Meatballs vs Sloppy Joe: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Meatballs have 14.4 g of protein, while Sloppy Joe has 11.8 g. Meatballs are higher in calories at 286 compared to 180 in Sloppy Joe.

This comparison examines the nutritional profiles of Meatballs and Sloppy Joe. Each food offers distinct benefits and drawbacks depending on dietary goals.

What Is the Difference Between Meatballs and Sloppy Joe?

Meatballs are ground meat mixed with various ingredients, formed into balls, and cooked. They are often served with sauces or in dishes like spaghetti. Sloppy Joe is a sandwich consisting of ground beef cooked in a sweet and tangy sauce, typically served on a bun. It is known for its messy presentation.

Meatballs vs Sloppy Joe: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of Meatballs and Sloppy Joe, highlighting their nutritional content.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Meatballs	Sloppy joe
Calories	286 kcal	180 kcal
Protein	14.4 g	11.8 g
Carbs	8.1 g	18.4 g
Sugar	3.5 g	4.3 g
Fat	22.2 g	6.4 g
Fiber	2.3 g	2.2 g
Sodium	666 mg	343 mg

Which Is Better, Meatballs or Sloppy Joe?

For weight loss: Sloppy Joe has fewer calories at 180 compared to Meatballs, which have 286 calories.

For muscle and protein: Meatballs provide more protein with 14.4 g, while Sloppy Joe contains 11.8 g.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Sloppy Joe has higher carbohydrates at 18.4 g compared to Meatballs with 8.1 g, and slightly higher sugar at 4.3 g versus 3.5 g.

How to Track Meatballs and Sloppy joe Accurately

Portion sizes and macronutrient content can often be misjudged, impacting dietary choices. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers presented are rounded reference values for educational use and not intended as medical advice. Always consider individual dietary needs when evaluating nutrition. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Meatballs have 14.4 g of protein, while Sloppy Joe has 11.8 g.

Which has fewer calories?

Sloppy Joe has fewer calories at 180, compared to Meatballs at 286.

What is the fat content in Meatballs?

Meatballs contain 22.2 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the carbohydrate content in Sloppy Joe?

Sloppy Joe has 18.4 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

How much sugar is in Meatballs?

Meatballs contain 3.5 g of sugar per 100 g.

What is the sodium content in Sloppy Joe?

Sloppy Joe has 343 mg of sodium per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Meatballs have 286 calories.
• Sloppy Joe has 180 calories.
• Meatballs contain 14.4 g of protein.
• Sloppy Joe contains 11.8 g of protein.
• Meatballs have 22.2 g of fat.
• Sloppy Joe has 6.4 g of fat.