Vegan Sloppy Joes

Name: Vegan Sloppy Joes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 12 ounces vegan ground beef (I used Beyond); 1 small onion (diced small); 3 garlic cloves (minced); 15 ounce can lentils (drained and rinsed*); 1 tablespoon chili powder; 2 teaspoons smoked paprika; 15 ounce canned tomato sauce; 2 tablespoons ketchup; 1 tablespoon yellow mustard; 1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup; 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste; 6 buns

These easy Vegan Sloppy Joes put a plant-based spin on a childhood classic! Ready in less than 30 minutes, both kids and adults can’t get enough of this meaty and comforting weeknight dinner.

Looking for more vegan family dinner ideas? Try my Vegan Baked Ziti, Cheesy Broccoli Rice Vegan Casserole, One Pot Vegan Pasta, and Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup.

close up on two vegan sloppy joes served in hamburger buns.

Could you also not contain your excitement when you saw sloppy joes on the cafeteria menu at school? They were one of my all-time favorite childhood meals. Perfectly messy with crave-worthy flavors, I couldn’t get enough.

Craving this childhood classic led me to create these best-ever Vegan Sloppy Joes. Meaty, filling, and perfectly seasoned, they may be even better than the version I ate as a kid!

This lentil sloppy joe recipe is made with a hearty lentil and vegan ground beef filling that’s seasoned with simple smoky-savory spices, while a touch of maple syrup adds an irresistible sweetness. Bonus: They only take 30 minutes to put together, so I know you’ll love making them for simple family-friendly weeknight dinners!

Why you’ll love these vegan lentil sloppy joes

So nostalgic – Just because the days of cafeteria sloppy joes are behind us doesn’t mean we can’t indulge in this classic childhood meal. The homemade version is even better thanks to incredible vegan ingredients!
Ready in 30 minutes – They take only 30 minutes to whip up from start to finish, making this a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
Packed with protein – A can of lentils and a package of vegan ground beef jam pack these sandwiches with approximately 40 grams of plant-based protein. They always hit the spot!
Versatile – Depending on your preferences, you can use all lentils, all vegan beef, or even soy curls/mushrooms/walnuts!

How to make vegan sloppy joes

Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.

Cook the vegan beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it’s browned. Add in the diced onion and cook until it’s soft and translucent. Next, add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

Stir the lentils, chili powder, smoked paprika, tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, vegan Worcestershire sauce, and maple syrup into the vegan beef mixture. Cook for a few minutes to let the flavors mingle and turn down the heat if it’s boiling too much.

making a vegan sloppy joe filling in a large skillet.

Taste the sloppy joe mixture and adjust the flavors as needed. Add salt to balance the flavors, add hot sauce for more heat, or maple syrup for a sweeter filling.

Serve the vegan sloppy joes in buns with or without toppings and enjoy!

stirring a vegan sloppy joe mixture with a wooden spoon in a skillet.

Frequently asked questions

What can I use instead of Beyond Meat?

You can replace the Beyond Meat with another store-bought vegan ground beef, like Impossible or Gardein. You can also use TVP or chopped soy curls rehydrated in vegetable broth or vegan chicken broth.

Want to skip the “meat” entirely? Make the sloppy joe mixture with 3 cans of lentils or cook 1 cup of dried green lentils and add them to the pan after sautéing the onion and garlic. A mixture of lentils, walnuts and mushrooms could work too.

Can I add anything to these sloppy joes?

Yes, you can sauté a diced green bell pepper, a red bell pepper, sliced mushrooms, or a jalapeno pepper with the onions and garlic to give the sandwiches a little more flavor and texture.

What do you serve with lentil sloppy joes?

This is a fuss-free dinner you can truly just scoop into huge hamburger buns or hoagie rolls and enjoy! But if you’re looking to take them up a notch, top the sloppy joes with tangy toppings, like a scoop of my Vegan Coleslaw, pickle slices and pickled red onions.

For a well-rounded and kid-friendly dinner, pair the sloppy joes with a side of vegan macaroni salad, potato salad, vegan mac and cheese, french fries, and broccoli salad.

How long do they last? Can you freeze sloppy joes?

The leftover sloppy joe mixture will last for 4 to 5 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. I recommend letting the mixture cool to room temperature before storing.

They also freeze very well! Pack the lentil and “beef” filling into freezer-friendly containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Let the leftovers thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat in a pot on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through.

a womans hand grabbing a vegan sloppy joe.

*This recipe was first published in June 2018 and has been updated in 2024 with a slightly changed recipe and improvements.

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