Hearty & Flavorful Meatless Sloppy Joes: The Ultimate Vegan Walnut Recipe
Discover completely meatless sloppy joes bursting with incredible flavor and satisfying heartiness, achieved with a special ingredient! These plant-based sloppy joes are truly delicious and filling, proving that vegan comfort food can be both simple and extraordinary.
This delightful recipe is brought to you with the generous support of California Walnuts! We’re thrilled to showcase how wholesome walnuts can transform these meatless sloppy joes into a truly robust and satisfying meal, forming the foundation of our incredibly flavorful plant-based filling.
You read that correctly – these are COMPLETELY MEATLESS SLOPPY JOES! Prepare to be amazed by a dish that perfectly captures the essence of this classic comfort food, without any meat at all. If you’ve been searching for a hearty, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying plant-based alternative to traditional sloppy joes, your quest ends here. This vegan sloppy joe recipe is designed to deliver on all fronts: texture, taste, and pure nostalgic deliciousness.
Before we dive into the delicious details of this incredible vegan sloppy joe recipe, allow me to share a small glimpse into what was happening when this recipe first came to life. As I penned the initial draft of this post on a Friday morning, the local weatherman’s predictions for electricity on the upcoming Monday were grim. A category 2 hurricane, poised to intensify into a category 3 at any moment, was rapidly approaching our area, just north of Houston. While we were thankful to likely avoid the direct impact of 110 mph winds, the very real possibilities of severe flooding and widespread power outages loomed large.
Despite the looming storm, delaying the sharing of this amazing meatless sloppy joes recipe felt out of the question! It’s a recipe that brings comfort and joy, and sometimes, those are exactly what’s needed during uncertain times.
Finding Comfort and Community Amidst the Storm
To be completely honest, I was far from prepared for that storm. My original plans for the weekend involved a bachelorette celebration in Austin, but with reports indicating similar severe weather forecasts for Austin as for Houston, we had to put a halt to those plans. It was certainly a bummer, but safety always comes first.
After our weekend plans unexpectedly fell through, I woke up incredibly early to brave the grocery store, hoping to find a few bottles of water, knowing we’d now be riding out the hurricane at home. The atmosphere? A fascinating mix of polite panic. I must admit, I anticipated chaos and frustration. However, to my pleasant surprise, the reality was quite the opposite. People graciously held each other’s places in line, shared hushed whispers about where employees were unloading new shipments of water bottles, and patiently engaged in friendly conversations as we all waited in unusually long checkout lines. Witnessing how quickly and genuinely the community came together during such a challenging time was truly an amazing and heartwarming experience. I even heard about Facebook pages dedicated to connecting stranded hurricane victims with those who could offer help. Just submit your location, and someone would find you. How truly incredible is that?
My faith in humanity was unequivocally restored. ❤️
The Star of the Show: Unbelievably Meaty Meatless Sloppy Joes
But enough about the storm; let’s talk about these incredible meatless sloppy joes! While I certainly appreciate a classic, hearty sloppy joe (who doesn’t love that nostalgic flavor?), sometimes the desire strikes for a meal packed with wholesome, plant-based ingredients, served generously between a soft, pillowy bun. And this vegetarian-friendly, and easily made vegan, sloppy joe recipe absolutely hits the mark!
My version of this beloved dish is loaded with a vibrant array of bell peppers, aromatic onions, savory garlic, meaty portobello mushrooms, and the true hero ingredient: walnuts! These humble nuts are the secret to achieving that satisfyingly “meaty” texture and a depth of flavor that will make you question if it’s truly meatless.
The Secret to Success: Walnuts and Mushrooms for Perfect Texture
The magic behind the incredible texture of these meatless sloppy joes lies in the combination of walnuts and portobello mushrooms. When pulsed together in a food processor, they break down into a consistency remarkably similar to ground meat, providing the ideal base for the rich, saucy sloppy joe filling. This innovative pairing not only mimics the chewiness and mouthfeel of traditional sloppy joes but also infuses the dish with a host of nutritional benefits and an earthy, umami-rich flavor.
Pro Tip for Optimal Texture: For the most authentic ground “meat” texture, it’s crucial to pulse the walnuts and portobello mushrooms together in a food processor. Don’t over-process them into a paste; aim for a crumbly, granular consistency that resembles cooked ground beef. The images truly speak for themselves – you might just be fooled!
This recipe has become my go-to for sloppy joes. I’ve been refining it for years, and while my traditional recipe often features ground beef, it’s wonderful to have a meatless option that not only delivers on robust flavor and satisfying texture but also fills you up without feeling heavy. For me, the perfect sloppy joe must strike a delicate balance of sweet, spicy, and a tangy tomato base. It’s a symphony of flavors that truly satisfies.
Unlocking Depth: The Power of Apple Cider Vinegar
One of my perennial secret ingredients for achieving an extraordinary depth of flavor in sloppy joes is apple cider vinegar. Just one tablespoon can elevate this recipe, taking it way over the top and imparting a bright, complex tang that complements the sweetness and spice. With that touch of acidity, this meatless sloppy joe mixture is best enjoyed fresh, on the day it’s prepared. While delicious, I don’t typically recommend making this recipe too far in advance, as the texture and vibrant flavors are at their peak shortly after cooking.
Serving & Storage Tips for Your Meatless Masterpiece
I simply cannot get enough of these meatless sloppy joes! Once your filling is ready, the assembly is simple yet crucial for the ultimate experience. Lightly toast your favorite buns – brioche works wonderfully for a soft, rich contrast, but any good quality burger bun will do. Piling the warm, robust sloppy joe mixture onto a perfectly toasted bun creates an irresistible sandwich that’s hearty, satisfying, and utterly delicious. Take a moment to savor each bite of that incredible, savory-sweet, tangy “flavah”!
These meatless sloppy joes are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a casual gathering, or even a delightful lunch. Beyond buns, consider serving them in lettuce cups for a low-carb option, over baked potatoes, or alongside a simple green salad for a balanced meal. The versatility makes them a fantastic addition to any plant-based repertoire.
For the best experience, as mentioned, serve this dish the day it’s prepared. The magical combination of walnuts and mushrooms creates a distinct texture that is at its peak when fresh. If you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. While the texture might slightly soften, the flavors will still be fantastic when reheated gently on the stovetop.
Ready to impress your taste buds and your guests? Get these on your dinner table tonight!
You Won’t Believe They’re Meatless Sloppy Joes
15 minutes
20 minutes
35 minutes
Completely meatless sloppy joes that are loaded with all that flavor and are made filling with a special ingredient! These sloppy joes are hearty and delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 pound portobello mushrooms (gills + stems removed)
- 3/4 cup California Walnuts
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon EACH: dry mustard AND cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (or vegan Worcestershire)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Buns for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the ‘meat’: Begin by preparing your mock meat base. Pulse the cleaned portobello mushrooms and California walnuts in a food processor. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Process until the mixture breaks down into a finely ground texture, closely resembling cooked ground beef. Be careful not to over-process into a paste; you want distinct, small crumbles.
- Sauté the aromatics and cook the ‘meat’: Heat the oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the pan. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and become fragrant. Next, add the prepared mushroom and walnut mixture to the skillet. Stir everything together thoroughly to combine and let it cook for another 5 minutes, allowing some moisture to evaporate and the flavors to meld.
- Simmer the sauce: Now, add the remaining ingredients for the rich sloppy joe sauce: ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard, cayenne pepper (for a subtle kick), tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce (ensuring it’s vegan if desired), and apple cider vinegar. Stir all the ingredients well until everything is fully incorporated and the mushroom-walnut mixture is coated in the savory sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for at least 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to deepen and the sauce to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust with additional salt or pepper as needed to suit your preference.
- Assemble and serve: To assemble your delicious sloppy joes, lightly toast your favorite burger buns until golden brown and slightly crisp. Generously spoon the warm, prepared meatless sloppy joe mixture onto the toasted buns. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture. This sloppy joe mixture is truly at its prime when served fresh on the day it’s made, as the unique texture of the walnut-mushroom blend tends to soften if stored for too long.
Notes
A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful friends at California Walnuts for sponsoring this post! We deeply value partnerships with companies that champion wholesome, high-quality ingredients, helping us create delicious and nutritious recipes like these meatless sloppy joes for our community. Your support makes it possible!
Have you made this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #LITTLESPICEJAR, I’d love to see what you made!
Update on the Hurricane: It is with a mix of gratitude and sorrow that I report my family and I were safe, but much of Houston and its surrounding areas were severely impacted by Hurricane Harvey. We experienced unprecedented levels of flooding due to the relentless heavy rains, which meteorologists predicted to continue for days. Please continue to keep all the people of Houston and the affected regions in your thoughts and prayers during their long recovery. If you are able and wish to help further, there are numerous reputable charities accepting donations. Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in aiding those rebuilding their lives.
