Smoky Vegan Sloppy Joes with Cajun Spices. Easy Red Lentil Carrot Zucchini Sloppy mix. Serve between soft buns, dinner rolls, pita pockets or tacos. Vegan Nut-free Recipe. Soy free option. Easily Gluten-free.
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These sloppy joes are 1 Pot, easy and amazingly delicious. I use Red lentils in this recipe as they are less earthy than whole brown lentils and also cook faster. If you cook them in parallel the meal is ready within 30 minutes!
The sloppy lentils are also very versatile. Use them to make taquitos, tacos, wraps, fill up pita pockets, grilled quesadillas or sandwiches, or fill up baked potatoes for a taco baked potato and dress with salsa and vegan sour cream. Many options!
For texture I use shredded zucchini and carrots that add volume and texture to the mix. You can also use some shredded sweet potato or other vegetables. Shredded veggies make a great filling for tacos or wraps, exhibit 1 (pulled Butternut tacos, I had forgotten how these were), shredded sweet potato or carrot bbq sandwiches.
Flavors from paprika, loads of it, herbs and spices, tomato paste and sauces make this a deeply flavorful meal! The sandwiches get pretty sloppy, so I often serve these as wraps with fresh salsa or shredded cabbage or greens. The mix is great both warm and cold. The mix can also be served as a stew. Add some more water of broth and simmer. For a heartier meal, add in some crumbled tempeh with the lentils.
More Lentil Recipes used in ways other than dal.
- Red Lentil Tortilla Soup
- Lentils and Veggies in Peanut Sauce.
- Turkish lentil soup,
- Chipotle Lentil Tomato Sauce with Ziti
- African Inspired Peanut Lentil Soup
- Moroccan lentil soup
I use the spices from my Cajun spice blend with the lentils. You can sub the spices with a tbsp or more of premade blends like cajun blend, chili powder blend, taco seasoning, jamaican jerk seasoning or garam masala. Lots of flavor variations! You will want to make a double, triple batch and freeze it.
Smoked paprika can vary in heat, so use to preference or use in combination with sweet paprika if unsure about the heat. If you make these messy tasty sloppy joes, do let me know in the comments how they turned out, and please rate the recipe!
Cook the lentils to al dente.
Shred the carrots and zucchini.
Cook the onion and garlic. Then cook carrots and zucchini for a few minutes, fold in the spices, sauces and mix in. Add in the lentils.
Simmer until not too wet.
Add generous helping to toasted buns, wraps or a bowl. Serve with pico de gallo or onion, slaw or greens, cilantro and a dash of lemon and black pepper.
Video:
Recipe Card
Cajun Spiced Smoky Vegan Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
Lentils;
- 3/4 cup (135 g) red lentils quick cooking re/orange/pink lentils, masoor dal
- 2 cups (500 ml) water
Sloppy Joes:
- 1 tsp oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 (0.5) medium onion chopped
- 1 small green bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup (128 g) shredded carrots
- 1 medium zucchini shredded
- 2 tsp smoked paprika or use half sweet and half smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) or more cayenne I use about 1/2 tsp
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) onion powder
- 1/2 to 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) chipotle pepper or cumin for smokier flavor optional and a good pinch of allspice (optional)
- 2 tbsp vegan Worcestershire sauce or use 2 tsp soy sauce (coconut aminos for soyfree, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp tamarind paste, 1 tsp molasses and sugar to taste)
- 3 oz tomato paste
- 1/4 cup (2.12 oz) ketchup
- 3/4 tsp (0.75 tsp) salt
- sugar or maple if needed
- a dash of lemon
- Other flavor additions: 1 to 2 tsp soy sauce or bbq sauce, or hot sauce
Other:
- Soft Dinner Rolls or Burger Buns or use gluten-free tortillas
- lettuce or greens
- sliced onions or coleslaw
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine washed and drained red lentils, water and a good pinch of salt and cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat oil in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes or until golden. I usually use a processor to process the onion and bell pepper then transfer to a bowl and process carrots and zucchini and keep ready.
- Add the onion and bell pepper and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the shredded carrots, zucchini, the spices and a good dash of salt and black pepper. Cook for 3 to 6 minutes, depending on moisture content of the veggies.
- Add the lentils, spices+herbs, Worcestershire, tomato paste, ketchup, salt and mix in well. Cook for a minute. Taste and adjust salt, heat and flavor. Add maple for sweetness, lemon for tang. cover and let cook for another minute or longer until the mixture is not too wet. Take off heat and let sit for another few minutes before serving.
- Prep the buns or tortillas by toasting, layer some greens, the sloppy mix, onions or other crunchy veggies and serve! I love those with fresh pico de gallo and crunchy lettuce or cabbage.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Rena
Would this freeze well?
Vegan Richa Support
yes! the liquid from thawing will evaporate when reheated
lani strom
I can’t find the pin buttons on any of the recent recipes you have posted. Am I missing something?
Richa
The widget was giving some script errors so had to remove it. I added a new one today which is at the bottom of the post , near comments. Also trying to find options that can keep floating while you scroll
Tyler Holt
Richa’s recipes have been a delight during the pandemic lockdown. I have both of her books and just recently found her website of recipes. Like every other recipe she has provided, the sloppy joes did not disappoint. My entire family loved them!
Vegan Richa Support
wow. that’s great to hear. Thank you!
Adrienne
This recipe has become one of my staples all year round. It’s great as leftovers for days afterwards (and I hate leftovers!).
Sabine
So very delish and absolutely flavorful. I used a Cajun Spice Mix per suggestion in the notes, and it turned out fabulously! Have already been asked to make it again, very soon.
You are a genius!
P
This recipe is GOLD!!! ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Richa
Thanks!
Meg
This is such a great and easy recipe. My picky 3 year old loved it in a taco shell and I am so happy it gets lots of veggies in him! We seasoned it with taco seasoning rather than cajun. This will be in regular rotation at our house, thank you!
Richa
awesome!
georgie @ georgieeats
Looks UH-mazing!!! I need to try these ASAP… Pinned!
Kelsey
We eat this on toasted Ezekiel bread. So good! I was even missing one or two of the spices and nervous that I had over shredded my veggies in the processor but nope! Turned out delicious! Obviously I think we need your cookbook 😂 it has been so hard to find veggie heavy meals that I’m EXCITED to eat and it’s 2/2 so far using your recipes! ❤️ Thank you, Richa!
Richa
yay! awesome! so glad everything turned out well! The books have similar veggie heavy recipes. Indian food is vegetable heavy in general anyway and the second one with 7 chapters of just everyday meals of other cuisines also uses veggies, beans and whole foods in meals
Cristi
I’d love to learn how to make these in my instant pot! Experimenting tonight. Wish me luck!
Sue
Richa I don’t know how I missed these the first time around. Thanks for your lentil roundup post. This recipe was quick, easy and a huge success last night. Thanks for another winner!
Richa
Awesome!!!
Kellie
any substitutes for ketchup?
Richa
tomato paste
Lalita
I love your recipes! I’m excited to make this one. I was wondering what your thoughts were about substituting the lentils with the meat substitute crumbles?
Richa
should work just fine. add more of the sauces and spices if needed. Depends on the sub. Some are hearty and need a bit more flavors to infuse enough.
Natalia Esteban
Thank you so much for putting together this recipe. It was an absolute hit with ALL three kids and husband tonight. We will definitely be adding this to our regular meal prep. That is an honor only few recipes have earned, and your recipe passed it with flying colors. Thanks again!!!
Lana
is the step to cook the lentils supposed to include water? It just says to use the washed lentils and salt, but it felt odd, and I think it’s supposed to have water included in there?
Richa
yes 🙂 updated
Colleen
I made this recently and it was incredible!!! So rich and bursting with flavor. Sloppy Joes will definitely be in my regular meal rotation. Thanks so much for all you do! 🙂
Christina peter
Your so genius richa! I cant wait to try this recipe. Whenever i get bored and stressed to find a good vegan recipe i turn to your site and im no longer having any delimas ????????????
Richa
Thats amazing! good luck! happy cooking!
Benjamin Ehinger
I would have never thought of this. I will have to make a spicy version for me and a non-spicy for the wife, but a replacement for sloppy joes for vegans….simply brilliant!
Jen
Just finished the last of this amazing mix for breakfast (day 3). I made burritos with the mixture, adding avocado, vegan sour cream and shredded romaine. SO GOOD and easy! Will definitely be making again, and making enough to freeze some next time.
Richa
Awesome! Burritos are a perfect carrier for these.
Emily
Made these for dinner. All wiped clean! Thanks Richa!
Richa
Awesome! Thanks!
R Herhey
Have you or any of your readers tried it in a crockpot? Full time RV-er here and I love to use my little crockpot at campsites so I was curious of crockpot directions.
Richa
I havent, but it should work out just fine.