• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Pink Owl Kitchen
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Work with Me
  • E-Cookbook
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Work with Me
    • E-Cookbook
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Pink Owl Kitchen » Main Courses » 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

    JUMP TO RECIPE

    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!

    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 Cheesy Stuffed Shells!

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

    Sweet and Tangy Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

    Ashley
    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 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 30 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 bunCalories: 304kcalCarbohydrates: 32.1gProtein: 19.1gFat: 11.3gSaturated Fat: 0.7gSodium: 682mgFiber: 4.6gSugar: 11.9gCalcium: 160mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword easy vegetarian recipes, sloppy joe, sloppy joe sandwich, vegetarian recipes, vegetarian sloppy joe
    Tried this recipe?Tag @thepinkowlkitchen on Instagram! And don't forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and review!

    More Weeknight Meals

    • Cajun Jambalaya Pasta
    • Easy Southern Salmon Croquettes
    • Southern Smothered Chicken
    • Easy Cajun Salmon Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Share Your Thoughts! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Ashley sitting on a counter making salad.

    Hi! I'm Ashley.

    I am a new mom, wife, and creator of all you see here at Pink Owl Kitchen. All of our recipes are influenced by my southern upbringing and are made with fresh, seasonal ingredients to encourage families to come together around the dinner table more!

    Learn more about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • Southern Candied Yams (Old Fashioned Soul Food Recipe)
    • Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese
    • Southern Sweet Potato Pie
    • Cajun Dirty Rice with Smoked Sausage

    As Seen In!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy and Disclaimers
    • About

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Me

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Pink Owl Kitchen LLC | All Rights Reserved