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    Home » Mains

    Vegan Sloppy Joes (Best Meatless Manwich Recipe!)

    Updated: Jan 20, 2023 by Verna Rindler · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

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    vegan sloppy joe on a white plate with potato chips

    Vegan Sloppy Joes! The best easy meatless manwich recipe! Lentils, vegan crumbles simmered in a savoury sweet tangy tomato sauce, piled on a bun and devoured! A classic sandwich. Ready in 20 minutes.

    vegan sloppy Joe on a white plate being picked up

    Me and sloppy joes go way back! I can still picture my mom taking manwich sauce from the cupboard and getting excited! It meant a TV tray dinner in front of the tv!! Usually on Sunday when Disney was on. Pretty special❤️ That dates me doesn’t it!! Haha!

    Well I haven’t had a sloppy Joe in years so it was high time I vegeanized my old childhood favourite! So Vegan sloppy Joes are on the menu folks. that's right without ground beef! 😊

    It’ll take you back! Juicy meaty and super delicious! A definite winner with my grandkids! It's a Fun family meal that takes minutes to throw together! Try them today you'll be so glad you did!

    Great recipe for a summer potluck or bbq too! Has a wonderful slow cooked flavour.

    close up of a vegan sloppy joes with a side of potato chips

    What are the ingredients in these meatless sandwiches?

    For the filling: I used onions and peppers and a combination of canned lentils and plant based vegan crumbles (gardein beefless ground).

    For the sauce: I used ketchup, sugar, vinegar, bouillon, herbs and spices. It turned out perfect! -Like try not to eat half straight from the pan kind of amazing!

    You will not miss the beef in this recipe guaranteed! Vegetarians and carnivores will love to chow down on these sandwiches with glee! No joke!

    How do you make vegan sloppy joes from scratch

    Whisk the sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl and set aside.

    vegan sloppy joe sauce in a white bowl with a whisk

    Heat a large non stick skillet over medium heat. Add the vegan butter, onions, peppers and a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes or so until the veggies are softening and browning up a bit.

    Add in the vegan crumbles and cook for a couple of minutes until defrosted and heated through.
    Turn down the heat to medium-low, stir in the lentils and sauce. Simmer for a couple of minutes until you are happy with the consistency.

    step by step photos how to make vegan sloppy joes

    Pile the meat filling in a warm buttered hamburger bun and enjoy!! Add thin sliced red onions and or vegan cheese if you like.

    For full recipe ingredients and instructions see recipe card below.

    a vegan sloppy Joe bun on a white plate with potato chips

    What are some good sides to eat with sloppy joes?

    • Jalapeño Cheddar Vegan Mac and Cheese
    •  Vegan Mac and Cheese (Daiya) 👍
    • Vegan Caesar Salad
    • Classic Vegan Coleslaw
    • Vegan Potato Salad  
    • Best Vegan Macaroni Salad
    • pickles
    • potato chips

    OK GUYS LET'S MAKE SOME VEGGIE SLOPPY JOES, THEY'RE:

    vegan

    juicy and meaty

    sweet and tangy

    nostalgic

    simple

    messy!

    saucy

    Enjoy guys! Happy day to you! feel free to leave a comment and a rating below. I would love to hear from you.

    Follow me on PINTEREST and INSTAGRAM for more tasty Plant Based Vegan Recipes❤️

    Want more Vegan Sandwich Recipes? Check these out!

    • Best Vegan ‘Chicken’ Salad – Quick & Easy too!
    • Tofu Bacon Recipe (Baked or Fried) (makes a great vegan BLT!)
    • Vegan Egg Salad Sandwich
    • Chickpea Salad Sandwich Recipe (Vegan)
    Print
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    vegan sloppy Joe on a white plate being picked up

    Vegan Sloppy Joes (Best Meatless Manwich Recipe!)


    ★★★★★

    5 from 3 reviews

    • Author: Verna
    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: 5-6 Servings 1x
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Vegan Sloppy Joes! The best easy meatless manwich recipe! Lentils, vegan crumbles simmered in a savoury sweet tangy tomato sauce, piled on a bun and devoured! A classic sandwich. Ready in 20 minutes.


    Ingredients

    Scale

    For the sauce:

    • 1/2 cup water
    • 1/3 cup ketchup
    • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
    • 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
    • 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon Vegetarian No Beef Soup Base
    • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
    • 1/4 teaspoon granulated onion
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt

    For the filling:

    • 1 tablespoon vegan butter, I use earth balance
    • 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
    • 1/2 large green bell pepper, chopped small
    • 2 and 1/2 cups vegan meat crumbles, I like Gardein Beefless Ground
    • 1 cup cooked lentils, rinsed and drained (I use canned)

    For Serving:

    • hamburger buns or buns of choice
    • thinly sliced red onions (optional)
    • vegan cheese slices (optional)

    Instructions

    1. Whisk the sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl and set aside.
    2. Heat a large non stick skillet over medium heat. Add the vegan butter, onions, peppers and a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes or so until the veggies are softening and browning up a bit.
    3. Add in the vegan crumbles and cook for a couple of minutes until defrosted and heated through.
    4. Turn down the heat to medium-low, stir in the lentils and sauce. Simmer for a couple of minutes until you are happy with the consistency.
    5. Pile the meat filling in a warm buttered hamburger bun and enjoy! Add thin sliced red onions and or vegan cheese if you like. For serving ideas see notes section*

     

    Notes

    • For sloppy Joe filling with beyond beef plant based ground: Add 1 package to skillet when onions and peppers are done, break apart with fork until completely cooked. Continue from step 4
    • I have not made this recipe using TVP, tofu or jackfruit
    • I like the combo of vinegar and mustard as apposed to Worcestershire sauce. I do not use apple cider vinegar. Red wine vinegar suits this recipe the best in my opinion.
    • you could sub vegetable broth for water and bouillon but I highly recommend trying recipe as written😊
    • For a slight smoky flavour add 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke to sloppy joe sauce
    • The mix is gluten free. For a completey gluten free meal use gluten free buns.
    • the filling is so good with my vegan mac and cheese!
    • the sloppy Joe mix will keep covered in the fridge for 4-5 days and freezes well

    What are some good sides to eat with sloppy joes? Here are some links for you:

    • Jalapeño Cheddar Vegan Mac and Cheese
    • The Ultimate Vegan Mac and Cheese (Daiya)
    • Vegan Caesar Salad
    • Classic Vegan Coleslaw
    • Vegan Potato Salad
    • Best Vegan Macaroni Salad
    • pickles
    • potato chips
    • Prep Time: 10 Minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 Minutes
    • Category: Mains, 30 Minute Vegan Recipes, Gluten free,
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: American, Canadian

    Keywords: vegan sloppy joes, vegetarian sloppy joes, lentil sloppy joes, easy vegetarian sandwich recipe,

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @cheeky_chickpea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #cheeky_chickpea_

    More Mains

    • Easy Vegan Pad Thai
    • Mexican Tater Tot Casserole (Vegan)
    • Vegan White Chili
    • Vegan Biryani
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Megan

      August 01, 2021 at 11:24 am

      I love this recipe.
      I only realized at the last minute that I didn't have lentils, so I used kidney beans instead. Still delicious!

      Thank you xx

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        August 02, 2021 at 6:01 am

        Thank so much Megan! I appreciate your feedback and thrilled you enjoyed it xo

        Reply
    2. Lorry

      March 19, 2021 at 3:02 pm

      Hi: Like recipes using chickpeas or black beans

      Thanks

      Reply
    3. Jess

      January 24, 2021 at 8:48 pm

      Had them tonight. They were great. Very good flavour!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        January 25, 2021 at 7:05 am

        Awesome! thanks so much for your comment Jess!

        Reply
    4. Midge

      June 14, 2020 at 10:29 pm

      We made these for lunch today And they were fantastic. We had raw veggies and dip on the side.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        June 14, 2020 at 10:45 pm

        Thats's fabulous Midge! So glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for your comment!

        Reply

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