We all have childhood favorite meals. All we need is a mention of the dish in conversation with a friend, or a wisp of its aroma. Suddenly we're whisked back to Nana's kitchen table, our legs swinging under the table, love and security wrapped around us like a soft blanket.
Sloppy Joes are one of those for me. I didn't have them at home, to be honest. Unbelievable as it sounds, it was in the school cafeteria. Sloppy Joe day was my favorite day, and I would have gone back for seconds if I could have.
So I finally made a healthier version by making it vegan.
Vegan Sloppy Joe Sliders with Beyond Beef
I've tried quite a few plant-based ‘meats' over the past couple of years, and have found a few that I really like.
I use MorningStar Farms Chorizo Crumbles for tacos, chili, and tossed with my morning scrambled eggs.
For burgers and a ground beef substitution in sauces and these Vegan Sloppy Joe Sliders, I use Beyond Meat. It browns up similar to ground beef, and actually smells a lot like it too. It even crumbles up very similarly. I seriously don't know how they did that.
For the rest of the recipe, I went in a very classic, un-fancy Sloppy Joe direction. I know there are a lot of ingredients, but none of them are unusual, and you likely have them all on-hand right now without having to run to the market.
Okay, except maybe the Hawaiian Dinner Rolls. I love those rolls and they're perfect for little sliders, so they might be worth a trip to your nearest grocery. They're a little sweet and super soft, and go perfectly with the sweet – tangy filling.
Ways to Simplify This Recipe
There are only 4 real steps to this recipe. 1) Cook the ground Beyond Beef. 2) Cook the pepper and onion until softened. 3) Add everything else. 4) Simmer for 20 minutes.
Since the steps are minimal, prep the pepper and onion while the ground Beyond Beef cooks. This way it's ready to go when the ‘beef' is done.
Since you add a lot of the ingredients in quick succession, also measure out all the remaining ingredients while the ‘meat' cooks. There's nothing more frustrating than not being able to open a new bottle of ketchup when you've got an impatiently bubbling pan waiting.
While the Sloppy Joe filling simmers, make the Vegan Coleslaw.
Vegan Sloppy Joe Sliders
Ingredients
Sloppy Joe Sauce
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pound Beyond Beef, ground
- 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 2/3 cup water
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 3/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, or 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 dash hot sauce
- 12 Hawaiian Dinner Rolls
Vegan Coleslaw
- 1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise, store-bought
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon celery salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 bag coleslaw mix
Instructions
Sloppy Joe Sauce
- Warm the olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat, and add the Beyond Beef to the skillet. Break the beef up into small pieces and cook for 10 minutes without moving the pieces around. This will brown the 'beef'. Turn the pieces over using tongs, and continue to cook for another 5 minutes.
- Remove the 'beef' from the skillet and set aside. Add the bell pepper and onion to the skillet. If the skillet is completely dry, add a little olive oil. Sauté until slightly softened, about 5 – 7 minutes. Add the garlic, and sauté for another 2 minutes.
- Stir in the tomato paste until it's completely mixed into the veggies.
- Add the ketchup, 1/2 cup water, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Stir until well-combined and add the 'beef' back in.
- Cook on a low simmer for 20 minutes. Add additional water if the Sloppy Joe sauce is too thick. Finish with a dash of hot sauce, if desired.
- Spoon over warmed rolls and top with Vegan Coleslaw.
Vegan Coleslaw
- Combine the mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, salt, celery salt and pepper in a small bowl. Spill the coleslaw mix into a medium bowl, and add enough mayonnaise mixture to your own taste. Toss well.
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Welcome to Progressive Eats, our virtual version of a Progressive Dinner Party. This month’s theme is about making favorite recipes healthier, and our host is Susan who blogs at The Wimpy Vegetarian.
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, a progressive dinner involves going from house to house, enjoying a different course at each location. With Progressive Eats it’s a virtual party. The host for the month chooses the theme and members share recipes on that theme suitable for a delicious meal or party. Then you can hop from blog to blog to check them out. So come along and see all of the delicious and inspired dishes!
Healthier Version of Favorite Dishes
Cocktail
- Raspberry and Lime Vodka Soda – Creative Culinary
Appetizers
- Tandoori Fish Tikka Salad – Spiceroots
- White Bean and Artichoke Heart Dip – Karen's Kitchen Stories
Main Courses
- Chicken and Sweet Potato Chili – The Heritage Cook
- Vegan Sloppy Joe Sliders – The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Baked Crab Cakes – Healthy Delicious
Sides
- Orzo Salad with Roasted Vegetables – That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Easy Swiss Chard – Mother Would Know
Liz says
Oooh, I love this slider version of sloppy joes, plus how you made them healthier!! Perfect for game day!
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
Thanks so much! They are indeed!!
Karen says
This looks wonderful. The only fake meat I’ve tried is jack fruit in tacos and “soyrizo” in soup. They were pretty good actually. Love me some Hawaiian rolls!
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
I’ve tried jack fruit, and it was ok – a little fibrous – but it was good. And I’m a big fan of Beyond Beef!
Laura@motherwouldknow says
With vegans in my family now, having “regular” food that is also vegan helps me to realize that I don’t have to give up childhood (and other) favorites to accommodate them. Can’t wait to try this recipe once I can invite them over. Sigh.
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
I hope you like it! Beyond Beef has been a game-changer for me in making dishes like this!
Jane says
What a great way to make Sloppy Joes healthier Susan! I haven’t tried Beyond Beef yet, but bet it would be incredible in this recipe!!
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
Thanks so much!!
Barb | Creative Culinary says
I have been cutting beef and pork from my diet and mostly doing bean substitutes; wondering if I could even use my favorite tri-color beans in lieu of the Beyond Meat? I remember Sloppy Joes as a childhood favorite, it’s time I made it an adult one too!
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
They would probably work fine, or lentils too. It’s a journey, cutting out beef and pork. But over time you find substitutes you like just as well, and sometimes even more!
Ansh Dhar says
My In laws will be arriving soon and they are vegetarians. This would be a great dish to put on menu rotation for them. wonderful recipe!
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
I hope you like it!! Please let me know how it goes for everyone!!
Matt says
Made it for dinner last night and it was crazy delicious and a big hit. I only had Gardein in the freezer so used that. (I’m always mixing between Gardein and Beyond Meat. Both are excellent.) I didn’t leave the meat to cook for the whole 10 minutes on one side because it was really starting to stick and get dark. It also didn’t need more time. I added quite a bit more water throughout the cooking process and added more of all of the other items, e.g. dijon, ketchup, oregano… btw, Worstershire isn’t vegan but it’s easy to make a vegan homemade version.
We toasted the buns, baked up some waffle fries, had dill pickles on the side and piled on the coleslaw which was really amazing.
This recipe is definitely staying in the comfort food rotation!
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
Thanks so very much for the feedback! And I’m thrilled that you liked it so much!! The dill pickles and the waffle fries are a GREAT addition 🙂