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Heaping lentil sloppy joes on toasted buns with pickles

Lentil Sloppy Joes

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  • Author: elodie
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

These Lentil Sloppy Joes are a cozy, hearty, plant-based twist on the classic childhood comfort food. They’re protein-packed, naturally vegan, budget-friendly, and ready in about 30 minutes. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners, meal prep, or feeding a hungry family without breaking the bank!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Lentils

  • 1 cup dried brown or green lentils (or 2 ½ cups cooked/canned lentils, drained & rinsed)

  • 3 cups vegetable broth or water

  • Pinch of salt

For the Sloppy Joe Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or broth for oil-free)

  • 1 medium onion, finely diced

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 red bell pepper, finely diced (optional but recommended)

  • 1 cup tomato sauce

  • ¼ cup ketchup

  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste

  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (use vegan version if needed)

  • 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar

  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

  • 1 teaspoon chili powder

  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin

  • Salt & pepper to taste

  • Splash of water or broth as needed

For Serving

  • 4–6 hamburger buns (or gluten-free buns)

  • Pickles, coleslaw, or sliced onions (optional toppings)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Lentils
    Rinse lentils under cold water. Add them to a pot with broth and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 20–25 minutes, or until tender but not mushy. Drain excess liquid if needed.

  2. Sauté Aromatics
    In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; cook 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.

  3. Build the Sauce
    Stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire, maple syrup, mustard, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes.

  4. Combine Lentils and Sauce
    Add cooked lentils to the skillet. Stir well and simmer 5–10 minutes until thick and glossy. Add splashes of water or broth if mixture thickens too much.

  5. Adjust Seasoning
    Taste and adjust sweetness, tanginess, spice, or salt as desired.

  6. Serve
    Spoon lentil mixture onto toasted buns. Top with pickles, slaw, or onions if you like. Enjoy warm!

Notes

  • Canned Lentils Shortcut: Replace cooked lentils with 2–2½ cups canned lentils (rinsed and drained).

  • Oil-Free Option: Sauté onions and peppers using a few tablespoons of broth instead of oil.

  • Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or 1–2 teaspoons hot sauce.

  • Make It Smoky: Add extra smoked paprika or a small dash of liquid smoke.

  • Kid-Friendly Version: Reduce chili powder and smoked paprika; add a touch more maple syrup for balance.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: ~1 cup filling
  • Calories: ~260 kcal
  • Sugar: ~7 g
  • Sodium: ~480 mg (varies by broth/ketchup)
  • Fat: ~3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: ~2.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: ~42 g
  • Fiber: ~13 g
  • Protein: ~16 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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Find it online: https://www.elodierecipes.com/lentil-sloppy-joes/