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    Home » Vegan » Vegan Kheema Pav | Indian Sloppy Joes

    Vegan Kheema Pav | Indian Sloppy Joes

    Published: May 12, 2022 by Pavani · 18 Comments

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    Kheema pav aka Indian sloppy joes is a popular Indian street food. My version is made with plant based meat making it 100% vegan. But it tastes just as delicious as the traditional recipe.

    Warm Indian spices and mixed vegetables make this dish wholesome and spicy. Serve with toasted pav or buns and enjoy the amazing flavors. I use my Instant pot to make this dish. But instructions for stove top are also in the post.

    White bowl with vegan kheema topped with chopped onions and toasted pav on a plate.

    Table of contents

    • About the Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
      • Make Vegan Keema
      • Make Keema Pao
    • Expert Tips
    • You might also like
    • Recipe Card

    About the Recipe

    I love making street food recipes right at home. It is always amazing to enjoy them in the comfort of your own home. Some of my favorites are these Sowcarpet murukku sandwich and aloo tikki wrap.

    Keema Pau is a popular meat based street food in Bombay. It is very similar to American sloppy joes. Being a vegetarian, I have never tried it in its traditional form. But that hasn't stopped me from creating this homemade vegan Indian vegan sloppy joes.

    There are quite a few plant based meat options available in the market these days. I love using frozen vegan meat crumbles like Beyond meat or Gardein. But you can use any of your favorite meat substitute. Check out the 'Expert Tips' section for more ideas.

    White bowl with kheema and toasted buns in the back.

    Ground veggie meat is cooked with veggies and spices to make this savory-spicy dish. I use the instant pot to make the recipe. Serve the keema with toasted buns or bread.

    This is a fun dish that is a little messy to eat. So it is best to keep a stack of tissues to wipe the face. Do try this vegan kheema Pav aka sloppy joe (or should I say Sloppy Jai) and enjoy!!

    Hand holding a kheema pav sandwich.

    Ingredients

    For the details of the exact quantities of each ingredient and the list of ingredients needed, check the printable recipe card below.

    Here are the ingredients you need to make this vegetarian sloppy joes or kheema pav recipe:

    • Plant based meat - I love using frozen ground be'f like Gardein or Beyond meat or Morning Star. But feel free to use textured vegetable protein or TVP or soy granules. Crumbled tofu or coarsely ground beans are also great options.
    • Spices - red chili powder, ground coriander, cumin, garam masala and salt.
    • Tomato puree
    • Onions, ginger-garlic paste
    • Mixed vegetables - optional, but I highly recommend adding them.
    • Indian pav buns or slider or potato buns or even plain sandwich bread.
    Ingredients needed, details in recipe card.

    Instructions

    For the detailed instructions on how to make the recipe with exact timings, check the printable recipe card below.

    Here is how to make Instant pot kheema pav recipe:

    Make Vegan Keema

    Heat Instant pot on 'Sauté' mode and pour in the oil. Add the onions and cook till they turn translucent, about 2 minutes. Add ginger+garlic paste and cook.

    Stir in the tomato puree, red chili powder, ground coriander, cumin, garam masala and salt.

    4 panel photo showing the cooking of onions, tomatoes and spices in Instant Pot.

    Add mixed vegetables, plant based meat crumbles and water. Stir to combine and make sure to scrape the bottom to loosen any browned bits.

    Place the lid on, lock it, and close the steam valve. Set the timer for 3 minutes on high pressure. When the timer sounds, natural release the steam for 10 minutes, then quick release the remainder. Open the pressure cooker and stir in chopped cilantro.

    3 panel photo showing the addition of veggies, meat to Instant pot.

    If the mixture looks to watery, then press "Sauté" and cook for couple of minutes to evaporate it.

    Make Keema Pao

    Toast pav/ buns with butter.

    2 panel photo showing the toasting of pav on griddle.

    Then serve the prepared kheema topped with onions over toasted buns. Serve right away!!

    Black plate with Indian sloppy joes.

    Expert Tips

    • To make these plant based sloppy joes, I love using frozen meatless meat from Beyond meat or Morning Star or Gardein. But textured vegetable protein or TVP or soy granules are great alternate. Make sure to rehydrate them as per package instructions before using.
    • Here are a few more protein choices ideas to make vegan keema:
      • crumbled tofu
      • coarsely ground beans like chickpeas or white beans
      • crumbled tempeh
      • cauliflower rice is also a great option since it has the texture similar to ground meat. I usually add either tofu or beans to make this combo wholesome.
    • Make sure that the keema mixture is not too liquidy because it will make serving it with pav a little difficult. It should be just right to be served over the bread as a sandwich. So cook the extra water off before serving.
    • To make this dish street style aka Bombay sloppy joe style, then top the kheema with green chutney, sweetened yogurt and homemade pickled onions for crunch.
    • Leftover vegan keema mixture can be stored for up to 3 days in the fridge.
    • If the mixture looks to watery, then press "Sauté" and cook for couple of minutes to evaporate it.

    You might also like

    Here are a few more recipes using plant based meats that you might like:

    • How to make Easy Vegan Meatballs using meatless crumbles
    • Vegetarian Arroz Tapado (Peruvian Rice & Soy Granules) for #Food of the World
    • Veg Keema Paratha Recipe | Video
    • Vegetarian Lebanese Stew and Rice | Bazella with Riz
    White bowl with plant based based sloppy joes.

    I love hearing from you!! If you’ve tried this and liked it, then don't forget to let me know. Give a star rating and let me know in the comments below. Also tag me in your creations on Instagram @cooks_hideout. I love sharing photos when people make my recipes. You can use the hashtag #cookshideout too.

    Recipe Card

    Black plate with Indian sloppy joes.

    Vegan Kheema Pav

    This kheema pav aka Indian sloppy joes is 100% vegan and super flavorful. Made in the Instant Pot with plant based meat and Indian spices.
    Author: Pavani
    Print Pin Rate
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    Prep Time: 15 mins
    Cook Time: 30 mins
    Total Time: 45 mins
    Course: sandwich, Snack
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 4 Servings

    Ingredients

    For the Vegan Kheema Mixture:

    • 1 tablespoon Oil
    • 1 Small Onion, finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon Ginger+garlic paste
    • 1 cup Tomato puree
    • 1 teaspoon Red Chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon Ground Coriander
    • ½ teaspoon Ground Cumin
    • 1 teaspoon Garam masala
    • To taste Salt
    • 1 cup Frozen mixed vegetables or green peas
    • 3 cups Plant based meat or Soy granules
    • 1 cup Water
    • 2 tablespoons Cilantro, finely chopped

    Other Ingredients:

    • 8 Pav buns/ Slider buns
    • 1 Lime or lemon, cut into wedges
    • As needed Red onion, finely chopped, for serving

    Instructions

    Instant Pot Method:

    • Heat Instant pot on 'Sauté' mode and pour in the oil. Add the onions and cook till they turn translucent, about 2 minutes. Add ginger+garlic paste and cook for another 1 minute. Stir in the tomato puree, red chili powder, ground coriander, cumin, garam masala and salt. Cook for 2~3 minutes.
      Add mixed vegetables, plant based meat crumbles and water. Stir to combine and make sure to scrape the bottom to loosen any browned bits.
    • Place the lid on, lock it, and close the steam valve. Set the timer for 3 minutes on high pressure.
      When the timer sounds, natural release the steam for 10 minutes, then quick release the remainder. Open the pressure cooker and stir in chopped cilantro. If the mixture looks to watery, then press "Sauté" and cook for couple of minutes to evaporate it.

    Stove Top Method:

    • Heat oil in a large pan on medium heat. Add the onions, ginger+garlic paste and cook till onions soften, about 3~5 minutes. Add mixed vegetables, plant based meat crumbles and cook for 6~8 minutes or until the crumbles are cooked through.
      Stir in tomato puree, red chili powder, ground coriander, cumin, garam masala, salt and ½ cup of water. Cook covered for the flavors mingle, about 8~10 minutes. Sprinkle chopped cilantro and mix well.

    To Serve Keema Pav:

    • Toast pav/ buns with butter. Then serve the prepared kheema topped with onions over toasted buns. Serve right away!!

    Video

    Notes

    • To make these plant based sloppy joes, I love using frozen meatless meat from Beyond meat or Morning Star or Gardein. But textured vegetable protein or TVP or soy granules are great alternate. Make sure to rehydrate them as per package instructions before using.
    • Here are a few more protein choices to make vegan keema:
      • crumbled tofu
      • coarsely ground beans like chickpeas or white beans
      • crumbled tempeh
      • cauliflower rice is also a great option since it has the texture similar to ground meat. I usually add either tofu or beans to make this combo wholesome.
    • Make sure that the keema mixture is not too liquidy because it will make serving it with pav a little difficult. It should be just right to be served over the bread as a sandwich. So cook the extra water off before serving.
    • To make this dish street style aka Bombay sloppy joe style, then top the kheema with green chutney, sweetened yogurt and homemade pickled onions for crunch.
    • Leftover vegan keema mixture can be stored for up to 3 days in the fridge.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 136g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 51g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 53mg | Potassium: 431mg | Fiber: 51g | Sugar: 53g | Vitamin A: 2810IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 7mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cooks_hideout or tag #cookshideout!

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    Comments

    1. Kalyani

      April 28, 2018 at 8:15 am

      U r rocking with ur street food dishes , Pavani ! What a great idea to use cauliflower rice as a vegan substitute!
      I was thinking I have used soya granules till I read chickpeas and cauliflower rice 🙂 wow wow !! Great job

      Reply
    2. Priya Suresh

      April 28, 2018 at 2:13 pm

      I will say Sloppy Jai..lol. Am sure this Indian style sloppy joe will definitely please my tastebuds. And that cauliflower -chickpeas kheema sounds ultimate for me. Excellent Kheema pav Pavani.

      Reply
    3. Sandhiya

      April 28, 2018 at 9:57 pm

      Wow, Vegan Kheema pav looks so good, Pavani. Cauliflower is great substitute for the meat, it looks just like minced meat. You have nailed them. It's super tempting and extremely appealing !!!

      Reply
    4. Harini

      April 28, 2018 at 10:02 pm

      Hats off to your creativity, Pavani. I would love to try the cauliflower filling.

      Reply
    5. Srividhya Gopalakrishnan

      May 01, 2018 at 12:33 pm

      Very creative and love the name, Indian style sloppy joe. That looks exactly like that and with those chutneys its super yum

      Reply
    6. Vaishali

      May 02, 2018 at 8:31 pm

      Keema Pav is a hit, Normally for vegetarians here they make soya keema but making gobhi keema is a wonderful option..even I make this one with a different recipe though. The addition of dahi and chutney must be making the whole burger so delicious.

      Reply
    7. sapna

      May 06, 2018 at 3:08 am

      Love the use of using cauliflower keema for the sloppy buns. I too don’t tell the family any tweaks unless and until they like eating it.

      Reply
    8. Sharmila - The Happie Friends Potpourri Corner

      May 06, 2018 at 1:32 pm

      Such a lovely dish . I love all kheema kind of dish.. So yummy and adding it in pav buns makes it really delicious!!

      Reply
    9. Gayathri Kumar

      May 11, 2018 at 5:13 am

      Adding cauliflower rice for meat is quite an innovative idea. I usually think of paneer or soy for veg versions. The pav looks so yum with all the sauces.

      Reply
    10. Mayuri Patel

      May 15, 2018 at 10:38 am

      A wonderful idea to replace the soya granules or meat with cauliflower. Looking at the pictures,I wouldn't have guessed that you've used cauliflower. A delicious and filling street food.

      Reply
    11. Srivalli

      May 21, 2018 at 6:32 am

      Wow Pavani, I am literally drooling over the pictures! Such sinful looking sloppy joe indian style..too good yaar!

      Reply
    12. Manjula Bharath

      May 31, 2018 at 1:29 pm

      wow, pavani I love how you replaced soya with cauliflower and chickpeas .. Looks so inviting and such an amazing presentation .. I could go on and on appreciating this dish, The sweetened coconut yogurt makes it very very interesting, It is amazing to see how you have kept the dish vegan without using soya 🙂 Kudos to bring this amazing dish pavani !!

      Reply
    13. Sandhya Ramakrishnan

      June 01, 2018 at 6:23 pm

      My boys love cauliflower and this recipe is perfect as I totally dislike soya chunks. I am so making this soon. Love the name Indian style sloppy joe.

      Reply
    14. Suma Gandlur

      June 02, 2018 at 1:25 am

      This has been on my to do list for a while now even though it is a simple dish. I was as usual expecting to see a soya substitute for kheema. You have made it interesting with cauliflower and chickpeas combo. The whole setup looks so inviting.

      Reply
    15. Padmajha PJ

      June 24, 2018 at 10:31 am

      Its so nice that you used cauliflower instead of other options like soya chunks! The pav looks so good Pavani and I am tempted to make this soon.

      Reply
    16. Priya Srinivasan

      August 03, 2018 at 1:24 pm

      Oh my that kheema sounds so yumm pavani!!! Totally loving it!!! Those pictures are making me sooo hungryyy!!!

      Reply
    17. Indira Albert

      December 24, 2018 at 12:03 pm

      Sloppy Joe is one of our family favourite starters, we had nearly 4 to 5 times by now ... thanks for sharing and inspiring us with your lovely photographs.We are big fan of your recipes... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

      Reply
      • cookshideout

        January 14, 2019 at 5:09 pm

        Thank you so much Indira. Hope you guys are doing well.

        Reply

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