Easy Vegan Sloppy Joes

A lentil sloppy joe in a bun with onion rings on a plate.

5 from 1 vote

Easy vegan sloppy Joes is a one-pot vegan recipe with protein-packed lentils in a sweet, spicy, and tasty plant-based take on a traditional family favorite. Hearty sloppy joes take about 40 minutes using dry green lentils, and canned lentils are even quicker.

Prep Time15

Cook Time25

Total Time40

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegan

Servings:

Calories: 180kcal

Author: Denise Perrault

Ingredients

1 medium onion diced
1 medium red bell pepper diced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons vegan Worcestershire sauce see notes for substitute
1-2 teaspoon sriracha
2 cups tomato sauce
2 ½ cups vegetable broth
1 cup dry green lentils rinsed and drained

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat a medium Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Then add the diced onions and peppers. Cook them for about 2-3 minutes until they start to soften.
Add the garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, and tomato paste. Mix them with the onions and peppers.
Stir in the maple syrup, Worcestershire sauce, sriracha, tomato sauce, and vegetable broth. Use a non-abrasive utensil to scrape the bottom of the pot to release any ingredients that are stuck to the bottom.
Mix in the lentils and bring the ingredients to a slow simmer. Reduce the heat to low, then cover the pot, leaving a little air vent. Let the lentils and sauce simmer for about 30 minutes until the lentils are tender and the sauce is reduced.
Stir the lentils a few times as they cook, and add ½ a cup more broth if needed.
Taste the lentils to ensure that they are tender. Adjust the spices and add salt or black pepper if desired.

Notes

Serve lentil sloppy joes with buns, bread, over rice. Add jalapenos, diced red onions, or shredded cabbage if desired. These also make delicious baked potato toppers or lettuce wraps.
For a quick vegan Worcestershire sauce substitute, use 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, a teaspoon of yellow or Dijon mustard, and a dash of hot sauce.
If making Instant Pot sloppy joes, reduce the vegetable broth to 2 cups. Turn the Instant Pot off after adding the broth and clear the bottom. Add the lentils and cook on High Pressure for 10 minutes with 10 minutes of NPR (natural pressure release).
To make this recipe with canned lentils, omit the vegetable broth, and add 2 cans of cooked lentils, drained and rinsed. Simmer the sloppy joe sauce for a few minutes to combine the flavors and reduce the sauce.
Store any leftover sloppy joe mixture in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat it in a saucepan on the stovetop. Add just a little broth or water and heat it over low heat so the lentils don’t scorch and stick to the bottom of the pan.

Nutrition