Vegan Sausage Hoagie Sandwich makes life easier by being able to do it all in the slow cooker. It's a flavorful sandwich that always hits the spot.
This vegan hoagie is easy to throw together, and it all gets cooked in the slow cooker. The vegan sausage is store-bought, and my favorite is Field Roast. This isn't a sponsored post. I think Field Roast is the best for quick, hardy sandwiches.
Chipotle Sausage was used for this hoagie sandwich, but there are apple sage varieties plus others, and they will all be delicious with this sauce. I'm just usually partial to spicy so that's what I used this time around.
The sauce is made with tomatoes and seasonings, and the flavors are wonderful. Here again, because it is all made in the crock pot, the process is really easy.
The plant-based sausage loosens up as cooking but still holds its shape and offers up a nice tender filling. Scoop out the 'meatballs' and lay into your favorite long bun.
Table of Contents
Preparing vegan sausage
The way you handle those fat store-bought sausages is to peel off the covering and then slice them into about five pieces. This will give you the illusion of a 'meatball'.
Especially after they've been cooked in that wonderful sauce, it is very similar in taste to spaghetti or marinara sauce.
If you'd like the sausages to be more solid, there is a trick. Fry them in a little oil after you have cut them, as in the photo below. They will be forced to be firmer. I like them both ways but don't fry them very often. It's all for the sake of speed since they taste just as delicious either way.
By the way, that oval pan is 14" wide, not counting the handles, so you can see the pieces are a good size.
Ingredients
- Field Roast sausage is also a favorite because it is grain-based, not soy-based.
- Crushed tomatoes are the main sauce component.
- Tomato paste adds a deep richness that puts the tomato sauce over the top.
- Water thins out the tomato sauce in the cooker.
- Chili pepper - adds some more spice and can be omitted.
- Garlic adds a little added earthy flavor.
- Balsamic vinegar is a little tangy but has a flavor undertone.
- Dried oregano is an herb that lends itself to tomato sauces.
- Salt livens up the sauce even in this very little measurement.
- Hoagie buns of your choice can be used from traditional hoagies to whole wheat buns. You'll have a vegan sausage hoagie no matter what the bun.
Instructions
- Cut the casings off of the 'sausages', handling them carefully. They will break. The 'sausages' aren't that delicate but be a little gentle.
- Cut the 'sausage' into large chunks, about 3 to 4 slices per 'sausage'.
- If you choose to brown the pieces then add oil to a large skillet and heat to medium-high.
- Add the sausage to the pan and brown on all sides.
- When done, set aside to cool and then put in the refrigerator.
- While the' sausage' is browning, put all the remaining ingredients (except the buns) in the slow cooker.
- Stir and cook on high for 3 hours.
- Add the 'sausage' and stir carefully. Leave on high and cook another hour. If it seems to be getting too thick you can add a little water. Just a couple of tablespoons to a quarter cup at a time.
- That's it! All done.
Hoagie sandwich toppings
- You can enjoy this vegan hoagie just as it with only sauce or include a variety of toppings.
- To make the hoagie sandwich as in the photos - lay a slice of dairy-free mozzarella on the bun, scoop in the plant based sausage and sauce - sprinkle with paremsan. I love this Nut Free Parmesan Recipe that's made with hemp hearts.
- Lay the cheese down (or not) place your favorite lettuce or spicnach leaves on that. Sprinkle with chopped red onion and then scoop on the 'sausage' and sauce.
- Thinly sliced black olives would go great on the sandwich.
- Quartered artichoke hearts would add more Mediterranean flavors.
- Don't forget about diced green bell peppers. They'd be a great addition too.
Chef's tips
- I would lay down all of the added vegetables first, into the bun, and then put the crockpot sandwich filling right down the middle.
- Don't slice the bun all the way through. That will hold all of the goodies inside the bun for your big bite.
- Have a stack of napkins. My happy place can be yours.
Vegan sandwiches
- Sandwiches are one of my meals. They can be served for lunch or dinner and the choices are endless. There are about 24 very different sandwiches on this blog but I'll share just a couple with you right here.
- For something very different and very delicious give this Vegan Muffuletta sandwich a try.
📋 Recipe
Vegan Sausage Hoagie Sandwich
Ingredients
- 12 ounces grain based chipotle sausage - I use one package of 4 sausages of Field Roast Mexican Cipotle
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes - 1 large can
- 4 ounces tomato paste
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoon chili pepper - finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 5 hoagie buns Italian or whole wheat hoagie buns
- Dairy-free Mozzarella cheese, optional - I used Chao in my photos
- Dairy-free parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- Cut the casings off of the 'sausages', handling carefully. They will break. The 'sausages' aren't that delicate but be a little gentle.
- Slice the 'sausage' into large chunks, about 4 slices per 'sausage'.
- If you would like to brown the 'sausage' then add oil to a large skillet and heat to medium high.
- Add the sausage to the pan and brown on all sides.
- When done, set aside to cool and then put in the refrigerator.
- While the' sausage' is browning, put all the remaining ingredients (except the buns) in the slow cooker.
- Stir and cook on high 3 hours.
- Carefully add the sausage to the crockpot and leave on high and cook another hour.
Anita
Thank you for putting a picture of the sausage package. Great to see what to buy.
Ginny McMeans
You are welcome and Field Roast makes many very good meatless foods.
Tracy
This recipe looks great. I use a lot of Field Roast products and love the Chipotle Sausage. I often use the Field Roast Chipolte and Italian sausage to season other foods. Every Field Roast product I have tried has been extraordinary and also enjoyed by the meat-lovers in my life.
Ginny McMeans
Aren't they amazing! They really are the best tasting faux sausage products out there.
Charles
Field Roast is awesome. However, if you are on a sodium restricted diet, try to not overindulge. I know it is hard. Enjoy.
Ginny McMeans
Thanks so much Charles! We all appreciate the extra information.
Kelly @ Tasting Page
This looks finger licking delicious! So hearty and satisfying. Yum!
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite
YUMMMM. I love anything spicy especially in a sandwich! This looks easy and delicious!
Aimee / Wallflower Kitchen
Yes please! Wish I was eating this for lunch right now!
Hedi
Ginny this would convince any meater to go vegan!!!
Jenn
That is one hearty sandwich! It looks so good! I do love the Smoked Apple Sage Field Roast variety, but I haven't tried the Chipotle yet. I'll have to get my hands on some soon!
Uma
I love my crock pot. But I use only to cook the lentils and beans. Your recipe will be next in my list to use the crock pot! Thanks:)
Mel @ avirtualvegan.com
I have a real weakness for Field Roast Sausages and love the spicy chipotle ones. This sandwich would make the prefect lunch or dinner!
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy
This looks great! I honestly just tried field roast at the nat prod expo this past march and was actually pretty impressed!! This sandwich looks flavor-packed and great!
Molly Kumar
I've never tried grain sausage but this looks so scrumptious! Will keep an eye next time I go shopping
Ginny McMeans
Fantastic Molly! You will love it!
Michelle Blackwood
My daughter loves field roast sausage, so I'm going to share your recipe with her. Looks so comforting!
Manju | Cooking Curries
I should make this for the husband one day. Im sure he will love it!
Donna
Oh yum, this sounds so good! you know, I have been in the US for two years now and have never had a hoagie? This sounds like one I would enjoy though 🙂
Ginny McMeans
That is great Michelle! Smart daughter there 🙂
Ginny McMeans
Please do Manju. I really think he'll appreciate the love inside all that tastiness. 🙂
Ginny McMeans
You have to introduce yourself to a hoagie with this recipe. To be a true one you need to pile on the veggies too. Like lettuce, onions and black olives. It would be great 🙂
Cateraar Wassenaar
This looks incredible!
Suzanne
This was so delicious. Really easy and I love Field Roast vital gluten wheat ingredients for their sausage. Delicious!
JoAnn Buel
I dont have a slow cooker can i do on stovetop and how long would i cook in a heavy dutch oven
Thank you, I’m anxious to make these, I even have the sausages
Ginny McMeans
Yes JoAnn! You can do it stovetop. Go ahead and brown the sausage pieces and then add all of the sauce ingredients. Cook it together. The sausages will hold up fine from the very beginning of cooking because it won't take so long. Turn on high to get everything hot and then turn to simmer and cover the pan again. Cook for an hour. Check a couple to a few times and stir gently and if it is getting too thick add a little water. Taste the sauce at 45 minutes because it may already be done. I'm so glad you're making this! I have not done it this way but I have made so much Marinana sauce that I know these instructions will work.