This easy vegan sloppy joes recipe screams nostalgia.  It’s a hearty, slightly spicy, classic dinner recipe with a vegan twist.  Lentils replace the meat in a traditional sloppy joe recipe.  Lentils contain protein, fiber, iron, magnesium, and potassium.  It’s an easy, nutritious recipe for a busy weekday dinner.  Linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for Friday Five. 

Earlier this week, I went to visit my parents.  Besides wanting to hang out with them and Frizzle the dog, the main purpose of my visit was to get rid of my car, Nigel.  Yes, I name my car.  Doesn’t everyone?  Getting rid of Nigel put me in a nostalgic mood – he was SUCH a good car! I had driven him since college and he saw me through moves (many, MANY moves), races, road trips, and everything in between.

Anyway, with these nostalgic memories of my car, I wanted something to eat nostalgic too.  One of the few recipes I remember my mom making when we grew up was sloppy joes.  Dinner time was usually an “eat on your own” affair between my soccer practice, or band practice, my brother’s baseball games, or our cross-country meets.  Once I got home, all I wanted was a hot shower and a warm meal.  Normally, we would order food.  However, occasionally, my parents would cook.  Sloppy joes remind me of that post-workout exhausted and hungry feeling.   Time to veganize them!

These vegan sloppy joes remind me of those childhood dinner nights.  20 minutes. Hearty.  Messy.  Slightly spicy.  And way healthier.  Vegan sloppy joes replace the meat with lentils.  Lentils are one of my favorite foods. They’re a tiny little legume PACKED with nutrition.  Lentils contain protein, iron, magnesium, and potassium.  Research also shows that consuming just one serving of legumes per day reduces the risk of cholesterol (source).

This vegan sloppy joes recipe takes one pan and just 20 minutes to make.  It’s filling, warm, perfectly sloppy, and wonderfully nostalgic.  Lentil sloppy joes are a healthier alternative to traditional sloppy joe sandwiches and just as delicious.

If you try this recipe, let me know!  Rate it, leave a comment, take a picture and tag @Rabbitfoodruns on Instagram.  I would love to see how you enjoy your vegan sloppy joes! 

Buen provecho,

Becca

Print Recipe

Easy Vegan Sloppy Joes

Vegan sloppy joes use lentils to replace meat. They're full of protein, iron, potassium, magnesium, and fiber. A healthy and hearty vegan meal.

Prep Time

20 minutes

Servings

servings

Ingredients

Lentil Sloppy Joes

• 2 tbsp favorite oil *grapeseed or olive oil work best, OR 2 tbsp vegetable broth (oil-free)
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, minced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 2 1/2 c cooked green lentils *See notes
• 1 15 oz can crushed fire roasted tomatoes
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 c vegetable broth
• sea salt to taste (~1/2 tsp)
• ground black pepper to taste (~1/2 tsp)

To serve

• 6 hamburger buns
• Optional toppings: avocado, pickles, hot sauce, onion rings, etc.

Prep Time 20 minutes Servings servings Ingredients Lentil Sloppy Joes 2 tbsp favorite oil *grapeseed or olive oil work best, OR 2 tbsp vegetable broth (oil-free) 1/2 medium yellow onion, minced 1 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tbsp nutritional yeast 1 tbsp chili powder 1/2 tsp smoked paprika 1/2 tsp cumin powder 2 1/2 c cooked green lentils *See notes 1 15 oz can crushed fire roasted tomatoes 3 tbsp tomato paste 1 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 tbsp maple syrup 1/2 c vegetable broth sea salt to taste (~1/2 tsp) ground black pepper to taste (~1/2 tsp) To serve 6 hamburger buns Optional toppings: avocado, pickles, hot sauce, onion rings, etc.

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp of oil over medium heat. Add the onion and red pepper and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the garlic, nutritional yeast, chili powder, smoked paprika and cumin. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add the green lentils, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, mustard, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and vegetable broth. Stir well to coat. Cook for 10-15 minutes to thicken and allow the flavors to meld, stirring occasionally. Add the salt and black pepper to taste (about 1/2 tsp each).
4. While the lentils are cooking, turn the oven to the warm setting and toast the hamburger buns. Serve the sloppy joes on the toasted hamburger buns with whatever additional toppings you'd like.

Recipe Notes

• For an oil-free version, substitute 2 tbsp of vegetable broth for the oil.  Cook the onion until translucent.
• Either use pre-cooked canned lentils or make your own: Add 1 c lentils to 2 1/4 c water.  Bring to a boil and then simmer for 20 minutes.

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