Vegan Sloppy Joes

Name: Vegan Sloppy Joes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 serving
Ingredients: 2 cups water; 1 cup green or red lentils, well rinsed; 2 Tbsp olive, grape seed, or avocado oil; 1/2 medium white or yellow onion, minced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 medium red or green bell pepper, diced; Sea salt and black pepper; 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce*; 1-2 Tbsp coconut sugar; 1-2 Tbsp vegan-friendly Worcestershire sauce*; 1-2 tsp chili powder; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 pinch smoked or regular paprika; Gluten-free or whole-wheat hamburger buns*

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4.9

1,077 reviews

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Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings
4
Calories
298 kcal
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
Vegan

Vegan Sloppy Joes

Valerie Marks

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Hearty, flavorful Vegan Sloppy Joes made with fresh, simple ingredients, naturally sweetened, and they require just 30 minutes! Savory, smoky, perfectly sweet — a delicious plant-based meal!

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Ingredients

Servings

LENTILS

2 cups water (I used half water, half vegetable broth)
1 cup green or red lentils, well rinsed (red lentils for quicker/more tender result or green lentils for more bite/texture)

SLOPPY JOES

2 Tbsp olive, grape seed, or avocado oil
1/2 medium white or yellow onion, minced (plus more for serving)
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 cloves yield ~1 Tbsp)
1/2 medium red or green bell pepper, diced
Sea salt and black pepper (to taste)
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce*
1-2 Tbsp coconut sugar (plus more to taste // or sub brown sugar)
1-2 Tbsp vegan-friendly Worcestershire sauce* (like this brand // ensure gluten-free for GF eaters)
1-2 tsp chili powder (plus more to taste)
1 tsp ground cumin (plus more to taste)
1 pinch smoked or regular paprika (optional)

FOR SERVING optional

Gluten-free or whole-wheat hamburger buns*

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Instructions

If using green lentils: To a small saucepan, add liquid (I used 1 cup water, 1 cup vegetable broth for added flavor // amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) and rinsed green lentils and heat over medium-high heat. Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook covered for about 18-22 minutes, or until tender. The water should have a constant simmer (not boil). Drain off any excess liquid and set aside.
If using red lentils: To a small saucepan, add liquid (water and/or vegetable broth) and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add rinsed red lentils and bring back to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 7-10 minutes, or until just tender. You want them to be cooked through but not mushy. Drain well and set aside.
In the meantime, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add oil, onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Season with a pinch each salt and pepper and stir to combine.
Sautè for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, or until the peppers and onions are tender and slightly browned.
Next add tomato sauce, coconut sugar, vegan worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, and paprika (optional). Stir to combine.
Once the lentils are cooked, add them to the skillet as well, and stir to combine.
Continue cooking the mixture over medium-low heat until completely warmed through and thick, stirring occasionally - about 5-10 minutes.
Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more chili powder and/or cumin for smokiness, salt for saltiness, coconut sugar for sweetness, or worcestershire for depth of flavor.
Serve the mixture on toasted buns with sliced onion. Best when fresh, though leftover sloppy joe mixture will keep in the refrigerator up to 4-5 days, or in the freezer for 1 month. Reheat in the microwave, or on the stovetop, adding water or vegetable broth if the mixture has dried out.

Notes

*The tomato sauce I use is from Trader Joe's and is essentially tomato puree seasoned with sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, and herbs.*If you can't locate vegan Worcestershire sauce at the store, try this recipe from Forks Over Knives.*My go-to whole-wheat vegan hamburger buns are from Trader Joe's. For gluten-free, try our Homemade Vegan Gluten-Free Hamburger Buns or if you do/can eat eggs, Udi's Gluten Free Hamburger Buns are another option.*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without a bun.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Serving 1serving Calories 298 (15%) Carbohydrates 44.6g (15%) Protein 14.4g (29%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 1.1g (6%) Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg (0%) Sodium 614mg (26%) Fiber 17.1g (68%) Sugar 13.5g (27%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 298 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving	1serving
Calories	298	15%
Carbohydrates	44.6g	15%
Protein	14.4g	29%
Fat	8g	12%
Saturated Fat	1.1g	6%
Trans Fat	0g	0%
Cholesterol	0mg	0%
Sodium	614mg	26%
Fiber	17.1g	68%
Sugar	13.5g	27%