What kind of lentils should I use to make sloppy joe?

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.

Can I use vegan meat instead of lentils?

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.

Can sloppy joes be made in advance?

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!

Stovetop Lentil Sloppy Joes

Name: Stovetop Lentil Sloppy Joes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
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 tbsp spicy brown mustard; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp paprika; 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar; ¼ cup water; 6 hamburger buns; Bread and butter pickle chips; 3 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced; ¼ tsp salt; ¼ cup apple cider vinegar; ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

Description

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 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 cup dried brown lentils (or 2-15 ounce cans of lentils)
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 yellow onion, diced
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tbsp spicy brown mustard
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
6 hamburger buns
Bread and butter pickle chips

For the lightly pickled cabbage:

3 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

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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.