Growing up, I probably ate a few too many Manwich’s. They were one of my dinner time staples, especially if I was home alone and left to fend for myself. I loved those silly commercials too, I can still hear it playing in my head. Well, I had completely forgotten about them until one of my new clients mentioned wanting a healthier sloppy joe recipe. I was PUMPED when this came up - because I knew exactly what I was going to do the following day. I was going to create a lentil sloppy joe. YUM.

And here they are - in all of their glory. They are pretty darn good in my opinion. My family and team would agree with you, as I think they ate two batches of them in less than an hour.

This recipe is super easy, great for kids, and makes a fun family night or summer cookout meal! If you’re gluten free, simply replace the bun for a gluten free alternative.

Lentil Sloppy Joes

Makes 6 full size sandwiches or 12 sliders

Ingredients

1.5 cups dry green lentils, cooked
6 hamburger buns or 12 slider buns (I used the pretzel bun sliders)
1 yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced small
1 can tomato sauce
3T vegan Worcestershire sauce
3T coconut sugar
1T chili powder
1/2 T cumin
1/2 T smoked paprika
1tsp salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

You have one of two choices when you make these. You can do as I did and cook your lentils in a rice cooker or instant pot and then add them to a sauté pan with all of the other ingredients, OR you may cook them in a sauté pan and add in all of your other ingredients simultaneously. Personally, I love cooking my lentils in a rice cooker, but both options work great!

1. While your lentils are cooking, you may sauté all of your ingredients in a medium-large sized sauté pan. Once the onions are cooked and your lentils are done, you may stir in your lentils until the sauce mixture is well combined.

2. Serve immediately on a bun of your choosing or store in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Enjoy!

xo,

Emma