The same comforting homemade taste of regular Sloppy Joes, but with healthy lentils instead of meat. A delicious vegan family dinner!
Lentil Sloppy Joes make so much sense. Take all the comforting homemade flavor of Sloppy Joes - tomatoes, onions, mild spices and seasonings, bell pepper and a pinch of sweetness - then add protein-rich lentil beans instead of ground meat.
Genius!
You could certainly keep the healthy-train on the right track by serving these flavorful lentils in a bowl with crunchy cabbage slaw.
Or....you can go the nostalgic route and serve lentil Sloppy Joes the way your Mom or Grandma served Sloppy Joes, with a bun and a pickle on the side.
I like to toast the hamburger buns under the broiler with butter and garlic powder, for a crunchy, garlic bread flavor. Yum!
One of my kids likes to melt cheese on her lentil sloppy Joe. Your kids might like this too.
I've also been known to serve French fries on the side (Frozen, not homemade, although next time I might try these simple carrot fries).
Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
This recipe can be made using a pressure cooker or a slow cooker. Both turn out great. Use whatever is most convenient for you.
Either way, this is the type of recipe that's delicious the first day and even better the second and third day. This is a great recipe for meal prep or leftovers.
Can You Freeze Lentil Sloppy Joes?
Yes, and this recipe makes a big batch so you're likely to have leftovers.
I often freeze some of the lentils for another dinner later in the month.
To freeze lentils, cool the cooked lentils then freeze in a Ziploc freezer bag. Remove as much air from the plastic bag as possible.
Vegan Sloppy Joes
Are these lentil Sloppy Joe's vegan and vegetarian? They certainly can be! Just make sure to use vegan Worcestershire sauce, like Annie's. You can also use soy sauce instead of Worcestershire sauce, but it doesn't have quite the same flavor.
What Type of Lentils Do I Use?
Brown or green lentils work best for this recipe because they hold their shape well but also have a soft texture.
If you'd like to explore red or black lentils for other types of recipes, read How to Cook Black Lentils or How to Cook Red Lentils.
More Vegetarian Dinners
- Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili
- Instant Pot Lentil Bolognese
- Vegetarian Fajitas with Smoky Lime Sour Cream
- One-Pot Spaghetti with Tomatoes and Kale
- Crockpot Lentil Soup
Lentil Sloppy Joes {Instant Pot or Slow Cooker}
- Total Time: 1 to 6 hours, depending on cooking method
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
The same comforting homemade taste of regular Sloppy Joes, but with healthy lentils instead of meat. I like to serve lentil sloppy Joe's with a bun and pickles, and either coleslaw or French fries on the side.
Whether made in the Instant Pot or slow cooker, these lentil Sloppy Joes are especially good served a day or two after they're made. This is an easy, healthy make-ahead meal that's perfect for meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil (canola, sunflower or olive oil)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped (yellow or red onion)
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 3 ½ cups water
- 2 cups green or brown lentils
- 2 cups frozen sliced bell peppers, or 1 fresh bell pepper, chopped
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (see recipe notes below for vegan/vegetarian options)
- 1 ¼ teaspoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon regular paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard (or yellow mustard)
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon maple syrup or brown sugar
- 1 ¼ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
Instructions
Slow Cooker:
Some slow cooker recipes require sauteing the onion and garlic before adding them to the crock pot. This is because slow cookers don't always fully cook onion, and sauteing also helps boost the flavor of onion and garlic. You can do this if you like, but I find that simply microwaving the onion and garlic achieves nearly the same results and is quicker and easier.
- So, either saute the onion and garlic in oil for 5 to 7 minutes on the stovetop (to soften and lightly brown) OR combine the onion and garlic with oil in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 2 to 4 minutes, stopping to stir once or twice, until the onion is soft. Don’t microwave too long or the onion and garlic will dry out.
- In the slow cooker, combine the onion and garlic with all the remaining ingredients: Water, lentils, bell pepper, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, spices, mustard, maple syrup/brown sugar and salt.
- Secure the lid and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. The lentils are done after 6 hours, but will be a little more firm than if cooked for 8 hours.
- When done, stir the lentils and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt if needed. If you like a sweeter flavor, add more maple syrup or brown sugar.
- The lentils might be a little bit watery right when you open the slow cooker, but the longer they sit before serving the thicker the mixture will be.
Instant Pot:
- Press the Saute button. Add the oil to the Instant Pot.
- Saute the onion until lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and saute 30 seconds, then turn off the Saute function.
- Add all of the remaining ingredients: Water, lentils, bell pepper, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, spices, mustard, maple syrup/brown sugar. Mix well.
- Cook on high pressure - 12 minutes for slightly firm lentils, 15 minutes for softer lentils. When the cooking time is complete, let the Instant Pot release pressure naturally (this will take about 15 to 20 minutes).
- Stir the lentils and adjust seasonings, adding more salt if needed. If you like a sweeter flavor, add more maple syrup or brown sugar.
- The lentils might be a little bit watery right when you open the Instant Pot, but the longer they sit before serving the thicker the mixture will be.
Notes
Vegan Worcestershire sauce, like Annie's, can be found at some grocery stores. You can also use soy sauce instead of Worcestershire sauce, but it doesn't have quite the same flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 to 6 hours
- Category: Slow Cooker
- Method: Slow Cooker or Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: lentils, lentil sloppy joes, vegan sloppy joes, vegetarian sloppy joes
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