| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 35 mins | Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 500 | 20g | 3g | 65g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 9g | 10g | 21g | 1.2g |
Why I Love American Vegan BBQ Meatball Subs
When you think of my culinary style, you probably think of hearty and robust flavors delivered in venison stews or trout dishes. But I’m here to share with you a journey I embarked on that resulted in an absolute favorite of mine – the Vegan BBQ Meatball Subs. I couldn’t be more thrilled about these delicious subs, and I’m sure you’ll be too.
Finding Inspiration for Vegan Barbecue
Being fond of game meats and trout dishes, the switch to a vegan alternative was definitely a culinary adventure for me. I was inspired by the talented chef Isa Chandra Moskowitz, a great advocate of hearty vegan cuisine. The combination of diverse plant-based ingredients to create a dish that oozes with flavors is genuinely outstanding.
They say every great recipe has a story, and these Vegan BBQ Meatball Subs are no different. Quite frankly, it was a cold winter’s day in Colorado, and I was in the mood to create a dish that could add heartiness and warmth, despite being vegan. Then, I remembered the good old classic meatball subs from my carnivorous days. And hence, the idea of giving a vegan spin to this American favorite was developed.
Plant-Based Goodness Meets Classic Comfort Food
These Vegan BBQ Meatball Subs are a perfect blend of comforting and hearty elements, combined with a smoky barbecued undertone. The patties flaunt a wonderful texture from the black beans, quinoa, and walnuts – they’re hearty, flavorful, and umami-packed. The homemade barbeque sauce is tangy, sweet, and smoky, soaking the meatballs thoroughly and creating an intricate dance of flavors in your mouth. Don’t get me started on the vegan cheese over the top – it’s cheesy heaven.
These subs would go wonderfully with a side of roasted potatoes or a refreshing vegan pasta salad. You could also pair them up with some crispy kale chips for a more health-forward approach. I hope you enjoy this vegan BBQ Meatball Sub recipe as much as I do!
While this recipe may be a departure from my usual offerings, I am convinced that flavor is universal regardless of dietary restrictions. Vegan food is not just about salads and tofu, and these meatball subs are testament to that. So whether you’re a meat-lover, vegan, or someone looking to experiment with different cuisines, give this one a spin. I assure you, you won’t be left disappointed.
What You’ll Need
- For the Meatballs:
- 2 cups canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the BBQ Sauce:
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon vegan liquid smoke
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- For the Subs:
- 6 vegan sub rolls
- 1.5 cups shredded vegan mozzarella cheese
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
Method
Step One
To make the meatballs, combine the black beans, quinoa, walnuts, onions, garlic, ground flax seeds, bread crumbs, smoked paprika, cumin, black pepper, and salt in a food processor. Pulse until everything is finely chopped and binds together.
Step Two
Next, shape the mixture into small meatball shapes and set them aside on a lined baking sheet. Once all the meatballs are shaped, transfer them to a preheated oven of 375°F for about 20 minutes until crisp and browned.
Step Three
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the BBQ sauce by combining the tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, vegan Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, vegan liquid smoke, and black pepper in a saucepan.
Step Four
Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat and allow it to cook, stirring frequently, for about 15 minutes or until it has thickened to your liking.
Step Five
Once the meatballs are ready, remove them from the oven and cover them in the prepared BBQ sauce, stirring gently to avoid breaking them up.
Step Six
Then, cut open the vegan sub rolls and distribute the BBQ meatballs evenly among them.
Step Seven
Over the meatballs, sprinkle the shredded vegan mozzarella cheese.
Step Eight
Place the loaded subs under the broiler of your oven or in a toaster oven until the cheese is melty and the bread is toasted to your preference.
Step Nine
Finally, top each sub with thinly sliced green bell pepper and red onion. Enjoy your Vegan BBQ Meatball Subs while hot!
