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Tuesday, November 4, 2025

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, they usually’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

For those who grew up on sloppy joes like we did (and even should you 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, nevertheless 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 liked watching our toddler shovel in chew after chew! It’s a child favourite that adults love, too.

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

Components you’ll want

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

  • Brown or inexperienced lentils: These are low-cost and straightforward to seek out. Keep away from substituting different varieties (like crimson or French) since they cook dinner otherwise.
  • Inexperienced bell pepper and onion: These are commonplace within the traditional model of sloppy joes.
  • Garlic: Contemporary garlic provides a savory meaty taste that’s important in vegan dinners, we discover.
  • Tomato paste, ketchup, Dijon, brown sugar: These components make the bottom of the tangy sauce.
  • Vegan Worcestershire sauce: For those who eat totally 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

Ideas for making lentil sloppy joes

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

  • The recipe makes 8 servings, so it’s a giant batch. You can also make half if desired. However we love having leftovers to eat once more or placed on a vegan taco salad.
  • Prepare 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’ll be able to chop the components for the sauce whereas the lentils cook dinner. Quick minimize! Chop and sauté whereas the lentils are cooking. It makes for fast prep time!

Storing leftovers and make forward information

We like these lentil sloppy joes finest the day they’re cooked, however they style nice the following day too! You’ll be able to 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 prematurely 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 should you’re up for serving with extra veggies (which we’re!), listed below are just a few extra concepts on what to serve alongside. For those who eat totally vegan, in some recipes chances are you’ll 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.

Steadily 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 components delivers the traditional sloppy joe taste you crave.

In fact, there’s nothing fairly just like the style of floor beef, so should you’re making an attempt to impress a meat lover chances are you’ll need to strive bought plant-based crumbles.

Can I exploit different varieties of lentils apart from brown or inexperienced lentils?

We don’t counsel substituting lentil varieties right here. Pink lentils specifically change into very mushy.

Are there any gluten-free choices for the buns?

Many grocery shops now provide gluten-free hamburger buns. Alternatively, you should utilize 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, they usually’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. Carry to a fast simmer. Cut back the warmth and simmer uncovered for about 20 to 25 minutes, till the lentils are tender however nonetheless maintain their form and there may be solely a little bit of liquid left within the pan.
  2. In the meantime, put together the greens as famous within the ingredient listing. 
  3. In one other massive saucepan or skillet, warmth the olive oil over medium excessive warmth. Add the bell pepper and onion and cook dinner for five minutes till the onions are translucent. Add the garlic and cook dinner for 1 minute. Stir within the tomato paste, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, cumin and smoked paprika. (If the lentils are usually not but prepared at this level, take away the warmth and permit the sauce to relaxation till they’re completed). 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 prematurely, refrigerate after which reheat in a saucepan. Add an additional squeeze of ketchup if it appears dry.

  • Class: Principal dish
  • Technique: Stovetop
  • Delicacies: Vegan
  • Eating regimen: Vegan

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