Vegan Sloppy Joes with Lentils

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Simple, homemade vegan sloppy joes made with lentils and Beyond meat. This weeknight dinner classic is perfect on a cozy night in!

Vegan sloppy joe sandwich on a plate with chips

These vegan sloppy joes are a classic speedy sandwich that’s a childhood favourite of many. The filling is rich, satisfying and full of flavor. 

It’s slow-simmered in a spicy homemade barbecue sauce for a more grown-up version. It’s hearty, messy and worth every savory bite at the end of a long day.

Pro Tip!

Toast the buns before filling them.

There’s nothing worse than a sloppy joe with bread that’s been utterly destroyed by the moisture of the filling. 

To combat this, toast the insides of the buns to create a slightly liquid-repellent crust.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Filling:

  • Beyond Meat Patty
  • Cooked lentils – I used red lentils but brown or green ones can also work.

Barbecue Sauce:

  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Mustard powder
  • Paprika
  • Brown sugar
  • Tomato paste
  • Liquid aminos/soy sauce – This adds a great umami flavor to the ‘meat’, I put it in most things I make where there’s some sort of meat substitute involved.
  • Liquid smoke (optional)
  • Tomatoes
  • Apple cider vinegar – A sweet vinegar is best here, so if you can’t get apple cider vinegar, try to find rice vinegar.
  • Chipotle in adobo – Optional but highly recommended
  • Salt and pepper to taste

To Serve:

  • Hamburger buns (Try my Vegan Pretzel Buns recipe!)
  • Pickles – Optional, but recommended.

How To Make Vegan Sloppy Joes with Lentils

(This is a quick step-by-step summary. Detailed measurements are in the recipe card at the end)

Toast the buns.

  1. Slice and toast the buns in the heated, dry skillet that will be used to cook the filling. Remove and set aside. 
  2. Wipe out any breadcrumbs with a clean paper towel.
Lentil sloppy joe sauce in skillet

Make the sauce.

  1. Add the Beyond Meat to the hot pan with the onion and garlic. Cook until browned.
  2. Add the mustard powder, paprika and brown sugar.
  3. Stir in the remaining ingredients for the barbecue sauce then add the cooked lentils.
  4. Cover and simmer on low heat for 8 to 10 minutes. 
  5. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before removing from heat.

Assemble and eat!

  1. Add a generous helping of the sloppy joe sauce onto each burger bun.
  2. Add pickles then finish with the top buns. 
  3. Enjoy!

Can this recipe be made in an Instant Pot or Slow Cooker?

Yes it can! The slow cooker is your friend in the kitchen. Whether it’s a true slow cooker, or an instant pot with the ‘slow cooker’ function, it will be perfect for this recipe.

Slow cooker or Crock pot

  • Brown the Beyond Meat with the onions and garlic in a separate pan. 
  • Add to the slow cooker with all the remaining ingredients.
  • Cook on low for 15 minutes.
  • Set to “Keep Warm” until ready to serve.

Instant Pot

  • Brown the Beyond Meat with the onions and garlic on the “Saute” setting. 
  • Add the remaining ingredients.
  • Saute on low for 10 minutes.

Suggestions for Sides

  • Potato chips 
  • Potato wedges
  • Mac and cheese
  • Pasta salad
  • Potato salad
  • Coleslaw

Other Ways To Serve The Filling

The filling would work really well as a simple stew. It could be served with steamed rice or pasta.

Storing Leftovers

The sauce will keep well in the fridge for 3 to 5 days or freezer for up to three months.

How To Reheat

Add the frozen sauce to a microwave-safe container. Add a few tablespoons of water. 

Microwave on high for 3-minute intervals, stirring in between each. Continue to heat in the microwave until piping hot.

Alternatively, you can reheat on the stovetop in a pot.

More Vegan Sandwich Recipes

Vegan sloppy joe sandwich on a plate with chips

Vegan Sloppy Joes (Lentils and Beyond Meat)

5 from 2 votes
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 35 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 302kcal
Print Pin Rate
Sloppy Joes are a classic speedy sandwich that’s a childhood favourite of many. This vegan version is rich, satisfying and full of flavor.

Equipment

  • Deep Skillet

Baking Recipes: For more accuracy, use Metric measurements and measuring spoons.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz (227 g) Beyond Meat Patty
  • 1 ½ cups (226 g) cooked lentils, (I used red lentils)

BBQ Sauce

  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp mustard powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp (30 g) tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) liquid aminos or soy sauce
  • ½ tsp liquid smoke, optional
  • 12 oz (340 g) tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp (30 g) chipotle in adobo
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

To Serve

Instructions

Toast the buns

  • Slice and toast the buns in the heated, dry skillet.
    6 hamburger buns
  • Remove and set aside.
  • Wipe out any breadcrumbs with a clean paper towel.

Make the sauce

  • Add the Beyond Meat to the pan with the onion and garlic. Cook until browned.
    8 oz (227 g) Beyond Meat Patty ,1 onion ,3 cloves garlic
  • Add the mustard powder, paprika and brown sugar.
    2 tsp mustard powder ,1 tsp paprika ,2 tsp brown sugar
  • Stir in the remaining ingredients for the barbecue sauce then add the cooked lentils.
    2 tbsp (30 g) tomato paste ,1 tbsp (15 ml) liquid aminos or soy sauce ,½ tsp liquid smoke ,12 oz (340 g) tomatoes ,1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar ,2 tbsp (30 g) chipotle in adobo ,Salt and pepper ,1 ½ cups (226 g) cooked lentils
  • Cover and simmer on low heat for 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before removing from heat.

Assemble

  • Add a generous helping of the sloppy joe sauce onto each burger bun.
  • Add pickles then finish with the top buns.
    pickles
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Tried this recipe? Upload a photo in the comments below!If you enjoyed it, please consider leaving a rating. It really helps the blog.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 302kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 611mg | Potassium: 558mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 829IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 133mg | Iron: 5mg
Nutrition Disclaimer
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian

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