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Delicious vegan Lentil Sloppy Joes that can be made in your Instant Pot, slow cooker, or on the stove top. Instructions for all methods are included below!
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Vegan sloppy joes have always been an easy favourite meal to make and eat around here.
Up until I bought my Instant Pot (this is the one I own and I LOVE it! (Amazon Link)), I made slow cooker lentil sloppy joes or I made them on the stove top (when I forgot to put everything in the slow cooker in the morning 🙂 )
Since I bought my Instant Pot, I've adapted my recipe to be made the pressure cooker way and this has become my favourite way to make them.
The main reason being is that there's no babysitting the Instant Pot. You just set it and walk away until your Instant Pot sloppy joes are done. And it's quick!
Not to worry if you don't have an Instant Pot, though...
I've included directions on how to make this recipe for vegetarian sloppy joes with lentils without one (slow cooker / crock pot and stove top) and no matter which way you go, you're going to end up with the same delicious result.
What Kind of Lentils Should I Use?
I prefer to use brown lentils because I like the finished texture they give and how they hold their shape. Green lentils also work very well but I don't recommend red lentils.
Red lentils can be used to make vegetarian sloppy joes, but the cook time will have to be adjusted. Red lentils cook very quickly so if you cook them too long, the texture will be mushy.
What is Liquid Smoke?
Note: If you prefer to leave this ingredient out, that's okay, the recipe will be just fine and just as delicious without it!
These smoky lentil sloppy joes get some of their flavour from liquid smoke. If you've never used it before, it gives your recipes a nice, smoky flavour.
You can find it in the condiment section of your grocery store, and a little goes a long way (this recipe only calls for a ½ teaspoon!), so your bottle will last a very long time.
What Can Be Done with Leftovers?
You can make more sandwiches, nothing wrong with that!
Or, if you want something a little different, you can bake regular or sweet potatoes and top them with your leftover lentil sloppy joe sandwich filling:
This is a nice idea for a quick lunch, and I like to top with the lentils, cubed avocado, and parsley or cilantro. They're so good. If you use sweet potatoes, you can make them quickly in your Instant Pot, see this post to get the directions --> Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes.
The leftover lentil mixture can also be served on top of rice or as a side.
Can This Recipe be Made In Advance?
Yes! This is a great make-ahead recipe for weekly meal prep. It can be refrigerated and reheated, if needed, and it also freezes well. When reheating, if you find it's too thick, add a small amount of water to thin it out.
Can You Freeze Lentil Sloppy Joes?
Yes, this recipe freezes very well. Thaw in the refrigerator and when ready, heat, and serve. If you find it's thickened a bit, you can add some veggie broth or water to get it to the consistency you like.
How Should These Sandwiches be Topped?
That is entirely up to you 🙂
You can serve your meatless sloppy joes plain, but my preference is to top with something that has some crunch for texture contrast. Here are some suggestions:
- Shredded cabbage
- Shredded lettuce
- Shredded carrots
- Coleslaw mix without the dressing
- Sliced or diced red onions
- Pickles
- Vegan cheese shreds
- Avocado
What Should I Serve with Them?
Again, you can have them with anything you like or serve your vegan sloppy joes on their own.
I like to have them with veggies, like in the pictures, but the following suggestions also pair nicely:
- A salad
- Coleslaw
- Fries, sweet potato or regular
- A vegetable-based side dish
- Any cooked, steamed, or raw vegetables you have on hand
If you like this recipe, you may also like these:
- Lentil Sweet Potato Chili
- Mushroom Stew
- Chili Mac
- Butternut Squash Sweet Potato Carrot Soup
- Instant Pot Vegan Recipes
- Vegan Quinoa Chili
- Vegan Bolognese
- Vegan Broccoli Pasta
And finally, if you make this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below or share a picture of your vegan lentil sloppy joes with me on Instagram. Don't forget to tag me, I'm @delightfuladventures!
Smoky Lentil Sloppy Joes
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon oil (Instant Pot or stovetop only, optional, see note below)
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup dry brown lentils
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth or water
- 1 28oz can no salt added crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 3 tablespoons vegan Worcestershire sauce (see note below for brand suggestions)
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke (optional, see note below)
- 1-2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (optional)
Instructions:
Instant Pot Directions
- Set your Instant Pot to the Sauté function. Add oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add the onions and sauté for 2 minutes.
- Add the garlic. Sauté for another 2 minutes.
- Add the oregano, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until spices have coated the onions and garlic. Cancel the sauté function.
- Add the brown lentils, the broth or water, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, yellow mustard, and vegan Worcestershire sauce. Stir until everything has combined.
- Lock the lid in place and make sure the steam release handle is closed. Set to manual high pressure for 12 minutes. Instant Pot will take roughly 10 minutes to build pressure, timer will start counting down after it has reached pressure.
- After the time has ended, let the pressure release naturally, this will take roughly 20 minutes.
- Once the pressure has been released naturally (you will know pressure has been released when the float valve has dropped back down), slowly unlock and remove the lid. Stir so everything combines.
- If using, add the liquid smoke, stir and taste. If you find it too acidic, add maple syrup, starting with 1 tablespoon, to balance it out. Stir to combine and taste again. Add another tablespoon of maple syrup, if needed.
- Serve on rolls of your choice with toppings and sides of your choice (see above for suggestions).
Stovetop Instructions
- Heat a large-sized pot over medium heat. Once the pot is hot, add the oil and let heat for a few seconds.
- Once the oil is hot, add the onions and sauté for 2 minutes.
- Add the garlic. Sauté for another 2 minutes.
- Add the oregano, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until spices have coated the onions and garlic.
- Add the brown lentils, the broth or water, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, yellow mustard, and vegan Worcestershire sauce. Stir until everything has combined.
- Cover the pot and let the mixture simmer until the lentils are cooked through, approximately 20 minutes.
- If using, add the liquid smoke, stir and taste. If you find it too acidic, add maple syrup, starting with 1 tablespoon, to balance it out. Stir to combine and taste again. Add another tablespoon of maple syrup, if needed.
- Serve on rolls of your choice with toppings and sides of your choice (see above for suggestions).
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Add all ingredients (except oil) to your slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Set on low and cook for 7-8 hours or set to high and cook for 3-4 hours. Check to be sure lentils are cooked through.
- If using, add the liquid smoke, stir and taste. If you find it too acidic, add maple syrup, starting with 1 tablespoon, to balance it out. Stir to combine and taste again. Add another tablespoon of maple syrup, if needed.
- Serve on rolls of your choice with toppings and sides of your choice (see above for suggestions).
Recipe Notes:
- Please read all of the info above before making this recipe to ensure success.
- Times listed above are if you're making your sloppy joes in the Instant Pot. Slow cooker will take 3-4 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low, on the stovetop, it will take approximately 20 minutes.
- The Instant Pot cooking time is only 12 minutes, but before starting, be sure to factor in the time it will take for the pot to reach pressure (about 10 minutes) and come down from pressure (about 20 minutes).
- Broth or water can be used instead of the oil for sauteing if you prefer oil-free sloppy joes.
- Be sure that the Worcestershire sauce you're using is vegan and, if needed, gluten-free (regular Worcestershire sauce is not vegan or vegetarian and not all brands are gluten-free). This brand is both vegan and gluten free (Amazon link). Another suggestion is 365 Everyday Value (Whole Foods' brand) (this one is vegan but NOT gluten-free).
- This recipe is also great without the liquid smoke, omit if you don't have it or want to use it.
- Sloppy joe sandwich filling leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated, if needed, and it also freezes well. When reheating, if you find it's too thick, add a small amount of water to thin it out a little.
- Nutrition info is based on filling for 1 sandwich only (approximately 1 cup), no bun, without saute oil, and no maple syrup. Nutrition info is only to be used as a rough guide. Click to learn how nutrition info is calculated on this website.
NM says
My husband and I really enjoyed this. In general my husband isn’t a fan of lentils but when I asked him if it’s good, he said it’s “more than good”! Thank you for the recipe.
Gwen Leron says
I'm glad it was a hit with you and your husband, and you're welcome! Your comment reminded me that I haven't made this in a while, I need to fix that 🙂 Enjoy!