Easy Vegan Sloppy Joes

Vegan sloppy joes on white dish, accompanied by crispy potato chips.

4.92 from 12 votes

Make these protein-rich Vegan Sloppy Joes in just 30 minutes! Enjoy a simple homemade twist on a classic favorite using easy-to-find plant-based ingredients.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegan

Servings:

Calories: 373kcal

Author: Iosune Robles

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 pound vegan ground beef or tofu ground beef, or canned lentils
½ onion finely diced
½ green bell pepper finely diced
3 garlic cloves minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
⅔ cup ketchup
⅓ cup water
1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

For serving (optional):

4 vegan hamburger buns
Potato chips

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook vegan ground beef until browned, breaking into crumbles, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
Add diced onion and green bell pepper to the same skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, until they soften. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Stir frequently.
Return the cooked vegan ground beef to the skillet and mix in the tomato paste. Stir well to combine.
Add ketchup, water, vegan Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, salt, and ground black pepper. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
Cook the mixture over medium heat for about 10 minutes, or until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Serve on toasted buns for vegan sloppy joe sandwiches.

Notes

Choose your favorite type of vegan bun. Opt for soft yet sturdy buns, like classic hamburger buns, to prevent sogginess. Try brioche for sweetness or whole wheat for added nutrition.
Toast the buns. Toast the buns to prevent them from becoming soggy once the mixture is placed on them.
Make sure to overfill the bun. Ensure your bun is generously filled, allowing some filling to spill out. So you can scoop extra goodness up with potato chips!
Opt for all-natural ketchup. If you're aiming for homemade sloppy joes free from processed ingredients, go for all-natural ketchup.
Watch sauce consistency. If it thickens excessively, it could dry out. Cook until you see meat bits and a sauce trail forms when a spoon is dragged; if it fills quickly, it's too thin.

Nutrition