Vegan Sloppy Joes

Vegan Sloppy Joes

Sometimes comfort food is messy but it can make the experience more fun enjoyable. Messy foods can only add to the experience and make you appreciate the stuff that actually makes it into your mouth...okay you may need a lot of napkins and a bib but hey its like being a kid again. This recipe is as messy as it gets, hence the name. It has tons of flavor and a lot of hidden veggies to sneak into your family, no one is the wiser and it just adds to the flavor. Perfect for kids and adults alike, serve on your favorite roll with salad and/or chips, just don't forget those napkins. Enjoy!

Vegan Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

-2 Tablespoons oil 

-1 Bag of BOCA or your favorite vegan beef crumbles or 4 vegan burger patties, ground in a food processor or finely chopped
-1/2 large red bell pepper, processed finely

-1 large carrot or 2 medium/small, processed finely

-1/4 cup parsley leaves, processed finely
-1/2 large onion, processed finely
-1 cups ketchup

-1/2 cup BBQ Sauce (your favorite)
-4 cloves garlic, processed finely
-2 Tablespoons packed brown sugar
-2 teaspoons chili powder
-1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard

-1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
-1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more if you want it spicier
-2 Tablespoons Vegan Worcestershire sauce

-1 Tablespoon vegan bacon bits

-2 Tablespoons Nutritional Yeast

-1 cup Water
-Salt, to taste

-1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

-3/4 cup green chili enchilada sauce

-2 Tablespoons prepared hummus (whatever flavor you like)

Serve with:

Vegan kaiser rolls or hamburger rolls
Chips or salad, if desired

Directions

In a food processor, add the onions, carrot, garlic, red pepper, and parsley and finely process until the mixture is combined and finely shredded. (You don't want kiddos knowing there are lots of veggies) 

In an oiled saute pan, add in the processed veggie mixture. Stir and cook for 5 to 8 minutes or until veggies cook down and soften a bit. Then add your vegan beef and vegan bacon bits, stir and saute for 5 minutes to brown and cook the meat into the veggies. Once the mixture is sauteed to this point, add your ketchup, water, BBQ, enchilada sauce, and liquid smoke. Stir it around to combine, and then add the brown sugar, chili powder, mustard, red pepper flakes, nutritional yeast, vegan Worcestershire, salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine and then leave uncovered and simmer over medium-low heat, about 20 to 30 minutes. The mixture will reduce and thicken up, stirring occasionally. 

Simmering Mixture

When the Sloppy Joe mixture is done reducing, scoop 1/2 cup into a separate bowl and whisk with the hummus to evenly combined and add back into the pot. Once combined serve the mixture on your favorite rolls, toasted. Spoon a good amount of the meat mixture onto the bottom roll, and then top with the other half. Serve with chips, salad, or just enjoy it by itself. Enjoy!

Reduced Mixture

-Amy