Lentil Sloppy Joes
Lentil Sloppy Joes are a hearty, flavorful, and meat-free twist on a classic comfort food favorite that's easy to make and perfect for any weeknight.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup lentils rinsed and drained
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 bell pepper chopped
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce vegetarian or vegan version
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 whole wheat buns
Instructions
- Start by placing the rinsed lentils and vegetable broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender but not mushy. Drain any excess liquid and set the lentils aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and chopped bell pepper, cooking for another 3-5 minutes until the veggies are tender and fragrant.
- Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine all the ingredients, creating a rich, flavorful sauce.
- Add the cooked lentils to the skillet with the sauce mixture. Stir everything together and let it simmer on low heat for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
- Toast the whole wheat buns lightly, if desired. Spoon a generous amount of the lentil sloppy joe mixture onto the bottom half of each bun. Top with the other half and serve immediately.
Equipment
- Medium Saucepan
- Large skillet
Notes
- Use brown or green lentils for best texture; red lentils can become too mushy.
- Rinse lentils thoroughly to remove any debris or dust.
- For smokier flavor, add a dash of liquid smoke or increase smoked paprika.
- Simmer sauce longer or add extra tomato paste for thicker consistency.
- Toast buns on the skillet after cooking lentils for extra flavor and texture.
