All Recipes - Tofu Sloppy Joes

Tofu Sloppy Joes



There’s something timeless about a Sloppy Joe — that saucy, tangy-sweet sandwich that feels like home no matter how grown-up our tastes become. These Tofu Sloppy Joes keep all the comfort and flavor of the classic, but trade the heaviness for plant-powered protein and feel-good ingredients. Crumbled, oven-baked tofu takes on the rich tomato-based sauce, with just enough smokiness, umami, and gentle sweetness to hit that familiar “Manwich” note — without the processed stuff. Serve them on hearty whole-grain buns with pickles or slaw for a cozy dinner that’s messy in the best possible way.

Tofu Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

  • 1 block Extra firm tofu
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • salt
  • pepper

Sauce

  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 bell peppers, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3/4 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup water

To Serve

  • 3 whole wheat buns
  • quick pickled cucumber

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Crumble tofu into small pieces onto a parchment-lined sheet.
  3. Toss with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  4. Bake 25–30 minutes, stirring once, until golden and a little crispy.
  5. In a skillet, sauté onion, pepper, and garlic in a drizzle of EVOO until soft.
  6. Stir in tomato sauce, paste, mustard, vinegar, honey, and spices. Simmer 5–7 minutes.
  7. Add baked tofu crumbles to the skillet. Stir well, add a splash of broth if too thick.
  8. Simmer 5 minutes to let tofu absorb the sauce.
  9. Spoon saucy tofu onto toasted whole wheat buns.
  10. Top with pickles or slaw for crunch.


Published: Oct 10, 2025