Lentil Sloppy Joes – A Couple Cooks

These vegan lentil sloppy joes are deliciously filling plant-based dinner made with lentils, tomatoes, and seasonings! The tangy taste makes them a crowd-pleaser, and so they’re an enormous hit at our home. Serve on a bun with pickles for the true sloppy joe expertise.

Lentil Sloppy Joes on platter.

Why we love this recipe

In case you grew up on sloppy joes like we did (and even for those who didn’t), you’re going to like this spin on the traditional! Our lentil sloppy joes recipe has all of the hearty, tangy taste of the traditional, however it’s an straightforward vegan recipe that’s 100% plant-based.

The most effective half is you can also make it in half-hour! It makes a big batch of 8 servings (true to kind, since sloppy joes are supposed to feed a crowd). Ketchup, tomato paste, and some seasonings make a savory taste that’s irresistible. The primary time we made them, we beloved watching our toddler shovel in chunk after chunk! It’s a child favourite that adults love, too.

“These had been so fast, so hearty, and so scrumptious! This recipe might be on repeat at our home for these busy summer time days. The seasoning is perfection!” -Renata

Substances you’ll want

Lentil sloppy joes star one in every of our very favourite plant-based elements: lentils! We love them as a result of they’re scrumptious, cheap, filled with plant-based protein (which makes vegan recipes extra filling), and shelf steady for as much as 3 years. How’s that for a rockstar ingredient? Listed here are the principle elements you’ll want, plus salt and olive oil:

  • Brown or inexperienced lentils: These are low-cost and simple to seek out. Keep away from substituting different varieties (like crimson or French) since they prepare dinner in another way.
  • Inexperienced bell pepper and onion: These are commonplace within the traditional model of sloppy joes.
  • Garlic: Recent garlic provides a savory meaty taste that’s important in vegan dinners, we discover.
  • Tomato paste, ketchup, Dijon, brown sugar: These elements make the bottom of the tangy sauce.
  • Vegan Worcestershire sauce: In case you eat absolutely vegan or plant-based, use vegan Worcestershire sauce or this Worcestershire sauce substitute.
  • Garlic powder, cumin and smoked paprika: These savory spices kind a meaty base.
Measuring cup with lentils

Suggestions for making lentil sloppy joes

This lentil sloppy joes recipe comes collectively shortly! A number of recipe suggestions earlier than you get proper to it:

  • The recipe makes 8 servings, so it’s a giant batch. You may make half if desired. However we love having leftovers to eat once more or placed on a vegan taco salad.
  • Cook dinner the lentils first till tender, about 20 minutes. You’ll depart all of the liquid within the pan when mixing it with the sauce, so that you’ll need most of it to be evaporated.
  • You possibly can chop the elements for the sauce whereas the lentils prepare dinner. Quick minimize! Chop and sauté whereas the lentils are cooking. It makes for fast prep time!

Storing leftovers and make forward data

We like these lentil sloppy joes finest the day they’re cooked, however they style nice the following day too! You possibly can retailer leftovers refrigerated for as much as 4 days. Reheat in a saucepan, including an additional squeeze of ketchup if it appears dry.

One other method to make this upfront is to make the lentils and sauce and refrigerate them individually. Then combine collectively and warmth on the stovetop earlier than serving.

Lentil sloppy joes recipe

What to serve with vegan lentil sloppy joes

To us, one thing about sloppy joes screams potato chips! However for those who’re up for serving with extra veggies (which we’re!), listed here are just a few extra concepts on what to serve alongside. In case you eat absolutely vegan, in some recipes you could want to make use of vegan mayo or feta (or omit the cheese).

Dietary notes

This lentil sloppy joes recipe is vegan (with vegan buns), plant-based, vegetarian, and dairy-free. For gluten-free, use a gluten-free bun.

Often requested questions

Are vegan lentil sloppy joes as satisfying as the standard model?

They are often! Lentils present a hearty texture and a very good quantity of protein, whereas the mix of spices and savory elements delivers the traditional sloppy joe taste you crave.

In fact, there’s nothing fairly just like the style of floor beef, so for those who’re making an attempt to impress a meat lover you could need to attempt bought plant-based crumbles.

Can I take advantage of different forms of lentils moreover brown or inexperienced lentils?

We don’t counsel substituting lentil varieties right here. Pink lentils particularly turn out to be very mushy.

Are there any gluten-free choices for the buns?

Many grocery shops now provide gluten-free hamburger buns. Alternatively, you should use lettuce wraps and even serve the sloppy joe filling over rice or quinoa for a grain bowl-inspired twist.

Print

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Description

These vegan lentil sloppy joes are deliciously filling plant-based dinner! The tangy taste makes them a crowd-pleaser, and so they’re an enormous hit at our home. Serve on a bun with pickles for the true sloppy joe expertise.


  • 1 pound (2 ¼ cups) brown or inexperienced lentils
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt*
  • 1/2 inexperienced bell pepper, finely diced (about ¾ cup)
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 ½ cups)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small can tomato paste
  • ¾ cup natural ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ tablespoon brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon every garlic powder, cumin, and smoked paprika
  • 8 buns (vegan if desired)
  • Bread and butter pickles, to serve


  1. In a big saucepan, place the lentils, 6 cups water, and the kosher salt. Deliver to a fast simmer. Scale back the warmth and simmer uncovered for about 20 to 25 minutes, till the lentils are tender however nonetheless maintain their form and there’s solely a little bit of liquid left within the pan.
  2. In the meantime, put together the greens as famous within the ingredient record. 
  3. In one other giant saucepan or skillet, warmth the olive oil over medium excessive warmth. Add the bell pepper and onion and prepare dinner for five minutes till the onions are translucent. Add the garlic and prepare dinner for 1 minute. Stir within the tomato paste, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, cumin and smoked paprika. (If the lentils will not be but prepared at this level, take away the warmth and permit the sauce to relaxation till they’re achieved). As soon as the lentils are cooked, add them and the pan liquid to the tomato combination, then simmer for five minutes till thickened and heat. Style and add salt if desired. 
  4. Serve on a bun with pickles. (If desired, toast the buns previous to serving.) Make forward: Leftovers save for 3 to 4 days. Make upfront, refrigerate after which reheat in a saucepan. Add an additional squeeze of ketchup if it appears dry.

  • Class: Primary dish
  • Technique: Stovetop
  • Delicacies: Vegan
  • Food regimen: Vegan