Vegan Sloppy Joes

Sink your teeth into these hearty and flavorful Vegan Sloppy Joes, a plant-based twist on the classic comfort food! Made with protein-packed lentils and a rich, smoky sauce seasoned with paprika, chili powder, and a hint of maple syrup, this dish delivers a perfect balance of savory and sweet. A medley of sautéed onions, bell peppers, and garlic adds depth, while a splash of soy sauce and apple cider vinegar enhances the umami punch. Ready in under an hour, these sloppy joes are served warm on toasted buns and can be topped with crisp pickles for extra zing. Perfect for a family dinner or your next casual gathering, this one-pot vegan recipe is simple, satisfying, and sure to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup Dry green or brown lentils
• 2.5 cups Water
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium Bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 cup Tomato sauce
• 0.5 cup Vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 6 pieces Burger buns or sandwich rolls
• 0 optional Pickles, optional for garnish

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the lentils under cold water and pick out any debris. Add the lentils and 2.5 cups of water to a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and let simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until tender. Drain any excess water and set aside.

Step 2

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the tomato paste to the skillet and stir well, allowing it to caramelize slightly, about 2 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the cooked lentils, tomato sauce, vegetable broth, soy sauce, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld together, and the mixture thickens slightly.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 8

Toast the burger buns or sandwich rolls if desired, then spoon a generous portion of the lentil sloppy joe mixture onto each bun.

Step 9

Serve warm, optionally garnished with pickles or any other favorite toppings.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1861.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1436.2

Total Fat 33.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5749.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 237.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 34.7g	0%
Total Sugars 58.0g
Protein 54.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 457.3mg	0%
Iron 21.2mg	0%
Potassium 2373.9mg	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: 20.4%

Protein: 14.9%

Carbs: 64.7%