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

1. To make this meal faster and easier, you may use canned or packaged already cooked lentils. You will need about 3 cups cooked lentils.
2. 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. 
3. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.
4. Nutritional information is for the sloppy joe filling only.

Credit to: noracooks