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Vegan Cauliflower Sloppy Joes

Vegan Cauliflower Sloppy Joes

satisfying and cozy
Satisfying and cozy
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Nutritional information

113
calories
7.5g
fat
10.6g
carbohydrates
3.3g
protein
0mg
cholesterol
1492mg
sodium

Vegan Cauliflower Sloppy Joes

An old-school classic gets a boost of nutrition and flavor in this Vegan Cauliflower Sloppy Joe recipe. Usually cooked with ground beef, this recipe uses only vegan-friendly ingredients and a variety of fresh veggies to give it a healthier spin. I’ve also added protein-rich mushrooms and walnuts, flavorful herbs, and umami-rich soy and Worcestershire sauce for a satisfying and cozy vegan Sloppy Joe that’s bound to win fans, vegan or not. Add your choice of toppings, like tangy pickles or fresh coleslaw, and you won’t even miss the meat.  

The star ingredient, cauliflower, is packed with nutrients and offers a gentle sweetness when cooked. Rich in vitamins C, K, and B6, as well as antioxidants, cauliflower is an excellent base for this recipe. Not only does it provide a hearty texture, but it also absorbs the flavors of the ingredients beautifully, making it the perfect partner for the array of seasonings and spices in this dish. A tip for the best texture: Break the cauliflower into florets and pulse in a food processor until chunky – coarser than cauliflower “rice.” No processor? A box grater works, too. 

To make the Vegan Cauliflower Sloppy Joes, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients for Vegan Cauliflower Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

Adjust Servings:
1 head Cauliflower medium-sized
¼ cup Olive oil
1 Onion large, diced
Kosher Salt to taste
Ground pepper fresh, to taste
2 stalks Celery diced
1 Carrots diced
½ Red bell pepper large, diced
4-6 oz Baby bella mushrooms or white button mushrooms, or shiitake, stems removed and caps finely diced
1 splash Red wine or sherry
1 tsp Thyme
1 tsp Basil
1 tsp Dried oregano
1 Bay leaf
½ tsp Smoked Paprika
1 pinch Chili flakes add more to taste
3 tsp Soy sauce or tamari, or to taste
½ cup Walnuts finely chopped, optional
1 (6-7 oz) can Tomato paste small
2 tbsp Vegan butter optional
1 (28-oz) can Diced tomatoes or crushed
1 (15-oz) can Tomato sauce
2 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
¼ cup Ketchup
2 tbsp Maple syrup
1 pinch Cayenne pepper
1 small pinch Cinnamon
1 splash Worcestershire sauce optional
Flaky sea salt to taste

Steps to make Vegan Cauliflower Sloppy Joes

  1. 1

    Prepare cauliflower

    2min

    Break 1 medium-sized cauliflower into florets. Working in batches, pulse the florets in a food processor until they resemble a chunky texture - coarser than cauliflower rice. Alternatively, use the larger holes of a box grater.

  2. 2

    Cook onions

    10min

    Heat a wide heavy bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ¼ cup olive oil and heat for about 15 seconds. Add 1 diced onion and season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Sauté, stirring occasionally, for about 2-3 minutes, then lower the heat and cook for another 8-10 minutes until starting to caramelize. Do not let the onion burn.

  3. 3

    Cook celery, carrots and bell pepper

    3min

    Add 2 diced celery stalks, 1 diced carrot, and ½ diced red bell pepper and cook until they begin to soften and sweat.

  4. 4

    Add wine

    2min

    Add a splash of red wine or sherry and stir to deglaze the pan.

  5. 5

    Add mushrooms

    5min

    Add the finely diced mushrooms and cook until sweaty. Adjust for salt and black pepper.

  6. 6

    Add seasonings

    2min

    Stir in 1 teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon basil, 1 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 bay leaf, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 pinch chili flakes (or more to taste), and 3 teaspoons soy sauce or tamari. Cook for a few minutes until fragrant. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.

  7. 7

    Add walnuts

    1min

    Stir in ½ cup finely chopped walnuts if using.

  8. 8

    Add tomato paste

    1min

    Add in 1 (6-7 oz) can tomato paste and stir until well coated.

  9. 9

    Add butter, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes

    2min

    Add in 2 tablespoons vegan butter, if using, 1 (28-oz) can crushed or diced tomatoes, and 1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer. Taste and adjust for salt and black pepper if needed.

  10. 10

    Add cauliflower

    3min

    Stir in the cauliflower and bring back to a simmer.

  11. 11

    Add remaining ingredients

    15min

    Add 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, ¼ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, a splash of Worcestershire sauce, if using, 1 pinch cayenne, and 1 small pinch cinnamon. Simmer, uncovered, for about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust for seasoning. Lower the heat and simmer for another 10 minutes.

  12. 12

    Serve

    Serve on buns or baguette with your choice of toppings.

Hearty and bursting with flavor, these Vegan Cauliflower Sloppy Joes are perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual get-together. This easy recipe reinvents the classic Sloppy Joe, traditionally made with ground meat, transforming it into a wholesome, vibrant dish that both vegans and vegetarians will enjoy. Made it? Tag @cookmerecipes using the hashtag #cookmerecipes and share on Instagram!

About the author

Nina dreams of gender equality and for women all over the world to feel empowered and enjoy the same freedom she has. She’s a careful consumer, believing that by being more conscious about the way we live we can make the world a better place! Already a vegetarian, she uses animal products sparingly and tries to produce as little waste as possible. Most of her recipes are vegan as a result!

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Recipe Reviews

Average Rating:
(5.0)
Total Reviews: 1
Athina

This was excellent. Full of flavor! Thanks!

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