Vegan Sloppy Joes – Quick, Easy, and Delicious!
Ready in 6-8 minutes
These tasty Vegan Sloppy Joes put a plant-based spin on a classic favorite! They’re made with lentils and vegan beef, and you can have them ready in less than 30 minutes. This makes them perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that everyone will love. Get ready to enjoy a comforting, delicious meal!
Nostalgic, Flavorful, and Easy
Did you ever get excited when you saw sloppy joes on the school lunch menu? I know I did! They were messy, sweet, and savory—all the things I loved. Today, I’ve made a vegan version that tastes just as good, if not better, than the original. These sloppy joes are made with lentils and vegan ground beef, seasoned just right, and they’re super easy to make.
Why You’ll Love These Vegan Sloppy Joes:
- Full of Nostalgia: Just because we’re older doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy this classic meal! The homemade version is even better.
- Quick and Easy: You can have dinner ready in just 30 minutes.
- High in Protein: The mix of lentils and vegan beef has around 40 grams of plant-based protein per sandwich!
- Versatile: Don’t like vegan beef? No problem—use all lentils, or try adding mushrooms, soy curls, or chopped walnuts.
Ingredients
- 12 oz vegan ground beef (like Beyond Meat)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can of lentils, drained and rinsed
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- ½ tsp salt, or to taste
- 6 burger buns
How to Make Vegan Sloppy Joes
Grab a large skillet and let’s get started!
- Brown the Vegan Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the vegan ground beef. Cook it for about 5-7 minutes until it’s browned. Use a wooden spoon to break it into smaller pieces so it looks like the classic sloppy joe filling.
- Cook the Veggies: Once the vegan beef is browned, add the diced onion. Cook the onion for about 5 minutes, stirring every now and then so it doesn’t stick to the skillet. You want the onion to be soft and see-through. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it smells good. Make sure to stir so the garlic doesn’t burn.
- Add the Flavor: Now it’s time to add all the tasty ingredients. Stir in the lentils, chili powder, smoked paprika, tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, vegan Worcestershire sauce, and maple syrup. Mix everything together really well. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 5-10 minutes so the flavors can blend and the sauce can thicken. Stir it often so it doesn’t stick or burn. If it starts bubbling too much, turn the heat down.
- Taste & Adjust: After it’s simmered for a while, give it a taste. Add more salt if needed, or a bit of hot sauce if you want it spicy. If you like a sweeter sloppy joe, add another teaspoon of maple syrup. Keep stirring and tasting until it’s just how you like it.
- Serve & Enjoy: Toast your burger buns in a skillet or toaster for a few minutes if you like them crispy. Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto each bun. You can add any toppings you like—pickles, shredded lettuce, coleslaw, or even a slice of vegan cheese. Serve them hot and enjoy!
Additional Tips
- Toasting the Buns: Toasting your buns makes them taste even better and keeps them from getting too soggy. You can toast them in a skillet with a little vegan butter for extra flavor.
- Serving Suggestions: These sloppy joes are perfect for parties or family dinners. You can set up a sloppy joe bar with different toppings so everyone can make their own sandwich just how they like it. Try toppings like sliced jalapeños, avocado, vegan cheese, or crispy fried onions.
- Batch Cooking: This recipe is great for making ahead. You can double the recipe and freeze some for later. It’s perfect for busy nights when you don’t have time to cook.
- Make It Spicy: If you like spicy sloppy joes, add more chili powder, cayenne pepper, or diced jalapeños. You can also add hot sauce on top before serving.
- Texture Variations: If you like a chunkier texture, add some chopped mushrooms or walnuts along with the lentils. This will make the sloppy joes heartier and give them more interesting flavors.
Vegan Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 12 oz vegan ground beef like Beyond Meat
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 15 oz can of lentils, drained and rinsed
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- ½ tsp salt or to taste
- 6 burger buns
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the vegan ground beef and cook for about 5-7 minutes until browned. Break it into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon.
- Add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes until soft. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the lentils, chili powder, smoked paprika, tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and maple syrup. Mix well and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens.
- Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning with salt, hot sauce, or more maple syrup if desired.
- Toast the burger buns in a skillet or toaster if desired. Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto the buns. Add any desired toppings and serve hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Something Else Besides Beyond Meat? Yes! You can use any other vegan ground beef, like Impossible or Gardein. You could also use textured vegetable protein (TVP) or chopped soy curls soaked in vegetable broth. If you don’t want to use vegan meat at all, you can use 3 cans of lentils or cook 1 cup of dried green lentils and add them after cooking the onion and garlic.
What Can I Add for More Flavor? You can add some diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or even a jalapeño when you’re cooking the onions and garlic. This will add more flavor and texture. If you like a smoky taste, add a little bit of liquid smoke or smoked chipotle powder.
What Goes Well With Vegan Sloppy Joes? These sloppy joes go great with sides like baked fries, coleslaw, or a fresh salad. You could also serve them with roasted veggies or corn on the cob for a full meal.
How Long Will Leftovers Keep? Store leftover sloppy joe mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. You can also freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in a pot on the stove or in the microwave. If it’s too thick, add a little water or vegetable broth to loosen it up.
