Sloppy Joes

I always loved Sloppy Joes as a kid.  Sloppy Joes with Hunt's Manwich = deelish!  Even after going vegan and swapping out the meat for TVP, beans, or lentils I still used Manwich.  After all, it's vegan!  Then I started to pay attention to what's in it.  High fructose corn syrup is the second ingredient in Manwich, followed closely by corn syrup, and sugar!  Not exactly the most healthy way to go.  So I started seeking out homemade recipes for Sloppy Joes that would be healthier but still relatively quick and simple.  I've tried a lot over the years.  Some have been better than others.

This recipe was in USA Weekend a few weeks ago.  It called for ground beef but I used TVP instead.  I made mine in the slow cooker but also included directions for the stove top.  It doesn't taste just like Manwich but it's fresh and flavorful and best of all it's full of healthy and good-for-you ingredients. 

Sloppy Joes
(printable recipe)

Ingredients:

2 cups TVP (texturized vegetable protein)
2 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth
1-2 tbsp. olive oil or water
1 medium sweet onion, diced
3 gloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1.5 cups no-salt-added tomato sauce
2 tbsp. tomato paste
1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 tbsp. molasses
1 tbsp. vegan Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. dry mustard
3/4 tsp. salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Whole-grain hamburger buns

Directions:

STOVE TOP

1. Bring the water or broth to a boil in a medium saucepan.  Remove from the heat and stir in the TVP.  Set aside.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.  Add olive oil or water.  When the pan is good and hot, add the onion and saute for about 5 minutes.  Then add the garlic, jalapeno, and bell pepper and cook 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally.  Stir in the rest of the ingredients, including the reconstituted TVP, reduce heat to low, and simmer for another 5 minutes.

3. Scoop a portion of the mixture onto each bun and serve.

SLOW COOKER

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.  Add olive oil or water.  When the pan is good and hot, add the onion and garlic and saute for about 5 minutes. Transfer to a 4-quart slow cooker.  

2. Add all remaining ingredients and stir to combine.  Cook on low heat for 4-6 hours - or 10 if you're gone all day like we usually are!

3. Scoop a portion of the mixture onto each bun and serve.

Makes 6 servings. 

Do you have a favorite Sloppy Joe recipe?