meat into your favorite baked ziti recipe for a delicious twist on a classic dish.

47. Sloppy Joe Lasagna

We take leftover sloppy joe meat and pair it with lasagna noodles and ricotta cheese or cottage cheese to make a new twist on lasagna! Serve it with garlic bread and a side salad.

Different Ways to use Leftover Sloppy Joe Meat

One of the ways we have been able to keep our grocery budget low every week, is we try to eliminate food waste. This can come from spoiled food or tossing leftovers like too much sloppy joe meat.

Hopefully this lest has inspired you to reuse and repurpose your leftover sloppy joe mix or Manwich into a new and exciting dish!

For more unique ways to use common foods, check out “60 uses for Pickle Juice” and “41 Breadcrumb Alternatives for Meatloaf and Meatballs.”