Plant Based Sloppy Joes Recipe

Share

These plant based sloppy joes are a delicious, flavorful, and high protein meatless dinner recipe ready in 20 minutes.  They’re sweet, tangy, and a family favorite!

Loaded on whole wheat buns and topped with fresh chopped onion, these vegan and vegetarian sloppy joes hit the spot. Serve with a side salad and some oven baked fries for a fantastic dinner the whole family will love.

These Vegan Sloppy Joes really brought me back to my childhood with this awesome and family friendly dinner!  We had traditional sloppy joes with ground beef a lot growing up, but I don’t think I’ve eaten one in about 20 years. 

We had some leftover buns from last week (when I made some fantastic vegan In N Out Burgers) and I was thinking of ways I could use the buns for dinner – and these TVP Sloppy Joes were born.  These are a fantastic easy vegetarian weeknight dinner sandwich in under 30 minutes.

The sauce is made from tomatoes, green pepper, spices, and vegan Worcestershire sauce for a kick! This is a great vegan sloppy joe recipe the whole family will want seconds of!

This Plant Based Sloppy Joes Recipe Is:

• Bright
• Flavorful
• Sweet
• Tangy
• Satisfying
• Hearty
• High Protein
• Vegan, Vegetarian, Meatless, Dairy Free!

Vegan Meat Alternatives & Plant-Based Protein

For these sloppy joes, I like to use TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein). TVP are small bits of soy protein, which has a very similar texture as ground beef. Because of this, TVP is really versatile to use in place of real meat. We use TVP in soups and stews, for taco filling, and in lasagnas.   

TVP is a great pantry-staple protein, and has a long shelf-life. We always keep a few bags on hand to add meaty texture to meals. You could also use soy curls too, which have a thicker texture.

Beyond Meat or Impossible Meat which both make vegan ground beef, which would be great additions to these joes.

Or you can use cooked lentils – use red lentils in place of the TVP, or canned brown lentils or cooked black lentils would work great!

What’s In Vegan Sloppy Joes

Be sure to visit the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and recipe instructions!

• Red Onion
• Garlic
• Bell Pepper – I used green bell pepper but you could use yellow, orange, or red bell pepper instead.
• Worcestershire Sauce: for that unbelievably rich umami flavor, but make sure you use a vegan variety if you don’t eat meat (some can contain anchovies).
• TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein): I love stocking my pantry with TVP!  TVP is made from soy protein and has the exact same texture as ground beef… making it really versatile to use in place of real meat. We use TVP in soups and stews, for taco filling, and in lasagnas.
• Maple Syrup – or brown sugar
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Chili Powder: for a really nice flavor in this dip – the chili powder isn’t spicy but will give you a rich and bright flavor.
• Garlic powder & Onion Powder: adds a delicious and savory flavor to this dish as well, and the onion powder pairs nicely with the onion in the mix as well.
• Sea salt and black pepper to taste
• Hamburger Buns – you can use regular or whole grain buns or gluten-free buns if desired.

​Optional Additions

For a sweeter flavor, you can add 1/4 cup BBQ sauce into the tangy tomato sauce as well.

Add cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or red pepper flakes for a spicier version.

Add dill pickles to your sandwich for a savory kick.

Serve inside a baked sweet potato or on naan bread instead of buns!

How Do I Make Sloppy Joes Vegan?

1. In a large pan, add the olive oil, onions, and garlic and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes over medium heat. Add the bell pepper and sauté for 4 more minutes until the pepper begins to soften.
2. Add the crushed tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce and cover. Sauté on low what for 15 minutes until peppers are soft.
3. Bring water to a boil. In a separate bowl, add the TVP, chili powder, onion powder, and cumin. Add 1 cup of boiling water to the TVP and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
4. Add the TVP to the tomato mixture and stir well to combine. Taste, and add salt and pepper if needed.
5. Toast buns, and add a generous scoop of sloppy joe mixture to the bins. Top with fresh chopped onion and enjoy!
6. Store leftover sloppy joe mix in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Other Plant Based Family Dinner Recipes You’ll Love!

Get the Same Ingredients for These Plant-Based Sloppy Joes!

If you made this recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!

Plant Based Sloppy Joes

By Kelly Jensen

These Plant Based Sloppy Joes are a delicious, flavorful, and high protein meatless dinner ready in 20 minutes! In a sweet and tangy tomato sauce.

5 from 9 votes

Print Recipe Pin For Later Share

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Sandwich

Cuisine American

Servings 6 sandwiches

Calories 299 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• ▢ 1 Red Onion chopped plus extra for garnish
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic
• ▢ 1 bell pepper chopped
• ▢ 1 14-ounce package crushed tomatoes
• ▢ 1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
• ▢ 1 cup Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) or red lentils
• ▢ 1 cup boiling water
• ▢ 1 tablespoon agave nectar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• ▢ Sea Salt and Black Pepper
• ▢ 6 Gluten Free Hamburger Buns

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

 

• In a large pan, add the olive oil, onions, and garlic and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes over low heat. Add the bell pepper and sauté for 4 more minutes until the pepper begins to soften.
• Add the crushed tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce and cover. Sauté on low what for 15 minutes until peppers are soft.
• Bring water to a boil. In a separate bowl, add the TVP, chili powder, onion powder, and cumin. Add 1 cup of boiling water to the TVP and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
• Add the TVP to the tomato mixture and stir well to combine. Taste, and add salt and pepper if needed.
• Toast buns, and add a generous scoop of sloppy joe mixture to the bins. Top with fresh chopped onion and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 299kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 11gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 51mgPotassium: 318mgFiber: 7gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 877IUVitamin C: 34mgCalcium: 106mgIron: 3mg

Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a rating and comment below, let us know what you loved about it!

This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn from qualifying purchases from affiliate programs, at no additional cost to you. Please read our privacy policy for more information.

Share