• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

HealthyHappyLife.com logo

  • about
  • RECIPES
  • LIFESTYLE
  • BLOGGING
  • VIDEO
  • SHOP
  • Cookbooks
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • My Books
  • Videos
  • About
  • holiday
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » recipes » entree » beans » Vegan Sloppy Joes

    by Kathy Patalsky · updated: Dec 16, 2020 · published: Aug 8, 2020 · About 5 minutes to read this article. Leave a Comment

    Vegan Sloppy Joes

    Jump to Recipe
    Vegan Sloppy Joes

    A favorite since childhood for many people, Sloppy Joes are a fun sort of comfort food meal for kids of all ages. And these Vegan Sloppy Joes made using lentils and a rich tomato base are such an easy treat.

    Big on flavor. Super easy. Packed with protein. One skillet meal. Sound good?

    Bonus points for the fact that they are super simple to make, can be whipped up in twenty minutes, taste amazing and are packed with nutrients like protein and fiber and antioxidants. Looking for some speedy, plant-based dinnertime inspiration? Here you go!…

    Vegan Sloppy Joes

    Easy Vegan Dinner

    The trick to this recipe being absolutely amazing is that it is so simple. I really tried to keep ingredients to a minimum. You can easily have most of these ingredients in your pantry – like canned lentils and tomato puree – or canned tomatoes – and spices to boost the flavor. Have some burger buns stored in your freezer and try to have some leafy greens on hand. Or you could even use frozen spinach for true plan-ahead meal prep.

    Start to finish, this recipe only takes about twenty minutes. Easy as Sloppy Joes!

    Vegan Sloppy Joe Filling in skillet
    Vegan Sloppy Joes
    Vegan Sloppy Joes in hand

    Main Ingredients

    Lentils – The lentils are the heart of this dish. They make a perfect meat substitute for Vegan Sloppy Joes. IF you don’t want to use lentils, some other options include TVP, vegan “beefy” crumbles or even crumbled tempeh or tofu. All possible for the plant protein portion of this dish.

    Tomato Puree – I actually made my own puree by blending a can of san marzano tomatoes. You can either use a pre-blended puree or DIY your own with any can of tomatoes you can on hand. If you are in a real bind, tomato paste and water or veggie broth could sub — though I don’t have an exact ration of those for you.

    Sweet – Vegan Sloppy Joes should have a light sweetness to them. This makes them feel more like the kid-approved dish from childhood. I like to use coconut sugar for it’s brown sugar, caramelized flavor. You can use anywhere from 1-4 tablespoon of coconut sugar. The more sugar, the sweeter your filling will be. I personally like using 3-4 tablespoon for that sweet kick.

    Greens – Yup, I had to add some veggies to this dish to make it feel like a full one-skillet meal. I added about 1 ½ cups of chopped leafy greens. Spinach, kale or chard works great. Bok choy is another green I’ve been loving lately.

    Spices – You can really play around with your own Vegan Sloppy Joes spice blend, but I personally like some onion powder and chili powder. Black pepper as well. But anything from cayenne to smoky paprika and even chipotle powder or cumin would be fun to experiment with.

    Vegan Sloppy Joes

    Burger Buns

    You can keep some burger buns in the freezer for when you want to whip up this meal. I used these buns, but honestly I am aching to DIY my own soon. Baking project on the horizon. I like something soft, yet nicely toasted on the outside.

    To toast frozen buns, simply toss them in a 400 degree oven for about 7-10 minutes, depending on how large/thick they are.

    vegan sloppy joes on buns with pickles

    Vegan Sloppy Joes

    These easy, cozy Vegan Sloppy Joes are made using lentils, spices and a tomato puree base. This simple meal is delicious and healthy for kids of all ages! Serves 2-3.
    5 from 3 votes
    click the stars to rate
    Print Pin
    Prep: 10 mins
    Cook: 10 mins
    Total: 20 mins
    Servings: 2 burgers

    Ingredients

    Sloppy Joe Filling

    • 2 teaspoon olive oil, extra virgin
    • 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 ½ cups tomato puree
    • ¼ cup coconut sugar
    • 1-3 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 tablespoon onion powder
    • 1-2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, optional
    • 1 ½ cups lentils, drained and rinsed
    • 11/2 cup spinach, chopped
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • black pepper to taste, to taste

    To Serve

    • 2 burger buns
    • 2 teaspoon vegan mayo
    • pickles, sliced

    Instructions

    • Toast buns for 5-10 minutes in a 400 degree oven. Until tops are toasty and browned. This can happen while you are preparing the filling. When buns are ready, turn off oven heat and allow them to stay warmed.
    • Start by warming a skillet over medium-high. Add the oil and garlic. Saute garlic for a minute to brown.
    • Add in the tomato puree, spices, coconut sugar, optional vinegar. Turn heat to medium and allow the puree to cook down a bit – 2-3 minutes, stir every so often.
    • Add in the lentils and stir to combines. Keep stirring as the mixture thickens and cook down. Another 2-4 minutes.
    • Add in the greens and salt and pepper. Stir to wilt greens.
    • When mixture is nice and thick – scoopable – turn off heat.
    • Add vegan mayo and pickles to your toasted buns. Scoop on the sloppy joe filling. Serve warm!

    Equipment

    • skillet
    recipe author: Kathy Patalsky

    Notes

    • apple cider vinegar is optional – it adds an extra tanginess to the filling
    • you can sub spinach for any greens, kale, collards, etc
    • you may reduce the coconut sugar if you want a more savory and less sweet flavor – 1 tablespoon is minimum though because you want a tiny hint of sweetness — if making for kids, the full ¼ cup coconut sugar might be most appealing!

    nutrition estimate | per serving

    Calories: 506kcal | Carbohydrates: 94g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1566mg | Potassium: 1978mg | Fiber: 19g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 8738IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 241mg | Iron: 12mg
    Main Course
    American
    dinner, lentils
    Did you make this?Snap a pic + tag me! @KathyPatalsky

    Another Sloppy Joe recipe I love: summer corn sloppy joes.

    Or browse my other entree recipes for vegan dinner recipes!

    Vegan Sloppy Joes

    More beans

    • Veggie Rice Bowls with Peanut Sauce
    • Easy Chickpea-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
    • Easy Vegan Burrito Bowl
    • 5-Minute Skillet Chickpeas

    About Kathy Patalsky

    Hey there! I'm Kathy, lover of kitty cats, weekend baking, 90's movies, travel, beach fog and foamy lattes. Since 2007, I have been sharing my vegan recipes and photos. My goal is to make your cooking life a little easier, delicious - and plant-loaded - while sharing some LIFE and conversation along the way.

    How I Found My Lost Cat – Tips to Help

    Vegan Linzer Cookies

    5 Ingredient Vegan Chocolate Pie

    Vegan Pumpkin Bread with Streusel Topping

    Primary Sidebar

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    newsletter:

    Trending

    my cookbooks

    my cookbooks

    Disqus Latest Comments

    1. s

      s: Absolutely one of the best things I've ever baked. Used dairy butter…

      Commented on: Cinnamon Toast Morning Muffins, gluten-free and vegan

    2. JanetS

      JanetS: Neither of those non-grain flours will substitute for oats or wheat. As…

      Commented on: Cinnamon Toast Morning Muffins, gluten-free and vegan

    3. disqus_LfP7ofaP87

      disqus_LfP7ofaP87: Earth Balance brand HAS PALM OIL, as do most of the vegan…

      Commented on: Sticky Banana Bread Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

    about kathy

    kathy patalsky

    featured: peach coconut water smoothie

    browse recipes

    Breakfast  |  Entrees  |  Desserts  |  Smoothies  |  Sandwiches  |  Salads  |  Beverages  |  Soups |  Appetizers |  Snacks  |  Sauces  |  Sides   /  Cooking Videos  |  Round-Ups  |  Fan Favorites  |  Holiday  /  All the Recipes

    browse:

    • reviews
    • travel
    • vegan topics
    • people
    • videos
    • beauty
    • wellness
    • Mom Life

    my ttc + baby journey

    Footer

    BROWSE BY:

    Category:

    DATE:

    looking for something?

    contact   |   about   |   kathy’s cookbooks  |  press  |  findingvegan  |  meal plans  |  shop  |  vegan recipe index  |  privacy policy  | start a blog

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Services | Work with me