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.
_________________________
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.
We tried this last night because our grandkids are mostly vegetarian and this sounded like “kid” food. I’m happy to report my husband, grown son and the kids all like the lentil sloppy joes. If making again for smaller children, I might cut back on the chili powder otherwise it’s a keeper!
Hi Mary! Hooray for tasty kid food! SO glad it was approved all around. Thank you for letting us know!
The flavors were really making it taste like a sloppy jo. I only used 1 Tbsp of chili powder and 1 Tbsp of maple syrup. I also used Dijon because that was all I had. It tasted great with these changes.
I made a few modifications to accommodate what I had on hand and it’s a testament to the flexibility of the recipe because it was still delish -with a can of diced tomatoes instead of tomato sauce and red/orange mini peppers instead of green. A winner that even my meat eating hubby thought was awesome! 👏
Best news ever, Sue! Thank you for your note, tips and giving the sloppy joes a go!
This recipe was perfection! I used spicy mustard and chili lime seasoning since I unexpectedly ran out of chili powder and it turned out delicious. thank you!!
While I am not vegetarian or vegan, I do prefer a lower meat diet and love lentils. I always struggle with getting enough protein without the meat. I have a couple of questions if you don’t mind:
1. Do you think beluga lentils (black) would work with this recipe?
2. I don’t use canned or jarred tomato sauce but always have tubes of tomato paste. While there is some garlic, salt, onion and red pepper in canned tomato sauce, do you think I could use all tomato paste, add a little liquid and maybe a touch of the spices?
Thanks!
Hi Bill! Thank you for your note. 1. While I have no experience with black lentils, I’ve read that they hold their shape well and that French Lentils are a good substitute. So, if it were me, I wouldn’t hesitate giving them a go in this recipe. 2. If you use tomato paste, you’ll need to add water, like you said. How much, I’m not sure, because it will depend on how much paste you use. I would definitely adjust the spices to taste if you use tomato paste. I hope this helps, Bill and you enjoy the recipe!
Thanks for the very helpful reply! I love Beluga (black) lentils but also like green (depuis) and red … not a big fan of brown and yellow. I’ve been subbing in tomato paste from a tube mixed with water for the tomato sauce in my meatloaf (yeah, it has meat) so I’ve been working on the ratio and spice mix. I just find it much easier to keep tubes of paste rather than the half-used cans of tomato sauce :)
Regardless, I’m really looking forward to some of these delicious sounding recipes!
Sounds good to me! Keep us posted!
This was super tasty and had all the classic sloppy joe flavors! I always feel like I’m missing out on the sweetness that my grandmas sloppy joes had when I make a veggie forward recipe but this had that and some spice!! I did use honey mustard instead of yellow so it may have been a tad sweeter than designed but we loved it!
Hi Mika! Yes to a little sweetness… just a hint really makes these special! Honey mustard sounds delish. Thank you for your note and giving the sloppy Joes a go!
Tried it tonight. Soooooooo good. Added mushrooms and made a fresh cucumber salad to go with. Are sloopy Joe’s meant to be eaten with yours or knife and fork? Awful sloppy but I did use green lentils cause I didn’t have French. New to this!
Cooking this way does seem like a lot more work but I guess I’ll get into it. My husband is a semi retired farmer. We had pigs and beef cattle. So we’ve eaten a lot of our own meat!
Wish me luck!
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!!!
Hi Bertha! Thank you for your note, review and sending a smile! SO happy you’re enjoying the sloppy Jo’s (one of my favorites too!). Aren’t lentils amazing?!
Delicious. First time eating slopy joes but enjoyed them very much
Hooray! SO happy you enjoyed the sloppy Joes! Thank youuu for your note and five recipe rating!
Yum. Another great way to use lentils. Love the maple syrup component. I served mine open faced over the GF multi-seed sourdough bread.
You made it! SO happy to read your note, Charlene! Open faced sounds perfect over that tasty GF sourdough! Thank you for your five star rating!