Vegan Korean-Inspired Sloppy-ish Joes

Name: Korean-Inspired Sloppy-ish Joes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 8-10
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 cup / 200 ml soy sauce; ⅕ cup / 50 ml water; 2 tbsp gochujang (alternatively, you can use Sriracha or other hot sauce); 3 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp ground or fresh ginger (optional—but recommended); 2 tsp rice vinegar or white wine vinegar; 2 tsp toasted sesame oil (optional—but recommended for a more toasty aroma); 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water; 1 large cucumber; 4 tbsp rice vinegar or white wine vinegar; 2 tsp white sugar; 2 tsp fine sea salt; Juicy Marbles Whole-Cut Loin; Korean-inspired BBQ sauce; 8-10 brioche buns; 8-10 tbsp mayonnaise of your choice; 1 cup coriander (de-stemed); 3 tbsp neutral oil or plant-based butter for toasting buns

WITH QUICK-PICKLED CUCUMBERS

We love a bit of nostalgia as much as the next person, but these aren’t your plain ol' cafeteria-style Sloppy Joes; these Joes went backpacking through Seoul and came back with a taste for ferments and a culturally appropriated tattoo. So, to honor this spiritual rebrand, the Marbles Test Kitchen combined the familiar comforts of this classic American sandwich with the bold, funky flavors of the east. Be warned: this magical Joe is a multi-sensory experience. It will send a sweet tingle to the tip of your tongue, a tangy sensation to your cheeks, a whisper of heat to your nostrils, and tiny fireworks of joy exploding in your cerebellum. It’s like launching yourself into outer space on a middle class income. Now, if only a sandwich could buy me a house…

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy - The BBQ sauce and quick-pickled cucumbers come together quickly with just a few ingredients.
Customizable - Use your favorite veggies, sauces, and bread to create your perfect Korean-Inspired Sloppy-ish Joe.

Saucy, Spicy, Tangy - This Joe has it all. Pulled vegan meat is coated with a spicy, Korean-inspired BBQ sauce and layered with tangy cucumbers and fresh coriander, stuffed between two soft pieces of carbohydrates.

Perfect For Any Occasion - Whether you're hosting a fancy soirée, throwing a backyard BBQ or diving into a meal-prep session, this recipe is a definitive crowd-pleaser and easy to make-ahead.

Key Ingredients for Korean-Inspired Sloppy-ish Joes

Juicy Marbles Whole-Cut Loin is grilled, pulled, and slathered in rich, tangy sauce that complements its savory, umami notes.

Korean-Inspired BBQ Sauce is made with a few ingredients and comes together in just 10 minutes.
Cucumbers bring crunch and freshness that cuts through the richness of grilled vegan meat and Korean-inspired sauce.
Rice Vinegar adds a subtle tang and sweetness to quick-pickled cucumbers.
Brioche Buns are a perfectly fluffy and soft vessel that holds the precious cargo.

Fresh Coriander adds a fresh, herbal finish that cuts through the richness of other elements.

Equipment You’ll Need

Cutting board
Sharp knife
Measuring spoons and cups
Kitchen scale
Measuring jug
Mandoline slicer for slicing cucumbers
Pastry brush for brushing the Loin with sauce
Tongs for handling vegan meat
Small bowl for Korean BBQ sauce
Medium-sized bowl for mixing vegan meat and Korean BBQ sauce
Grill (or optionally non-stick pan) for cooking meat

How To Prepare Korean-Inspired Sloppy-ish Joes

1. Make the Korean BBQ Sauce

Combine all ingredients except rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and cornstarch in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Whisk in a cornstarch slurry to thicken and remove from the heat. Mix in the vinegar and sesame oil and start saucin’.

2. Quick Pickled Cucumbers

Thinly slice cucumbers, using a sharp knife or a mandoline. Combine the cucumbers with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Mix to coat well, cover, and refrigerate while you prepare the rest.

3. Prepare the Vegan Meat

Cut Juicy Marbles Whole-Cut Loin into 3 equal pieces. Then cut each piece into 3 pieces lengthwise. This way, the meat gets more fire exposure, meaning more smokiness. Generously brush pieces with the Korean-inspired BBQ sauce. Let it marinate in the fridge while you take your time to build the fire.

4. Grill the Meat and Pull It Into Shreds

Once the grill is ready, arrange the Whole-Cut Loin pieces on the grill and cook for 8-10 minutes, until nicely browned on all sides.

Remove Loin pieces from the grill and pull apart using two forks. Add to a bowl with the rest of the BBQ sauce and mix well.

5. Assemble the Sloppy-ish Joes

Slice your buns in half, brush them lightly with neutral oil or plant-based butter, and toast on a grill for a few minutes, until toasty.

Spread your favorite mayo on the bottom bun and layer it with pulled vegan meat, quick pickled cucumbers, and coriander. Spread more mayo on the top bun and close the slider.

Tips & Tricks

Make The Sauce Even Better. Add ground or fresh ginger to your Korean-inspired BBQ sauce to make the flavors pop even more.

Customize It. Add your favorite vegetables to the sandwich to turn it into your perfect version of this asian-flavoured delight. Crunchy iceberg lettuce, thinly shredded carrots, scallions, or shredded cabbage all work well.
Make It Hot. Gochujang already adds a layer of gentle heat, but you can take it to the next level by adding your favorite hot sauce.
Versatile Sauce. Use leftover sauce in noodles, stir-fries, burgers, or simply slather it onto grilled vegetables.
Fire = Flavour. Let the vegan meat get kissed by the fire and slightly charred for that perfect smoky straight-from-the-grill flavor.

FAQ

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Swap soy sauce for tamari and use gluten-free buns.

*NOTE: Juicy Marbles meats are not gluten-free certified, but we do not include gluten in any of our recipes.

What is Gochujang, and where can I buy it?

Gochujang is a Korean fermented chili paste. It is a versatile ingredient with subtle spicy, sweet, savory, and umami flavors. You can find Gochujang in most asian stores or online.

What can I use instead of Gochujang?

You can use your favorite hot sauce instead of Gochujang.

I don’t like spicy foods. Can I make this recipe without Gochujang?

No problem! Replace gochujang with a mix of miso paste, tomato paste, and a little brown sugar. Make sure to taste and adjust to your liking.

Can I use a different vinegar for pickling cucumbers?

Yes, you can use apple cider vinegar, white distilled vinegar, lemon juice, or lime juice to quickly pickle the cucumbers.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

You can prepare the sauce, quick-pickle cucumbers and marinated Whole-Cut Loin ahead of time. When the time comes, quickly grill the vegan meat, pull it apart, mix with sauce and build your Sloppy-ish Joes.

Can I use a different protein?

Definitely, use other Juicy Marbles Whole-Cuts, tofu, or tempeh.

Korean-Inspired Sloppy-ish Joes

Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users

Cuisine

Asian

Author:

Špela Turk

Servings

8-10

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

This quick and simple plant-based recipe is our zingy Asian twist on a comfort food classic. Juicy vegan meat is drenched in a tangy, spicy homemade BBQ sauce and tucked between two pillowy brioche buns, alongside crunchy, refreshing cucumber and punchy coriander. It comes together in no time and can be prepared ahead to make your next BBQ experience as stress-free as possible.

Image of Korean-Inspired Sloppy-ish Joes

Ingredients

Korean-Inspired BBQ sauce

1 cup / 200 ml soy sauce
⅕ cup / 50 ml water
2 tbsp gochujang (alternatively, you can use Sriracha or other hot sauce)
3 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground or fresh ginger (optional—but recommended)
2 tsp rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
2 tsp toasted sesame oil (optional—but recommended for a more toasty aroma)
1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water

Quick Pickled Cucumbers

1 large cucumber
4 tbsp rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
2 tsp white sugar
2 tsp fine sea salt

Pulled Marbles

Juicy Marbles Whole-Cut Loin
Korean-inspired BBQ sauce

To assemble

8-10 brioche buns
8-10 tbsp mayonnaise of your choice
1 cup coriander (de-stemed)
3 tbsp neutral oil or plant-based butter for toasting buns

Directions

Korean-Inspired BBQ Sauce

Combine soy sauce, water, gochujang, brown sugar, garlic powder, and ginger in a saucepan and whisk until combined.
Bring to a boil, and lower the heat to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes.
Mix cornstarch and water to make a slurry and whisk it into the sauce.
Cook for another 1-2 minutes, until thickened.
Remove from heat and whisk in rice vinegar and toasted sesame oil.

Quick Pickled Cucumbers

Thinly slice cucumber, using a sharp knife or a mandoline.
Combine sliced cucumbers, rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a bowl.
Mix well to coat and place in the refrigerator while you prepare the rest.

Pulled Marbles

Cut the Loin into 3 equal pieces. Then cut each piece into 3 slices lengthwise.
Brush the pieces with Korean-inspired BBQ sauce.
Let it sit in the refrigerator while you build the fire.
Once you are ready to cook, carefully arrange the Loin pieces on the grill and cook for 8-10 minutes, until nicely browned on all sides.
Remove from the grill and tear apart using two forks. We are looking for a pulled texture.
Add the pulled vegan meat into a bowl with the rest of the BBQ sauce and mix to coat evenly.

Assemble the sliders

Slice the buns in half, lightly brush with oil or plant-based butter, and toast on the grill for a minute to warm up.
Remove the buns from the grill and build your sliders. Spread vegan mayonnaise on the bottom bun and layer with pulled vegan meat, quick pickled cucumbers, and coriander. Spread another layer of mayonnaise on the top bun and close.
Repeat with all the buns and serve immediately.

Create this masterpiece, snap a picture, and tag us @juicymarbles to share your culinary triumph. Bon appétit!