These meatless plant-based slow-cooker lentil Sloppy Joes will be a new keeper recipe for you!
I’ve received so many rave reviews about them!
Say hello to your new favorite easy, cheap and crowd-pleasing dinner idea!
The Comments
“Yum! Our neighbor brought this to us for dinner after we had a baby. It is the best lentil sloppy Joe recipe. I’ve tried quite a few and none have been worthy of repeat but we love this one. I have been making triple batches in my instant pot to freeze for quick dinners. Ive added zucchini, peppers, and mushrooms to sneak in more veggies. Definitely a keeper! Thanks Faith!” —Mallory M.
“These Sloppy Joe’s are so delicious! My husband and 6 year old loved them as much as I did. I used a can of crushed tomato instead of tomato sauce because it was all I had. I also finely grated 2 medium carrots and added those and 1/2 cup finely minced green bell pepper and it turned out great. I also added 1/2 cup red lentils instead of walnuts. Very hearty and filling. It will be made on the regular at our house. Thanks for all these fantastic recipes!” –Jennifer S.
Convenience and Nutrition Meets Deliciousness!
I have received texts from friends and comments in person about this recipe. Just last week a friend texted me (and I quote!), “Wowie wow wow!!! I made the lentil sloppy joes. SOOO GOOD!!!!! Honestly BEST sloppy joes I’ve ever had…”
Overall this recipe is a winner because it is so tasty! It also uses just pantry ingredients, so you can make this without going to the store for fresh stuff. AND it’s a slow-cooker meal, which gives you, the cook, the joy of being happily surprised when dinner is ready, just like everyone else who shows up to dinner ready each night.
Budget-Friendly Sloppy Joes
If the convenience wasn’t enough, this recipe is very cheap to make. I got out my receipt and calculator and I estimate this to end up being about 64 cents a serving. For a healthy recipe, that’s very cheap! I think anything less than $1 a serving is pretty good, for a whole-foods recipe.
1 cup lentils (.98/lb) $0.50
1 onion (.38/lb) .30
2 cans tomato sauce (.46 each) .92
8 whole wheat hamburger buns $1.68
1/2 cup walnuts ($5.40/lb) .90
spices, mustard, syrup, garlic, etc estimated about .75
Total $5.05 for 8 servings = 64 cents per sloppy joe.
(If you leave out the walnuts, and use brown sugar instead of pure maple syrup, it’s more like 50 cents a serving).
While this recipe is forgivable and adapatable, I highly recommend you don’t skip the smoked paprika or substitute it for regular paprika. It is not a spicy flavor that kids won’t like, it just gives these sloppy joes a deep, almost meaty flavor. The cheapest way to get spices like these is a bulk section where you scoop out however much you want.
Slow-Cooker Lentil Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown or green lentils (dry)
- 1 cup vegetable broth (I use 1 tsp of vegetable Better than Bouillon in 1 cup water)
- 28 oz tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup tomato paste (half of one small can)
- 1 onion chopped fine
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 TBSP mustard (any kind)
- 3 TBSP pure maple syrup (or brown sugar)
- 1 TBSP vinegar (apple cider or white)
- 2 tsp oregano
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped fine (optional, for extra texture and meatiness)
For Serving
- 8 whole wheat hamburger buns
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into slow cooker and stir together.
- Cook on low for 6 hours, or on high for 3 hours. Taste and add more chili powder or smoked paprika, if desired. Add more maple syrup or other sweetener if you'd like it sweeter.
- Serve on whole wheat hamburger buns. Can be served with additional BBQ sauce if you want them really saucy and sweet. Makes 8 sloppy joes.
Notes
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