Lentil Sloppy Joes (Vegan)

These Lentil Sloppy Joes are the ultimate “looks messy but tastes incredible” kind of dinner. They’re hearty, saucy, packed with plant protein, and come together in one pot. This recipe hits all the nostalgic sloppy joe flavor notes you grew up with — only vegetarian (and honestly? even better).

Author: Food with Feeling

Meal Type: Peanuts Free

Cuisine: American

Difficulty: EASY

Prep. Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4 Servings

Calories: 242 kcal per serving

Ingredients

1 tbsp - olive oil
1 - yellow onion
1 - bell pepper
2 cloves - garlic
1 tbsp - tomato paste
1 ½ cups - cooked lentils
1 cup - tomato sauce
1 cup - tomato sauce
2 tablespoons - ketchup
1 tbsp - mustard
1 tbsp - soy sauce
1 tsp - smoked paprika
½ tsp - chili powder
Salt & pepper
Burger buns or sandwich rolls
Optional toppings:

Instructions

Sauté veggies: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5–6 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
Add tomato paste + seasonings: Stir in the tomato paste, smoked paprika, chili powder, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
Stir in lentils and sauce: Add the cooked lentils, tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, and soy sauce. Stir well to combine. Simmer for 5–7 minutes, until thickened and heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Assemble: Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto toasted buns. Add toppings if desired (vegan cheese slices melt great here!).
Freezer instructions: Let the lentil filling cool completely. Store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or reheat from frozen on the stovetop with a splash of water.

Nutrition