A twist on a classic, these vegan sloppy joes will knock your socks off! Loaded with lentils, a soy-based crumble and spices, this one-pot comfort food meal will satisfy the hunger bug every time!
Sloppy joes are a classic comfort food meal that’s traditionally made with ground beef, tomato sauce, onions and some simple spices.
I grew up on those and totally enjoyed them. These days, though, I often mix things up a bit and love to try vegan and vegetarian versions of some of my faves.
With the ingredients that I’m using for this vegan version, even meat lovers will devour them!
Ingredients for Vegan Sloppy Joes
Well, what makes these vegan sloppy joes ‘vegan’?
For the main component of these meatless sloppy joes, I used canned lentils and a soy-based crumble (which resembles somewhat the look and texture of ground beef).
This healthy sloppy joe recipe takes about 20 minutes to make. Yep, 20 minutes! And it’s made in one pot for easy cleanup. So, it’s awesome for an easy weekday dinner.
So, aside from canned lentils and the soy-based crumble, to make this easy sloppy joe recipe you’ll need:
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Dried spices, like chili powder, garlic powder, mustard powder, and oregano, as well as some salt and black pepper
- Fresh chili (or cayenne pepper powder)
- Tomato paste
- Veggie stock
- A touch of balsamic vinegar
- Burger buns (and any garnish that you enjoy)
How to Make Sloppy Joes With Lentils
Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
- In a pan, cook onion in a little oil until tender.
- Add veggie ground round (soy-based crumble) and cook a little.
- Stir in lentils.
- Add spices and fresh chili and cook for a few minutes
- Stir in tomato paste and heat through.
- Pour in stock and cook until heated through and you’ve reached your desired consistency.
- with balsamic vinegar. At this point, if you want a looser consistency, add a little more stock and heat through, if needed.
- Pile on buns and garnish (if you like). Enjoy!
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Type of Lentils To Use
I used canned lentils in this recipe and I regularly have them stocked in our pantry. They are 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.
You can use dried lentils, if you prefer, but they take a little longer to prep. Just cook ’em first and then proceed with the recipe.
More Tips & Variations
If you want to add some veggies to your sloppy joes, some diced bell pepper would work lovely! Add when you start to cook onion so they soften a bit.
I used Thai chili pepper here, but you could omit or replace with cayenne powder to taste (if that’s what you have on hand).
I used veggie stock in this recipe, but mushroom stock would work lovely too.
If you want even more tomato flavour add another tablespoon or so of tomato paste. Alternatively, you can add some tomato sauce or ketchup to replace some or all of the stock.
More Delicious Lentil Recipes
- Cheesy Lentil Quesadillas
- Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
- Spicy Lentil Soup with Kale
- Slow Cooker Curried Lentils and Kale
Hope you love this homemade sloppy joe recipe as much as we do!
If you make these vegan sloppy joes, be sure to leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed!
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Best Vegan Sloppy Joes (made in about 20 minutes)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion , peeled and roughly minced
- 12 ounces soy-based crumble (vegan and gluten free) (about a 340 gram package or roughly ¾ pound)
- 19 ounce can of lentils , rinsed and drained (about 2 cups)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 Thai chili peppers , minced (or ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper powder)
- 3 to 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup unsalted vegetable stock (or more for a looser consistency, if desired)
- ½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 4 burger buns (opt for vegan and gluten free, if needed)
Optional Garnish Ideas
- Vegan cheese shreds (to taste) (or regular if you want vegetarian)
- Hot peppers
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Cook onion, stirring often, until softened, about 3 to 5 minutes. See 'Notes' below if you want to add more veggies to your sloppy joes.
- To onion, add soy-based crumble. Break up with a wooden spoon or potato masher. Cook 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- To pan, add lentils and stir to combine. Add chili powder, garlic powder, mustard powder, oregano, salt, black pepper, chili peppers (or cayenne pepper powder) and tomato paste. Stir to combine. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in stock and bring to a simmer for a few minutes until heated through and you've reached your desired consistency (add more stock if you like your sloppy joes more 'loose' or saucy).
- Stir in balsamic vinegar. Serve on warmed or toasted buns. Garnish, if desired, with vegan cheese, hot peppers or any of your favouite sloppy joe toppings. Enjoy!
Nutrition (ESTIMATE ONLY)
Nutrition estimate (if provided) is based on 1 Serving.
Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are guidelines only.
Leila F
I am wondering if anyone has tried making this recipe with TVP instead of Veggie Ground?
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
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!
Sally @gooddinnermom.com
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.
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Sally! Hope you love them as much as we do 🙂
David @ Spiced
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!
Girl Heart Food
You sure can! Thanks David! Hope you love ’em 🙂
Kelly | Foodtasia
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.
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Kelly! They are a favourite around here for sure 🙂
Kevin
Love a good sloppy joe and can’t even tell its vegan!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Kevin! They are quite tasty 😉
Katherine | Love In My Oven
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!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Katherine! Enjoy, my friend 🙂
Marissa
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!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Marissa! You’re so sweet!!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
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!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Mary Ann! Hope you both love them 🙂
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
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.
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Kathy!! Gotta love easy meals for busy days 🙂
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
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!
Girl Heart Food
LOL!! I remember that you love lentils…me too!! Thanks Kelsie! Hope you enjoy these as much as we do 🙂
[email protected]
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
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Annie! Hope you love ’em! XOXO
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
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!
Girl Heart Food
I bet he would enjoy these! They are really yummy, Leanne! Thanks so much and hope you’re having an awesome weekend!
Mliena
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.
Girl Heart Food
Yum!! Love lentils too! They are definitely good to have on hand, aren’t they?? Thanks Milena 🙂
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
My daughter loves the Yves products too. Such a great way to recreate the classics without meat . Looks delicious!
Girl Heart Food
Totally! Thanks Jennifer 🙂