Lentil Sloppy Joes are the meatless sloppy joe recipe everyone can agree upon! Made in the crockpot, this recipe for vegan sloppy joes comes together with ease!
Looking for more lentil recipes? You will love Instant Pot Lentil Soup, Easy Lentil Tacos, and Lentil Meatballs.
![Vegan Sloppy Joes Vegan Sloppy Joe on bun next to slow cooker](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Lenitl-Sloppy-Joes.jpg)
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.
He ate 3!!! That is what we call success at our house!
Made with a base of lentils, that are hearty and filling, and a rich and tangy sloppy joe sauce, these crockpot lentil sloppy joes are incredibly delicious and simple to make.
How to Make Crockpot Lentil Sloppy Joes
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Combine the lentils, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and seasonings in the crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
- Serve Lentil Sloppy Joes on whole wheat buns, gluten-free buns, or ditch the bun and serve the mixture over an Instant Pot Sweet Potato or Instant Pot Baked Potato.
![Easy Vegan Sloppy Joes Ingredients for Vegan Sloppy Joes in Slow Cooker](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Slow-Cooker-Vegetarian-Sloppy-Joes.jpg)
Stove Top Directions
- In a large saucepan, saute onions and peppers in 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil.
- Add in lentils and 3 cups vegetable stock or water and simmer the lentils for 15-20 minutes, or until tender.
- Once the lentils are cooked, add the tomato sauce, minced garlic, tomato paste, maple syrup, soy sauce, and red wine vinegar. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring often for the flavors to develop.
More Plant-Based Favorite Recipes
Be sure to browse all my Cheap & Easy Vegan Dinner Recipes, or check out a few of our favorites below.
- Vegetarian Butternut Squash Chili
- Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
- Vegetarian Fajitas
- Easy Butternut Squash Curry
- Vegetarian Tikka Masala
![Lentil Sloppy Joe on whole wheat bun on white plate](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Healthy-Meatless-Sloppy-Joes-360x360.jpg)
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
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Buns for serving
Instructions
- Stir all ingredients in a slow cooker.
- Set to cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.
- Stir and serve on buns or as desired.
Equipment Needed
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 ½ cup beer and 1 ½ cups of stock, instead of 2 cups of stock.
Leah
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?
Kristen Chidsey
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.
Shelley
Is it 8 oz of tomato sauce & 6 oz of tomato paste?
Kristen Chidsey
Yes that's correct Shelly😊
Shelley
Can you use your instant pot?
Kristen Chidsey
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!
Sheila
Have you tried this in an instant pot yet? I'm curious to know how it turned out.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Sheila! I have not tried this recipe in the Instant Pot, it would need a lot of extra liquid and the thick sauce may cause a burn notice. Personally, I don't think this is the best suited for cooking in the Instant pot. Sorry!
Laura
I have made this in the crock pot before and it turned out great! I tried it in the instant pot today but on the slow cooker setting and it just isn’t hot enough. I ended up needing to move it over to the crock pot after four hours on high. I didn’t do it as a pressure cooker but just wanted to say don’t use your instant pot as a crock pot for this one!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Laura! I am happy you enjoyed the sloppy joes. Here are my directions for using your Instant Pot as a slow cooker, as the results are not the same, as you figured out. Low is like keep warm, and normal is like low on the instant pot slow cooker function.
Chrissy
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 🙂
Kristen Chidsey
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 🙂
Jennifer Stewart
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!
Kristen Chidsey
Super cost friendly. I hope you love your new slow cooker!
Samantha
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!
Kristen Chidsey
You do need to try these! My bet is you will love them!
N @ Clean Eating Recipes Blog
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?
Kristen Chidsey
No one can say no 🙂
Emily Marie
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!
Kristen Chidsey
You must try this! It is about the best way to eat lentils out there (and add a bit of cheese to help too...)
Tiffani
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! 🙂
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Tiffani. Lentils are not only good for you but good for the budget!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan
I am so loving the sound of these sloppy joes! I love lentils but never thought to use them in a sloppy joe recipe!
Kristen Chidsey
I know it sounds CRAZY, but it works beautifully!
Karen Patten
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!
Kristen Chidsey
They are delicious! You will be so happy to revisit this childhood classic.
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty
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!
Kristen Chidsey
Kare, you must try it!! And beer is always helpful in convincing stubborn men 😉
Allison
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!
Kristen Chidsey
I totally understand Allison. I hope this recipe is a winner with you husband as well!
LaShawn
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!
Kristen Chidsey
I hope you love this meatless Monday option!
Leigh Powell Hines
I really like this idea. I like lentils. I am always looking for new crockpot ideas, too. Thanks for sharing. This looks divine.
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Leigh! This is a winner for you!
Alli
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.
Kristen Chidsey
Ha! Yep, mine does too at time 🙂