Lentil Sloppy Joes

Hearty and flavorful, these meatless sloppy joes with lentils are the 30-minute plant-based meal you’ve been looking for! Like classic sloppy joes, this messy and fun to eat meal is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.

In the decade I spent as a vegetarian, I experimented with a lot of plant-based recipes. It was always my goal to find vegetarian meals that were both delicious and FILLING. This lentil sloppy joe recipe is one of my favorite recipes from that time of my life that we still make today as a delicious, meatless option. I’ve made this recipe over 100 times in the 15 years I’ve been enjoying it, tweaking it to meatless sloppy joe perfection.

Lentils are a nutrient powerhouse that are high in protein and fiber, making them the perfect ingredient to incorporate when looking to make meatless meals. Learn more about the types of lentils and their benefits in this great article from healthline.com.

Other than being quick, easy, and delicious, I’ve always appreciated that this recipe is great for lunches throughout the week too! I pretty much always make a double batch of this recipe because of it.

What is a Sloppy Joe?

A classic sloppy joe refers to a messy-to-eat sandwich filled with a mixture made from ground beef, onion, and tomato-based sauce served on a hamburger bun. The origins of the sloppy joe are attributed to a chef named Joe from Sioux City, Iowa in the 1930s who added tomato sauce to the then popular “loose meat sandwich”.

Different areas of the country have their own versions of the sloppy joe. Rhode Island’s “dynamite” is similar to the classic but often includes more veggies like bell peppers and onions. Iowa’s “maid-rite” version is often considered to be similar to the classic, but this “loose meat sandwich” has a distinct flavor profile and is made without the tomato sauce. New Jersey has their own version of a sloppy joe, which is a very different kind of sandwich all together.

Other popular names for classic sloppy joes include slushburgers, Manwich, spoonburgers, steamers, wimpies, yum yums, sloppy janes, and a tavern sandwich.

Lentil Sloppy Joe Ingredients

• Brown or green lentils. While technically different, brown and green lentils can be used interchangeably in most dishes, including this vegetarian sloppy joe recipe! I usually just grab a bag of Goya Lentils from the ethnic foods aisle at my local grocery store, but you can also check the bulk section or by where your store carries dried beans.
• Water. Used to cook the lentils.
• Neutral oil such as canola, vegetable, or grapeseed oil. Used to sauté our onion, garlic, and peppers.
• Yellow onion. Adds texture and depth of flavor to our filling.
• Garlic. Enhances the savory flavor to our filling.
• Bell pepper. In addition to simply adding veggies to our meal, using bell pepper adds nice flavor, sweetness, and texture to our filling. I usually use red bell pepper, but you can use red, orange, yellow, or green; just pick whichever looks best at your store.
• Tomato sauce. This is the base of our filling’s sauce. Just be sure to grab a can of PLAIN sauce, we’ll be seasoning it ourselves.
• Brown sugar. Helps to balance the acidity of the tomato sauce as well as adds flavor, richness, and moisture.
• Worcestershire sauce. Worcestershire sauce enhances the umami, meaty flavor of our sauce. This ingredient is commonly described to be a unique combination of savory, tangy, sweet, salty, with a pop of vinegar.
• Seasonings. Salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, and paprika are used to flavor our delicious sauce.
• Hamburger buns for serving. Pick your favorite buns, regular, whole wheat, gluten free, etc.

See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for ingredient measurements and full recipe directions.

How to Make Homemade Sloppy Joes with Lentils

Cook the lentils. Add the water and rinsed lentils to a medium saucepan over medium-high until it’s a low boil. Reduce the heat and continue to cook uncovered until tender.

Once the lentils are cooked, drain off any excess liquid and set aside.

Make the sauce. While the lentils cook, heat the oil in a large skillet and sauté the onions, peppers, salt, and pepper until the onions and peppers are tender and lightly browned.

Add the garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute more).

Add the tomato sauce and scrape the bottom of the pan to release any brown bits that stuck while sautéing the onions and peppers (as my husband would say, this is where the flavor lives!).

Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, and paprika to combine.

Continue to cook the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, until completely warmed through and thickened.

Combine the lentils and sauce. Once the lentils are cooked, add them to the sauce (it’s ok to do this if your sauce is still thickening).

Stir to combine, making sure all the lentils are well coated.

Serve on a hamburger bun with any desired toppings and enjoy!

Recipe Variations

Use vegetable broth instead of water for cooking your lentils. If desired, you can add some more flavor to this dish by cooking your lentils in veggie broth!

Possible Dietary Restrictions?

This recipe is vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free as written.

To make vegan sloppy joes with lentils, a few minor swaps are required. Replace the brown sugar with a vegan-friendly option (like coconut sugar) and the Worcestershire sauce with a vegan-friendly Worcestershire.

If serving to someone with celiac disease, be sure to provide gluten-free buns!

Storing and Reheating Meatless Sloppy Joes

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When ready to enjoy, reheat individual portions in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed to your liking. If the sauce begins to dry out, add a splash of water while reheating.