Vegetarian Classic Sloppy Joe Meat
Transform your weeknight dinner line-up with this irresistible Vegetarian Classic Sloppy Joe Meat recipe—a plant-based twist on the comfort food favorite. Featuring hearty red lentils as the star ingredient, this recipe brings bold and smoky flavors to the table with a medley of spice-packed seasonings like smoked paprika, chili powder, and cumin. Sautéed onions, bell peppers, and garlic create a rich, aromatic base, while a splash of Worcestershire and soy sauce, balanced by a hint of brown sugar, adds a savory-sweet depth. Ready in just 40 minutes, this protein-packed, meat-free alternative is perfect piled high on toasted burger buns for a satisfying meal that everyone will love. Whether you're feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week, this vegetarian sloppy joe recipe is a flavorful, wholesome choice that delivers both nostalgia and nutrition.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
- 1 medium, finely chopped green bell pepper
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup, dried red lentils
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 0.5 teaspoon cumin
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 6 burger buns
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Rinse the red lentils under running water and add them to the pan.
Pour in the vegetable broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil.
Once boiling, reduce heat to low and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, black pepper, and salt.
Continue to cook and stir for 5 more minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Toast the burger buns if desired.
Spoon a generous portion of the lentil mixture onto the bottom half of each bun, cover with the top half, and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1993 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 42.1 g | 54% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.6 g | 28% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 4034 mg | 175% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 321.1 g | 117% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 40.6 g | 145% | |
| Total Sugars | 49.7 g | ||
| Protein | 84.2 g | 168% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 467 mg | 36% | |
| Iron | 26.4 mg | 147% | |
| Potassium | 3869 mg | 82% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
