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    Home » Recipes » Handheld Meals

    Best Vegan Sloppy Joes

    Published: November 14, 2018 Updated: June 3, 2022 / By: Dawn | Girl Heart Food 28 Comments

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    Vegan sloppy joe and a basket of French fries on a plate in front of two glasses of water.

    A twist on a classic, these vegan sloppy joes are chock-full of hearty and delicious ingredients, like lentils, plant-based crumbles, veggies and spices. Best part? These homemade sloppy joes are made in one pot and can be on the table in under 30 minutes!

    Vegan sloppy joe and basket of fries on a plate in front of two glasses of water.

    Sloppy joes are a classic comfort food meal and for good reason! Unlike these lentil sloppy joes, the traditional version is made with ground beef.

    I grew up on those classic ground beef sloppy joes and totally enjoyed them (and still do). These days, though, I often mix things up a bit and love to try meatless versions of some of my favourites.

    Like these sloppy joe sliders, these vegan sloppy joes are so tasty, even meat lovers will devour them!

    This easy sloppy joe recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make and it all comes together in one pot (so it’s awesome for an easy weekday dinner). Just don’t forget the napkins, because these sloppy joes are all kinds of messy and delicious (but so worth it!).

    Fan of sloppy joes? Check out these buffalo chicken sloppy joes and ground turkey sloppy joes!

    How To Make Vegan Sloppy Joes

    Here is an overview of how to make these vegan sloppy joes (refer to the recipe card below for full details):

    1. Cook some veggies in a little olive oil just until they start to soften.
    2. Add the plant-based meat crumbles, canned lentils and seasonings.
    3. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for a minute just to get the flavours going.
    4. Pour in tomato sauce, broth, mustard and maple syrup. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sloppy joe filling has reached the consistency that you like best.
    5. Stir in balsamic vinegar and add a little more salt if you feel it needs it.
    6. Pile that deliciousness onto hamburger buns and dig in!
    Collage of steps to make sloppy joes with lentils, veggie "meat" and vegetables.

    Type of Lentils To Use

    For this vegan sloppy joe recipe, I used canned lentils.

    I regularly have them stocked in our pantry because they’re just so darn convenient and super budget friendly (just make sure to rinse and drain them before using to get rid of any excess liquid and salt). 

    Close-up of a vegan sloppy joe filling.

    Tips for Making This Recipe

    • Because tomato sauce can vary quite a bit in salt content (and everyone’s preference is different), you may need to add a little bit more salt if you feel the sloppy joe filling needs it.
    • If you like a little more spice, feel free to add more ground cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, a dash or two of your favourite hot sauce or freshly minced chili pepper.
    • Veggie broth is used in this recipe, but mushroom broth is a great substitute if that’s what you have on hand.
    • I generally find it takes about 10 minutes to get the consistency I like best for the sloppy joe mixture. If you want it less saucy, you can cook the mixture a little more.
    Ladle of vegan sloppy joe filling.

    Besides Buns

    The classic way to serve sloppy joes is on hamburger buns. But if you want to mix things up, the sloppy joe mixture is also yummy served with spaghetti, gnocchi or over fries (think something like chili fries).

    Overhead shot of a sloppy joe and fries next to a pan of the mixture, ketchup and glass of water.

    What To Serve With Sloppy Joes

    These vegan sloppy joe sandwiches are nice and hearty on their own, but they’re even better with sides. Some sides you can serve with them are:

    • Fries or turnip fries
    • Soup
    • Green salad
    • Mac and cheese
    • Onion rings
    • Pasta salad, coleslaw, potato salad or macaroni salad
    • Corn on the cobb
    • Potato chips
    • Crunchy pickle
    Two hands holding a sloppy joe sandwich.

    More Delicious Lentil Recipes

    • Vegan Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
    • Spicy Lentil Kale Soup
    • Curried Green Lentils
    • Lentil Hummus

    If you make these vegan sloppy joes, be sure to leave a comment below!

    This recipe was originally posted November 14, 2018 but has been updated.

    Vegan sloppy joe and a basket of French fries on a plate in front of two glasses of water.

    Best Vegan Sloppy Joes

    Dawn | Girl Heart Food
    A twist on a classic, these vegan sloppy joes are chock-full of hearty and delicious ingredients, like lentils, plant-based crumbles, veggies and spices. Best part? These homemade sloppy joes are made in one pot and can be on the table in under 30 minutes!
    4.64 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Main Course
    Servings 6 servings (approximately)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 yellow onion, peeled and roughly minced
    • 1 bell pepper, small dice (I used half of a red pepper and ½ of a green pepper for colour)
    • 1 cup shredded carrot
    • 4 cloves garlic
    • 1 (12-ounce) package plant-based "meat" crumbles, about a ¾ pound package
    • 1 (19-ounce) can lentils, rinsed and drained
    • 1 tablespoon chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
    • ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
    • 1 (14-ounce) can tomato sauce
    • 1 to 1.5 cups low sodium vegetable broth, depending on the consistency you want
    • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup, optional (adds a touch of sweetness if the tomato sauce is a little acidic)
    • ½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar, or apple cider vinegar
    • Vegan Burger buns, for serving (cut buns in half horizontally if not already precut)

    Instructions

    • Heat olive oil in a 12-inch sauté pan over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, carrot and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes until the veggies start to soften.
    • To veggies, add plant-based meat crumbles, lentils, chili powder, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper. Add the tomato paste, then stir, breaking up the crumbles, and cook for 1 minute just to get the flavours going.
    • Pour in tomato sauce, vegetable broth, yellow mustard and maple syrup (if using). Give everything a stir so the ingredients are nice and incorporated. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to a medium-low so it's just lightly bubbling, cover with the lid ajar and cook for 10 minutes or until it's reached the consistency you like best.
      Note: Start with 1 cup of vegetable broth and add more if you feel like you want a looser or thinner consistency.
    • Stir in balsamic vinegar and add more salt if you feel it needs it for your tastes.
    • Serve the sloppy joe filling on warmed or toasted buns. Garnish to taste, if desired, with any of your favourite sloppy joe toppings or serve as is. Enjoy! Yields about 6 to 8 sloppy joes, depending on how much you top each bun.
      Note: Properly store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 3 to 4 days, reheating before serving. The sloppy joe mixture may thicken as it cools, but you can always add a little more vegetable broth or water to thin if needed.

    A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.

    Keyword easy sloppy joes, lentil sloppy joes

    Tried this recipe?

    If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!

    More Handheld Meals

    • Loose Meat Sandwich
    • Moose Taquitos (Or Use Beef)
    • Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Meatloaf Sandwich
    • Easy Chicken Fajitas

    © Girl Heart Food Inc. All photographs and content are COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Leila F

      July 30, 2020 at 3:52 pm

      I am wondering if anyone has tried making this recipe with TVP instead of Veggie Ground?

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        August 03, 2020 at 2:58 pm

        Hi Leila – I haven’t tried making this recipe with tvp, but would imagine it would work, but can’t say for sure. If you do try, love to hear how it worked out for you. Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    2. Sally @gooddinnermom.com

      November 30, 2018 at 12:31 pm

      5 stars
      I’m looking for a good vegan sloppy joe recipe. Love the combination of soy crumbles and lentils, plus the onions… I think this just might be it! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        December 03, 2018 at 10:38 am

        Thank you Sally! Hope you love them as much as we do 🙂

        Reply
    3. David @ Spiced

      November 19, 2018 at 10:08 am

      I love a good sloppy joe! Talk about the epitome of comfort food right there. 🙂 But I must admit that I didn’t realize you could use lentils to create a similar version. I’m going to have to keep this recipe in mind for a snowy winter day!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 20, 2018 at 9:18 am

        You sure can! Thanks David! Hope you love ’em 🙂

        Reply
    4. Kelly | Foodtasia

      November 16, 2018 at 2:39 pm

      I love Sloppy Joe’s but haven’t had them in years! Dawn, your vegan version looks fantastic! I love the idea of putting cheese on as well.

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 18, 2018 at 12:59 pm

        Thank you Kelly! They are a favourite around here for sure 🙂

        Reply
    5. Kevin

      November 16, 2018 at 1:38 pm

      5 stars
      Love a good sloppy joe and can’t even tell its vegan!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 18, 2018 at 12:59 pm

        Thank you Kevin! They are quite tasty 😉

        Reply
    6. Katherine | Love In My Oven

      November 15, 2018 at 11:12 pm

      I love lentil sloppy joes! It’s one of the few lentil dishes that my hubby actually really enjoys! I will definitely have to try your version, Dawn. What a perfect easy dinner!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 18, 2018 at 12:58 pm

        Thank you Katherine! Enjoy, my friend 🙂

        Reply
    7. Marissa

      November 15, 2018 at 5:11 pm

      5 stars
      These Vegan Sloppy Joes are pure genius, Dawn! I love it when you can take a heavy, comfort food favorite and riff on it to make something healthier but still delicious! You nailed it my friend!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 18, 2018 at 12:57 pm

        Thank you Marissa! You’re so sweet!!

        Reply
    8. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen

      November 15, 2018 at 10:12 am

      5 stars
      I have a friend who is vegan and I’m always looking for new recipes when she comes to visit Dawn! I’m not vegan, but I know I’d enjoy these too. They look totally delicious!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 18, 2018 at 12:56 pm

        Thank you Mary Ann! Hope you both love them 🙂

        Reply
    9. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop

      November 15, 2018 at 9:55 am

      5 stars
      Sloppy Joes are one of our favorites. I love how you made this version vegan! Using the lentils is a really great idea. This is a perfect weeknight meal because you can get it on the table in no time at all.

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 18, 2018 at 12:56 pm

        Thank you Kathy!! Gotta love easy meals for busy days 🙂

        Reply
    10. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen

      November 15, 2018 at 9:21 am

      5 stars
      I have a strong aversion to traditional sloppy joes because of ugly rumors at my elementary school on sloppy Joe day (think eyeballs in people’s lunches. . .oh the life of a 7-year-old). But I could definitely go for a vegan version! I think I’ve mentioned my love of lentils before; I adore them and anything made with them! I’m thinking I need to try these asap!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 18, 2018 at 12:56 pm

        LOL!! I remember that you love lentils…me too!! Thanks Kelsie! Hope you enjoy these as much as we do 🙂

        Reply
    11. [email protected]

      November 15, 2018 at 9:17 am

      5 stars
      Ooooh! Gorgeous twist on a classic! I’ve been craving Sloppy Joe’s, and now you’ve given me a delicious reason to get in the kitchen and make them! Looks fabulous!! Happy weekend, my friend! XOXO

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 18, 2018 at 12:55 pm

        Thank you Annie! Hope you love ’em! XOXO

        Reply
    12. Leanne | Crumb Top Baking

      November 15, 2018 at 9:11 am

      5 stars
      My husband eats sloppy joes on a regular basis, but he uses the canned sauce and ground beef. I’m definitely going to try this recipe. I bet he won’t even know the difference, and I’ll be able to enjoy some too! I also think this sloppy joe filling would be awesome in tacos or quesadillas! Happy almost weekend Dawn!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 18, 2018 at 12:55 pm

        I bet he would enjoy these! They are really yummy, Leanne! Thanks so much and hope you’re having an awesome weekend!

        Reply
    13. Mliena

      November 14, 2018 at 3:00 pm

      5 stars
      I am no vegan, but definitely an avid lentils fan. Just last night made a curried lentil dip with some naan. So…you combined a sloppy Joe (when I first had one I was already 26 and thought it was awesome:) and lentils. I say YES!!! PS. Like you I also keep canned lentils in the pantry. At all times. You never know when you’ll need them:) Pinned.

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 18, 2018 at 12:54 pm

        Yum!! Love lentils too! They are definitely good to have on hand, aren’t they?? Thanks Milena 🙂

        Reply
    14. Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers

      November 14, 2018 at 11:26 am

      5 stars
      My daughter loves the Yves products too. Such a great way to recreate the classics without meat . Looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Girl Heart Food

        November 18, 2018 at 12:53 pm

        Totally! Thanks Jennifer 🙂

        Reply

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