Slow Cooker Lentil Sloppy Joes
This plant-based version of the all-American classic, these lentil sloppy joes have all the same flavor without any of the meat. And they're a cinch to whip up. Just toss everything in your slow cooker and let it do the work for you!
I got the idea for this recipe from my brother. He made my quinoa sloppy joes recently and was raving about them, and sent my sloppy joe craving into overdrive. But since I'm no longer eating meat, I had to come up with an alternative.
I've often used quinoa in things like vegetarian chilis and soups to lend somewhat of a meat texture, but I knew this recipe couldn't be 100% quinoa. Beans are the logical next step, but anything like chickpea or white bean would just throw the texture off. The best solution: lentils.
So today I'm going to show you how to make lentil sloppy joes in the slow cooker! This recipe is easy to make, packed with flavor, and has that perfect meaty texture – while being 100% vegan!
How to Make Lentil Sloppy Joes in the Slow Cooker
I wanted to make sure the recipe was as simple to make as possible, so I threw everything in the slow cooker and let it do its thing. And you also only need a few simple ingredients:
- Carrots: the carrots add natural sweetness, as well as a chunky texture. You don't have to peel them either which is great!
- Mushrooms: for that “meaty” texture these vegan sloppy joes need, part of the solution is mushrooms – they're soft, chewy and very meaty when they're cooked.
- Onion + garlic: these are here mostly for flavor. If you wanted to spend the extra time sauteeing them beforehand, you'd add even more flavor.
- Lentils: you'll want to use brown or green lentils for this recipe because they actually hold their texture. We'll talk more about this in a moment!
- Quinoa: you know quinoa is my sneaky way to give a ground meat texture without using any meat. I've done it in my lentil + quinoa taco meat as well as my vegetarian chili!
- Tomato sauce + ketchup: a classic combo in traditional sloppy joes, so we're using them here too – just be sure you're using canned tomato sauce not marinara sauce!
- Maple syrup: traditional sloppy joes actually are fairly sweet, so we're adding in some maple syrup. If you're not a fan of sweet, feel free to leave it out.
- Hot sauce: I also always find that sloppy joes are better with a bit of spice – I like to add Cholula or sriracha for mine.
- Seasonings: and lastly, our spices! For these slow cooker lentil sloppy joes, we're using mustard, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt + pepper.
And that's all you need, friends! With that you're ready to dive into your sloppy joes!
What Kind of Lentils for Sloppy Joes?
Lentils have a surprisingly meaty feel to them when they're cooked. They have this interesting quality about them, where they kind of break down as they cook, but also keep their shape at the same time. And they ended up being the perfect plant-based solution for these vegan sloppy joes.
For this recipe you can use:
- Green Lentils
- Brown Lentils
- Black Lentils (although I don't love the texture)
You can't use red lentils because they'll break down too much and turn into mush. You wouldn't get that ground beef texture!
Make-Ahead Vegan Sloppy Joes
As you can tell, these lentil sloppy joes are seriously THE BEST.
I've now served them on three occasions and each time people can't believe they don't contain meat. They have that wonderful tomato-barbecue flavor, are perfectly sloppy, and make the greatest sandwiches!
You can also make them ahead! Here's how:
- make your lentil sloppy joes in the slow cooker
- allow them to cool completely
- store in the fridge or freezer
- reheat before serving
I serve them with hamburger buns, but you could also use your favorite gluten-free biscuit (my Quinoa Biscuits are great!), or you could even just serve them in lettuce cups or on a piece of toast.
Can't wait to hear what you think of the recipe. I have a feeling it's going to become a staple 🙂
More Vegan Slow Cooker Recipes:
- Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili
- Vegan Red Lentil Dal
- Chili Roasted Sweet Potato + Black Bean Quinoa Salad
- One-Pot Root Vegetable + Lentil Quinoa Stew
- Vegan Quinoa & Lentil Taco Meat
Slow Cooker Vegan Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 cup finely chopped carrots
- 1 cup finely chopped mushrooms
- 1 cup finely chopped onions
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 1/2 cups brown lentils
- 1/2 cup quinoa
- 1 8oz can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup organic ketchup I used agave sweetened
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Pinch of salt & pepper
- 3 - 4 cups vegetable broth
Instructions
- Add everything into the slow cooker, starting with 3 cups of broth. Stir to combine, cover and set to high. Cook on high for 2 - 3 hours (or low for 4 - 6). Check and add more liquid as needed.
- Serve warm with a bun, biscuit or in a spaghetti squash!
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This was delicious and it is going to be a constant in our house!
Thank you
I make this all the time and absolutely love it. Tastes even better later in the week. I am wondering if the recipe is meant to be made with prepared mustard or dry? I have been using prepared.
I use prepared mustard but dry mustard would work too
Can this be done in an instant pot?
I haven’t tested it in an IP, sorry! I would say no more than 10 – 12 minutes on high though. If you try it let us know 🙂
I plan on making this recipe this weekend. What can I use in place of the mushrooms? I saw a comment that someone used jackfruit instead but that won’t be possible for us. Any and all suggestions are appreciated! Thank you!
You could probably just leave the mushrooms out or substitute them with artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, or any kind of squash. We have only tried this recipe as it is written, but if you try any substitutions we would love to know how your recipe turns out!
Do you soak the lentils before adding to the crockpot?
Nope, the lentils do not need to be soaked. They will cook with the rest of the ingredients
My mom made regular pulled pork, and I made this for a get together. It wasn’t a competition but everyone loved this recipe, even the meat eaters!
It is too delicious to resist 😉 I’m glad everyone enjoyed it!
This was sooo delicious and easy to make. I served it over cauliflower mash. absolutely loved it! I froze a quart. I can so see having this on a bun with some coleslaw Thanks, great recipe!
So glad you liked it, Alisa!!
How long do I cook in instant pot?
I actually haven’t tried these in an IP yet but if I do I will let you know!!
My family LOVES this recipe. We make is regularly! Thanks for sharing!
Of course! This is one of my favorite ways to enjoy lentils!!
I made this for my son and his girlfriend who both are vegetarian. It was very good and even my husband like it and he likes his meat.
I’m so glad they all enjoyed it!! Thanks for your review!
Made this recipe tonight and loves it. So flavorful and fully. Will definitely make again. I made one small change I used no sugar added BBQ sauce instead of ketchup.
Love that you added BBQ! Yum!
What would the time difference be if you had to just cook on the stove?
I would say at least an hour or two 🙂
I was wondering if the quinoa in the slow cooker sloppy joes is cooked or uncooked?
It’s uncooked 🙂 It cooks in the slow cooker 🙂
I can’t get the recipe to load. I was able to see it earlier and bought all the ingredients but now I can see the actual recipe for the slow cooker lentil sloppy joes. Can you please email it to me?
Thanks!
We were having some web issues the last few days, but it should be all set now 🙂 thank you for your understanding!
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Have you tried this recipe quick cooked in a pot instead of a slow cooker? Just wondering if it works at all. Either way, looking forward to trying the recipe! Thanks!
I haven’t but it should be fine! It will probably take about an hour on a low simmer 🙂
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When my crockpot died, i replaced with an IP. How would you cook this in an IP?
I haven’t tested it in an IP, sorry! I would say no more than 10 – 12 minutes on high though.
It looks really AHHHmazing!
Thank you!
[…] Get the recipe from Simply Quinoa. […]
This looks great! Just wondering what size crock pot you used?
This was an 8qt I believe!
[…] You can find the recipe here! […]
I found this recipe a few months ago and my vegan family loves it! It’s now become an added staple to the vegan lifestyle. We don’t care much for spicy so I eliminated the hot sauce and it’s perfect. Thanks!
YAY!! So glad you all love it, Joann 🙂
[…] Lentil Sloppy Joes from Simply Quinoa […]
Hi Alyssa, I made this last night and I didn’t have any hot sauce so I used a table spoon of Jerk seasoning from the jar. It tastes really good, nice and spicy. I was wondering how much is in a serving?
Thanks a lot for all your great recipes.
About 1 cup 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it!
I really wanted to love this, but I found the flavor insipid and overly sweet. I think part of the problem is the lack of fat in the recipe. I’m going to try sautéing the onions, garlic & spices in a glut of olive oil before adding to the slow cooker. Otherwise I don’t think there’s enough savory to stand up to the sweetness of carrot + tomato sauce+ ketchup + maple syrup, etc.
Sorry you didn’t enjoy it! I haven’t gotten that feedback yet, but appreciate your honesty 🙂
I made the sloppy joes tonight…..and it was deeeeeelicious…..
Yummmmo!!!
Alyssa is the recipy spicy? i ask because of the 2Tbsp of hot sauce and the chili powder… Thank you 🙂
I would say if you’re sensitive to spice, that you leave it out and then add it at the end until you reach your level of tolerance 🙂
I used 1 tsp of hot sauce because i am sensitive to spice. Turned out just fine. I also subbed the maple syrup for 2 tsp of molasses because it’s what I had on hand. Delish!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Sounds fabulous!
Just made this minus the hot sauce. Delicious!
So glad you enjoyed it!! xox
Just found this recipe & made it today. I used sriracha instead of hot sauce & it was amazing! Love this recipe!
Hooray!! So glad you enjoyed it 🙂 xox
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