Did your parents ever make you sloppy joes growing up?
If so, welcome to the club.
If not, I’m sorry, you poor neglected soul. (Just kidding, but also kind of not kidding).
Sloppy joes are so delicious! And I haven’t had them since my mom made them for me back in high school. My sister and I would return home from sports practice absolutely famished and we’d eat two open-faced sloppy joes with a side of mac ‘n’ cheese.
Oh, how my diet has changed since then! But my craving for this sweet, savory, smoky sandwich has not. Let’s do this!
Origins of Sloppy Joes
You may think of Sloppy Joes as an American classic (and that may be true), but the origin story isn’t crystal clear! One theory is that the dish was created in the 1930s by a Sioux City, Iowa chef named Joe.
But another popular story is that it may have actually originated in Havana, Cuba. It’s thought that a bar owner named José García created it as a handheld modification of a Cuban dish called ropa vieja. The concept may have then been introduced by Ernest Hemmingway to a bar in Florida.
We’re not sure who deserves the credit for Sloppy Joes, but we do know we love them! The following is our plant-based take on the concept.
Vegan Sloppy Joes
This recipe comes together in roughly 30 minutes, including cooking your lentils! It’s so simple and quick that it’s sure to become a weeknight staple in your home.
The ingredients are also simple. In fact, the only thing not already in my pantry was Worcestershire sauce (I include a vegan-friendly brand recommendation below, as well as a recipe idea if you can’t find any at the store).
Easy recipes that you can make with everyday pantry items – that’s SO my thing.
I think you guys are going to LOVE these sandwiches. They’re:
Smoky
Savory
Slightly spicy
Super hearty
Naturally sweetened
Fiber- + protein-rich
Quick
& Delicious
These would make the perfect meal to throw together when you need something quick and hearty to feed a crowd. One batch should generously serve four. And if you’re a solo diner, this recipe is great to have around during the week to reheat for lunches or easy, healthy dinners.
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, be sure to rate it, and don’t forget to tag a picture @minimalistbaker on Instagram! Your photos always make our day. Cheers, friends!
Vegan Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
LENTILS
- 2 cups water (I used half water, half vegetable broth)
- 1 cup green or red lentils, well rinsed (red lentils for quicker/more tender result or green lentils for more bite/texture)
SLOPPY JOES
- 2 Tbsp olive, grape seed, or avocado oil
- 1/2 medium white or yellow onion, minced (plus more for serving)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (2 cloves yield ~1 Tbsp)
- 1/2 medium red or green bell pepper, diced
- Sea salt and black pepper (to taste)
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce*
- 1-2 Tbsp coconut sugar (plus more to taste // or sub brown sugar)
- 1-2 Tbsp vegan-friendly Worcestershire sauce* (like this brand // ensure gluten-free for GF eaters)
- 1-2 tsp chili powder (plus more to taste)
- 1 tsp ground cumin (plus more to taste)
- 1 pinch smoked or regular paprika (optional)
FOR SERVING optional
- Gluten-free or whole-wheat hamburger buns*
Instructions
- If using green lentils: To a small saucepan, add liquid (I used 1 cup water, 1 cup vegetable broth for added flavor // amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) and rinsed green lentils and heat over medium-high heat. Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook covered for about 18-22 minutes, or until tender. The water should have a constant simmer (not boil). Drain off any excess liquid and set aside.
- If using red lentils: To a small saucepan, add liquid (water and/or vegetable broth) and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add rinsed red lentils and bring back to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 7-10 minutes, or until just tender. You want them to be cooked through but not mushy. Drain well and set aside.
- In the meantime, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add oil, onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Season with a pinch each salt and pepper and stir to combine.
- Sautè for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, or until the peppers and onions are tender and slightly browned.
- Next add tomato sauce, coconut sugar, vegan worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, and paprika (optional). Stir to combine.
- Once the lentils are cooked, add them to the skillet as well, and stir to combine.
- Continue cooking the mixture over medium-low heat until completely warmed through and thick, stirring occasionally – about 5-10 minutes.
- Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more chili powder and/or cumin for smokiness, salt for saltiness, coconut sugar for sweetness, or worcestershire for depth of flavor.
- Serve the mixture on toasted buns with sliced onion. Best when fresh, though leftover sloppy joe mixture will keep in the refrigerator up to 4-5 days, or in the freezer for 1 month. Reheat in the microwave, or on the stovetop, adding water or vegetable broth if the mixture has dried out.
Video
Notes
*If you can’t locate vegan Worcestershire sauce at the store, try this recipe from Forks Over Knives.
*My go-to whole-wheat vegan hamburger buns are from Trader Joe’s. For gluten-free, try our Homemade Vegan Gluten-Free Hamburger Buns or if you do/can eat eggs, Udi’s Gluten Free Hamburger Buns are another option.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without a bun.
Jessica G says
This was delicious! I doubled the recipe and did half lentils, half ground turkey. I didn’t measure the spices, and Worcestershire sauce, i just added the approx amounts and adjusted as necessary.
In my lentil container, I previously mixed all the lentils I had together, so I had a mix and boiled them for about 10 minutes, drained, then set aside and prepared the sauce. I boiled the sauce down a little bit, added the lentils and simmered the sauce for another 5-10 minutes. It was rich and thick and hearty. Will definitely be making this again!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Jessica! Thank you for sharing! xo
Ingrid says
So good! I made Worcestershire sauce from scratch and used agave. Will definitely make again.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe and will be making it again, Ingrid! Thank you for sharing! xo
Claire says
Hey there, I’ve made this many times and it is always delicious. Quick question… would this recipe freeze well? I can’t see why not.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoy this recipe, Claire. Thank you for sharing! Yes, it does freeze well. Enjoy! xo
Charlotte says
The Vegan Sloppy Joe recipe is absolutely delicious!! I’m adding it to my regular recipe rotation. I’ll make it when family comes to visit! Thank you so much! (I added a tablespoon of Calabrian peppers as I had an open jar of it.)
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! We’re so glad you enjoy the recipe, Charlotte. Thank you for sharing! xo
Sue says
A family favorite for years sometimes I add a couple chipotle peppers in adobe sauce or SF bbq sauce to the recipe always comes out great
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yum, great idea! Thank you for sharing, Sue! xo
JoAnn says
Can I use brown (pardina) in this. I buy in bulk and always have on hand
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yes, brown lentils will work! They will cook similarly to green lentils.
Sara says
Any suggestions for modifying this for a pressure cooker?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Sara, we’re not sure if it will work well in a pressure cooker because the acidity of the tomatoes may cause the lentils to not fully soften. It may also be too thick, causing a burn warning (if using an electric pressure cooker like an Instant Pot). It could be worth a try though! Another reader reported success with 10 minutes high pressure and 10 minutes natural release. Let us know if you give it a try!
MCF says
Can I use my homemade tomato sauce for this recipe , pretty much has the same ingredients as the purchased ones
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yes, that should work well!
Valerie says
We loved the flavor of this, but didn’t feel it went well on a bun. We’ll use the leftovers as a side, sort of like baked beans. We’ll probably make it again purely for a side, because the flavor and texture would be perfect for that purpose!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Thank you for the honest review, Valerie! Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy it as much on a bun.
Natasha Daniels says
This recipe is delicious with such a great flavor! I will be making this on the regular. The only thing I will do differently is either use 1/2 or 3/4 can of tomato sauce, or add tomato paste. While this recipe has a fantastic flavor, it is too “sloppy” to be eaten on a bun. It’s so sloppy the bread immediately just falls apart. Other than that, it was fabulous!!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Thank you for sharing your experience, Natasha! We’re glad you enjoyed it overall. Increasing the heat on the stovetop and/or cooking longer (uncovered) should also help it thicken more. Hope that helps!
Loretta says
I made these for a potluck dinner. I wanted something a little different. It was a huge hit! Thank you! I used honey and molasses in place of the coconut sugar and I quadrupled the recipe. I started the seasonings/”sugar” etc. off on the lower end and added to taste.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! We’re so glad it was a hit. Thank you for sharing, Loretta! xo
Laura says
This recipe sounds amazing! As simple and easy as it sounds, I bring a lot of laziness to the table so I was wondering what you think might happen if I just threw everything into an Instant Pot and let ‘er rip.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Laura, we’re not sure if the lentils will soften fully because of the acidity of the tomatoes. It may also be too thick, causing a burn warning, but it could be worth a try! Another reader did report success with 10 minutes high pressure and 10 minutes natural release. Let us know if you give it a try!
Marisa says
Wow!! I haven’t had sloppy joes in YEARS… This was so delicious and nostalgic.. Absolutely spot on! THANK YOU🤗
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re so glad you enjoyed this version, Marisa. Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Mary says
This recipe is quite delicious and easy to make! Thanks
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoy it! Thank you for sharing, Mary! xo
Nelle says
Used this to make sloppy joe biscuit cups with homemade sourdough biscuits for my gluten sensitive family member.
So. Delicious.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yum, that sounds very delicious. Thank you for sharing, Nelle! xo
Chris J says
I have a vegan celiac in our house and this recipe is perfect. Sometimes I add 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper or some red pepper flakes. Usually substitute soy sauce for the worsteshire sauce..always delicious.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoy the recipe, Chris. Thank you for sharing!
Tanja says
Made this for dinner tonight and my husband and I loved it! I didn’t have any Worcestershire sauce so subbed Soy instead and worked out great. Served on fresh burger buns and topped with thinly sliced cucumbers. Will definitely add this in rotation for easy and fast meals.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! We’re so glad you both enjoyed it, Tanja. Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Marie says
I just subbed the lentil with soy chorizo..it was quicker,n delicious,thanks
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! Thank you for sharing, Marie!
Cheryl says
I’ve made this a couple times and it’s always a hit. I’m currently making a batch for my mom as she enjoys having it in fridge for the week. Mom is vegetarian but ALL who’ve had it enjoy it. I like being able to adjust flavors and it’s a budget friendly dish too.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you both enjoy it, Cheryl! Thanks so much for the lovely review. xo
Laura says
We make this probably once or twice a month. It’s a great quick meal and one that our meat-eating friends love. It’s also easy to make while camping, especially using canned lentils.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! Thank you for sharing, Laura! xo
Ashlie says
Hi there! Can you tell me which Trader Joe’s sauce is your favorite to use, please? Thank you so much! :)
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Ashlie, it’s in the canned tomatoes section and should be labeled tomato sauce. Hope that helps!
PK says
I make this over and over and over again! Great meal prep for quick wraps, bowls or sloppy joes. Flavor is amazing!!! Its a great topping for baked sweet potatoes, hearty salads and on and on! Always a hit at parties, I make nachos with this as well. Thank you for such a great and versatile recipe!!!!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoy the recipe, PK. Thanks so much for the lovely review and for sharing those great serving ideas! xo
Hannah says
This was so delicious and yummy, I can’t stop thinking about it! I made it for my family tonight and everyone just ate it up with so much joy. It was tremendous to see how much everyone enjoyed it considering how easy it was to prepare, and how nourishing it is. Thanks for this amazing recipe. Looking forward to more!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Aw, yay! We’re so glad it was a hit with the whole family, Hannah. Thank you for sharing! xo
Missy Troutman DeSouza says
My church group cooks a supper of sloppy Joe’s and French fries for a residential recovery group of about 100 men once a month. Recently a few fellows have commented they don’t eat meat- which left them with a meal of French fries! I tried this recipe last month to offer an alternative- those who had it loved it- I must agree- I’m not vegan, but I kept some for my husband and me! Making it again this month-
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
That’s so sweet of you to try out this version for them! And we’re so happy that everyone is loving it. Thank you for the lovely review! xo
CJ says
So good! The first bite totally transported me back to my childhood—the flavors, the saucy fingers and all :-) Will definitively be making again! I didn’t have Worcestershire sauce so just subbed with soy sauce and increased the cumin + chili powder + smoked paprika. Tasted fabulous!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Aw, yay! We love that! Thank you for sharing, CJ! xo
Ingrid says
YUM!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
xoxo!
Lynn says
I am vegan and love all of your recipes, THANK YOU!
When I made this recipe, I used my immersion blender to blend up about half of the cooked lentils, and I really liked how that changed the overall consistency and texture. Make it less “lentil-y” and more “meaty”-looking and tasting, which I think might appeal a little more to some, particularly meat-eaters.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoy our recipes, Lynn! Thank you so much for the lovely review and for sharing your method! xo
Kate says
I make this all winter, as written. It is my go to lentil recipe (along with Moroccan Spiced Lentils.) I serve this not on buns, but with a side of mashed potatoes and a green veggie. I happily eat the leftovers for lunch the next couple of days. Looking forward to cool weather to make this again. And again.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! Love that. Thanks so much for sharing, Kate! xo
Jodie says
I almost always have a can of tomato sauce in my pantry…but not today. So I used a full can of fire roasted potatoes. I cut the recipe to 2 servings (thanks for the option of doing that!) but only cut the lentils down. I love spices so kept that the same plus added cayenne. I added carrots cuz I had em and like the extra chunk. Delicious as all your recipes are and I’m thinking I’ll roast a sweet potato later and top it with this and some yogurt. Oh and I’ll splash a tiny bit of balsamic later just for a bit of acidity!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! Thank you for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications, Jodie! xo
fran says
This is our go-to comfort food! Whatever lentils we have goes in. Whatever papper we have goes in. It is such a flexible recipe. We usually serve it open face with melted cheese from the broiler. Now THAT’S comfort food! Thanks so much for the recipe.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Love that! Thanks so much for sharing, Fran! xoxo
Jean says
I had brown lentils which resemble ground beef I suppose and worked well. I used a sweet onion and I think that was a mistake as it seemed a little too sweet. I had half a red pepper to use so I chopped that up and threw it in too. Also put about a half cup ketchup which my Mom always used and really upped the flavor for me! Really good on top of baked sweet potatoes.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Thank you for sharing your experience, Jean! We think ketchup and red bell pepper likely contributed to it being too sweet. If adding those next time, you can omit or reduce the coconut sugar. Hope that helps!
Carey says
Delicious. Smoky and sweet with the right amount of heat. Next, Going to make it with red lentils and top carrot dogs with it.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yum, that serving idea sounds delicious, Carey! Thank you for sharing! xo
Dannah says
I am so glad I came across this recipe. I make it frequently, and though we are not vegan, we are trying to eat more plant based. My family loves these sloppy joes! My question is, what is the serving size? The recipe says it serves 4. I guess I could figure it out, but figured I’d ask first! Thanks so much. :)
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you and your family enjoy it, Dannah! We don’t have a precise measurement for serving size besides 1/4 of the recipe, but would estimate ~3/4-1 cup.
Greg says
I can figure out where all the calories come from?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Primarily from the lentils and hamburger buns, with other ingredients contributing some as well.
Quin says
This was very good . I didn’t have enough tomato sauce so I used one small can of tomato sauce and added a can of fire roasted tomatoes .
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! Thank you for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications! xo
Meg says
I’d like to make a big batch of this — what do you think of using a mix of green and red lentils?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Meg, We think that would be lovely! We’d recommend cooking the two types of lentils separately since red lentils cook faster, then you can add them both in step 6.
Nicole Gutierrez says
Can I use yellow Dahl to make this in place of lentils ? Does it freezer welll?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Nicole, The filling does freeze well! Yellow dahl might work, but we’d recommend cooking it using a recipe specific to yellow dahl (for steps 1 and 2) instead of following the instructions for red or green lentils.
Adrianna says
I didn’t realize the recipe said tomato sauce- i thought it said diced tomatoes. anyways- i didn’t have regular diced tomatoes so I used fire roasted diced tomatoes and WOW I will continue to do this because it gives the sloppy joes a smoky authentic flavor – EVERYONE at them- I actually put them in little pillsbury crescent dough cups and baked them with a cheddar/gruyere cheese topping. They were gone in minutes!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! We’re so glad everyone enjoyed them, Adrianna. Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Amy says
This was so good! My whole family loved it! I used red lentils, because that’s what I had on hand, and cooked them for 7 mins, as instructed, and they were perfect – cooked, but still meaty, not mushy.
I will definitely be making this again! Thank you so much for this recipe! 💗
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! We’re so glad you and your family enjoyed it, Amy. Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Ember says
Amaizing! Both my husband and I love this. Though neither of us are vegan, we do love beans and lentils so I was excited to experiment with this recipe. Was not disappointed! We plan on making this again soon. I didn’t have paprika or chili powder and I don’t have coconut sugar either so I used cane sugar. Still turned out perfectly and it’s very affordable to make too
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Woohoo! Thanks so much for the great review, Ember, we’re so glad you both enjoy this recipe!
Sarah says
I was looking for a healthy topping for baked potatoes (rather than butter and cheese) and discovered this recipe. It did go very well with the potatoes and I would recommend others try it (also added a dollop of sour cream). I followed the recipe, with 2 exceptions: I reduced the oil to 1 tsp and subbed turbinado sugar for the coconut sugar. Today I had the left overs for lunch and it was soooo good. It really gave the opportunity for all of the flavors to work their magic. I will definitely make it again, but will likely use a whole bell pepper and whole onion and maybe add some mushrooms and/or celery.
Kelsey says
I made this and it was delicious! I didn’t have tomato sauce so I just added 6oz of tomato paste to the green pepper, onion, and garlic then let the tomato paste cook a bit to sweeten it up. I kept a bit extra water with the lentils and mixed it all together to form the “sloppy joe”. I’m not vegan but this is a great way to get in extra veggies, fiber, and protein!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! Thanks so much for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications, Kelsey!
Patience says
I made this and I was shocked at how easy and delicious it was!! Definitely recommend.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! Thanks for the great review, Patience!
Maggie says
I make this almost every 2 weeks bc I’ve memorized the recipe and it never fails me!! I love your site. I almost always have the ingredients. Thank you 💜
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! We’re so glad this is a go-to recipe for you, Maggie!
Theresia says
Wow! Although I’m not a Vegan, I am trying to make more days nutritionally Plant based. The flavor here is outstanding! I did make a small change, because I don’t normally have coconut sugar in the house, and my Mom’s old Untidy Joseph recipe included brown sugar-so I subbed in 1 TB dark molasses for the 2 TB coconut sugar. It turned out great. Thank you for posting this! I think next time I make this (AND I WILL) I will also add about 1/2 of a minced jalapeno for a tiny bit more heat.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Love it! Thanks so much for the great review and for sharing your modifications, Theresia!
drew says
I thought this was fantastic. I added a little more coconut suger and ate it on a lettuce wrap like a taco
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed them, Drew. Thanks so much for the lovely review! xo
Evie says
I have an allergy to coconut. Can I replace that with regular white granulated sugar measure for measure or would that be too sweet? If so. What can I substitute with?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Evie! That swap should work, you could also try some maple syrup!
Esme says
This is one of the most used recipes in my house — any time we need to feed a crowd as there’s always a variety of dietary needs around!
I use canned lentils (my concession to laziness!), usually one and a half cans for the base recipe (although I always double or triple). I’m of the “that looks/smells/tastes right” school of cooks so I kind of just meddle until there’s enough.
When it comes to serving, we always have coleslaw, usually some lightly spiced rice and sometimes pickles alongside — just anything that will make it stretch! For the dairy eaters, we have sour cream and grated cheese.
Thanks for such an amazing, simple recipe!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re so glad you’re enjoying it, Esme. Thank you for sharing! xo
Donna Kohn says
I made this recipe tonight. I used precooked lentils from Trader Joe’s. So good! Great for days I don’t feel like cooking.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Donna! Thanks so much for sharing!
Cathy Smihula says
Thank you for all the wonderful recipes you share! With so many different conditions we humans have now, it is getting pretty complicated to prepare food!
Quick question – Do you have recipes (or suggested ingredient substitutions) for those who have heart and/or diabetes needs? I could use some information for those categories in addition to the ones you already are doing.
Thank you for the great things you are doing. :-)
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Cathy, we’re so glad you enjoy our recipes! Since there can be different approaches for how to address those conditions, we don’t have specific filters by condition. However, you can use the “special diet” filter on our recipe index to sort by which dietary approach has been recommended for you. Hope that helps!
Michelle says
I don’t suppose this could be made with tofu instead lentils? Lentils have high rates of cross contamination for those who are allergic to wheat.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Michelle! We haven’t tried this recipe with tofu and are not sure how it would hold up. If you do try it, we suggest using an extra firm tofu and crumbling it into the pan. Let us know if you try it!
Teresa says
I’m very sensitive to gluten and I have never had a reaction to lentils, even though I’ve eaten many different types of lentils from different brands and different stores. I had never heard they could be cross-contaminated.
I think it’s worth trying unless you know you’ve had a reaction to lentils.
Or do you mean cross-reactive (like people who react to gluten may also react to lentils because of a similar protein)? I can identify with that as even certified gluten-free oats give me a similar, though less severe, reaction as gluten.
Devin says
Can you make this with canned lentils?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Devin, that should work!
Amy says
This was a great recipe. So satisfying and tasty. I did not have vegan Worcestershire, so I substituted 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar, and 1Tbsp soy sauce, and it was perfect. I also added some cayenne pepper too, I need everything spicy haha. Definitely a keeper!!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! Thanks so much for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications, Amy!
Melissa says
I just made this tonight, it was delicious! I used Braggs aminos(didn’t have Worcestershire), liquid smoke, ketchup and brown sugar since I didn’t have coconut sugar. Green lentils were perfect after 20 mins with some bite still. I added some riced cauliflower as well, I like its meaty texture. Family and I enjoyed this on brioche buns. My meat loving husband loved it! Thanks!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! Thanks so much for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications, Melissa!
Melissa says
I just made this tonight, it was delicious! I used Braggs aminos(didn’t have Worcestershire), liquid smoke, and brown sugar since I didn’t have coconut sugar. Green lentils were perfect after 20 mins with some bite still. Family and I enjoyed this on brioche buns. My meat loving husband loved it! Thanks!
Sunny says
This can be a little messy when eating (sloppy, I get it!) so my trick is lightly pulsing the mixture in a food processor. (I also add a little bit of mustard in the mix too, and instead of Worcestershire sometimes adding a few drops of liquid smoke does the trick!)
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Thanks for sharing your modifications, Sunny!
Alex says
I made it with red lentils and also some mayo-maustrad-honey sauce.
It turned out amazing and much lighter than meat or soy protein sloppy joes.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for sharing, Alex! xo
Diane says
I have made this many times and it is always amazing, i love to top with extra sweet raw onion and sliced jalapeños and super delicious on the Dave’s killer wheat hamburger buns. It checks a lot of boxes, protein + veggies + fiber + low salt + no sugar + low oil. I recently made without the olive oil instead sautéed the veggies in a small of veggie stock and literally could not tell a difference but saved lots of oil.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yum! Thanks so much for the great review and for sharing your experience, Diane!
Jennifer Horsman says
Delicious!! I made this recipe last night and it turned out excellent! I used 1 teaspoon of chili powder, 2 teaspoons of cumin, and 2 pinches of paprika. I also added about 1.5 packed cup of shredded zucchini at the end and cooked for a bit longer. It was awesome!
I shredded half a large zucchini in my food processor and then pressed the water out of the zucchini using a clean kitchen towel.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Woohoo! Thanks so much for the great review, Jennifer!
Yui says
Delicious recipe. I am thankful you included how to add different types of tastes so I am able to adjust accordingly. I like mine smokier so I put more cumin. My family is a big fan of this recipe, thank you for sharing
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! Thanks so much for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications, Yui!
MsRaeDiva says
Just beginning my vegan journey. I found this recipe to be easy and I love beans. I toasted my bread and added some vegan cheese. It was very good and the beans were cooked to the right consistency with a little crunch. However, since I’m cooking for only me, the recipe was too much. So instead of freezing the leftovers, I made a (kitchen sink – cleaning out the frig) lentil pasta dish with a few added spices, added some wilted some spinach near the end of and melted vegan cheese…Delicious
P.S.: Though I enjoyed the recipe, I like lentils for other dishes and not particular use as a sandwich.
Thank you for the great recipe for my vegan journey
@minimalistbaker #minimalistbaker
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Thank you for sharing! xo
Crystal C. says
Love this recipe! If you’re looking to add even more iron to your vegan sloppy joes I used 3 tablespoons of blackstrap molasses instead of the 1-2 Tbs coconut sugar as a sweetener and it tastes delicious.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Great tip! Thank you for sharing, Crystal! xo
Tatiana says
This is easily one of my favorite go-to recipes. I have made it countless times and it is always phenomenal. Love it!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re so glad you enjoy it, Tatiana! Thank you for sharing! xo
Diane M says
I’m trying to do more plant based meals and this recipe looked intriguing. I tried it and loved it. I substituted Maple syrup for the coconut sugar. The batch was large for just one person so I froze a portion. After 2 or 3 meals of the ‘sloppy joes’ it was gone. Instead of thawing the other portions I just had to make a second batch a couple days later! I’ve had this on open face bread, pasta, alone warm or cold and heated in a large precooked portobello mushroom. I will try it on spaghetti squash in the fall and maybe in a zucchini ‘boat’. Great recipe. Thank You!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Love all your creative serving ideas, Diane! Thank you for sharing! xo
Loren says
This is another family favorite at our house and we always double the batch so we have plenty of leftovers. I had to write to tell you I have been craving these for a week and decided tonight was going to be the night. My husband started the lentils while I was on my way home from work. I got home only to realize we were out of bell peppers (which I swear we had one lone pepper left) and a quarter of an onion (what kind of vegetarians run out of onion?). I begrudgingly improvised and added zucchini at my husbands suggestion. Then I absent mindedly threw in a jar of marinara instead of the puree we usually use. I was sure dinner was ruined. It was not. It was still delicious! This recipe is really failproof! I still prefer the recipe as written, but it was great to satisfy the craving with a couple substitutions!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Aw, we’re so glad it worked out in the end! Thank you for sharing, Loren! xoxo
Christine Poll says
Made this fir dinner tonight and it was amazing! My husband and I were vegetarian for 4 years before our return to meat eating. This reminded me of why I loved our old way of eating. Because we aren’t vegan, I was able to use regular Worcestershire sauce and I did top it with smoked cheddar.
IT. WAS. FANTASTIC! The sauce is the closest I have come to the flavour I remember from my mom’s homemade recipe.
My husband even said he prefers this over the meat version!
Win win!
This will definitely become part of our usual meal rotation!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Woohoo! Thanks so much for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications, Christine. So glad you both enjoyed!
Jazzmine says
I’m not vegan , more “plant forward” but this recipe does not disappoint, the flavor just jumps out at you and the texture of the lentils is perfect !! I added some df cheddar cheese (violife) onion, tomato, and classic potato chips. ALL the nostalgia!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoy this recipe, Jazzmine! Thank you for sharing! xo
Trina says
We had this for dinner tonight. I did use some lefter lentils I steamed in my pressure cooker. I also doubled the seasoning. Used a 20 ounce jar of tomato puree. Used jarred red bell pepper, what I had. This recipe is delicious. I put out sliced pickles, chopped onion, and mustard, since some in reviewers enjoyed theirs this way, let family build their own. Big hit!
Thank you,
Trina
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yum! Thanks so much for the great review and for sharing your modifications, Trina. So glad you all enjoyed!
Kathy Dainat says
My husband loved this dish. I liked it too and I liked that it only took 1/2 hour to make. Next time I make it though I am going to cut down on the amount of lentils. I prefer a more tomato-type sauce for Sloppy Joes. For me, the recipe was a bit too heavy on the lentil side. I didn’t have smoked paprika but I did have some liquid smoke and this gave it a nice BBQ flavor.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Thank you for sharing your experience, Kathy! xo
Celia says
I absolutely loved this recipe. We put the filling on brioche burger buns from the local bakery and perhaps we reached heaven. It was flavorful, filling, and fun. What more I could ask for?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
That sounds extra delicious, Celia! Thank you for sharing! xo
Tami says
This recipe is in our regular rotation now! We put it in whole grain pitas and top with sautéed onions. Delicious!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yum! That sounds amazing, Tami! Thank you for sharing! xo
Maura Baptist says
It was delicious. Thank you!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed, Maura. Thanks for the review!
Barb says
I made the Sloppy Joe using extra garlic, roasted red peppers, tomato sauce canned from the garden, and a couple of tablespoons of cider vinegar. It was DELICIOUS. I had mine on brown rice and my husband had it on sourdough bread. A quick meal to make!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Sounds like a lovely meal! Thank you for sharing, Barb!
Lisa says
I made this with Beyond Burger and liked it a lot, served on toast with shredded cheese. Next time I’ll make it with lentils.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yum! Thanks so much for the great review and for sharing your modifications, Lisa!
Melissa says
All the adults in the family enjoyed this recipe and it was very easy to make. The kids thought it was too spicy, so next time I will forgo the chili powder totally and reduce the cumin. Thanks for creating a healthy recipe that is fast for weeknights!!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Melissa! Thank you for sharing your family’s experience! xo
Julia says
Wow was this soo good!! I have tried multiple veggie sloppy joes recipes in the past and always been disappointed. This was a great hit. Did a double batch half French lentils half red lentils. I added some celery seeds because my moms sloppy joes always had a little celery. Served open faced with red onions tomatoes and spicy pickled peppers – yum!!!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Julia! Thank you for sharing! xo
Susan Jordan says
We love this recipe, I made it again tonight! I have a half vegetarian, half meat eater family (super fun) and EVERYONE loves these sloppy joes! I constantly go to your website for inspiration so thank you for sharing so many awesome ideas!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Aw, yay! We’re so glad to hear everyone enjoyed it, Susan! Thank you for your kind words and lovely review! xo
Ruth Register says
I compared three different Lentil Sloppy Joe recipes and this was the easiest, using ingredients I already had on hand. I have been trying to get more lentils in my diet and thought I wasn’t a fan but this recipe changed my mind! Both my husband and I loved it. I used red lentils, added 2 Tbsp tomato paste for richness and regular paprika and a tiny dash of liquid smoke as a substitute for smoked paprika. As per another comment I topped with dill pickle and mustard. Thanks you so much for the delicious recipes!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you and your husband enjoyed the recipe, Ruth! Thank you for sharing! xo
Tara says
Fantastic recipe – so excited to try! Can you use canned red lentils in this recipe?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Tara, It should be fine to drain them and then add in step 6. Hope that helps!
Tara says
Thank you!!! Very helpful :) Making these tonight!
Emily Q says
So yummy! I didn’t change a thing — used red lentils, and the upper end of the recommended spices. Loved it.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! Thanks for the lovely review, Emily!
Sabrina says
My family and friends are obsessed with these sloppy joes and ask me to make it all the time. I always follow the recipe exactly and season to taste. I have surprised so many meat-eaters who end up loving this recipe and going back for seconds. We particularly love to eat it with dill pickles as a topping. Thanks for the great recipe!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Amazing! We’re so glad everyone enjoys it! Thank you for sharing, Sabrina! xo
Melissa says
I didn’t have high expectations for this recipe but it was incredible! It also made a lot, perfect for freezing the extra and having later!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Melissa. Thanks so much for the lovely review!
Lisa Angelella says
So tasty and easy!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! Thanks for sharing, Lisa! xo
Kary says
I cannot tell you how much I love this recipe! It tastes even better than how I remember the Sloppy Joe’s of my childhood. I substitute tvp for the lentils, and add a quarter tsp of liquid smoke.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! Love to hear this. Thanks so much for the review, Kary!
Kira says
Absolutely delicious. The smoked paprika is a must add because it gives it that lovely smokey taste.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! Thanks so much, Kira!