Inspired by Tex-Mex flavors, this easy vegan (or vegetarian) black bean sloppy joes recipe uses canned beans, smoked paprika, ancho chili powder, jalapeños and more. They are absolutely delicious. And, best of all, they cook up fast! In less than 20 minutes, you’ll have a simple, hearty bean meal.
They taste great with a little thin sliced pickled red onion on top. To pickle red onions, thin slice some red onion, place it in a bath of distilled white vinegar, and let them sit for, at least, 15 minutes. Then, top those vegan black bean sloppy joes and enjoy. So easy, so good.
This recipe makes 4-6 sandwiches. Maybe serve them with some tortilla chips and vegan queso dip on the side?
When you think of “sloppy joes”, do you also start singing Adam Sandler’s Lunch Lady Land? These vegan joes aren’t traditional, but man, if that song would not get out of my head while crafting this recipe!
Check out more UVK recipes, like Creamy Chickpea Salad Sandwiches, Vegan Black Bean Avocado Salsa, Vegan Black Bean Soup, or Cannellini Bean Salad with Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette 💚
And please enjoy this tasty vegan black bean sloppy joe recipe!
Tex-Mex Vegan Black Bean Sloppy Joes
2 tsp olive oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 jalapeño, finely chopped (if sensitive to heat, remove the seeds)
1 Tbsp ancho chili powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp dried oregano
¼ cup tomato paste
1 ½ Tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp dijon mustard
½ cup water
½ tsp salt
2 15 ounce cans (OR 3 ½ cups) black beans, drained and rinsed
Thin sliced pickled red onion – optional (see note above)
4-6 burger buns
- 1. First, you’ll sauté the aromatics for the vegan black bean sloppy joes. In a large skillet, add olive oil, onions and a dash of salt. Sauté over medium-high heat for ~5 minutes or until soft and golden.
2. Stir in the garlic and jalapeño, and sauté 2-3 minutes over medium heat. Then, add the ancho chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, ground cumin, and dried oregano. Stir around another 30 seconds.
3. Stir in the tomato paste, maple syrup, dijon mustard, water and ½ tsp salt.
4. Stir in the black beans. Stirring every now and then, cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. If it gets too thick for your liking, add a bit more water. Taste the vegan black bean sloppy joes, and adjust seasonings (more salt?). Serve on buns with thin sliced pickled red onion.
