Vegan Sloppy Lentils
Green or brown lentils stand in for ground meat in this plant-based take on the classic Sloppy Joe, cooked down in a smoky, tangy tomato sauce seasoned with smoked paprika, Worcestershire-style flavoring, and a touch of brown sugar. Piled onto toasted buns, it comes together in about 30 minutes. The sauce thickens as it simmers, giving the filling a satisfying, scoopable texture.
Equipment
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
For the Sloppy Lentil Mixture:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 ½ cups dry green or brown lentils rinsed well
- 3 cups vegetable broth preferably low sodium
- 1 can tomato sauce 15oz can
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon sea salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Serving:
- 4 pieces whole grain burger buns or gluten-free if needed
- 1 cup shredded lettuce optional garnish
- 1 medium avocado sliced
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C). Sauté the diced onion and red bell pepper for 5–6 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized.
- Add in minced garlic, smoked paprika, and cumin. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the lentils, vegetable broth, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low (simmer) and cover. Let it simmer for about 25–30 minutes until lentils are tender and the mixture is thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once the lentils are soft, stir in the maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, tamari, salt, and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for another 3–4 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Toast your buns until warm and slightly crisp. Spoon the sloppy lentils onto the bottom bun, layering with shredded lettuce and avocado slices if desired. Top with the other half of the bun and serve immediately.
Notes
- Substitute maple syrup with agave or brown sugar if desired.
- Add a few drops of liquid smoke for more depth.
- To speed up prep, use pre-cooked canned lentils, but reduce the simmer time to 10–15 minutes.
- This mixture freezes beautifully. Store leftovers for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 430kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 22gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 1330mgPotassium: 1200mgFiber: 27gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 1876IUVitamin C: 51mgCalcium: 79mgIron: 7mg
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