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!
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's a bottled liquid you add to recipes to give them a smoky flavour.
You can find it in the condiment section of your grocery store and it's fairly inexpensive, usually under $4 for a bottle. 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 make these loaded sweet potatoes topped 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. The sweet potatoes can also be made 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!
How to Make Lentil Sloppy Joes
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 FAQ and 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). More suggestions are: Annie's Naturals and 365 Everyday Value (Whole Foods' brand) (both of these are 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.
Nutrition Info:
Jim says
We love this recipe! We did start adding the Trader Joe's plant based chorizo inot the mix after cooking in a fry pan. . Thawing recently converted to vegan this is one of our go to recipes. Thank you very much!
Gwen Leron says
I'm so glad you love it, Jim! Adding some plant-based meat is a great idea (and it sounds delicious!), I will have to try that next time. Thanks very much for coming back to leave your comment, I appreciate it very much.
Tom says
First time I made it was very good.
I froze some and warmed it a few days later as well. Both times it made for great sandwiches.
The second time I used a thicker bread, not the tiny buns in the grocery store but a slightly bigger hamburger bun.
Also, the shredded cabbage and a few slices on jalapeño on the top made it just right for my tastes.
Gwen Leron says
Wonderful! Glad you like the recipe, Tom!
Sue says
please check the link you gave for wizards--contains wheat
Gwen Leron says
Hi Sue,
Wizard's makes two types of Worcestershire sauce: one that is just vegan and one that is vegan AND gluten-free. The link should be directing to this one on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2WceWlA
If the link happened to bring you to the non gluten-free version, it's likely because they are out of stock and are linking to the closest match. Thank you very much for pointing that out, I will take care of making sure it directs to another listing that is in stock, I would never want to direct anyone in the wrong direction! Thank you very much!
Naomi says
Turned out really good in the slow cooker. I'll recommend and cook again.
Gwen Leron says
I'm glad to know you liked it, Naomi! Thank you for coming back to leave your rating and comment, much appreciated.
Grace Whitnah says
I made this yesterday..OMG! so amazing! I cooked this in our slow cooker. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
I will definitely make this again. 5 stars!
Gwen Leron says
I'm so happy you liked it, Grace! It's one of my favourites, too. I'm glad you found a new recipe to add to the rotation 🙂 Thanks for your note!
Priyanka says
This was absolutely delicious! I didn’t put in tomato paste and I made my own Worcestershire sauce from soy sauce and ketchup and it still turned out great! I also used split pea green lentils.
Gwen Leron says
I'm so happy to hear you liked it, Priyanka! I've never thought to make my own Worcestershire when I don't have any on hand, good thinking! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave your review, much appreciated 🙂
Mark says
Thanks for recipe, way healthier than the regular way. I used red lentils as it's all I had and it still came out very good. I did replace maple w honey, added extra mustard, worchester and oregano. Happy to have a satisfying healthy sloppy joe alternative. Thanks again.
Gwen Leron says
Glad you liked the recipe and that it worked well with your substitutions, Mark!
Katie says
Wow, these were incredible!I’m not a vegetarian, but my partner is. We’ve been on the lookout for good pandemic recipes, and this is definitely our winner so far! We both love it, and it’s perfectly exactly as written.
Gwen Leron says
I'm so glad to hear it was enjoyed, Katie! 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your note 🙂 Take care.
Carolyn Taylor says
Thank you for the perfect recipe for my 3 teenage boys. Two of them are vegetarian and the third is not. They all loved these Sloppy Joes. None of them were hungry after dinner 🙂
Gwen Leron says
The true test always comes when trying a new recipe out with kids and teens 🙂 I'm so glad your boys like the recipe, Carolyn! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave your note!
Genevieve L. says
My meat loving husband wanted to eat all 8servings of this. It was outstanding. Beautiful job on this recipe. I added shredded carrots to the recipe.
Gwen Leron says
Isn't it nice when this happens? I'm so glad you and your husband love the recipe, Genevieve. And great idea to add shredded carrots, I'll have to try that 🙂 Thanks very much for talking the time to leave your note!
Anj says
The link you have for the vegan worcestershire sauce works but the ingredient list on the amazon site says wheat - Does the one you have not have wheat listed as an ingredient? I have a little one with wheat allergy!
Gwen Leron says
Hi Anj! The brand I use is called Wizard and it is 100% vegan and gluten-free. I did not link to it in my recipe because Amazon was not carrying it at the time, but I see that they do now and I will update. You can see it here: https://amzn.to/2YX6kuI There is also the Biona brand that is also vegan and gluten free: https://amzn.to/2TrhZkp
If you don't want to buy from Amazon, you can also check your local Whole Foods store or any store that is well stocked with organic / vegan /gluten free products.
I hope this helps! 🙂 Let me know if you have any further questions and I hope you and your little one love the sloppy joes!
Jesse says
Wanted to be sure to head back to your site to tell you these were AMAZING. Thanks so much for the great recipe, we had sloppy joes three days in a row it made so much. Definitely a keeper!
Gwen Leron says
Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and let me know, Jesse! I appreciate it and I'm so happy you love the recipe 🙂
Vince says
Somethings not right... After cooking was complete it was soupy. How can I thicken it?
Gwen says
Hi Vince, sorry to hear about this. After cooking, it should be thick as you see in the pictures. A few troubleshooting questions...Did you use all the exact ingredients? Make any substitutions? What cooking method did you use? Were the lentils cooked through? (If not, they would need to be cooked longer to absorb more of the liquid to take away the soupiness.) Another thing that could cause this is when lentils (or beans) are a little on the older side, they can take longer to cook and longer to absorb the liquids. Let me know if any of this helped.
Vince says
Hi, figured out I accidentally used diced tomatoes instead of crushed tomatoes. Too much water. Added a little cornstarch to thicken it up and it did the trick. Very tasty.
Gwen says
Ahh, that would do it 🙂 I'm glad you were able to figure it out, Vince!
Milla says
I LOVE this recipe. Have a new Instant Pot and this is one of the first recipes I've tried. Served it to my Wednesday night art group and EVERYONE asked for the recipe. Used the leftovers with sweet potatoes as you suggested and it was marvelous!
Look forward to visiting your site often for more delicious recipes!
Gwen says
Hi Milla! Thank you so much for your comment, I am so happy to hear that it was a hit with you and your group 🙂 You are going to LOVE your Instant Pot!
Saraheve Vallee says
So I am attempting to make the recipe. It’s my second time using an instant pot. I have used the exact ingredients with the exact amount you put. It started to burn before it reached the right pressure. I opened it, cleaned it up, added 1/2 cup of water and i am now waiting! What could i have done wrong? Should i put more than 1/2 cup water when this happens?
Thanks!
Gwen says
Hi Saraheve! There should be no need to add any extra water. Be sure that after you have added all of the ingredients, that you stir so everything combines well. You don't want all the solid ingredients sitting at the bottom and then the liquids floating at the top because that will for sure produce the burn error. Let me know how it turns out and congrats on getting your Instant Pot! Once you get the hang of it, you'll love it 🙂
Bridget K. Brisk says
Green lentils ok? That's what I have from earlier this week!
Gwen says
Hi Bridget! Green lentils are perfectly fine. Green or brown are okay, just don't use red lentils! 🙂 Let me know how things go!
Stephanie says
This was so delicious! 2 out of 3 of my littles loved it. It is going to be a monthly meal for us. Thanks for the recipe!
Gwen @ Delightful Adventures says
Yay! I'm so glad it went over well! Sorry that it wasn't 3/3 😉 It's also a regular recipe over here, even in the hot summer. Thanks for your note, Stephanie! 🙂
lora says
If I was to double this recipe, would I need to double the liquid or is it a different ratio for the IP?
Gwen @ Delightful Adventures says
Hi Lora! To double the recipe for the Instant Pot, double ALL of the ingredients, liquid included, but the cooking time will remain the same because you are pressure cooking. And since you are doubling, keep an eye on the max level line in the pot, you don't want to overfill. I hope you like the recipe! 🙂