These fast and easy healthy Sloppy Joes are tangy, sweet, and savory all at once! The saucy -two-bean filling is a hit with kids and adults alike.

Looking for a healthy dinner recipe that’s lightening fast and seriously satisfying? These healthy Sloppy Joes are a dinnertime savior around here. And they’re a hit with kids, adults, carnivores, and plant-eaters alike! The two-bean saucy filling is savory, tangy, and a little sweet. The secret? Kidney beans and pinto beans, sauteed onions, ketchup, and a whole bunch of savory spices. Our son Larson cannot get enough of them! Here’s how to make this fast and easy dinner recipe.
Why make these Sloppy Joes?
First of all: why make these healthy Sloppy Joes? If you’re looking to eat more plant-based foods, it’s the perfect way to satisfy a craving for the meat-based version of this comfort food. You don’t have to be vegan or vegetarian to enjoy it: this recipe is a great for eaters of all kinds who want to eat less meat and more plants.
There’s more and more research out about the benefits to your body and the environment of eating less meat. This New York Times article shows the difference in emissions of eating beef versus vegetables (scroll to the info graphic). Check out the impact of beef versus beans. So this one is great for
How to make healthy Sloppy Joes: the basic steps
These two-bean vegan Sloppy Joes are easy to make and come together in just 20 minutes. It’s the perfect easy weeknight dinner. Here are the basic steps for how to make them:
- Saute minced onion and celery in olive oil for about 5 minutes.
- Add pinto beans, kidney beans, ketchup, tomato sauce, Worcestershire, vinegar, chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes until thickened.
- Serve on a bun and enjoy!

Make it a meal!
The texture of these healthy Sloppy Joes isn’t quite like the meat version: beans are much different than meat! So you’ll need to prepare your eaters that it’s a different kind of Sloppy Joes: but just as tasty! If you’re looking for a sandwich with more of a meaty texture, try our Vegan Sloppy Joes instead.
For serving with these healthy Sloppy Joes, we suggest whipping up a batch of our easy vinegar coleslaw (pictured) or our best creamy coleslaw recipe. Or, here’s a collection of recipes we think would be fantastic side dish recipes to serve alongside:
- Baked Potato Wedges or Parmesan Potato Wedges
- Baked Fries with Garlic Aioli
- Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
- Best Tossed Salad Recipe
- Radish Chopped Salad Recipe
- Cucumber Salad with Vinegar
- Classic Vegan Potato Salad
- The BEST Kale Salad
- Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
- French Potato Salad
- Skillet Corn on the Cob
More vegan kid friendly recipes
This Sloppy Joes recipe always goes over well with kiddos: we always know it will be a hit. If you’re looking for more vegan kid friendly recipes, head to 10 Top Vegan Recipes for Kids. We share our top 10 vegan recipes for kids like our creamy tomato soup, vegan chocolate chip cookies, and more!
This healthy Sloppy Joes recipe is…
Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, and dairy free. For gluten-free, use a gluten-free bun.
Print
Healthy Sloppy Joes
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
These fast and easy healthy Sloppy Joes are tangy, sweet, and savory all at once! The saucy -two-bean filling is a hit with kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion
- 1 celery rib or green onion
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 15-ounce can kidney beans
- 1 15-ounce can pinto beans
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- ½ cup organic ketchup
- 2 tablespoons vegan Worcestershire sauce (or this substitute)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Fresh ground pepper
- Dash hot sauce
Instructions
- Finely chop the onion and celery. In a skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the onion and celery and saute until soft, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Drain the beans. Add the kidney beans, pinto beans, tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper to the skillet, and simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes until thickened. Taste, and adjust seasoning as desired.
- Serve on a toasted bun, with vinegar coleslaw or creamy coleslaw if desired.
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Healthy Sloppy Joes, Vegan Sloppy Joes, Vegan Sandwich Recipe, Sandwich Recipes, Healthy Dinner Ideas
This sounds absolutely fantastic! Awesome idea!
Welcome home, you guys! :) I’m excited to read about your trip!
Oh, sounds yummy, Sonja and Alex ! Bless your hearts – what a trip but so rewarding. Yes, share pics and wonderful stories!!!
will you be posting that slaw recipe too? :) looks amazing
Yes! :) Just did — https://www.acouplecooks.com/2012/03/fresh-cabbage-slaw/
Mmmm, I love this idea! I have made lentil sloppy joes in the past, but my husband wont touch lentils, so I can’t wait to try a bean version!
Ooo, lentils sound like a good idea too! We’ll have to try that.
I have tried lentils too but this texture is much better.
This looks fantastic! I love bean based meals like this, and so nice to have a quick comfort food adaptation. Thanks!
Worcester isn’t vegetarian (fyi). I don’t know if you were going for that, but I think vegetarian when I see meatless. I’m going to definitely try this, sans worcester sauce.
I guess it depends on your definition of vegetarian — but, I agree that with anchovies, Worcestershire is definitely not vegan. We eat meatless meals mostly for health and environmental reasons, so we don’t mind a small amount of fish in our diet.
You actually can buy vegan Worcestershire sauce.
Hi, y’all!
Love the website — and how much inspiration you’re providing me as a vegetarian newly transported to the Indy area. A quick note, though: Worcestershire sauce isn’t vegetarian. It has anchovies in it (unless you buy a specifically marked vegetarian brand).
This is true! Since you weren’t the first to note this, I’ve added a note to the recipe.
We’re not strict vegetarians – we just eat mainly meatless meals for environmental and sustainability reasons. So, occasional fish and local meat is part of our diet!
Glad you enjoy the website – and glad to meet a fellow Indy resident!
this is delicious! we ate it for dinner tonight and loved it! :-)
What a great idea :) Looks incredibly delicious! A great quick meal for a busy weeknight. I’ll have to try this soon!