The Best and Easiest Vegan Sloppy Joes

Smoky & savory Vegan Sloppy Joes, made with whole food plant ingredients and naturally sweetened. Only 30 minutes from start to finish, this is a tasty plant based meal that the whole family will love!

servings: 5 SERVINGS

prep time: 5 MINUTES

cook time: 25 MINUTES

total time: 30 MINUTE

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked green lentils1 cup uncooked green lentils
4 cups water4 cups water
1 medium yellow onion, diced1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped small1 medium green bell pepper, chopped small
2 garlic cloves, minced2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons chili powder3 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons smoked paprika2 teaspoons smoked paprika
(1) 15-ounce can tomato sauce(1) 15-ounce can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup (or tomato paste)2 tablespoons ketchup (or tomato paste)
3 tablespoons yellow mustard3 tablespoons yellow mustard
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoons salt, or to taste1 teaspoons salt, or to taste
For serving: whole grain hamburger bunsFor serving: whole grain hamburger buns

Instructions

First, cook the lentils: In a medium pot with a lid, add the lentils and water. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 18-20 minutes or until tender. Drain excess liquid and set aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped onion, green bell pepper and garlic. Use a few tablespoons of water, or vegetable broth, to saute and prevent burning. Stir constantly for 3-4 minutes, using more water as needed.
Now add the chili powder and smoked paprika, and stir to coat the vegetables for about 1 minute. Add a little water if it’s too dry.
Next, add the tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard and maple syrup. Stir until well incorporated. Add in the cooked lentils and stir. Season with salt to taste.
Serve on burger buns with red onion slices if desired and enjoy! We also eat this open faced on sprouted wheat bread, over a baked potato or even just out of a bowl, it’s so good!

Notes

To make this meal faster and easier, you may use canned or packaged already cooked lentils. You will need about 3 cups cooked lentils.
The sloppy joe mixture freezes well, simply fill freezer friendly containers, leaving a little room for expansion and freeze. Let defrost when ready to use, add to a pot and cook until warm.
Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Nutritional information is for the sloppy joe filling only.

Credit to: noracooks