Plant-Based Protein Messy Janes
with Pickled Onion, Roasted Potato Wedges & Lime Aioli
- Wheat
- Eggs
- Soy
- Tree Nuts
Craving the ultimate throwback of the humble sloppy joe—minus the meat? Look no further. This version stars ground plant-based protein, and is worlds tastier than the ones the lunch lady slung: Think pickled onion, a smoky BBQ sauce, and a side of hearty potato wedges. (We’d definitely still recommend keeping a few napkins nearby, though.)
Ingredients
12 ounce
Yukon Gold Potatoes
1 tablespoon
Southwest Spice Blend
1 unit
Red Onion
1 unit
Lime
2 unit
Brioche Buns
(Contains: Wheat)
4 tablespoon
BBQ Sauce
2 tablespoon
Ketchup
1 unit
Mushroom Stock Concentrate
1 tablespoon
Cornstarch
2 tablespoon
Mayonnaise
(Contains: Eggs)
6 ounce
Ground Plant-Based Protein
(Contains: Soy, Tree Nuts, Wheat)
Not included in your delivery
1 tablespoon
Cooking Oil
¼ teaspoon
Sugar
Salt
Pepper
Nutrition Values
Utensils
Cooking Steps
• Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 450 degrees. Wash and dry produce. • Cut potatoes into ½-inch-thick wedges. Toss on a baking sheet with a large drizzle of oil, 1 tsp Southwest Spice (2 tsp for 4 servings), salt, and pepper. (You’ll use the rest of the Southwest Spice later.) • Roast on top rack until lightly browned and tender, 20-25 minutes.
• While potatoes roast, halve, peel, and very thinly slice ¼ of the onion; finely chop remaining. Quarter lime. Halve buns. • In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine sliced onion, juice from half the lime, ¼ tsp sugar (½ tsp for 4 servings), and a pinch of salt. Microwave until onion is softened, 1 minute. Set aside.
• In a second small bowl, combine BBQ sauce, ketchup, stock concentrate, half the cornstarch (all for 4 servings), remaining Southwest Spice, and 1 TBSP water (2 TBSP for 4). • In a third small bowl, combine mayonnaise with a squeeze of lime juice. Season with salt.
• Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion; cook, stirring, until softened, 4-5 minutes. • Add plant-based protein*; season with salt and pepper. Using a spatula, press into an even layer; cook, undisturbed, until browned on bottom, 3-4 minutes. • Break up protein into pieces and continue cooking until browned all over and warmed through, 3-4 minutes more.
• Add 2 TBSP water (4 TBSP for 4 servings) to pan with plant-based protein, then stir in BBQ sauce mixture. Cook, stirring, until sauce has thickened, 2-3 minutes. (TIP: If sauce seems too thick, stir in another splash of water.) Taste and season with salt and pepper. Turn off heat. • Meanwhile, toast buns until golden brown.
• Divide buns between plates; spread cut sides of bottom buns with lime mayo. Fill buns with messy jane filling and as much pickled onion (draining first) as you like. Serve with potato wedges on the side and any remaining lime mayo for dipping.
Customer reviews
Review summary
Updated on Feb 2026- Flavor: Many loved the tasty, smoky-sweet BBQ sauce; some found it too sweet or salty, so adjust seasoning to taste 🍲.
- Ease of prep: Quick and simple to make, though some noted it took longer than the stated 30-35 minutes.
- Suggestions: Consider adding coleslaw, pickles, or cheese for extra crunch and flavor; try scooping out buns to contain filling better.
- Portions: Several mentioned the 2-person meal uses only half the protein package, which felt wasteful.
- Plant-based protein: Most were pleasantly surprised by the meat-like texture and flavor; a few found it chewy or had an aftertaste.
Reviews from our home cooks
The Messy Janes were awesome! My husband is a pescatarian (I'm about 90% there). The plant based protein and the sauce and onions (sauteed and pickled) were incredible. I wish I had ordered for four instead of two! Recipe was easy to follow.
If you did not know this was plant based you would never know. Delicious. I am trying to watch my carbs but can't say no to potato wedges, so in a shallow bowl I put to he potatos and topped it with the messy Jane, drizzled the lemon mayo and pickled onions
Even though I'm vegetarian, I rarely buy plant-based substitute proteins, As I really do prefer vegetables themselves. But my husband, Who has been my co-chef making lots of these recipes, Has really also been enjoying the non-meatmeals. I thought I'd go for something a little more traditional, and using the plant-based protein for the messy janes was a real hit! I have ordered this again for later this month/next month!
These were my favorite this week. I used to make the BEST Sloppy Joes... but then I gave up meat, and these are THE BOMB! Plant-based Messy Janes made me realize I can still occasionally enjoy a "sloppy joe!" This meal is DE-licious!
I love this plant protein, it's the best brand I've ever tried. The barbecue sauce is addictive and and amazing. Good bread and potatoes. I didn't do the pickles. It is messy but yummy. Hope it's offered again.
First time trying the plant-based protein and it's actually really good! These were yummy with the pickled onion and the creamy sauce.
I didn't even tell my spouse this was plant-based and he couldn't tell. We loved these Messy Janes - messy and GOOD!
This one was incredible! The ONLY reason I didn't give it 4 stars was because of all the onions it involves when creating the actual Messy Jane. It tasted incredible, but it bothered my stomach a little the next day. The only thing I would change about this recipe is adding more Plant Based Protein to offset the onions. But I loved this recipe though! It was full of flavor, and, though I was skeptical about using the mayonnaise, it complemented the dish beautifully!
The picked onions were so good on these messy Jane's. I think they could've been better if there was coleslaw on them as well. The potato wedges were a very yummy side.
We had never tried plant based "meat" before and were pleasantly surprised. We also wondered how you would flavor ground turkey for a sloppy joe/messy jane.
