Description
These Vegan Lentil Sloppy Joes are a hearty, flavorful plant-based twist on the classic sloppy joe sandwich. Made with tender lentils simmered in a smoky, tangy tomato sauce and served on toasted whole grain buns, this recipe offers a delicious and nutritious meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Lentils
- ½ cup dry brown or green lentils
- 1 ⅓ cup water
- 1 bay leaf
Sloppy Joe Mixture
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 orange or red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced mushrooms
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 Tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
To Serve
- 4 whole grain buns, toasted
- Toppings: diced onions, pickles, and/or coleslaw
Instructions
- Prep lentils: Rinse the dry brown or green lentils under cold water. In a pot, combine the lentils, water, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer lentils: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the lentils simmer for 15-20 minutes or until most of the water is absorbed and lentils are tender. Remove from heat, discard the bay leaf, drain any excess liquid, and set lentils aside to cool. This step can be done ahead of time.
- Sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion, bell pepper, minced garlic, and mushrooms. Sauté for 7-10 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooked lentils to the skillet along with tomato sauce, maple syrup, vegan Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, sea salt, and ground pepper. Stir everything together until well incorporated.
- Simmer mixture: Bring the combined sloppy joe mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
- Serve: Spoon the lentil sloppy joe mixture onto toasted whole grain buns. Top with your choice of diced onions, pickles, or coleslaw for added crunch and flavor. Enjoy your vegan sloppy joes warm!
Notes
- You can prepare the lentils a day in advance and refrigerate to save time during meal prep.
- Adjust the amount of chili powder to suit your preferred spice level.
- For added texture, consider adding finely chopped walnuts or smoked tofu.
- Serve with a side salad or steamed veggies for a complete meal.
- Make sure to toast the buns to prevent them from becoming soggy when adding the sloppy joe mixture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
