Recipes / Stovetop/ Lentil Sloppy Joes

Lentil Sloppy Joes

All the saucy, savory flavor of sloppy joes, made with lentils instead of ground beef. Surprisingly hearty and very cheap to make.

Time
35 min
Difficulty
Easy
Serves
4-6
Stovetop Dairy-FreeVegetarianVeganNut-FreeEgg-Free

Ingredients 6 items

Equipment

  • Medium pot with lid
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Stirring spoon
  • Can opener

Allergens: Contains wheat (bread/buns). Use gluten-free bread for a gluten-friendly version.

Instructions

  1. Rinse lentils in a strainer and pick out any small stones.
  2. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft.
  3. Add lentils, water, and tomato sauce. Stir together.
  4. If you have sugar, vinegar, garlic powder, or chili powder, add them now.
  5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes until lentils are soft and the mixture is thick. Stir occasionally and add a splash of water if it gets too dry.
  6. Spoon onto bread or buns and serve.
notes & tips
  • Stretch it further: Mix half lentils and half ground beef for a version that tastes more traditional while going further.
  • Leftovers: Keeps well in the fridge for 4-5 days. Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of water.
  • Brown lentils work best for this recipe. They break down and get soft, which gives you that sloppy joe texture. Red lentils also work but will get mushier.