Sweet and Tangy Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

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

4.75 from 4 votes

Sweet and Tangy Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

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!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Total Time30 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: sanwiches

Calories: 304kcal

Author: Ashley Boyd

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