Lentil Sloppy Joes

Transform your dinner routine with these hearty and flavor-packed Lentil Sloppy Joes, the ultimate vegetarian twist on a classic comfort food. Made with tender green or brown lentils simmered in a smoky, tangy tomato-based sauce, this recipe is as satisfying as it is wholesome. A medley of sautéed veggies—onion, bell pepper, and carrot—adds texture and nutrients, while a blend of spices like smoked paprika and chili powder infuses every bite with bold flavor. Perfectly piled onto soft hamburger buns, these sloppy joes are ideal for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or casual gatherings. Customize with your favorite toppings, like crunchy pickles, creamy coleslaw, or shredded cheese, and savor a meal that's as nutritious as it is delicious. This vegetarian comfort food favorite is quick to prepare, budget-friendly, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Nutriscore Rating: 81/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup Green or brown lentils
• 3 cups Water or vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 unit Small onion, diced
• 1 unit Green bell pepper, diced
• 1 unit Carrot, shredded
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 cup Tomato sauce
• 0.25 cup Ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Mustard powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 6 units Hamburger buns
• 0 Optional toppings: pickles, coleslaw, shredded cheese

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the lentils under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the lentils and water (or vegetable broth). Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender but still holding their shape. Drain any excess liquid and set aside.

Step 2

While the lentils cook, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion, diced green bell pepper, and shredded carrot. Sauté for 5–7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, smoked paprika, chili powder, mustard powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.

Step 5

Add the cooked lentils to the skillet and stir to coat in the sauce. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. If the mixture is too thick, you can add a splash of water or broth to reach your desired consistency.

Step 7

Toast the hamburger buns (optional) and scoop the lentil mixture onto the bottom half of each bun. Top with optional toppings like pickles, coleslaw, or shredded cheese, then add the top bun.

Step 8

Serve warm and enjoy your delicious Lentil Sloppy Joes!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1993.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1262.9

Total Fat 45.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 15.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 6627.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 196.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 113.0g	0%
Total Sugars 43.8g
Protein 111.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 320.1mg	0%
Iron 17.8mg	0%
Potassium 1958.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 25.0%

Protein: 27.1%

Carbs: 47.8%