Grab a fork, napkin and those tangy toppings, we’re getting sloppy y’all! These reader favorite, vegetarian and vegan Lentil Sloppy Joes are tender, slightly spicy, a little sweet and oh SO crave-worthy. They’re made on the stovetop with pantry ingredients making them a go-to for weeknight easy.
A Tasty Discovery: Vegetarian Sloppy Joes
Flashback to the 1980’s when Manwich was a weeknight staple. Ma would whip up homemade sloppy Joes in no time and she always served them with tater tots or potato salad, like my Texas Potato Salad. They were one of my favorite things. At the time, vegetarian sloppy joes were unheard of in our household.
I didn’t even know what a lentil was back in the day, let alone be able recognize it if it appeared on my sloppy joe. Never would I thought one day I’d be singing the praises of these veggie sloppy joes!
This Recipe Is
- bold and tangy
- weeknight friendly
- vegan and vegetarian
If you love homemade vegetarian sandwiches, you’re in for a treat!
About the Key Ingredients
Like my other easy vegetarian dinner recipes, this veggie sloppy joe recipe is all about pulling pantry staples together to make a delicious dinner. Here are a few of the ingredients that make this recipe pop!
- Dry French Lentils – also known as de puy lentils, find these in the bulk ssection for best value. They hold their shape well after cooking and have a chewy-firm texture.
- Pickle Juice – a flavor builder that adds a little tangy flavor and acidity.
- Smoked Paprika – offers a hint of spice and smoky flavor.
- Vegan Worcestershire – add saltiness, umami and a little spice. This ingredients is also made in a gluten free variety if needed.
- Prepared Yellow Mustard – adds richness, tangy flavor and a hint of acidity.
- Maple Syrup – this recipe isn’t sweet, howerver the maple adds just a bit of balance to the spicy and acidity and gives these lentil sloppy joes a BBQish edge.
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How to Make Veggie Sloppy Joes
step by step
It’s simple dinners like this that I like to keep in mind when I’m craving comfort food, yet need it quick. Vegetarian sloppy Joes deliver every time!
“WOW! A HOMERUN!!! What an amazing use of lentils! Beyond impressed with this version of healthy sloppy Jo’s that have an absolutely yummy recipe!!! On my rotation for this winters recipes!! GREAT JOB!!!”
Bertha
Traci’s Tips
- Spoon onto soft burger buns and top with a tangy condiment like pickled red onions, Pickled Jalapeños, or dill pickles, and plenty of mustard.
- Sides to Share: this sammie is so good with your favorite coleslaw, prepared tater tots, onion rings or potato salad for the full experience!
- Adding a few onion rings on top offers a little crunch too.
30-Minute Tangy Lentil Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 cup (215 grams) Dry French Lentils *see note
- 4 cups (815 grams) Water
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt divided
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil I use coconut or olive
- 2 cups (245 grams) Yellow Onion medium diced, about 1 medium onion
- 2 cups (230 grams) Green Bell Pepper medium diced, about 1 large pepper
- 2 Large Cloves of Garlic minced
- 2 1/2 tablespoons Chili Powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Smoky Paprika
- 3 tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 1 1/2 cups (426 grams) Tomato Sauce or 1 can
- 1 tablespoons Pickle Juice or other pickling brine like olive
- 2 teaspoons Vegan Worcestershire
- 3 tablespoons Yellow Mustard
- 2-3 tablespoons 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.
I like lentil and I usually buy steamed lentil at Trader Joe’s. your Sloppy Joe lentils looks good…Nathan
Thank you, Nathan!
Excellent!!! I toasted the buns and put dill pickles on my sandwich Husband always rates my meals and gives it a 10😎
Love hearing this Elaine! Thank you for your note and giving the recipe a go 🙌🏻
This was absolutely delicious. I wouldn’t change a thing. I made it for just my husband and I, and then made a “Shepherds” pie with leftovers. So good.
May I ask though, how much is considered a serving size?
Hi Sus! Thank you for your note and giving the sloppy joes a go! The “shepherds” pie with leftovers sounds so delicious. I don’t have a measurement per serving, but rather just divided the recipe by 6 for the estimated nutrition.
So good! I used soy sauce instead of Worcestershire because I didn’t have it. Thanks !
Hi Jill… a terrific sub for the W. sauce! Thank you for your note and giving the sloppy joes a go!