Grab a fork, napkin and those tangy toppings, we’re getting sloppy y’all! Tangy Lentil Sloppy Joes are tender, slightly spicy and oh SO crave-worthy. Serve them up with your favorite tater tots, fries or potato salad. Vegan + Gluten Free
Do you remember? Aqua Net, parachute pants, giant Apple computers, Guns N’ Roses, Van Halen and U2 on the boombox … yoyos (!!). I’m showing my age.
OMGeee.
Flashback to the 1980’s when Manwich was a weeknight staple. Ma would whip up sloppy joes in no time flat and she always served them with tater tots or potato salad. They were one of my favorite things.
Is that when Manwich was invented?
Then, Adam Sandler wrote an ode to sloppy joes in Lunch Lady Land. I’m telling you, they were revolutionary!
I didn’t even know what a lentil was back in the day, let alone be able recognize it if it suddenly appeared on my sloppy joe.
Those days are long gone, and although my love of 80’s music hasn’t changed much, my diet has, as well as my wardrobe (hehe). As for sloppy joes, hands down, this version wins.
I think even my big brother would approve (Chuck, are you listening – i.e. go get some lentils).
And really, it’s just as simple to make.
Tangy Sloppy Joes (!!)
While the lentils are cooking, saute the onions. Add the bell pepper, garlic, spices, tomato sauce and tangy ingredients like mustard and pickle juice. Toss in a bit of maple syrup to sweeten the pot, then stir in the cooked lentils.
Top with tangy anything like pickled onions, jalapeños, pickles, plenty of mustard and/or a big pile of cooling, creamy coleslaw.
A few glugs of Tabasco are a nice addition too.
Dinner. Is. Ready.
It’s simple dinners like this that I like to keep in mind when I’m craving comfort food, yet need it quick.
Pair this tangy sandwich with your favorite coleslaw, Broccoli Slaw with Golden Raisins and Walnuts, tater tots, onion rings and/or Texas Potato Salad for the full experience! My friend Kelly has a fabulous Quick Pickled Red Onion recipe.
Piling a few onion rings on top adds a little crunch too.
Now, for a friendly reminder: it’s CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) season. Be sure to check Local Harvest for your nearest farm and support your local farmer!
Tangy Lentil Sloppy Joes
Grab a fork, napkin and those tangy toppings, we're getting sloppy y'all! Tangy Lentil Sloppy Joes are tender, slightly spicy and oh SO crave-worthy. Serve them up with your favorite tater tots, fries or potato salad. Vegan + Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 C (215g) French Lentils *see note
- 4 C (815g) Water
- 1 tsp Sea Salt divided
- 1 Tbs Coconut Oil unrefined, virgin
- 2 C (245g) Yellow Onion diced (about 1 medium onion)
- 2 C (230g) Green Bell Pepper diced (about 1 large pepper)
- 2 Large Cloves of Garlic minced
- 2 1/2 Tbs Chili Powder
- 1 1/2 tsp Smoky Paprika
- 3 Tbs Tomato Paste
- 1 1/2 C (426g) Tomato Sauce (1 Can)
- 1 Tbs Pickle Juice or other pickling brine like olive
- 2 tsp Vegan Worcestershire
- 3 Tbs Yellow Mustard
- 3 Tbs Maple Syrup or more to taste
Serve with (Optional):
- Hamburger Buns
- Pickles, Tabasco, quick pickled onions, jalapeños, extra mustard, coleslaw.
Instructions
In a small sauce pot, add the lentils, water and 1/8 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then turn down to low. Cook for about 20-22 minutes, or until tender. Drain the lentils. Set aside.
While the lentils are cooking, add the oil to a large saute pan and heat until shimmering. Add the onion and cook on low with 1/8 tsp salt for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the bell pepper during the last 7-8 minutes of cooking the onions and soften, stirring occasionally.
To the onion/pepper mixture add the garlic, chili powder, paprika and 3/4 tsp salt continuing to cook on low. Stir to coat the veggies. Add the tomato paste, sauce, pickle juice, Worcestershire, mustard and maple syrup. Stir to incorporate. Add the cooked lentils and stir again cooking on low for 5-10 minutes to warm through and to thicken a bit. Serve with warmed buns and condiments.
Store the sloppy joes in a lidded container for up to three days or freeze for up to two weeks.
Recipe Notes
*Look for organic French Lentils in the bulk bins. Bob's Red Mill also carries packaged heritage French Lentils, although not organic.
These look absolutely delish! Cannot wait to make them!
PS – your photos look so great! My husband is not a big lentils fan but this had him salivating!
Thank you so much Manuja! I hope you (and your husband) enjoy the recipe! :D
I loved these! Seriously the BEST lentil sloppy Joes I have made…and I have tried quite a few recipes! I loved the tang from the pickle juice and the sweetness from the maple syrup. Yum!
Thank you for sharing, Laura!! SO happy you enjoyed these tasty sandwiches… I’m with ya on the pickle juice (I add extra for extra tang!).
I have never wanted to get so sloppy in all my life! These are making me drool like crazy. I love that splash of pickle juice for tang. Sounds so good!
And I remember those days too so you’re not too far ahead of me. I had no clue what a lentil was either but I wish I would have. They’re magical little legumes! ;)
hehe! You crack me up, Sarah! Add more pickle juice if you like, these sloppy sandwiches can take it! Lentils, right? They are incredible little power houses and so darn cheap. What’s not to like!?
I love a sweet touch in all my dishes and this is truly so amazing sounding and looking Traci. Lentils and all those peppers, simply yummy. Gorgeous pictures my dear.
pinned. xo
Thank you so much Asha! That maple gives these just a little kick of sweetness without overpowering the tang. xo
I don’t think my parents ever made sloppy joes! Maybe the trend was over by ’89. I grew up on chicken pot pie and minestrone soup instead. But I’ve made vegetarian sloppy joes in more recent years and I love them!
Yes, chicken pot pie too – the frozen variety for me. I didn’t discover minestrone soup until way later… but oh my it’s a favorite!
Traci! These sloppy joes look amazing! I love foods that are sweet, tangy spicy all at the time and these look right up my alley! Love love the gorgeous pics! and the addition of lentils in the sloppy joes! :)
No wonder we love so much of the same food, Amisha! It’s those sharp flavors that flip my switch too! (fellow Taurus :D )
You’re bring back some major 80’s vibes with this one, Traci! I was never a big sloppy Joe fan – I was not quite a vegetarian in the 80s but getting closer – so I missed out – your version looks awesome, though. Love the lunch lady land reference – I forgot about that!
LOL – right? Did AS crack you up?!
are french lentils close to brown or green ones. I already have these. This looks delish
Their greenish in color, sorta grey. Here’s a picture. Brown or green lentils take longer to cook, but I’m pretty sure they could be used too since they tend to hold their shape! I hope this helps, Starre.
I love lentil sloppy joes and those pickled red onions on top look amazing! Great idea, thanks Traci!
Welcome my dear! Kelly’s pickled onions are fabulous! :D
I was born in the early 90’s but I remember seeing those Manwich commercials on TV when I was a kid!! I don’t know if we ever had them in my house though… But this lentil version is calling my name! Especially the way you described it… tangy and spicy. Two of my favorite things!!
LOL – those Manwich commercials! I’m all about tangy and spicy too, Sarah! :D
Oh my GOSH these look good. You’re the queen of heat, Traci!
LOL – love the spicy, Meredith! :D
Yaaas! Why were Sloppy Joe’s so popular back in the day? Mom always made them from scratch and then my aunt took it a step further and made homemade fries which were always the hugest treat! Your recipe is all grown up and looking rather dapper if I do say so myself! Your update is a winning recipe, my friend!
IDK – but from scratch with homemade fries!? FTW!! I love that!
You’re bringing back memories today Traci! We used to have sloppy joe’s often as kids. Never Manwich though. My mother made her own version with chili sauce and ketchup, green pepper and onion. Tom still loves them every once in a while and both of us enjoy lentils…yes, even Tom. I bet he’d love this version. Perfect for Fridays during Lent too, when we can’t have meat! I’ll give it a try next time they’re on the menu and tell you what he thinks! Happy Friday!
Mmm your moms homemade version sounds amazing! So happy to hear Tom enjoys lentils… Rob loves this version – much to my surprise – with lentils! I hope you and Tom enjoy the recipe my dear! xo
After just making meat sloppy joes a couple weeks ago, I thought about how I’d really rather prefer a lentil version. :) I’ll try your recipe next time we make sloppy joes! What a fun idea to pile a an onion ring on there too. Photos are excellent, as usual!
You’d love the lentils, Emily! Such great texture and flavor. That onion ring adds a really nice crunch! :D
I grew up eating a sloppy joe at least once a week! What a great idea to put lentils in there. It looks so delicious and full of flavor.
LOL – you and me both, Karen! hehe
Good grief, my Mouth is watering, Traci!! This looks soooo good I’m putting it on my weekend menu – for sure. No more Manwich for me!
LOL! You’re going to LOVE how easy it is! Go get those lentils Ma! :D