VEGAN SLOPPY JOES

Hearty, flavorful Vegan Sloppy Joes made with fresh, simple ingredients, naturally sweetened, and they require just 30 minutes! Savory, smoky, perfectly sweet - a delicious plant-based meal!


Ingredients


LENTILS
2 cups water (I used half water, half vegetable broth)
1 cup green lentils, well rinsed

SLOPPY JOES
2 Tbsp olive or grape seed oil
1/2 medium white or yellow onion, minced (plus more for serving)
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 cloves yield ~1 Tbsp)
1/2 medium red or green bell pepper, diced
Sea salt and black pepper (to taste)
1 15-ounce can tomato sauce*
1-2 Tbsp coconut sugar (plus more to taste)
1-2 Tbsp vegan-friendly Worcestershire sauce* (like this brand)
1-2 tsp chili powder (plus more to taste)
1 tsp ground cumin (plus more to taste)
1 pinch smoked or regular paprika (optional)

FOR SERVING optional
Gluten-free or whole-wheat hamburger buns*

Instructions

To a small saucepan, add liquid (I used 1 cup water, 1 cup vegetable broth for added flavor // amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) and rinsed lentils and heat over medium-high heat.
Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for about 18 minutes, or until tender. The water should have a constant simmer (not boil). Drain off any excess liquid and set aside.
In the meantime, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add oil, onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Season with a pinch each salt and pepper and stir to combine.
Sautè for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, or until the peppers and onions are tender and slightly browned.
Next add tomato sauce, coconut sugar, vegan worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, and paprika (optional). Stir to combine.
Once the lentils are cooked, add them to the skillet as well, and stir to combine.
Continue cooking the mixture over medium-low heat until completely warmed through and thick, stirring occasionally - about 5-10 minutes.
Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more chili powder and/or cumin for smokiness, salt for saltiness, coconut sugar for sweetness, or worcestershire for depth of flavor.

Serve the mixture on toasted buns with sliced onion. Best when fresh, though leftover sloppy joe mixture will keep in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave, or on the stovetop, adding water if the mixture has dried out.


Notes

*The tomato sauce I use is from Trader Joe's and is essentially tomato puree seasoned with sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, and herbs.
*If you can't locate vegan Worcestershire sauce at the store, try this recipe from Forks Over Knives.
*My go-to whole-wheat vegan hamburger buns are from Trader Joe's. The best gluten-free vegan hamburger buns I've tried are from the brand Happy Camper (which I found at a grocery store in Portland, OR). However, if you do/can eat eggs, I think Udi's Gluten Free Hamburger Buns are a great option.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without a bun.

link recipes from https://minimalistbaker.com/vegan-sloppy-joes/

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