BBQ Lentil Sloppy Joes

Lentil sloppy joes on a slice of toasted roll, topped with chopped parsley.

3.90 from 10 votes

These vegetarian Sloppy Joes are a twist on the American classic dish made with green lentils, peppers, tomatoes, spices and BBQ sauce for an fantastic, easy weeknight dinner that will make the whole family happy.

The cook time is for making this sauce on LOW in the slow cooker. The cook time will be 3-4 hours on HIGH. The time to make it using your Instant Pot electric pressure cooker requires 7 - 10 minutes prep, including sautéing the veggies, and 20 minutes pressure cooking on HIGH, plus a natural release.

Prep Time10

Cook Time6

Total Time6 10

Course: Vegan Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: lentil sloppy joes, vegetarian sloppy joes

Servings:

Calories: 294.4kcal

Author: Susan Pridmore

Equipment

Medium skillet (If cooking with a slow cooker that has an insert that's NOT stovetop safe.)
4-quart slow cooker If making this recipe using a slow cooker.
6-Quart Electric Pressure Cooker, such as the Instant Pot If making this recipe using an electric pressure cooker.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced about 2 cups
2 red bell peppers, diced
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 ½ cups dried green lentils or French green lentils or Le Puy green lentils
1 ½ cups vegetable broth
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
¼ cup tangy BBQ sauce use your favorite vegetarian BBQ sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar packed
28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
Italian parsley garnish
grated plant-based Parmesan style cheese garnish
6 sandwich rolls or hamburger buns

Instructions

Slow Cooker Method

If your slow cooker has an aluminum insert, set it on the stovetop over medium heat, and warm up the olive oil. Otherwise use a skillet.
Add the onion, peppers, garlic and chili powder to the slow cooker insert or skillet, and sauté until softened, about 10 minutes. If using a skillet for this, transfer the sautéed veggies to the slow cooker.
Add all of the rest of the ingredients into the slow cooker to create the Sloppy Joe filling, except the sandwich rolls.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 - 4 hours or on LOW for 6 - 7 hours.
Toast the sandwich rolls, and ladle the Sloppy Joe sauce over them.

Instant Pot Method

Select the SAUTE function on your electric pressure cooker. Heat the olive oil in the inner pot, and add the onion, peppers, garlic, and chili powder. Sauté until the vegetables begin to soften and are aromatic, about 3 - 5 minutes.
Stir in the lentils, veggie broth, salt, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and tomato sauce. Lock the lid into place, and cook on HIGH pressure for 20 minutes. Allow a Natural release to release the pressure.
Toast the sandwich rolls, and ladle the Sloppy Joe sauce over them.

Notes

The Nutrition data is only for the Sloppy Joe sauce, and does not include the sandwich rolls as you can serve these also as a lettuce wrap, and there's variability between sandwich roll sizes.

Nutrition