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.
Begin by dicing up the veggies which include onion, celery, and red bellpepper. 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
Tips & Suggestions:I have included step-by-step photos and directions above to ensure your first attempt will be successful.Lentils- You will want to use green or brown lentils for this sloppy joe recipe because they have a nice firm meaty textureGluten-free option- 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. Check the labels on all of your other ingredients as well.Storage- 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.Buns- For an oil-free bun, try the Ezekiel brand in the freezer section of many grocery stores or make your own. This Healthy Kitchen has an oil-free whole wheat bun recipe.