Plant-Based Protein Tex-Mex Messy Janes
with Pickled Onion, Roasted Potato Wedges & Lime Mayo
- Eggs
- Wheat
Craving the ultimate throwback of the humble sloppy joe—minus the meat? Look no further. This version stars Tex-Mex–spiced plant-based protein, and is worlds tastier than the ones the lunch lady slung: Think pickled onion, a savory sauce, and a side of hearty potato wedges. (We’d still highly recommend keeping a few napkins nearby, though.)
Ingredients
1 tablespoon
Cornstarch
1 unit
Red Onion
12 ounce
Potatoes
8 ounce
Tex-Mex Ground Plant-Based Protein
1 unit
Mushroom Stock Concentrate
2 tablespoon
Mayonnaise
(Contains: Eggs)
2 unit
Brioche Buns
(Contains: Wheat)
1 unit
Lime
1 tablespoon
Southwest Spice Blend
Not included in your delivery
teaspoon (tsp)
Salt
teaspoon (tsp)
Black Pepper
1 teaspoon (tsp)
Cooking Oil
¼ teaspoon (tsp)
Sugar
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 Blend (2 tsp for 4 servings), salt, and pepper. (You’ll use the rest of the Southwest Spice Blend 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 stock concentrate, half the cornstarch (all for 4 servings), remaining Southwest Spice Blend, and 1 TBSP water (2 TBSP for 4). • In a third small bowl, combine mayonnaise and 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 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 sauce base. Cook, stirring, until sauce has thickened, 2-3 minutes. (TIP: If sauce seems too thick, add 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.
Ground Plant-Based Protein is fully cooked when internal temperature reaches 165°.
Customer reviews
Review summary
Updated on Dec 2025- Flavor: Many loved the taste, finding it deliciously flavorful; some felt it was too salty or spicy.
- Ease of prep: Quick and easy to make, with potato baking time aligning perfectly with sandwich prep.
- Suggestions: Consider adding extra tomato flavor to the sauce or melting cheese on top for more richness.
- Portions: A few found the plant-based protein portion small; consider adding more for a heartier meal.
- Texture: The plant-based protein had a satisfying texture that impressed even meat-eaters 🌱.
Reviews from our home cooks
Very easy to prepare and no one would know this is plant based if you didn't tell them. Flavors were very good and the pickled onions were tasty.
Loved this recipe with the plant-based protein crumbles! Super easy recipe and fun take on a sloppy joe!
These were very good! Being plant based made it a little healthier but it certainly didn't detract from the taste at all. Delicious. 😋
I "forgot" to tell my husband that this was plant based(which he claims he doesn't like) He not only didn't notice, he said it was "very tasty"
The plant based protein was way too salty. This tasted salty and unhealthy. Also, we only had three tiny potatoes and there should have been at least 5-6 like other meals, to equate to 12 oz., so we had almost no potatoes for the side and it was the only side. Definitely felt cheated on this meal.
He didn't even know it was plant based! I did the potatoes in the air fryer. Super easy meal, tasted great.
My husband said this is his number one favorite Hello Fresh dinner so far. I would say it is one of mine. I sautéed the onions instead of pickling them and melted some white cheddar on top.
Very quick to make like the time you bake the potatoes it's done. And this was the kids' first vegan meat meal I'm SHOCKED my pickiest eaters....all plates empty!
Good portion sizes. Soooooooo salty. Was expecting more of a fry, but liked the roasted potatoes too.
This was pretty good but I didn't like the earthy flavor or something about it. Maybe from the mushroom stock? My husband liked it more than I did. Would not get again.
