Exactly a decade ago, a fast and flavorful recipe for vegan sloppy joes was shared with us by Nasoya. It’s a super-easy recipe that I was inspired to pull from our archives last week. And I’m happy to report that it’s not only quick, but delicious too.
I would be lying if I said that these vegan sloppy joes tasted just like the meaty versions. But that doesn’t change the fact that they’re pretty darn good. The flavor is mild and family-friendly, but hearty and satisfying. And the cost per meal came out to only about $1 per person!
I didn’t feel like a big hamburger bun, so I served these vegan sloppy joes open-faced on toasted whole grain English muffin halves (from Trader Joe’s). You can eat them by hand, or with a knife and fork if you aren’t into the sloppy style.
Special Diet Notes: Easy Vegan Sloppy Joes
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, optionally gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian.
- 1 14- to 16-ounce package organic firm or extra-firm tofu, well-drained and crumbled
- 2 tablespoons olive or grapeseed oil
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 1 small white or yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or wheat-free tamari (for gluten free)
- 2 cups canned tomato sauce (I used Trader Joe's)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 4 to 6 dairy-free hamburger buns or English muffins, toasted (gluten free, if needed)
- Water, if needed
- Salt, to taste (optional)
- Black pepper, to taste
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bell pepper, onion, and garlic (if using) and sauté for 5 minutes, or until tender.
- Add the crumbled tofu and soy sauce or tamari, and sauté for 5 minutes, or until the tofu starts to brown.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, chili powder, and cumin powder. Once bubbling, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. It should be quite thick, but if it's too thick, add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach your desired consistency.
- Season to taste with salt (I usually add about ⅛ teaspoon) and black pepper.
- Serve hot over toasted hamburger buns or English muffins.
More Easy Vegan Sandwiches
Weeknight Falafel Burgers (vegan, optionally gluten-free & allergy-friendly)
Thai Peanut Veggie Sandwiches (vegan & optionally gluten-free)
Roasted Beet Sandwiches (vegan, optionally gluten-free & allergy-friendly)
28 Comments
the flavors look great, and I like the idea of an English muffin bun too!
Yummy! These look so delicious, Alisa. I love that you used tofu. 🙂
Sloppy Joes are the best! My family loves my vegan version more than the kind I used to make. I can’t wait to try your recipe, Alisa.
I can believe it!
I love that these are not only delicious and satisfying, but budget friendly as well!! It’s perfect for the summer season ????
I know, food has gotten SO expensive – it’s nice to have some meal options that are still relatively cost effective.
I love sloppy joes. I love tofu! These look perfect! And I think my family would love these too!
My husband LOVES sloppy joe’s and we’ve been looking for a vegan take on the recipe. These look so flavorful – will definitely be trying. Thanks!
Alisa, your recipes never fail me. So, I will pull out the block of tofu I have in the fridge and make this without any hesitation! Great recipe for when my vegan bro comes over 🙂
You are too sweet – thanks lady! And did I forget that your brother was vegan? The local one? I must remember!
I like that you served them open face and using an English muffin! I am not a huge burger fan because I feel like there is always to much bread, but serving it like this would solve that issue 😀
Me too! Ever since my husband went away years ago, I’m not big on the fluffy “bun” part of burgers. But English muffins are a much better size and fulfilling density.
These look super tasty! I’ve never been a big bread person, so open faced is perfect!
Yep, more filling to love!
These are simple and sound very tasty. I would also like to serve them open face! Thanks!
I love finding new recipes with plant based options for people looking to vary the diet and eat more plants! Lovely photos!
I love that this is family-friendly! Great for a quick weeknight meal!
One of the girls was asking about sloppy joe’s and I bet these would even surprise and satisfy the meat eaters as well with all the filling flavors!
They satisfied the meat eaters here 🙂
These vegan sloppy joes look like an easy dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights! Nice change to serve on top of a toasted English muffin!
Now THESE I’m pretty sure my husband would actually eat. That’s always a win for me!
I’ve never seen the sloppy joes with the tofu! Super unique. I’ve actually never had an actual sloppy joe but I think it’s funny to call my husband sloppy joe every time he makes a mess eating (his name is joe, LOL!), he doesn’t find it so amusing.
That is too cute Sophia! Well add them to your recipe list to make – I bet you would come up with an awesome recipe!
Fun! I love the idea of open faced sandwiches. Less bread and more of the good stuff. 🙂
I love sloppy Joe’s! These sound and look amazing!
So funny – I was just thinking fondly of sloppy joes yesterday, and then this popped up in my Facebook feed. It must be fate! I need to make them soon.
These look awesome! I love how affordable they are to make, too. I have a bad habit of overspending on food lately!