• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Pass the Plants logo

  • Recipes
  • How-to
  • About Me
    • Contact
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • TV Appearances
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Cherry BBQ Soy Curl Sandwiches

August 11, 2018 | 8 Comments

Jump to Recipe | Print Recipe

I’ve been holding out on you. I’ve had this easy dinner hack in my back pocket for weeks now and am only just getting around to sharing it. Sorry about that. So without any further ado, I give you, Cherry BBQ Soy Curl Sandwiches!

Wait. WHAT? What in the actual heck is a soy curl? And why are cherries involved? I’m so confused.

Listen, I get it. There isn’t much about this recipe title that screams “easy dinner hack.” But trust me  – you’ll have this on the table in 30 minutes or less, and in between bites you’ll be saying, “why didn’t I know about soy curls before?”, and then after you’re done eating you’ll be coming back to leave a comment here thanking me for FINALLY sharing this with you. You’re welcome, in advance.

So, soy curls. Weird name, totally fantastic product. As far as I know, they are only made by one company, Butler Foods, because they have some proprietary equipment or super secret process that transforms the humble soybean into a chewy, meaty, sauce-absorbing, protein-filled substance that is perfectly at home slathered in cherry barbecue sauce and stuffed into a hamburger bun.

But why cherries in barbecue sauce, Beth?

Because it tastes good, that’s why. It takes basic bottled barbecue sauce to a new level. Ok fine, I’ll tell you the whole truth and nothing but the truth. If you must know, I felt guilty about not giving you a barbecue sauce recipe and using bottled sauce. I mean, FOR SHAME. So I needed to gussy it up SOMEHOW, and I was swimming in cherries, so there you go. But it turns out that it really is a great addition and I probably will come up with a barbecue sauce recipe one of these days but I didn’t want to wait to give you this recipe, so there’s the story of how I was motivated by guilt and shame to add cherries to barbecue sauce. The end.

Ok, so there’s one important thing you need to know about soy curls that could be a big determining factor in whether or not you end up liking them. They need to be hydrated in liquid for a few minutes, and then that liquid needs to be pressed out as much as possible so they can absorb whatever flavor-filled sauce you are using. It’s super easy, but very important. I use my salad spinner for the task, because the spinning action does the best job at extricating the soaking liquid. But you can just as easily use a colander, a big spoon, and your muscles to press out the liquid. 

While the soy curls are getting their hydrate on, you can blend up the cherries and barbecue sauce. I use my trusty immersion blender. If your cherries aren’t pitted, you can use a straw to get the pits out. It really works! I show you how in the video below, but be warned that no matter what pitting device you choose, there may be a small cherry crime scene in your kitchen. Any Dexter fans, raise your hands.

All that’s left to do is simmer the soy curls and cherry barbecue sauce together in a skillet until the sauce is thickened slightly and mostly absorbed into the soy curls.

Then, it’s topping time! I’ve made this coleslaw pretty much once a week all summer, so it’s the natural topping choice for me, but you could also go with pickles, mustard, savory cashew cream, or whatever else strikes your fancy.

My guilt has been absolved. For now.

ย 

Cherry BBQ Soy Curl Sandwiches

Beth Hornback
Cherry BBQ Soy Curl Sandwiches are a protein-packed plant-based meal that can be on the table in 30 minutes! Rich and fruity cherries add a surprising flavor boost to barbecue sauce that youโ€™ll just love!
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American Vegan
Servings 8 sandwiches
Calories 329 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup barbecue sauce (I like Annie's Naturals or Stubb's)
  • 1 cup sweet cherries, pitted (fresh or frozen)
  • 8 oz. package soy curls (Amazon sells a 6-pack for the best price, but it's a big commitment)
  • 8 hamburger buns

Optional toppings:

  • Perfect Vegan Coleslaw
  • Vegan Southwestern Coleslaw
  • Pickles
  • Savory Cashew Cream
  • Mustard

Instructions
 

  • In a salad spinner or large bowl, cover soy curls with boiling water and set aside for 10 minutes.
  • Puree barbecue sauce and cherries until smooth using an immersion blender, standard blender, or food processor.
  • Drain the soy curls into a colander or in the draining basket of a salad spinner, and press out as much water as possible.
  • Remove the soy curls to a large skillet and add the barbecue sauce.
  • Cook the soy curls and barbecue sauce over medium heat until the sauce is absorbed into the soy curls and thickens in the pan.
  • Toast the hamburger buns, then add the soy curls and any toppings you like. I highly suggest this perfect vegan coleslaw!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1sandwichCalories: 329kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 11gFat: 6gSodium: 470mgSugar: 24gVitamin A: 50IUVitamin C: 1.7mg
Keyword 30 minute meal, barbecue, easy vegan dinner, oil-free, plant-based, plant-based recipe, sandwich, soy curls, vegan, vegan recipe
Hungry For More?

Hungry For More?

Get recipes sent to your inbox + a FREE blender muffin e-book!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Home ยป Dinner ยป Cherry BBQ Soy Curl Sandwiches

82 shares

Dinner, Lunch, Main Dish 30-minute meal, barbecue, cherrry, cole slaw, protein-packed, sandwich, soy curls

About Beth

Beth is a food photographer and recipe developer based in the Pacific Northwest. She never tires of snuggling with her two beautiful kids and owes piles of chocolate chip cookies to her husband, aka the most wonderful person she knows. Keep in touch with Beth on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katrina Gething says

    August 13, 2018 at 2:56 pm

    I’m going to try this tonight using products available in Australia.

    Reply
    • Beth says

      August 13, 2018 at 3:07 pm

      Wow! Can’t wait to hear how it goes! ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Madeline says

    August 17, 2018 at 5:49 pm

    Ooooo I love Stubb’s and I love cherries and your photos here literally made my mouth water.

    I love what you’ve done since the transition to Pass the Plants. Keep being awesome!!

    Reply
    • Beth says

      August 21, 2018 at 11:44 pm

      Thank you so much Madeline!! So glad that Fizzle and C+C brought us together. <3

  3. Sarah Cummings says

    September 13, 2018 at 2:10 am

    Yippieee! I’m excited to try this! Thanks for sharing the recipe of this mouthwatering sandwich! ????

    Reply
    • Beth says

      September 13, 2018 at 8:58 am

      You’re so welcome, Sarah! Can’t wait to hear what you think of it. ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Bob from Tennessee says

    May 14, 2019 at 5:29 am

    I really like your videos Beth….thanks for all your hard work. One thing I have never understood about soy curls is why bother with rehydrating them in water or stock only to squeeze them dry and then rehydrate again in BBQ sauce or whatever. Why couldn’t this recipe be done with adding dry soy curls to a saucepan with the BBQ sauce and other ingredients and cooked low and slow until done? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Beth says

      May 17, 2019 at 6:51 am

      Hi Bob, thank you so much for that feedback and encouragement, it means a lot to me! I totally relate to your question about soy curls. I think I’ll give your idea a try just to test it out so I can be sure, but I suspect that the soy curls are just too try do begin with to absorb a thicker sauce properly. Watering down a sauce to allow it to be absorbed would dilute the flavor. But being the experimenter that I am, I’ll have to try simmering them straight into the sauce on low to see what happens. I’ll keep you posted! ๐Ÿ™‚

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

I share plant-based recipes that anyone will eat. Stick around, won't you? I'm so glad you're here.
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Hungry For More?

Get recipes sent to your inbox + a FREE blender muffin e-book!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Copyright © 2023 Pass the Plants
Terms of Service | Privacy

82 shares