This healthy meatless sloppy joes recipe is not only delicious and filling but it is also a great source of protein and fiber. Tempeh is an amazing source of plant-based protein, and it is also rich in iron and other essential vitamins and minerals.

Vegetarian Sloppy Joes on white marble board on white background.

Vegetarian/Meatless sloppy joes with tempeh is an undeniably delicious and satisfying twist on the classic made with ground beef. You make it by using crumbled tempeh, a soy product made from fermented soybeans, as a meat substitute.

I started making these a few years ago and it soon became one of my regular recipes. They are very versatile and can surprisingly be made into different types of dishes, not just sandwiches. They can be made into the classic sloppy Joe sandwich, small sliders for appetizers, it can be used as an excellent filling for a vegetarian alternative to Shepard’s pie, it goes great with mashed potatoes, and it can also be eaten on it’s own!

How to Make Healthy Meatless Sloppy Joes with Tempeh-

First, gather all of your ingredients. For this recipe you’ll need-
- 1 lb of Tempeh
- 1 medium Yellow Onion
- 1 Green Bell Pepper
- 3 cloves of Garlic
- 8 oz Tomato Sauce
- 1/4 cup of Tomato Paste
- 1-2 tbsp of Chili Powder
- 2 tsp Oregano
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
- 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 tbsp Tamari (or soy sauce)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- Up to 1 cup of Water as needed

How to Make:

Prep all of your ingredients for the meatless sloppy joes so they’re ready to go.
Dice the onion, green pepper, and garlic as I have shown.

Meatless Sloppy Joes Chopped Green Pepper, Onion and Garlic on chopping board

Crumble the tempeh into the size you wish. You can do this easily with your hands or a fork or potato masher as I have shown in the picture below.

Meatless Sloppy Joes Tempeh on green chopping board

Measure all of the remaining ingredients out then place them into bowls.
Sauté the onion and the green pepper until the onion is translucent, however don’t cook completely as they will be in the pan for another several minutes.

Place the garlic into the skillet, stir, and then sauté for another minute.
Put the tempeh into the skillet and stir.
Let cook for 2-3 minutes stirring frequently.
Stir in the seasoning until everything is well coated.

Pour the remaining ingredients in- tomato sauce, tomato paste, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, as well as the tamari.

Stir until everything is well blended and cook for 5-10 minutes until it reaches the desired thickness. Up to a cup of water can be added during this step if needed. I added about 2/3 of a cup.

Spread the filling onto a bun, bread, or however you wish to enjoy!

Equipment used for Healthy Meatless Sloppy Joes with Tempeh:

Meatless Sloppy Joes with Tempeh FAQs:

Can Sloppy Joes be frozen?
- Yes! The sloppy Joe mixture can be frozen for up to 6 months!
What is tempeh?
- Tempeh is fermented soybeans that have been pressed into a “cake”. They are very high in protein and contain cultures and fiber that are great for gut health.
Do I have to use tempeh?
- Of course not! You can substitute any option you would like (even meat!) as long as you match the amount. 1lb of protein (beans, lentils, tofu, turkey, beef, chicken) is all you will need!
What is the sauce made of?
- This is no ketchup based sauce. Having a fresh, no artificial sauce is so much better tasting than ketchup from a bottle. It’s made from tomato sauce and tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, tamari, and is seasoned with chili powder, oregano, sugar, salt, and black pepper.