Lentil Sloppy Joes Recipe
Lentil Sloppy Joes are a meatless twist on the classic dish, making them a must-try for anyone looking to add more plant-based meals to their diet. Lentils provide a hearty texture and absorb the sweet and tangy tomato sauce beautifully. Whether you’re a vegetarian or simply seeking a tasty Meatless Monday option, Lentil Sloppy Joes are versatile and satisfying. Let’s get cooking!
What are sloppy joes?
Sloppy joes are a classic American comfort food favorite. Traditionally, these sandwiches combine perfectly seasoned ground beef bathed in a sweet and tangy tomato sauce with soft hamburger buns. And while we love the flavor of sloppy joes, we don’t always want to use meat—making meatless meals helps the environment and your budget. And that’s where lentil sloppy joes come in!
Why lentil sloppy joes?
So where does that leave us if we want some plant-based sloppy joe? Lentils!
When cooked down, lentils have an awesome, meaty texture. They are packed full of fiber and some great nutrients and minerals.
The lentils really work perfectly for a ground beef substitute! They work especially well in highly flavored sauce dishes like this. Really, do you even taste the ground beef in sloppy joes? Or do you just taste the sloppy part of the sloppy joe mixture? This is a super kid-friendly way to do Meatless Monday. Trust me, your family will love these!
What kind of lentils should I use?
Green lentils or black lentils are your best bet. We love red lentils, but they don’t hold their shape nearly as well. You’ll get a much better texture with green or black lentils!
What other ingredients do I need for lentil sloppy joes?
To make these vegetarian sloppy joes, you’ll need:
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Green bell pepper
- Garlic
- Green lentils
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
- Maple syrup
- Apple cider vinegar
- Whole wheat hamburger buns
- Water and salt
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If it’s really important to you to keep this entire dish vegetarian (like say, you’re serving it to folks who are strict vegetarians instead of flexitarians like I am), make sure you get vegan Worcestershire sauce. Annie’s Homegrown makes a good one that is available at most health food/natural foods stores. Typical Worcestershire sauce is made using fermented anchovies (sounds disgusting, tastes delicious!)—which is obviously not vegetarian.
What is a good side dish for sloppy joes?
Sloppy joes are super versatile and go well with a variety of side dishes. Some of our favorites include:
- Potato salad. This Instant Pot version is super easy and hands-off!
- Coleslaw.
- Sweet potato fries.
- Green vegetables, like roasted green beans or garlic broccoli.
How to store and reheat leftovers
Leftover sloppy joe filling can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Reheat over medium heat on the stovetop, stirring often, or microwave the filling until warm.
Vegetarian Lentil Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 medium green pepper diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup green lentils
- Pinch of salt
- 3 ½ cups water
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- 2 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce like Annie’s Homegrown
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Whole wheat hamburger buns for serving
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a medium-sized saucepan. Add in the onion, green pepper, and garlic, and cook until the veggies are just slightly tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add in the lentils, salt, and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until most of the water is absorbed and the lentils are tender.
- Add in the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar. Simmer until just thick and heated through, about 3 minutes. Serve immediately on top of whole wheat hamburger buns.
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