Homemade stovetop lentil sloppy joes are a plant-based take on a comforting childhood classic! This meatless version is made without tomato sauce and comes together in just 40 minutes. Best of all, this vegan recipe uses basic pantry ingredients to create a flavorful meal for up to 6 people!
The brown lentils provide a meaty consistency and take on all the flavors of the sauce. Additionally, the lightly pickled cabbage and bread and butter pickle chips add the perfect textural crunch to every bite!
This vegetarian main meal is popular all year long. I especially recommend enjoying it on March 18th, for National Sloppy Joe Day! This messy dish pairs well with cabbage and carrot salad, butternut squash fries, and quick broccoli salad.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredient Notes
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step by Step Instructions
- Tips and Tricks
- Bun Recommendations for Sloppy Joe's
- Potential Origins of Sloppy Joe's
- Storing, Freezing and Reheating
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ideas for Leftover Vegan Sloppy Joes
- What Sides Should I Serve with Sloppy Joes?
- Did you try this recipe?
- Stovetop Lentil Sloppy Joes
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This easy stovetop recipe can be made in 40 minutes. It is a quick a week-night meal the whole family will love! If you opt to use canned lentils it will only take 20-30 minutes, but cooking lentils at home is easy.
- It's low in fat and high in plant-based protein and fiber.
- Sloppy joe is such a nostalgic, childhood lunch (I promise this version is way better)!
Ingredient Notes
- Lentils - I recommend using green or brown lentils due to their firmness. You can cook the lentils from scratch or use two 15 ounce cans of lentils.
- Green pepper - adds a nice pop of color and flavor.
- Onion - I recommend dicing it up small so it mixes in well with the lentils. I like to use yellow onions for this recipe.
- Ketchup - the ketchup adds sweetness and is used in place of tomato sauce.
- Spicy brown mustard - helps balance out the sweetness from the ketchup. You could also use dijon mustard instead.
- Spices - garlic powder, paprika, a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Vinegar - I like to use a splash of apple cider vinegar to add just a bit of tartness.
- Buns - use your favorite 6 pack of burger buns. Use whole-grain buns for a healthier option.
- Bread and butter pickle chips - they add a necessary crunch as well as sweetness!
Optional Lightly Pickled Cabbage Ingredients
- Cabbage - I like to use red cabbage for the pop of color. Make sure to slice it thinly or use a coleslaw mix.
- Vinegar - I recommend apple cider vinegar but feel free to use white vinegar or red vinegar as well.
- Salt and cayenne pepper - the cayenne pepper adds a hint of spice!
Substitutions and Variations
- Open face - serve over an open face bun and eat with a fork and knife for less mess!
- Sliders - use dinner rolls such as Hawaiian buns and serve these mini sandwiches as an appetizer!
- Cheesy - add a slice of cheese (regular or vegan). I think swiss or cheddar would work nicely!
- Spicy - saute a diced jalapeno pepper with the onion and green pepper.
- Smokey - add a couple dashes of liquid smoke to the sloppy joe sauce. A little bit goes a long way!
- Without the bun - serve this over a bowl of rice or in a lettuce wrap!
Step by Step Instructions
Cook the lentils according to package directions if making from scratch. If using lentils from a can, drain and rinse them.
Toss the thinly sliced cabbage with apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper and chili powder until combined. Set aside until ready to use. The cabbage is completely optional in this recipe.
Mix together the sloppy joe sauce. Whisk together the ketchup, spicy brown mustard, garlic powder, paprika, apple cider vinegar and water.
Sauté the onion and pepper in a large skillet over medium heat until they soften, about 5-8 minutes.
Add in the cooked lentils and sloppy joe sauce. Mix together. Allow the mixture to simmer for a few minutes over medium-low heat so the flavors can combine.
Spoon the lentil sloppy joes over a hamburger bun and top it off with lightly pickled cabbage, and bread and butter pickles. Make sure to eat with your hands and get messy for the full sloppy experience!
Hint: use 2 (15 oz) cans of lentils for an even quicker version!
Tips and Tricks
- Try not to overcook the lentils. Make sure to carefully follow the package directions.
- The flavors will continue to infuse with the lentils the longer it sits, so make sure to save some for leftovers!
- The lightly pickled cabbage is completely optional; I like the texture it adds to the dish. Alternatively try picked red onions instead!
Bun Recommendations for Sloppy Joe's
You can’t go wrong with a classic burger bun. In my opinion the classic burger really commits to the nostalgic, childhood memories associated with this dish. Feel free to swap in a gluten-free bun or whole wheat bun for a healthier option.
Additionally, I find that eating lentil sloppy joes on an untoasted bun is the best. I mean, it is called sloppy for a reason! If you want you can toast the bun and it will result in a studier base for the lentil mixture and a little bit more crunch.
Alternatively if you do not want any bread, you can enjoy sloppy joe over a bowl of brown rice, or turn it into a lettuce wrap.
Potential Origins of Sloppy Joe's
There are several theories on where sloppy joes came from. This messy, handheld food may have originated in Sioux City, Iowa when a chef named Joe added tomato sauce to a loose-meat sandwich. Another popular theory is that it started in Cuba as early as 1917 when a chef added stewed tomatoes to ground beef. Nevertheless sloppy joes became an American staple once Manwich (a popular canned version) was invented. This vegetarian lentil version has certainly come a long way!
Storing, Freezing and Reheating
Store this meatless sloppy joe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I recommend storing the lightly pickled cabbage separately. You can freeze the sloppy joe mixture for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply warm the lentils in the microwave or on the stovetop. You can even enjoy this cold!
Frequently Asked Questions
I recommend using lentils that tend to be more firm when cooked such as french green lentils, brown lentils or black lentils. You can either cook the lentils from starch following the instructions on the packages or use canned lentils instead.
Yes you can swap in imitation vegan ground beef such as Beyond Meat or Impossible Meat in place of cooked lentils. Note that the textures and flavors will be different than if you were to use lentils.
Yes I actually recommend making lentil sloppy joes in advance due to their enhanced flavor. The flavors of the sloppy joe sauce infused more with the lentils after a day or so. This is a situation where the leftovers often taste even better!
Ideas for Leftover Vegan Sloppy Joes
- Try making a sloppy joe bowl over rice.
- Lettuce wraps are a great gluten-free option!
- Mini sloppy joe sliders are sure to be a hit.
- Sloppy joe tacos with cabbage and carrot slaw are a fun twist.
- Try adding additional toppings such as pickled red onions and caramelized onions.
What Sides Should I Serve with Sloppy Joes?
Stovetop Lentil Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried brown lentils or 2-15 ounce cans of lentils
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 1 yellow onion diced
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- 6 hamburger buns
- Bread and butter pickle chips
For the lightly pickled cabbage:
- 3 cups red cabbage thinly sliced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Cook the brown lentils according to the package directions. If using canned lentil, simply drain and rinse them.
- Optional: Toss the red cabbage with apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Set aside.
- Whisk together the ketchup, spicy brown mustard, garlic powder, paprika, apple cider vinegar and water.
- Sauté the green pepper and onion over medium heat until they start to soften about 5-8 minutes.
- Add the lentils and sauce to the peppers and onions. Stir together and allow the mixture to simmer for 5-10 minutes until the flavors combine.
- To serve: scoop the lentil sloppy joe onto a bun. Top it with lightly pickled cabbage and bread and butter pickles. Enjoy!
Notes
- Add more water to the sauce as needed while it cooks into the lentils. You don’t want it to become dry! Another option is to cover the lentil mixture with a lid while it cooks down on the stove.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. This recipe is tangy in flavor. Feel free to add more sweetness using liquid sweetener such as maple syrup. It’s important to take into consideration any toppings you use and their level of sweetness as well.
- For a super quick dinner, substitute the dried lentils for two cans of lentils.
- Check the label to make sure the burger buns are vegan if this is a concern.
Adele says
I made this for dinner tonight! It was a cold, blustery day and this was the perfect comfort food! The sauce is so simple and delicious! It got pretty thick , so I did add a 1/4 of water. This recipe makes a lot, so I froze half for another meal! Who doesn’t love a “ twofer”! I only had brioche buns and I made my own quick coleslaw using a bag of slaw, some vegan Mayo and a splash of apple cider vinegar. A very versatile and yummy dish!
Emily Toshiko says
Thank you so much for leaving a comment! I totally agree; twofer meals are the best! The coleslaw you added sounds delicious. I try to make recipes that are easy to modify based on individual preference and I'm glad you were able to do so! 🙂 So happy you enjoyed it!
Anonymous says
Pat says
We loved this lentil sloppy joe recipe! It was a tasty comfort food dish. I decided to use two cans of lentils instead of the dried, and I sautéd the pickled cabbage till wilted. It was a quick, delicious, hearty dish that I will definitely be making it again.
Emily Toshiko says
Thank you so much for the comment! I'm happy to hear you enjoyed this dish. I love your idea to use canned lentils and to sauté the cabbage; it sounds delicious that way! 🙂
Cathy says
Loved this healthy sloppy joe recipe! I must confess that I added a little sugar to the red cabbage salad. The crunch of the red cabbage and the bread and butter pickles added to this dish! I will certainly make it again!
Emily Toshiko says
Thank you so much for the feedback! I'm sure a little bit of sugar was a great addition to the cabbage!