Easy Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

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These vegetarian Sloppy Joes feature a hearty lentil filling in a rich, savory sauce, served on buns and topped with coleslaw. You won’t miss the meat!

The only thing sloppier than these Sloppy Joes is how fast you devour them!

With saucy lentils and crunchy coleslaw tucked inside a bun, they pack all the flavor and heartiness of the classic sandwich minus the ground beef.

And while I call them vegetarian Sloppy Joes, they’re also perfect for vegans!

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Picky eaters are no match for these meatless Sloppy Joes! But to keep them full and satisfied, you can pair these sandwiches with no egg potato salad or vegan broccoli mac and cheese.

Why You’ll Love This Vegetarian Sloppy Joes Recipe

These vegetarian Sloppy Joes are hearty and satisfying, thanks to protein-rich lentils!
These lentil Sloppy Joes are meal prep-friendly for busy weekdays and weeknights.
This vegan Sloppy Joe recipe (yes, it’s both vegan and vegetarian) is packed with flavor—rich, savory, with a hint of sweetness and spiciness!

Ingredients And Substitutions

Vegan butter – For cooking the veggies while also adding a buttery flavor to the veggie Sloppy Joes. You can also use olive oil.

Green pepper, yellow onion, and garlic cloves – These veggies help build a flavorful foundation for the filling. You can also sneak in other vegetables like carrot or radish for texture or include a jalapeno pepper for a kick.

Chili powder, onion powder, garlic salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper – Feel free to play around with the seasonings! These vegetarian Sloppy Joes will also be amazing with the smoky flavor of smoked paprika.

Tomato paste and tomato sauce – The base of these healthier Sloppy Joes.

Agave nectar – Adding a sweetener balances the savory, tangy flavors of the lentil Sloppy Joe filling. You can also use maple syrup.

Yellow mustard – The added tang is a Sloppy Joe classic!

Vegan Worcestershire sauce – You can also use tamari for a rich, savory flavor.

Green lentils – Meatless Sloppy Joes that hit the spot are possible with our plant-based protein: cooked lentils! We used green lentils as their firm texture makes them the ideal ground meat replacement.

Buns – For serving the Vegetarian Sloppy Joes. You can also use a slice of baguette.

For the slaw:

Red cabbage, green cabbage, vegan mayonnaise, agave nectar, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper – Crunchy coleslaw will always be one of the best toppings for Sloppy Joes. Alternatively, you can caramelize red onions in ghee with a bit of salt instead of opting for the usual slaw topping!

Tips For Making This Recipe

Cook the Lentils Separately

Cook the lentils separately! They’ll soak up too much liquid if you cook them with the sauce. You’ll need 2 cups of water to cook 1 cup of rinsed dry lentils. Add them to a saucepan over medium-high heat, bring to a low boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook covered for 18 minutes or until tender. Drain off the excess liquid before use.

Toast Your Buns

Toast your buns for a texture contrast! Pop them in the toaster oven or oven until golden brown.

Make the Filling in Advance

You can make the lentil filling up to 6 days ahead. Refrigerate it in an airtight container and reheat before you assemble the vegetarian Sloppy Joes.

Lentil Sloppy Joes Recipe FAQs

Can I use canned lentils instead of dry for these plant based Sloppy Joes?

Of course, and they’re a great option to cut the prep time! You only need to drain and rinse the canned lentils for these meatless Sloppy Joes.

Is Manwich Sloppy Joe sauce vegan?

Yup. Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce is surprisingly vegan-friendly, but since it’s also made with high fructose corn syrup, a homemade sauce might be the better option for your vegan Sloppy Joes.

What is the difference between Sloppy Joe and Sloppy Jane?

The main difference between a Sloppy Joe and a Sloppy Jane is the latter uses the leaner ground turkey instead of beef, and it typically includes more vegetables—some recipes swap buns with sweet potatoes!

What is a good meat substitute for Sloppy Joes?

This vegetarian Sloppy Joe recipe substitutes meat with lentils, but you can also use crumbled firm tofu or TVP.

How long can you keep leftover Sloppy Joe filling?

You can store the filling for these vegetarian Sloppy Joes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 days or in the freezer for 3 months. The slaw can also be refrigerated for up to 4 days, but I don’t recommend freezing it as the texture won’t be appealing after thawing.

More Delicious Vegan Main Dish Recipes

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Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

These vegetarian Sloppy Joes feature a hearty lentil filling in a rich, savory sauce, served on buns and topped with coleslaw. You won't miss the meat!

Louisa

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Equipment

Ingredients

2 tbsp vegan butter
1/2 small green bell pepper, diced
1/2 large yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup unsweetened tomato sauce
3 tbsp agave nectar
1 tsp yellow mustard
1/2 tsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
2 1/2 cups cooked green lentils (about 1 cup uncooked)
4 buns

For the slaw:

Instructions

Mix together the slaw ingredients in a large bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Add the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the peppers and onions. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until starting to soften.
Add the garlic and spices. Cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
Add the tomato paste, tomato sauce, agave, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well.
Stir in the lentils. Simmer for 5 minutes.
To serve, divide the Sloppy Joe mixture between the buns and top with coleslaw. Enjoy!

Notes

Cook the lentils separately! They’ll soak up too much liquid if you cook them with the sauce. You’ll need 2 cups of water to cook 1 cup of rinsed dry lentils. Add them to a saucepan over medium-high heat, bring to a low boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook covered for 18 minutes or until tender. Drain off the excess liquid before use.
Toast your buns for a texture contrast! Pop them in the toaster oven or oven until golden brown.
You can make the lentil filling up to 6 days ahead. Refrigerate it in an airtight container and reheat before you assemble the vegetarian Sloppy Joes.