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
- If you’re a sourdough baker, Sloppy Joes are delicious shared with Homemade Sourdough Burger Buns.
- 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.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.
Made it? Leave a comment below!
The most helpful comment may include recipe rating, feedback, any modifications or helping other commentors.
I’m going to make this for my vegan son. Looks delish! What is that sitting on top of the ingredients just under the bun? It looks like a fried onion ring?
Hi Martine! You’re right! It’s an onion ring. Tasty, yes, but anything pickled on top or even coleslaw is fabulous! I hope y’all enjoy the sloppy Joes!
I have brown lentils on hand. Will those work well for this recipe?
Hi Mary Ann! I’ve not cooked with brown lentils but my reading tells me that they hold their shape and have a texture similar to French lentils! I wouldn’t hesitate giving them a go. I hope this helps and you enjoy the recipe!
This was really really good. I have tried several others and this is my new go to. I drove to 5 different grocery stores to find french lentils. Glad I did, I can tell the difference.
Hooray, Jamila! Thank you for your note and giving the recipe a go. French lentils are quite nice… so happy you were able to find them!
This is an amazing recipe! Best sloppy joes ever! I have made it once, and am about to make it again for food prep. Served it on potato rolls with spicy pickles and vegan potato salad. Thanks so much!
Hi Beth! Thank you for your note and giving the recipe a go! SO happy to hear you’re enjoying the recipe!
Made this tonight and oh my goodness! Talk about a childhood comfort food. I only did 1 tsp smoked paprika and 2 tsps sweet paprika instead because I don’t like Smokey flavors. I paired it with some sliced pickles and pickled onions I made. I halved the recipe and it was the perfect amount for one person who like leftovers.
Yummy!!! I love this recipe! I call it “clean the fridge” Lentil Sloppy Joes– I had some sad looking grape tomatoes and wilted celery that was added to my “not the freshest” mini colored peppers and the rest of the ingredients. Talk about a healthy and economical recipe! My daughter likes them so much better than “greasy meat sloppy joes”. Even my husband who is a manwich fan really enjoyed this meal. Thanks for the inspiration!!
Hooray! What a great way to clean out the fridge :D SO happy to hear you and your family are enjoying the recipe – economical YES! Thank you for your note Anne!
Soooo, made this recipe tonight ! I am trying to incorporate more plant based recipes. We loved these sloppy joes . I made them exactly as written except maybe a little more maple syrup. I cannot tell you how good these were!!! Thank you
SO happy to hear Kim! Thank you for your note and giving the recipe a go! Way to goooooo YOU!
PS : Even BETTER the second night!!!!
Woooo! Love it!
Our family LOVED this!! The sauce is everything I was looking for – the perfect combination of flavours with plenty of tang. Thanks for the recipe, Traci!
Hiii Gayle! So nice to see your comment <3 Thank you for your note and giving the recipe a go! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed it... Isn't the tangy so nice?
So good, cant wait to make again!
Great! I threw in a few fire roasted red peppers from a jar into the mix. Could not be happier!❤️
Oh now, that sounds delicious, Jen! Thank you for your note and rating!