These Vegan Sloppy Joes are the ultimate plant-based comfort food, saucy, satisfying, and made with lentils, veggies, and Yo Mama’s No Sugar Added Ketchup. A healthy, high-protein meal that’s perfect for Meatless Monday or easy weeknight dinners.

If you’re craving comfort food but want to keep it clean, these Vegan Sloppy Joes are the answer. They’re everything I love in a weeknight meal: fast, flavorful, filling, and packed with whole food ingredients.

Instead of ground beef, I use hearty green or brown lentils to bring the protein, fiber, and that perfect texture. The sauce? A sweet, smoky, tangy blend that leans on Yo Mama’s No Sugar Added Ketchup to keep things refined sugar-free (and yes, you can use my code HEALTHYHELPER for 30% off). This recipe satisfies all the nostalgic vibes of a classic Sloppy Joe, with none of the processed junk.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s naturally vegan and easy to make gluten-free
The lentils are super filling and a great source of plant-based protein
The flavor is sweet, smoky, and bold without being overpowering
Leftovers taste even better the next day
It’s perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd on a budget

How to Make Healthy Vegan Lentil Sloppy Joes

Healthy Vegan Lentil Sloppy Joes [no added sugar + gluten-free]

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Author: Healthy Helper
Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 30
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4-6 servings
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup dried green or brown lentils, rinsed and drained
1½ cups vegetable broth (or water)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 bell pepper (red or green), finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup Yo Mama’s No Sugar Added Ketchup (use code HEALTHYHELPER $$)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon date syrup (use code HEALTHYHELPER to save $$)
1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional: 1/2 cup drained canned diced tomatoes
Whole wheat burger buns, keto buns, or preferred buns, for serving

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Instructions

Cook the Lentils: In a medium saucepan, combine lentils and vegetable broth (or water). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until lentils are tender. Drain any excess liquid and set aside.
Sauté the Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, bell pepper, and tomatoes if using, and cook for about 5 minutes, until soft and translucent. Add garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes more, until fragrant.
Make the Sloppy Joe Mixture: Add the cooked lentils to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir in ketchup, apple cider vinegar, date syrup, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, and oregano. Mix well to combine.
Simmer: Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve: Spoon the mixture onto toasted burger buns and serve hot. Enjoy with a side of sweet potato fries, salad, or pickles.

Tips for Perfect Vegan Lentil Sloppy Joes

For extra heat, add hot sauce or red pepper flakes
Don’t skip the simmer step—it makes a big difference in flavor
This also makes an amazing sloppy joe bowl served over rice or quinoa
Double the batch and freeze half for a quick future meal

These Sloppy Joes are seriously one of my favorite vegan meals. They’re nostalgic, comforting, and totally satisfying—without any of the heaviness. Whether you’re cooking for plant-based skeptics or just want something different for dinner, I promise this recipe delivers.

And if you haven’t tried Yo Mama’s No Sugar Added Ketchup yet, now’s the time. It brings the sweet-tangy flavor without the junk. Use code HEALTHYHELPER for 30% off when you grab a bottle.