Sloppy Joes Vegan Style

Sloppy Joes Vegan Style

Sloppy Joes Vegan Style are the best!

Did you have sloppy joes when you were growing up? We did and it was always a family favourite, more casual, a fun kind of meal. Great for a big family or for a family style meal. Add on some creamy coleslaw and fresh buns or garlic toast and you have a meal from heaven.

I can remember my brothers really loved sloppy joes (I have six brothers) and I could make them a meal in one pot, something that would fill them up for a while too. This vegan sloppy joe recipe is the same; satisfying, delicious, protein packed; both kids and adults will love it. These yummy messy joes will become a family favourite – comfort food that has everyone showing up for dinner – on time.

Another cool thing about this dish is you make it in one pot. If you have an Instant Pot, it would be even faster. As always, my recipes are not scientifically created, the ingredients are loosely measured and any or all can be substituted to suit your personal taste or needs. Have fun!

Let’s get making these so we can just sit back and enjoy the rest of the day…..

Sloppy Joes Vegan Style

Sloppy Joes Vegan Style is an easy recipe to make, easy to freeze in meal size portions and great to eat. Lots of great protein, flavour, texture and of course there is always room for creativity.  Who doesn’t love a messy dish like sloppy joes? Its comfort food at its best.

Get out a big pot, or use an insta pot if you have one, your choice. You are going to make the dish in one pot, how cool is that?

Now keep in mind most of my measurements are pretty good, sometimes you will need to adjust to your taste, add more, take out, put in, this is just a suggestion of what could work for you.  You will start with sauteing some veggies and then add in all the ingredients while the lentils cooks and soften and increase in flavour.

What you will need to make your Sloppy Joes Vegan Style:

• 2 medium onions, diced
• 4 cloves of garlic

  

• 2-3 stocks of celery – diced
• 3 T tomato paste
• 4 t chilli powder
• 2 t cumin
• 2 t oregano
• 2 t paprika
• 1 small red pepper, diced
• 3-5 c of fresh, frozen or canned tomatoes
• 3 c tomatoes
• 10 drops of liquid smoke

  

• 2 T vegan Worcestershire sauce

  

• 2 T Bragg Soy Seasoning
• 2 T Ketchup
• 2 c veggie broth, homemade or I also like Better Than Bouillon
• 2 c water or more broth
• 2 c lentils, I used brown for mine. Brown will keep their texture a bit more. Red lentils may get quite soft. Your choice.
• 4 T sriracha sauce
• 2 T maple syrup
• Salt and pepper to taste

Finish at the end with

• 4 T lemon or balsamic vinegar or combo of both
• cilantro or chopped green onion to garnish

How to make your Sloppy Joes Vegan Style

1. Heat your big soup pot on the stove to medium high
2. Dry saute your onions – you may need to add a bit of broth or water if it sticks too much.
3. Add in diced onions and saute till transparent, a slow sweet simmer to bring out the juices
4. Add in celery and saute for 2-3 minutes more
5. Add in the garlic and mix well (do not burn the garlic), stir into mixture quickly
6. Add in your tomato paste, chilli powder, cumin and paprika, mix well with onions
7. Add in red pepper and all tomatoes and continue to cook at a low boil for five to ten minutes
8. Add in your broth, water and lentils, liquid smoke, vegan Worcestershire sauce, Bragg soy seasoning and ketchup
9. Simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring often
10. Add in additional water/broth if the lentils are not cooked or the sauce is too thick, continue cooking until you get the texture you like with your lentils, remember brown lentils will be a bit firmer naturally. For insta pot users, follow the manual with your pot for time-frames, water ratio etc.
11. When cooked to your preference, taste and add in sriracha sauce, maple syrup, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. If it still needs a bit of a kick add in one T balsamic vinegar

Garnish with cilantro or parsley. (optional)

Serve with a salad and some type of bun or rustic bread.

Enjoy, this meal will satisfy.