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Two lentil sloppy joes served on a brioche bun with a side of chips.
4.87 from 22 votes

Lentil Sloppy Joes Recipe (Vegetarian)

This sloppy and delicious Lentil Sloppy Joes Recipe uses pantry favorites, including meaty lentils and a tangy tomato sauce. Super easy to make, freezer-friendly, and ready in just 30 minutes, enjoy this meat-free favorite sandwiched between toasted buns
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings: 8 Sloppy Joes
Calories: 215kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dry brown or green lentils
  • 6 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 medium yellow onions - minced
  • 1 red bell pepper - stemmed, seeded and minced
  • 5 cloves garlic - minced
  • 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce - not pasta sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard - or yellow mustard (more or less to taste)
  • ½ cup ketchup - plus more to taste
  • salt and pepper - to season
  • Hamburger buns - for serving

Instructions

For the Lentils

  • Add lentils to a fine-mesh strainer and rinse thoroughly with cold water to remove any dust and dirt. Transfer to a medium-sized pot. Fill with 6 cups of water (or vegetable broth).
  • Bring water to a boil over high heat. As soon as it starts to boil, immediately reduce heat to low and cover with a lid. Cook for approximately 20 minutes, or al dente.
  • Drain the lentils in a fine-mesh strainer and set aside.

For the Lentil Sloppy Joes

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper, and cook, stirring often, until soft - approximately 6-8 minutes. Add the garlic and season with Italian seasoning. Continue to cook for 30 seconds, stirring continuously.
  • Add the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and ketchup to the onions. Mix well and add the lentils to the sauce. Reduce heat to low and continue to cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes.
  • Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste, and serve on your favorite toasted hamburger bun.

Notes

Nutritional information does not include the hamburger bun.
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • This vegetarian lentil sloppy joe mixture can be frozen! Allow the mixture to cool completely before transferring to freezer-friendly bags or containers. Freeze for up to 4 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop or microwave before serving.
Ingredient Substitutions:
  • Worcestershire sauce – Use a vegan version or substitute with an equal amount of balsamic vinegar or coconut aminos.
  • Soy sauce – Use gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos instead.
  • Hamburger bun – Choose a gluten-free hamburger bun or serve the mixture over lettuce wraps, baked potatoes, or gluten-free toast.

Nutrition

Calories: 215kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 319mg | Potassium: 583mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 568IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 4mg
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