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Pink Owl Kitchen » Recipes » Weeknight Meals » Sweet and Tangy Homemade Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

Sweet and Tangy Homemade Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

Published: Mar 9, 2021 · Modified: Feb 22, 2022 by Ashley · This post may contain affiliate links

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This nostalgic vegetarian sloppy joe recipe features a ground plant-based meat substitute cooked with chunky vegetables in a sweet and tangy tomato sauce flavored with lots of delicious spices!

vegetarian sloppy joes on wooden plates with blue towel in background.

I don't think I know anyone who did not enjoy sloppy joes growing up. They truly are an American classic and I have so many memories of enjoying sloppy joe sandwiches as a child and teenager.

Sloppy joes aren't a dish that many enjoy as an adult as the canned sauce and ground beef that traditional sloppy joes are made with aren't very healthy or nutritious. However, this dish can be turned into something so wholesome, nutritious and delicious with a few ingredient tweaks!

While my diet has evolved over the years, my cravings for sweet, tangy, meaty classics like Sloppy Joe have not! This recipe couldn't be easier so let's get to it.

vegetarian sloppy joes on wooden plates with blue towel in background.

How to Make These Sloppy Joes

Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch Oven over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and bell pepper and cook until onion is translucent about 2-3 minutes.

Add garlic and cook for about another minute, until fragrant. Add in ground plant-based protein (I used Impossible Food Plant-Based Burger) and break up with a wooden spoon. Season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, herbs de Provence, smoked paprika and tumeric.

Continue to cook meat until browned and almost cooked through. Add crushed tomatoes, liquid aminos or lite soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, liquid smoke, and brown sugar. Stir to combine all ingredients.

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until sauce has thickened and reduced to your preferred consistency. I like mine pretty thick so I allow the sauce to simmer for about 15 minutes. Season with more salt + pepper to taste.

Remove meat mixture from heat. Toast four hamburger buns and top the bottom of each bun with a few spoonfuls of sloppy joe mixture. Add toppings if desired and enjoy!

vegetarian sloppy joes on wooden plates with blue towel in background.

Storing Homemade Sloppy Joes

You can store leftover sloppy joe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze sloppy joe by storing it in a freezer bag and wrapping it in plastic wrap for up to a month.

You can double or even triple this recipe and freeze batches to thaw late for a quick, hearty, and nutritious dinner anytime! Just remove a bag of sloppy joe from the freezer and allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight.

You can either microwave sloppy joe to warm it on warm it in a saucepan on the stovetop when ready to serve. This is a go-to in our home and is perfect for kiddos and adults alike.

vegetarian sloppy joes on wooden plates with blue towel in background.

What Other Proteins Can I Substitute in Vegetarian Sloppy Joes?

These days there are a plethora of delicious meat substitutes available. Some of my favorites, in addition to Impossible Foods, are Beyond Meat, tempeh, jackfruit, lentils, tofu, and mushrooms.

If meat is your thing, just substitute your favorite ground meat, such as chicken, beef, or turkey!

All of these can be prepared and seasoned to replace meat in your favorite recipes, including these Vegetarian Sloppy Joes!

vegetarian sloppy joes on wooden plates with blue towel in background.

Watch the Video for Sweet and Tangy Vegetarian Sloppy Joes!

You Will Also Love these Vegetarian Easy Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel!

📖 Recipe

vegetarian sloppy joes on wooden plates with blue towel in background.

Sweet and Tangy Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

Ashley Boyd
This nostalgic sloppy joe recipe features a ground plant-based meat substitute cooked with chunky vegetables in a sweet and tangy tomato sauce flavored with lots of delicious spices!
4.75 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prevent your screen from going dark
Servings 6 sanwiches
Calories 304 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil - extra virgin
  • ½ medium yellow onion - diced
  • ½ green or red bell pepper - seeded and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic - minced
  • 1 lb plant-based meat substitute - such as Impossible Foods or Beyond Meat*
  • salt + cracked black pepper - to taste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon herbs de provence - or Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric - or ground mustard
  • 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon liquid aminos - or lite soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1-2 teaspoons liquid smoke
  • 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • hamburger buns - for serving

Instructions
 

  • Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and bell pepper and cook until onion is translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and cook about another minute until fragrant.
  • Add meat and break apart with wooden spoon. Season with salt + pepper, garlic powder, herbs de provence, smoked paprika and turmeric. Cook until meat is browned and almost cooked through, stirring occasionally, about 3-5 minutes.
  • Add crushed tomatoes, liquid aminos or lite soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, liquid smoke and brown sugar to meat mixture. Stir to combine all ingredients. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered until thickened and reduced, stirring occasionally, about 10-15 minutes depending on your desired consistency. Remove from heat.
  • Toast four hamburger buns in the oven and top each bottom bun with a few spoonfuls of sloppy joe mixture. Add toppings if desired and enjoy!

Notes

*See notes in blog post above for other meat substitution suggestions. You may also make this recipe with ground beef, turkey or chicken if you are not vegetraian.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Sandwich with whole wheat bun | Calories: 304kcal | Carbohydrates: 32.1g | Protein: 19.1g | Fat: 11.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.7g | Sodium: 682mg | Fiber: 4.6g | Sugar: 11.9g | Calcium: 160mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Tag @thepinkowlkitchen on Instagram! And don't forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and review!

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HEY Y'ALL!

I’m Ashley, the wife, mama, and heart behind Pink Owl Kitchen. Cooking brings me so much joy, and I love sharing the comforting Southern flavors that shaped my childhood. My hope is that each recipe fills your home with warmth, love, and the sweet presence of Jesus.

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