These easy to make Vegan Sloppy Joes are smoky, savory, and naturally sweetened to perfection. They take only 30 minutes to whip up from start to finish, making them a real quick and easy weeknight dinner! Treat yourself to this delicious vegan version of your favorite childhood sandwich.
Oh, Sloppy Joes. Who else remembers being excited when they were listed on the menu at the cafeteria? While the days of cafeteria food may be behind me, that doesn’t mean I can’t indulge in my favorite childhood meals – only now, with incredible vegan ingredients!
Pair your Vegan Sloppy Joes with classic sides like Easy Air Fryer Fries or The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese.
For more childhood favorites made vegan, make sure to check out my Vegan Tater Tot Casserole, Vegan Chicken Noodle Soup, Vegan Chicken Nuggets and Rice Krispie Treats!
Why you should make these vegan sloppy joes ASAP
- They’re oh so flavor packed! When I think of these sandwiches, the first word that comes to mind is “rich.” They’re rich with smoky, sweet, and savory flavors. That in depth flavor palate makes for one seriously satisfying bite!
- Hungry? These will hit the spot! The protein packed lentils sandwiched in between two buns ensure that you won’t leave the dinner table still hungry. These Sloppy Joes really fill you up.
- This is a budget friendly recipe. Lentils are pretty affordable, and the rest of the ingredients are pantry staples that you likely already have on hand. This is a great dinner recipe to use if you’re cooking on a budget!
How to make vegan sloppy joes
Find the complete printable recipe with measurements below in the recipe card.
- 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.
- Sauté the onion, green bell pepper and garlic for a few minutes.
- Now add the chili powder and smoked paprika, and stir to coat the vegetables for about 1 minute.
- Next, add the tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard and maple syrup. Stir until well incorporated. Add in the cooked lentils and stir them in.
- Serve on burger buns with red onion slices or pickled red onions if desired and enjoy!
Can I use vegan meat instead of lentils?
Yes! Since I first posted this recipe several years ago, Impossible and Beyond beef have really become more accessible. I often use a mixture of lentils, or simple all vegan “beef” if I’m in the mood.
To use it instead of lentils, simply cook it with the onion, garlic and green pepper, then continue with the rest of the recipe. 1 pound or block of vegan meat will substitute for the lentils here.
Frequently asked questions
- How long will Vegan Sloppy Joes stay fresh? Any leftover Sloppy Joe filling you have will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3-4 days.
- Can I freeze Vegan Sloppy Joes? The sloppy joe mixture freezes well; simply fill freezer-friendly containers, leaving a little room for expansion and freeze. Let it defrost when you’re ready to use it, then add it to a pot and cook until warm.
- How should I serve Vegan Sloppy Joes? I sometimes like to top off my sandwiches with sliced pickles and onions. However, you can just slap this mixture between two buns and call it a day!
Want more tasty vegan burgers and sandwiches?
- BBQ Tempeh Sandwich
- Tempeh Reuben
- Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger
- BBQ Jackfruit Pulled Pork
- The Best Veggie Burger
Vegan Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked green lentils
- 4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped small
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- (1) 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup (or tomato paste)
- 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoons salt, or to taste
- burger buns for serving
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. (Alternatively, use 3 cups canned lentils, drained and rinsed.)
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped onion, green bell pepper and garlic and sauté for 3-4 minutes.
- 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! I also like to eat this open faced on 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.
- Substitute Impossible or Beyond vegan beef for the lentils, if desired. Use 1 package (12 or 16 ounces). Or use a mix of lentils and “beef”.
- 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.
Nutrition
*This recipe was first published in June 2018 and has been updated with improved writing and options.
Love this recipe. Delicious, my only question is what makes the sodium so high??
The tomato sauce, ketchup and of course added salt. You can always reduce sodium by adding less salt and using salt free tomato sauce and ketchup if needed. Of course a little salt is needed to make it taste good though.
Way too much chili powder and paprika. Smokiness is great but this is simply overpowering.
Absolutely amazing!!!!
Thank you for sharing your great review!
Yum! This is the third lentil sloppy joe recipe that I’ve tried and definitely my favorite. It has the right balance of acid and sweet. Since I have two kiddos under 12, I cut the chili to 1/2 T and it was just right for their sensitive palettes. I also saved time and used two cans of lentils (drained and rinsed). I’ll be making this again for sure!
I’m so glad to hear you guys loved my sloppy joes, and will be making them again! Thank you for taking time to share your review!
This is my favorite recipe for vegan sloppy joes. I’ve made it more times than I can remember and it’s always delicious. I increase the seasoning a bit, and add a T of minced dried onion.
My son loves it too. I put it over sweet potatoes, or rice, or just on a whole grain roll. It’s also great in a wrap.
Anyway, thanks for the great recipes Nora! They never let me down. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your wonderful comments! I’m glad you are loving the recipe! I love all the ways you use the Sloppy Joes. Thank you for using my recipes, Kathleen!
Can I use brown lentils instead? Would it vary the cook time?
Yes, you could. They might take just a little longer to cook, but it should be fine.
This looks delicious! Is there a substitute for the mustard?
I don’t know of a substitution, but if simply dislike mustard you could leave it out.
Maybe a splash of vinegar ?
I make this recipe a lot; a couple of times I’ve been out of mustard and it still tastes good. Or I use a splash of vinegar like another reader suggested.
Thanks Sabrina! I appreciate your sharing your review and comments!
I put in almost a T mustard to reduce sodium
and left out syrup
still awesome delicious
Thanks Jeanie!
This was a great recipe, especially since I had all ingredients
in my pantry. I added Bulgar wheat when I realized 1 can of lentils would be insufficient. I simmered the bulgar in the sauce before adding lentils.
Delicious!
Hi Deanna. I’m so glad you loved the sloppy joes! Thank you for sharing!
Phenomenal!!! My adult son preferred these over the ones made with beef by his dad. So simple, tasty and delicious . This recipe completely satisfied my taste for a delicious sloppy joe! I used an Ezekiel pocket bread to serve it in
That’s so great to hear!
Delicious – very flavorful, and actually think these are better than the old beef version! Wonderful and easy.
Hi Nora,
could I cook this recipe in a slow cooker?
I’m sure you could, but I haven’t tried it. I’m not sure how long it will take, maybe 4 hours on high or 7-8 on low.
Thank you Nora! We stopped eating meat in May. I didn’t think I could ever do it, you have to change everything you’re use to at 50. Through trial and error we have stuck to it and now I won’t go back. These are to die for!! Thanks to your recipes. Absolutely the best!!! So flavorful and easy to make. I follow your recipes to a T. Yesterday for thanksgiving I made your “meat loaf”, vegan mashed potatoes, vegan gravy and green bean casserole. Everyone loved it, even those that still eat meat. Thank you for posting all these recipes. It’s so appreciated!!
Just made your recipe last night! made everything as you said, and I also added 1/2 lentils–a great way to sneak in a little more nutrition without the family staging a coup.
Added a small side of coleslaw.
Perfect! a keeper!
xo Eva
hi, can I use my slow cooker to make this recipe?
Probably but I haven’t tried it so I’m not sure.
So. Great. The first time I tried to make sloppy joes was with another blog’s recipe and my boyfriend was not impressed. He continued to be skeptical when I pulled out the lentils this time. But, like ALL your recipes, it was a hit. Thank you!
You’re so welcome! Thanks for the comment!
Thank you Nora for this fabulous recipe! It’s our favorite Sloppy Joe replacement since moving to a plant based lifestyle. I know I should eat more lentils, but we love it withBulgar Wheat instead.
I’m so glad you like it!
Can’t wait to make this Nora! Love your recipes! Question:,What brand of chili powder do you use? I know there can be different heat levels depending on the brand. I use Morton & Bassett, which has quite a bit of kick compared to say, McCormick chili
Powder. Just wondering if I should use the full 3 tablespoons.
Thank you so much! I use a variety of chili powders but try to get quality brands. You might want to use only 2 tablespoons to start if it’s really spicy, then add more in if you feel it needs it. Thank you!
Lentils can make me gassy…any suggestion on minimizing this?.⁰
I’ve heard soaking them before cooking can help!
I use Bulgar wheat instead of Lentil, so yummy
This is so easy and so delicious!! Definitely going into the rotation! I did think 2 tablespoons of chili powder was enough for myself and used 4 cups of canned lentils that I rinsed and drained. I have enough for leftovers and I can’t wait to eat it again!! Highly recommend this recipe!
Hello,
Do I need to presoak my lentils over night?
No, you do not.
I have a tomato allergy, so I used a red pepper sauce I make in place of the tomato sauce and ketchup. The spice ratio was exactly what I needed! The kids are happy once again. Lol
I’m so happy to hear that!! Thanks for the comment!
I haven’t made this yet but I was looking for a lentil sloppy joe because I think Lentils often are a good substitute for ground beef, the texture is similar to me. When I make sloppy joe’s I usually use left over’s the next morning by reheating the sloppy joe mixture and pouring it over torn up toast. When I served aboard an aircraft carrier years ago they had this slop they called SOS (you know) and it was sloppy joe over toast for breakfast, and I liked it and so I still eat it.
Soooo great!! I don’t even need to eat snacks because this comfort meal is so satisfying!
I added one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and swapped the lentils for sweet earth ground “beef”
Certainly worth it.
So glad it was good!
Can I use French Green lentils? That’s what my husband bought home from the store.
Sure, that works!