These hearty Slow Cooker Vegan Sloppy Joes are perfect for a meatless meal your whole family will enjoy! Lentils are slowly simmered with stock, tomatoes, and spices to create a Vegetarian Sloppy Joe that is even a winner with die-hard meat-eaters.
When I told my husband Vegan Sloppy Joes were on the Menu, he was not excited.
He loves my traditional Sloppy Joe recipe, but he was a bit hesitant to try out a Vegetarian Sloppy Joe.
Friends, he ate 3!!! That is what we call success at our house!
Vegan Sloppy Joes
These Vegetarian Sloppy Joes start with a base of lentils.
Lentils work as a great plant-based substitute for meat, as they mimic a ground beef texture, have a decent amount of protein, and are quite filling.
When simmered with tomato sauce, vegetables stock and the right blend of seasonings, lentils create a perfect Vegan Sloppy Joe.
These Vegetarian Sloppy Joes are rich, hearty, and a bit tangy. This is a simple, plant-based meal that is affordable, filling, and delicious! These Vegan Sloppy Joes are even approved by picky kids!
How to Make Vegan Sloppy Joes
- Mix together all ingredients in large slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
Stove Top Lentil Sloppy Joes
If you would like to make lentil sloppy joes on the stove, it is best to cook the lentil first, according to package directions to assure that the lentil are cooked through as they don’t soften as well on the stove when using tomato products.
Stove Top Lentils:
- In large saucepan, saute onions and peppers in 1-2 teaspoons olive oil.
- Add in lentils and 3 cups vegetable stock or water.
- Cook lentils according to package directions.
- Once the lentils are cooked, add in remaining ingredients to saucepan and simmer for 10-15 minutes for flavors to develop.
Notes on Vegetarian Sloppy Joes
- Serve these Vegetarian Sloppy Joes on whole wheat buns, gluten-free buns, or over a baked sweet potato or potato.
- Feel free to top these sloppy joes with cheese if you are not vegan.
- Green and brown lentils are best for these Vegetarian Sloppy Joes, as they retain more texture and chew. I have made with red lentils for a softer sloppy joe. Do NOT use yellow lentils, as they will completely disintegrate.
More Vegan Main Courses
- Vegetarian Chili
- Easy Lentil Tacos with Avocado Cream
- Vegetarian Butternut Squash Chili
- Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
Vegan Sloppy Joe Recipe
Slow Cooker Vegan Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried lentils green or brown
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 small red pepper diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Buns for serving
Instructions
- Stir all ingredients (except buns) in slow cooker. Set to high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
Notes
- If you need these Vegan Sloppy Joes to be gluten-free, serve over baked potatoes or use gluten-free buns.
- For a zing of flavor, add use 1/2 cup beer and 1 1/2 cups of stock, instead of 2 cups of stock.
Kristen Chidsey
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Could I sub honey for the maple syrup?
Yes absolutely Rachel!
Thanks! I can’t wait to try this tomorrow!
I see comments referring to beer in the recipe. Am I missing that? Can you sub the stock for beer?
Also, is the calorie count for a 1-cup serving without bun?
Hi Leah! In the recipe notes it states, “For a zing of flavor, add use 1/2 cup beer and 1 1/2 cups of stock, instead of 2 cups of stock.” Easy to miss 😉 And yes the calorie count is without the buns.
Is it 8 oz of tomato sauce & 6 oz of tomato paste?
Yes that’s correct Shelly😊
Can you use your instant pot?
Hi Shelly! That is a great question and I have been meaning to try this recipe in the pressure cooker. Lentils need 10 minutes to cook on high pressure, but because this recipe is high in tomato products, it may get a burn notice if cooked directly in the inner pot. Definitely something to experiment with! I know for sure you can do pot in pot, but you may need to cut the recipe in half to fit inside an 8 cup oven safe dish. If you decide to try pot in pot, mix ingredients in oven safe dish and then pour in 1 cup water (or 1 1/2 cups if using 8 quart pressure cooker) in bottom of inner pot and then place trivet in pressure cooker. Cook on high for 10 minutes and do a natural release. Hope that helps!
What would be a good replacement for the beer in the recipe? I don’t have any handy…. broth? water? Thanks for the great recipe 🙂
Thanks Chrissy! Apple Juice or cider would be the best substitute for sloppy joes and cut back on sugar by a bit. But you can use broth just as well. Water is fine, but won’t impart as much flavor 🙂
This is definitely one I’m going to try when I get a new slow-cooker! I love the idea of lentils and still get my protein! Plus it is very cost friendly! Fun too! Thanks for sharing with Saucy Saturdays!
Super cost friendly. I hope you love your new slow cooker!
I had no idea these were similar consistencies! These look delicious and I’m not a big sloppy joe fan but I may need to try these!
You do need to try these! My bet is you will love them!
Fantastic idea for easy dinner! I, too, have those “crazy afternoons” and this looks like a great vegan choice for the family. Who can say no to sloppy Joe, right?
No one can say no 🙂
I will definitely be giving these sloppy joes a try! I am looking for new way to cook with lentils because they are something my doctor has encouraged me to eat but I never seem to cook them right. These look amazing though so hopefully this can be a new go-to!
You must try this! It is about the best way to eat lentils out there (and add a bit of cheese to help too…)
We are a sloppy-joe eating family & it has always become our go-to meal on busy nights. I’d never had thought of using lentils instead of meat. I love lentils & I bet my family will too when I try this recipe. Looks delicious! Great post! 🙂
Thanks Tiffani. Lentils are not only good for you but good for the budget!
I am so loving the sound of these sloppy joes! I love lentils but never thought to use them in a sloppy joe recipe!
I know it sounds CRAZY, but it works beautifully!
These look delicious!!! I think it’s so funny that your husband is your pickiest eater! I love Sloppy Joes but haven’t had them since I was a kid! This is just what I need to get a Sloppy Joe again!
They are delicious! You will be so happy to revisit this childhood classic.
See, now if my carnivorous guy needed to be convinced, the beer is what would do it for him. 😉 Loving the looks of these. I mean, so. seriously. easy. Added to my must-try list!
Kare, you must try it!! And beer is always helpful in convincing stubborn men 😉
I LOVE lentils. They’re so versatile, delicious, and good for you! My husband is also super picky (although he would strongly disagree, haha) so sometimes I have to “disguise” the healthy alternatives I use in our food. Great recipe!
I totally understand Allison. I hope this recipe is a winner with you husband as well!
Your husband sounds like mine! He is always skeptical about what’s in my food! I am always looking for great ideas for meatless monday! thanks!
I hope you love this meatless Monday option!
I really like this idea. I like lentils. I am always looking for new crockpot ideas, too. Thanks for sharing. This looks divine.
Thanks Leigh! This is a winner for you!
Your husband sounds like mine. He has been know to ask me if there was meat in it before taking a bite. 🙂 I would LOVE these vegan sloppy joes.
Ha! Yep, mine does too at time 🙂