Easy vegan sloppy joes recipe with lentils! These hearty sandwiches are made with pantry staples and come together in just 30 minutes. They’re perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
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Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Nostalgic: Classic sloppy joes made vegan bring a comforting taste of childhood into a health-conscious era.
- Flavorful: Packed with a blend of spices, savory vegetables, and a tangy tomato base, these vegan sloppy joes are packed with flavor.
- Nutritious: This lentil sloppy joe recipe is full of plant-based protein from lentils and packed with essential vitamins and minerals from fresh veggies.
Nutrition For Mental Wellbeing
When I was in grad school at the University of Western States, getting my Master of Science in Nutrition and Functional Medicine, my love for nutrition and its impact on mental health grew.
Brown lentils are a staple in this recipe. Per cup, they contain 39.9g of carbohydrates, 15.6g of fiber, 17.9g of protein, and 0.8g of fat. They are rich in polyphenols, thiamine, vitamin B6, vitamin B5, folate, iron, phosphorus, zinc, copper, and manganese. Brown lentils are also a good source of niacin, magnesium, and potassium.
Brown lentils are rich in vitamin B6. A randomized control trial showed that supplementing with vitamin B6 reduced anxiety and depression symptoms [1]. They are also a great source of polyphenols. Polyphenols have been shown to improve depression [2].
Ingredients + Notes
Enjoy the vegan version of traditional sloppy joes using the best plant-based ingredients.
- Brown lentils: Brown lentils are rich in protein and fiber, making them an excellent base for these vegan sloppy joes.
- Tomato paste: This thickens the base and richens the tomato flavor.
- Dijon mustard: This might be a surprising ingredient, but it adds a tangy complexity to the sauce. (It really elevates the overall flavor profile of this recipe.)
- Maple syrup: Adds a natural sweetness that balances the acidity of the tomato sauce.
A full list of ingredients with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Recipe Variations + Substitutions
Enjoy this vegan sloppy joes recipe as is, or make changes as needed. Here are some options.
- Sweetener: If you don’t have maple syrup, you can use brown sugar or coconut sugar instead.
- “Meat”: If you don’t have brown lentils or aren’t a fan, you could use ground-up walnuts, Beyond meat, green lentils, or red lentils. However, red lentils will break down a lot, so keep that in mind.
- Bell pepper: You can use any bell pepper color you like, whether it be green, red, orange, yellow, or green pepper. All would work just fine.
- Spice: You could add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper for even more heat.
- Oil: This recipe uses avocado oil, but you can use coconut oil or olive oil if that is what you have on hand.
How To Make Vegan Sloppy Joes
Follow these simple step-by-step instructions for the perfect lentil sloppy joes.
- Boil water in a small pot. Add lentils and simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender. Strain and set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté onions and bell pepper for 4-5 minutes until they start to soften. Add garlic, chili powder, black pepper, salt and sauté for another 1-2 minutes.
- Pour tomato sauce and remaining ingredients, including the cooked lentils, and stir until well combined.
- Simmer on medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes until sauce reaches desired consistency.
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- Serve on hamburger buns, and enjoy!
Servings Ideas
This hearty lentil sloppy joe recipe is delicious served on a whole wheat burger bun or even in a lettuce wrap.
Toppings
- Dill pickles: Add dill pickles on top for the perfect crispy crunch.
- Slaw: Vegan Cole Slaw is a great topping on this vegan sloppy joe sandwich.
- Onion: Thin-sliced red onion adds a welcome crunch and bite. If you’re not a fan of fresh onions, then these Lime Pickled Red Onions are for you!
Sides
- Chips: Potato chips or corn chips are a great side to this American classic. (They could also be used as a topping. Just trust me.)
- French fries: Enjoy Oven-baked French Fries, Rosemary Fries, or even Roasted Sweet Potato Fries.
- Salad: A classic Vegan Caesar salad, a Vegan Potato Salad, or a Classic Melon Salad are great choices.
- Drinks: Enjoy a refreshing glass of Strawberry Matcha, Homemade Lemonade, or Taro Bubble Tea.
Storage Tips
Keep any leftover sloppy joe filling in an airtight container. I always recommend storing leftovers in glass whenever possible, as it keeps food fresher for longer.
- Fridge: Store properly in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
- Freeze: For longer storage, freeze for up to a month in a freezer-safe container.
FAQ
Sloppy joe sauce is typically a blend of tomato sauce, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, spices, and a sweetener. This makes for a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
Some people refer to sloppy joes as “Sloppy Janes,” but they are made with slightly different ingredients.
Beyond meat, soy curls, ground walnuts, or lentils are great alternatives for a meaty texture. My go-to is brown lentils, yellow lentils, or red lentils.
More Veggie Burger Recipes
If you tried this Sloppy Joe Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Recipe
Vegan Sloppy Joes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown lentils, uncooked
- 4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, or to taste
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, ground
- 1 15- ounce tomato sauce, can
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
- Boil water in a small pot. Add lentils and simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender. Strain and set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté onions and bell pepper for 4-5 minutes until they start to soften. Add garlic, chili powder, black pepper, salt and sauté for another 1-2 minutes.
- Pour tomato sauce and remaining ingredients, including the cooked lentils, and stir until well combined.
- Simmer on medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes until sauce reaches desired consistency.
- Serve on hamburger buns, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Fridge: Store properly in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
- Freeze: For longer storage, freeze for up to a month in a freezer-safe container.
Nutrition
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References
[1] Lin K, Li Y, Toit ED, Wendt L, Sun J. Effects of Polyphenol Supplementations on Improving Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Patients With Depression. Front Psychiatry. 2021 Nov 8;12:765485. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.765485. PMID: 34819888; PMCID: PMC8606635.
[2]Lin K, Li Y, Toit ED, Wendt L, Sun J. Effects of Polyphenol Supplementations on Improving Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Patients With Depression. Front Psychiatry. 2021 Nov 8;12:765485. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.765485. PMID: 34819888; PMCID: PMC8606635.
These were so good. Added a jalepeno and topped with slaw
Yum!