These easy flavorful Tofu Sloppy Joes are a healthy version of a childhood classic. Made with pantry staples and ready in under 30 minutes!
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One thing I love about being a vegan food blogger is making veganized versions of classic recipes. There's a reason classic recipes are popular. They have just the right flavors and textures that hit the spot.
These Tofu Sloppy Joes are no exception. They are a veganized version of one of my childhood favorites done my way.
I used crumbled extra firm tofu for the protein because I love the flavor and texture. Tofu takes on any flavor you add to it, making it the perfect blank canvas.
For the tofu, I combined tomato sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, mustard, and spices. I used red pepper because I prefer it over green pepper, but you could use either one.
For the buns, I used some gluten-free millet and chia buns. I was recently introduced to millet and chia bread and immediately fell in love.
It's got a soft fluffy texture like white bread, which is a nice change of pace from the dense gluten-free bread I have been eating.
I decided the millet and chia buns would pair nicely with the Vegan Sloppy Joes since they are so light.
When I made these healthy sloppy joes I found myself singing Adam Sandler's song, "Sloppy Joe, Slop-Sloppy Joe..." I dare you to not sing it while you're making this recipe. It's quite catchy.
Make a Vegan Tater Tots recipe to go with it.
Jump to:
❤️ Why You'll Love Them
- They're simple and easy to make.
- They are a vegan version of the classic recipe. It's a great recipe for the whole family.
- No tofu press is needed!
🧾 Ingredients
- Onion: Adds a sweet pungent flavor. I used a yellow onion.
- Olive oil: To cook the tofu filling in.
- Tofu: You can use firm tofu or extra firm tofu. Both are found packed in water in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.
- Garlic cloves: Add a pungent flavor.
- Red bell pepper: Adds sweetness. You could also use a green bell pepper.
- Tomato sauce: Normally Sloppy Joes are made with ketchup. The combination of tomato sauce and tomato paste along with brown sugar replaces the ketchup.
- Tomato paste: Adds a rich concentrated tomato flavor. If you don't use it often, you can buy it in a tube and it will last longer.
- Brown sugar: Adds sweetness.
- Tamari: I used a low-sodium gluten-free tamari because I like to control the amount of salt. You could also use soy sauce.
- Chili powder, cumin, paprika, mustard: Add warm spices found in Sloppy Joes.
- Salt and black pepper: Enhances flavors and adds flavor. I like to use sea salt.
- Hamburger buns: I used some soft squishy buns from Little Northern Bakehouse.
To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
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🔪 Instructions
Step 1: In a large skillet on medium heat, add olive oil. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent.
Step 2: Add crumbled tofu. Cook until starting to brown, about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Add garlic and red pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes or until crisp-tender.
Step 4: Cook until crisp-tender. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, tamari, and spices.
Cook for several minutes, until the sloppy joe sauce thickens.
🍽 Serving
💭 Tips
- Crumble the tofu before you add it to the onions instead of as the onions are cooking. It takes a while to crumble and you don't want to overcook the onions.
- Cook the ingredients in the order given, but if you're unsure that you'll like an ingredient, or are unsure about the amount, start with less. You can always add more, but you can't take it away.
- Taste as you go, and add more of an ingredient if that's your preference.
- For the best bun-to-filling ratio, scoop out a little bread out of the top bun.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
No, you don't need to press the tofu, just drain the excess water and crumble it.
The tofu sloppy joe mixture will last about 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge. I suggest assembling right before serving so the buns don't get soggy.
If you tried this Tofu Sloppy Joes Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!
These hearty vegan Sloppy Joes with Tofu are pure comfort food deliciousness! They are sure to become a family favorite.
📋 Recipe
Tofu Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped onion (½ medium onion)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 14 ounces extra firm or firm tofu crumbled
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ cups chopped red pepper (1 red pepper)
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons low sodium gluten free tamari
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- Salt and pepper
- 4 hamburger buns -I used millet and chia
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a pan on medium heat. Add onions. Cook until translucent.
- Add crumbled tofu. Cook about 5 minutes, until it's starting to brown.
- Add garlic and red pepper. Cook until crisp tender.
- Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, tamari, mustard, and spices. Cook for a few minutes, until sauce thickens.
Notes
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Nutrition
*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.
Jane says
We’re new to tofu.😊 This meal is delicious! We made it exactly as you suggested. Thanks so much.
Willow Moon says
Thanks Jane, I'm so glad you liked it!
Shaam Ven says
You mentioned a chia and millet bun. Do
you have a recipe for this bun on your blog?
Or is it a bun you purchased in a store or
online? Your recipes are fantastic.
Willow Moon says
No, it's not my recipe. I used Little Northern Bakehouse Buns. Many grocery stores sell them, like Sprouts. Thank you, I'm glad you like my recipes!
sheila says
This was an excellent recipe! I used jarred roasted red peppers and cooked the tofu much longer than suggested but otherwise followed exactly. Very tasty, especially on a locally-made sourdough bun. Thanks!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Sheila, I'm glad you liked it!