Cajun Spiced Smoky Vegan Sloppy Joes
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
15 mins
-
Cook Time
20 mins
-
Total Time
35 mins
-
Servings
4
-
Calories
209 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
Vegan
Cajun Spiced Smoky Vegan Sloppy Joes
Description
Cajun Spiced Smoky Vegan Sloppy Joes combine cooked red lentils with shredded carrot, zucchini, and bell pepper, all cooked with a blend of warm, smoky spices such as smoked paprika, cayenne, and optional chipotle pepper. The mixture is enriched with tomato paste, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce, creating a thick, flavorful sauce that clings to the lentils and vegetables well. The cooking method involves sautéing the aromatics and vegetables before adding the lentils and seasoning, allowing flavors to meld and excess moisture to cook off. This results in a hearty, textured filling with a balance of smoky, spicy, sweet, and tangy notes.
These sloppy joes are served on dinner rolls, burger buns, or tortillas, accompanied by lettuce or coleslaw and sliced onion for crunch and freshness. They make a filling vegan alternative to traditional sloppy joes, with a satisfying blend of textures from the lentils and vegetables.
To adjust the spice profile, the recipe suggests using a Cajun spice blend or chili powder blend as a substitute for the individual spices. Starting with less smoked paprika is advised to avoid an overly earthy flavor. The recipe serves four and the nutrition provided covers only the lentil and vegetable mixture, excluding the bread or sides.
Ingredients
Lentils;
- 3/4 cup red lentils quick cooking re/orange/pink lentils, masoor dal
- 2 cups water
Sloppy Joes:
- 1 tsp neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 onion chopped, medium
- 1 bell pepper chopped, small green
- 1 cup carrot shredded
- 1 zucchini shredded, medium
- 2 tsp smoked paprika or use half sweet and half smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or more, I use about 1/2 tsp
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 to 1 tsp oregano dried
- 1/2 tsp thyme dried
- 1/2 tsp chipotle pepper optional and a good pinch of allspice (optional, or cumin, for smokier flavor
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce or use 2 tsp soy sauce (coconut aminos for soyfree, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp tamarind paste, 1 tsp molasses and sugar to taste, vegan
- 3 oz tomato paste
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 3/4 tsp salt
- sugar or maple, if needed
- lemon a dash
- soy sauce or bbq sauce, or hot sauce, other flavor additions: 1 to 2 tsp
Other:
- dinner rolls or burger buns or gluten-free tortillas
- lettuce or greens
- onion sliced, or coleslaw
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine washed and drained red lentils, water and a good pinch of salt and cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat oil in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes or until golden. I usually use a processor to process the onion and bell pepper then transfer to a bowl and process carrots and zucchini and keep ready.
- Add the onion and bell pepper and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the shredded carrots, zucchini, the spices and a good dash of salt and black pepper. Cook for 3 to 6 minutes, depending on moisture content of the veggies.
- Add the lentils, spices+herbs, Worcestershire, tomato paste, ketchup, salt and mix in well. Cook for a minute. Taste and adjust salt, heat and flavor. Add maple for sweetness, lemon for tang. cover and let cook for another minute or longer until the mixture is not too wet. Take off heat and let sit for another few minutes before serving.
- Prep the buns or tortillas by toasting, layer some greens, the sloppy mix, onions or other crunchy veggies and serve! I love those with fresh pico de gallo and crunchy lettuce or cabbage.
Notes
- You can use a Cajun spice or chili powder blend in place of the individual spices; adjust to taste.
- Start with 1 to 1.5 teaspoons of paprika to avoid an overly earthy flavor.
- This recipe yields four servings of lentil sloppy joe mix, not including buns or sides.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 209 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 209kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 38g | 13% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Sodium | 839mg | 35% |
| Potassium | 973mg | 21% |
| Fiber | 13g | 52% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
| Vitamin A | 6460IU | 129% |
| Vitamin C | 44.1mg | 49% |
| Calcium | 67mg | 7% |
| Iron | 4.4mg | 24% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
