These Plant-Based Sloppy Joes are a healthy, vegan version of traditional sloppy joes. These WFPB sloppy joes are ready in 20 minutes! Gluten-free, oil-free, and sugar-free.
Sloppy joes are unique because they are a savory food, but they're actually pretty sweet. Most recipes have lots of ketchup and sugar to flavor the meat.
Besides using tempeh as a meat-alternative, I knew that I wanted to make the other ingredients healthier. Lots of store-bought ketchup uses high fructose corn syrup or sugar. And all the traditional sloppy joe recipes I studied added even more sugar to the recipe. YIKES.
So my goal with these sloppy joes was to develop a recipe that has the amazing flavor of regular sloppy joes but is a dish you can feel good about eating.
I have to say, I'm pretty proud with the final product! The ingredients are simple, but they come together quickly to make a delicious dish.
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Why I love these Plant-Based Sloppy Joes
- Dietary needs - these sloppy joes are vegan/plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free, and sugar-free.
- Real foods - no fake meat here! You get a healthy serving of veggies like bell peppers and onion and protein/fiber from the tempeh
- Quick & Easy - these sloppy joes are ready in just 20 minutes. All you have to do is throw everything in a pan and stir.
- Meal prep friendly - make a batch of these sloppy joes and enjoy a sandwich each day for lunch
- High protein - tempeh is a great source of plant-based protein
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Tempeh: tempeh is a block of fermented soy beans. It is high in protein and great for making vegan versions of ground beef recipes because it crumbles into small pieces. You can find tempeh in the refrigerated vegan section of the grocery store.
- Mushrooms: mushrooms add an umami flavor, that helps to deepen the flavor profile. You can use white button mushrooms or creminis/baby bellas.
- Green Bell Pepper: green pepper adds some crunch and "hidden" veggies.
- Yellow Onion: a red onion would be fine here too
- No Added Sugar Ketchup: ketchup is what creates the sloppy texture in sloppy joes. To avoid added sugars, look for a no added sugar ketchup and not just a "sugar free" ketchup, which may have sweeteners or sugar alcohols as a substitute
- Date or Maple Syrup: a little extra sweetness is necessary, and I prefer to get my sugars from a whole food source like date syrup. If you don't have date syrup, you can also use maple syrup.
- Liquid Smoke: liquid smoke is a liquid made from smoke (great name, right?). It adds a lovely smoky flavor and is the key to getting a savory, umami, and smoky flavor in many vegan recipes
- Garlic Powder
- Salt & Pepper
- Red Pepper Flakes: for just a hint of spice.
How to make Plant-Based Sloppy Joes
Step 1. Add all the ingredients to a skillet. Cover and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, or until the onion is soft and all the ingredients are thoroughly warmed.
Step 2. Serve with a plant-based bun or wrapped in lettuce. Top with pickles, if desired. Enjoy!
FAQ & Expert Tips
If you want, you can sneak some more vegetables into these sloppy joes. Diced zucchini, a can of diced tomatoes, or diced carrot would all work well.
These sloppy joes are naturally gluten free. If you'd like to serve these joes with a gluten-free bun, I recommend the Udis brand.
Or, grab a large piece of bibb lettuce and serve in a lettuce wrap.
Store these sloppy joes in an air tight container in the fridge, separately from the buns.
Reheat in the microwave or over medium low heat on the stovetop.
Recipe Prayer
Thank you God for comfort food made healthy! Amen.
More Plant-Based Burgers & Sandwiches
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📖 Recipe
Plant-Based Sloppy Joes (Vegan & High Protein)
Ingredients
- 2 8 Ounce Block Tempeh crumbled
- 6 Ounces Mushrooms small diced
- 1 Green Bell Pepper small diced
- 1 Small Yellow Onion small diced
- ½ Cup No Added Sugar Ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons Date or Maple Syrup
- 1 Teaspoon Liquid Smoke
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- ¼ Teaspoon Pepper
- ⅛ Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- To serve: burger buns & pickles
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a skillet. Cover and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, or until the onion is soft and all the ingredients are thoroughly warmed.
- Serve with a plant-based bun or wrapped in lettuce. Top with pickles, if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
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