Are you craving a hearty, satisfying meal that’s also packed with nutritious ingredients? Look no further than these Lentil Sloppy Joes! This vegan twist on the classic favorite is sure to become a staple in your recipe collection. Loaded with minced carrots, peppers, onions, and protein-rich lentils, these Sloppy Joes are bursting with flavor and texture. Plus, they’re gluten-free, making them suitable for those with dietary restrictions.
Favorite Meal Prep Main Equipment & Supplies
Gluten Free Lentils: Arrowhead Mills Organic Lentils, Green, 16 Ounce. Buy in bulk and save $$ like I do for my dry pantry. Not all lentils are gluten free, make sure to check the package before buying.
Vegan Gluten Free Worcestershire Sauce: The Wizard’s Sauce Organic Gluten Free & Vegan Worcestershire Sauce. This one jar has lasted me six months.
Gluten Free Buns: Schar – Ciabatta Rolls – Certified Gluten Free. These rolls taste best when toasted.
Instant Pot: When it comes to meal preparation methods, although I have a personal preference for using the Instant Pot, all recipes shared are suitable for stove-top cooking as well. When I opt for stove-top preparation, I typically utilize a 6.4 cups Dutch oven for soups. Both methods will have printable recipes available below to cater to different preferences.
Pyrex bundle: Before starting the cooking process, it’s recommended to gather and portion out all necessary ingredients, ideally completing some preparatory steps the night before to streamline the process. Using Pyrex containers not only makes storage easier but also doubles as a way to measure ingredients, reducing the need for repeated use of measuring cups. Furthermore, making sure the dishwasher is empty before starting helps speed up the cleanup after cooking.
Vegetable broth: In an effort to optimize cost-effectiveness, I have found purchasing vegetable broth cubes in bulk from online retailers such as Amazon to be a prudent alternative to carton-packaged broth. These cubes can be easily dissolved using an electric kettle and measuring cup set, providing a convenient solution for meal preparation. This equals $0.20 a cup.
16 oz. pint containers: For meal portioning, I suggest using 16 oz plastic pint containers, which provide an appropriate serving size without encouraging overconsumption. These containers, conveniently sold in packs of 50 on Amazon, are dishwasher-safe and freezer-compatible, providing versatile storage options.
With its hearty texture and robust flavors, these Lentil Sloppy Joes are sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Whether you’re following a vegan diet or simply looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into your routine, this recipe is a winner. Give it a try for your next meal – you won’t be disappointed!
Here are two ways to make the soup, either using the Instant Pot or on the stove top.
Vegan Gluten Free Lentil Sloppy Joes: Instant Pot
Equipment
- 1 Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 cup carrots minced
- 1 cup green peppers minced
- 1 cup onions minced
- 2 tbsp garlic minced
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 2 cups tomato sauce 15 oz. can
- 4 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp vegan gluten free Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup organic sugar
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 1/4 cup green lentils rinsed
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 pack Gluten Free Buns substitute pita or wraps
Instructions
- Rinse and drain the lentils.
- Hit the sauté function on your Instant Pot and add ½ cup of vegetable broth. Let it warm for a few minutes.
- Add the garlic, diced onions, carrots, and celery. Let them simmer for a few minutes until softened.
- Stir in all the spices: chili powder, paprika, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar.
- Turn off the Instant Pot and add the remaining 4 cups of broth, tomato sauce, sugar, tomato paste, and lentils.
- Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to bean-chili 25 minutes, with a 10-minute natural pressure release.
- Once the pressure has been released, open the lid and mix the ingredients well.
- Serve the lentil mixture on your choice of bread product – whether it's gluten-free buns, pita breads, or wraps.
Notes
- These Lentil Sloppy Joes are great for meal prep! After enjoying them for a few days, you can freeze any leftovers to keep them fresh for longer.
- Feel free to customize the recipe to suit your taste preferences. You can adjust the spices or add additional vegetables for extra flavor and nutrition
Vegan Gluten Free Lentil Sloppy Joes: Stove Top
Equipment
- 1 Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 1 cup carrots minced
- 1 cup peppers minced
- 1 cup onion minced
- 2 tbsp garlic minced
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 2 cups tomato sauce 15 oz. can
- 4 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup organic sugar
- 2 tbsp vegan gluten free Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 1/4 cups green lentils rinsed
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 pack gluten free buns substitute pitas and wraps
Instructions
- Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add a splash of vegetable broth to the pot.
- Once the pot is hot, add the minced carrots, peppers, garlic, and onion. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, paprika, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Cook for another minute, allowing the spices to become fragrant.
- Add the tomato sauce, remaining vegetable broth, rinsed lentils, and organic sugar to the pot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
- Cover the pot and let the lentils cook for about 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender and the mixture has thickened.
- Once the lentils are cooked to your liking and the sauce has thickened, taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Serve the Lentil Sloppy Joes on your choice of gluten-free buns, pita breads, or wraps.
Notes
- If the mixture becomes too thick while cooking, you can add a splash of vegetable broth or water to thin it out to your desired consistency.
- Feel free to customize the recipe by adding extra vegetables such as diced celery or mushrooms for added flavor and texture.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or frozen for longer storage.
With its hearty texture and robust flavors, these Lentil Sloppy Joes are sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Whether you’re following a vegan diet or simply looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into your routine, this recipe is a winner. Give it a try for your next meal – you won’t be disappointed!
