Lentil Sloppy Joes
These lentil sloppy joes are a delicious, inexpensive, hearty alternative to traditional sloppy joes, offering a rich, savory flavor and satisfying texture. Made with protein-packed lentils and a blend of spices, they’re perfect for a comforting and nutritious meal that everyone will love.
When I was a kid, my family ate a lot of sloppy joes for dinner. Of course, the traditional version called for ground beef, but these vegan sloppy joes are every bit as good and so much healthier.
Easy, filling, and inexpensive, these veggie sloppy joes make a quick meal that keeps you full for hours and reheats well for lunch the next day. If you like healthy vegan burgers, try our vegan black bean burgers and chickpea falafel burgers.
This recipe is so good, that it was even published on the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies website.
Reasons you will love this recipe
- Hearty and Satisfying: These lentil sloppy joes are packed with protein and fiber, making them a filling and nutritious meal that will keep you satisfied.
- Easy to Make: With a simple preparation process, these lentil sloppy joes come together quickly, making them perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
- Healthy and Plant-Based: Made with lentils and wholesome ingredients, these sloppy joes are a healthier alternative to traditional meat-based versions, suitable for both vegans and health-conscious eaters.
Ingredients you will need
- Lentils- They provide a hearty, meat-like texture while being rich in protein and fiber. Their mild flavor absorbs spices and seasonings well, creating a savory, satisfying filling that mimics the traditional sloppy joe experience
- Bulgur grain- Using bulgur in vegan sloppy joes adds a hearty, chewy texture that complements the lentils or other plant-based proteins, creating a more substantial filling. We have a great article on this website to answer all your bulgur questions on how to cook it and recipes.
- Fire-roasted tomatoes- Create a smoky, rich flavor that deepens the overall taste of the dish.
- Veggies- Onion, celery, and bell pepper add flavor and crunch to this recipe.
- Seasonings- Tomato paste, garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder create a robust warm flavor profile.
What kind of lentils to use
There are a number of different types of lentils, and each is a little different. You will want to use green or brown lentils for this sloppy joe recipe because they have a nice firm meaty texture.
Other varieties like red lentils are best for stews like this healthy lentil stew with artichokes because they break down more and get creamy which helps thicken the soup or stew up. They also cook much faster than other lentil variations. Protein-packed black beluga lentils are also delicious.
How to make lentil sloppy joes
The recipe card at the bottom of the page has the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions.
STEP #1: Begin by dicing up the veggies which include onion, celery, and red bell pepper. Other bell pepper varieties such as green and yellow can also be used if preferred.
I am often asked which knives I use personally, and I have to say that it is Victorinox. They are the same company that makes Swiss Army Knives and the quality is excellent.
STEP #2: In a medium stockpot, saute the diced vegetables in about 5 tablespoons of the veggie broth or water for approximately 5 minutes.
You want them to get slightly tender but don’t overcook them at this point. They will continue cooking with the lentils shortly.
STEP #3: While the veggies are cooking, rinse the lentils under warm water. Lentils are pretty small, so you’ll need something that has smaller holes such as a rice washing bowl so they won’t fall through.
Add all of the ingredients–lentils, bulgur, fire-roasted tomatoes, veggie broth (or water), and spices— to your stockpot and increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil.
STEP #4: Once boiling, turn the heat down to low and cook uncovered for approximately 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The lentils should be cooked until tender but still keep their shape.
STEP #5: Serve on a whole grain (or gluten-free) bun with your favorite condiments. I have a terrific homemade low-fat mayonnaise that is terrific with these. We also love to top our sloppy joes with a healthy vegan coleslaw that is really easy to make in minutes.
Crockpot instructions
To make this recipe in a crockpot, simply add all ingredients to a large cooker and allow to cook on low for 3-4 hours.
You can saute the veggies before adding them to the crockpot, but I completely skip sauteing the onion, celery, and bell peppers because they have plenty of time to bring out their delicious flavors in the slow cooker.
*Originally published May 2015.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. To make this recipe gluten-free, leave out the bulgur wheat and reduce the veggie broth to 3.5 cups. Serve on a gluten-free bun.
You will want to use green or brown lentils for this sloppy joe recipe because they have a nice firm meaty texture.
To achieve a thick, saucy consistency, simmer the lentils with the sauce ingredients until the mixture reduces and thickens. You can also mash some of the lentils to help thicken the sauce further if needed.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm on the stove or in the microwave.
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Lentil Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 cup green or brown lentils
- 1/2 cup dry bulgur wheat optional but recommended
- 1/2 onion diced
- 1/2 stalks celery diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper diced
- 1 15 oz can fire-roasted tomatoes
- 4 cups veggie broth or water
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 6 oz can tomato paste
- 2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Hoisin sauce optional
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Begin by dicing up the veggies which include onion, celery, and red bell pepper. Other bell pepper varieties such as green and yellow can also be used if preferred.
- In a medium stockpot, saute the diced vegetables in about 5 tablespoons of the veggie broth for approximately 5 minutes. You want them to get slightly tender but don't overcook them at this point. They will continue cooking with the lentils shortly.
- While the veggies are cooking, rinse the lentils under warm water. Lentils are pretty small, so you'll need something that has smaller holes such as a rice washing bowl so they won't fall through.
- Add all of the ingredients--lentils, bulgur, fire-roasted tomatoes, veggie broth (or water), and spices-- to your stockpot and increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, turn the heat down to low and cook uncovered for approximately 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The lentils should be cooked until tender but still keep their shape.
- Serve on a whole grain (or gluten-free) bun with your favorite condiments. I have a terrific homemade low-fat mayonnaise that is terrific with these. We also love to top our sloppy joes with a coleslaw that is really easy to make in minutes.
Crockpot Instructions:
- To make this recipe in a crockpot, simply add all ingredients to a large cooker and allow to cook on low for 3-4 hours.
- You can saute the veggies before adding them to the crockpot, but I completely skip sauteing the onion, celery, and bell peppers because they have plenty of time to bring out their delicious flavors in the slow cooker.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Hi Terry! I’m a little confused. You said you used red lentils, but aren’t those the ones that look like red split peas? I thought those pretty much disintegrated when they were cooked. (maybe I’m thinking of something else, but let me know!). Thanks
Hi Kathy- You are so right! That was a type-o. Thank you for catching it. I definitely use green or brown lentils in this recipe. I’ve made the correction. Much appreciated!
Would almond flour be a good alternative to the bulgar wheat? I am sensitive to gluten.
Hi Susanne- A great gluten-free substitute for the bulgur would be buckwheat groats. They both have a crumbly ground beef texture.
Do you have any more suggestions for lentils?
Someone blessed me with 3 pkg so want to find some more recipes I can use them with.
Shepherds Pie is another delicious lentil recipe. It’s great anytime and is especially popular around the holidays. Maybe give it a try, and I would love to know what you think about it. https://eatplant-based.com/lentil-shepherds-pie/
I made this for my family, adding the BBQ sauce was the best. I had tried making some along time ago but didn’t think to add the BBQ. This is so easy to put in the crockpot and I like the Hoisin Sauce too. Thank you for such an easy and quick meal.
Hi Mairby, I am so glad you like the lentil sloppy joes. They really are so easy to make, and I’ve found that even non-plant-based people enjoy them. Thanks so much for letting me know!
oh my gosh, Terri!! you have definitely changed my mind on vegan food! This was just bursting with flavor! My son came over and tried it (he is not vegan!) and he immediately exclaimed a couple of curse words (in pure joy!) and said he would eat that every day!! lol it was amazing! Thank you so much!
Hi Jody- I am thrilled that you and your son liked this recipe so much! It’s awesome when a non-plant-based eater gets excited about a recipe.♥