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Cajun Spiced Smoky Vegan Sloppy Joes
5 from 36 votes

Cajun Spiced Smoky Vegan Sloppy Joes

This vegan sloppy joe recipe uses red lentils and a mix of shredded vegetables like carrot and zucchini, seasoned with smoky spices including smoked paprika and chipotle pepper. The lentils provide a tender, hearty texture while the vegetables add moisture and a subtle crunch. The sauce combines tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and a balance of sweet and tangy flavors to create a satisfying filling. It's served on buns or rolls with lettuce and onion, making for a flavorful plant-based sandwich option.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 209 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Vegan

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

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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

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%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 209

% 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.