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    Home » Recipes » Mains

    Instant Pot Lentil Sloppy Joes (w/ stove top instructions)

    Published: Oct 6, 2022 by Rosa · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

    1.5K shares
    JUMP TO RECIPE

    Hearty and nourishing lentil sloppy joes are flavourful, filling, and delicious. This wholesome dish is so simple to prepare, and comes together quickly in your hands off Instant Pot, or make it on the stovetop. Healthy ingredients have never tasted this good!

    Sloppy joe sandwich with pickles and coleslaw on the side.

    This recipe was originally published in October 2018. It has been updated for content, photos. and video.

    This comforting meal is a fantastic choice in cooler months, but equally delicious, all year round.

    Enjoy it with or without buns, coleslaw, pickles, and/or pickled onions.

    Jump to:
    • Reader Feedback
    • Here’s why you’re going to LOVE these
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Substitutions + Variations
    • Expert Tips
    • More fun lentil recipes for kids
    • More delicious Instant Pot recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    Reader Feedback

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great recipe! My wife had it as a soup but I went for the sloppy sandwich. Will make again. – Jerry

    Here’s why you’re going to LOVE these

    • Actually healthy! Plenty of recipes claim to be healthy, and I suppose the term healthy is quite subjective and always depends on what you’re comparing. But these incredible lentil sloppy joes are truly nutritious and packed with fiber, protein, and iron.
    • Low calories: Like all the recipes on my blog, I aim to make each low in calories. Lentils are a powerhouse for nutrition, delivering a ton of nutrients in so few calories. Don’t worry, we’re not sacrificing flavour! 😉
    • Low fat: Lentils are naturally low in fat and since this dish is oil-free, this keeps the fat content to virtually zero. Perfect for anyone following a WFPB (whole-food-plant-based) diet.
    • Allergen friendly: No common allergens found here. This dish is free from eggs, dairy, gluten (just make sure to use gluten-free buns), and nuts. Plus a simple swap can make these soy-free too if needed. It’s perfect for vegans, vegetarians, and all sorts of eaters!
    • Hearty and filling: Two kinds of lentils make these vegan sloppy joes hearty and whether or not you opt for a bun, you will fill up.
    • Budget-friendly: Lentils are very inexpensive, and using them as the base for this dish makes it a super affordable one.
    • Versatile: Adjust the seasoning to your preference, and dig into a messy sandwich (just get those napkins ready). Or make it a soup, which is my preferred way to enjoy these. 🙂
    • Kid-friendly: My kids love this dish and request it often! This is a fantastic dish you can feel great about serving little ones.
    • EASY: These lentil sloppy joes are so simple to make. They use basic pantry ingredients and don’t need any babysitting. 😉 Just set it and forget it in your hands off Instant Pot and let the magic happen.
    Three lentil sloppy joe sandwiches on white platter.

    Ingredients

    Here’s everything you’ll need to make this Instant Pot lentil sloppy joes recipe, and make sure to use low-sodium vegetable broth since the Tamari or soy sauce will also add sodium.

    Ingredients needed to make lentil sloppy joes.
    • Onion + pepper: I like to start with these veggies for added flavour. I like white or yellow onion and red pepper, but you may use any colours you like.
    • Lentils: I use green or brown lentils for nice hearty chunks, and the split red lentils are great for soaking up excess moisture and thickening the sloppy joe mixture.
    • Tomato sauce + paste: The sauce adds moisture, flavour, and of course, saucy-ness, and the paste helps thicken the sauce.
    • Spices: I’m using ground cumin, smoked paprika, and Tamari/soy sauce for added flavour, but feel free to experiment and add other spices, if you wish.

    Instructions

    (This is a summary with step by step photos, full recipe measurements and instructions are in the recipe card below.)

    Onion and diced pepper in pot.

    Add the chopped onion and pepper to your Instant Pot with some water for sautéeing. (photo 1)

    Red lentils being poured into pot.

    Once the veggies are sautéed, add all remaining ingredients to your pot. (photo 2)

    Tomato sauce being poured into pot.

    Give everything a stir and close the lid. Make sure to set the valve in the sealing position. (photo 3)

    Cooked lentil sloppy joes in Instant Pot.

    Pressure cook the lentil sloppy joes, quick release, and then remove the lid when safe to do so. (photo 4)

    NOTE: For stovetop directions, see the recipe card below.

    Give your cooked lentil sloppy joes a good stir before serving.

    Wooden spoon scooping lentil stew from Instant Pot.

    Then serve with hamburger buns of your choice, pickles, coleslaw, and toppings of your choice.

    Sloppy joe sandwich with bite taken out.

    Or serve in bowls and enjoy as a soup! See the recipe card below for notes on transforming these delicious lentil sloppy joes into an incredible sloppy joe soup.

    Sloppy joe soup in bowl with hand holding spoon inside.

    Equipment

    I use a 6-quart Instant Pot and have no trouble fitting everything inside. In fact, I’ve also doubled this recipe in a 6-quart pot with no trouble.

    You may easily make this in an 8-quart as well for a single or double batch.

    Storage

    Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days in a sealed container. You may reheat it on the stovetop and enjoy.

    NOTE: As the leftovers sit, the lentils will absorb more and more of the sauce. If it gets too thick, just add a splash of water, broth, or sauce when reheating.

    This lentil sloppy joe recipe freezes amazingly well! (Without the bun of course.)

    I like to freeze individual portions into small freezer-safe airtight containers for easy meals on busy weeknights. Make sure to leave a little room for expansion.

    You may keep frozen for up to 3 months.

    Substitutions + Variations

    • Make it a soup: If you’re not really into licking your fingers, or if you’re avoiding bread, you may skip the bun and enjoy these lentil sloppy joes as a soup. To make vegan sloppy joe soup, add an additional cup of tomato sauce and two additional cups of veggie broth to your pot.
    • For soy free: Omit the Tamari and use coconut aminos instead with similar results. Or omit, and add a little salt, to your taste.
    • If you can’t find split red lentils, split yellow or green peas are great alternatives. Or, you may use more green or brown lentils, but the sauce won’t be quite as thick.
    • For added nutrients, add more chopped veggies like celery, diced potato, mushrooms, peas, and/or carrots.
    • For added flavour, add a few cloves of freshly minced garlic to the sauté pot and/or add more spices like chili powder, and black pepper. Or, add a dash of yellow mustard, vegan Worcestershire sauce, or bbq sauce.

    Expert Tips

    1. Do not add salt. Omitting salt in the recipe was not an oversight. If you’re using Tamari or soy sauce, you shouldn’t need extra salt. The broth and the soy sauce add enough flavour. Once cooked, taste it and add more only if you feel it needs extra.
    2. Use SPLIT red lentils, not whole red lentils. Split lentils absorb more broth and sauce and make the dish thick so that a sandwich will hold nicely. If you don’t have split red lentils, split yellow or green peas also do a good job of this.
    3. Adjust the seasoning: Don’t be afraid to spice these up to amp up the flavour. I keep these mildly spiced to keep them kid-friendly, but if you want heat, add some cayenne pepper or a dash or two of hot sauce.

    More fun lentil recipes for kids

    In this healthy kitchen, we eat lentils for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 😉

    And yes! That includes the kids!

    This versatile ingredient can be used in a variety of ways. Here are some other delicious kid-friendly lentil recipes to try.

    • lentil pancakes stacked on plate with fruit on top and syrup dripping down.
      Banana Lentil Pancakes [Oil Free]
    • Veggie Lentil Nuggets on plate with tray of nuggets behind
      Baked Lentil Veggie Nuggets
    • hand lifting slice of pizza from cutting board.
      Red Lentil Pizza Crust [Gluten Free]
    • Plate of pasta with vegan meatballs and tomato sauce on top.
      Vegan Lentil Meatballs [Oil Free+GF]

    More delicious Instant Pot recipes

    • Bowl of soup with sweet potato, mushrooms, zucchini, chickpeas and crushed peanuts and cilantro on top.
      Instant Pot Peanut Soup w/ Chickpeas
    • Hands holding up jackfruit burrito that is cut in half.
      BBQ Jackfruit Burrito [Vegan Burritos]
    • white bowl with rice, thai curry and drizzled in hot sauce
      Instant Pot Thai Curry [Vegan]
    • Orange soup in purple bowl with white drizzle on top.
      Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup [Or Stove Top]

    If you tried this recipe, please let me know about it in the comments below. I always love hearing from you! Don’t forget to Subscribe to This Healthy Kitchen to be among the first to get my new recipes! You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter to see more delicious food and get all the latest updates.

    Buon appetito,
    Rosa

    📖 Recipe

    Sloppy joe sandwich with pickles and coleslaw on the side.

    Instant Pot Lentil Sloppy Joes (with stove top instructions)

    Hearty and nourishing Instant Pot lentil sloppy joes are flavourful, filling, and delicious!
    4.95 from 18 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Add to Collection Go to Collections
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Course: Main Course, Soup
    Cuisine: American, Canadian
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 188kcal
    Author: Rosa

    Equipment

    Image of Instant Pot pressure cooker on white background.
    Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients

    • 1 yellow onion diced
    • 1 red bell pepper diced
    • 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth *see notes
    • 1 cup brown or green lentils
    • 1 cup split red lentils
    • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    • 2 tablespoons Tamari or soy sauce if not avoiding gluten
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 cup tomato sauce or tomato puree *see notes

    Optional

    • vegan burger buns or other buns of choice
    • coleslaw
    • pickles and/or pickled onions
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Instant Pot Directions

    • Select sauté on your Instant Pot, and add the onions and peppers with a tablespoon or two of water and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Then add all remaining ingredients, close the lid and turn the valve to the sealing position. Set to high pressure for 6 minutes. (It will take 10-15 minutes to build pressure before counting down.) When the timer is complete, quick release the steam valve.
    • Serve with buns and toppings or enjoy as a soup.

    Stove Top Directions

    • In a large sauce pan over medium heat, add the onions and peppers with a tablespoon or two of water and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened
    • Add all the remaining ingredients to the pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, lower the heat to medium low and let simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until lentils are cooked and the liquids are mostly absorbed.
    • Serve with buns and toppings or enjoy as a soup.

    Video

    Notes

    *Make it a soup: To make vegan sloppy joe soup, add an additional cup of tomato sauce and two additional cups of veggie broth to your pot. So, use 6 cups of broth and 2 cups of sauce.
    Do not add salt. Omitting salt in the recipe was not an oversight. If you’re using broth and Tamari or soy sauce, you likely won’t need extra salt. Once cooked, taste and add more salt if needed.
    Use SPLIT red lentils, not whole red lentils. Split lentils absorb more broth and sauce and make the dish thick so that a sandwich will hold nicely. If you don’t have split red lentils, split yellow or green peas also does a good job of this. If you don’t have any split lentils or peas, use more green or brown lentils with similar results.
    Adjust the seasoning: Don’t be afraid to spice these up to amp up the flavour. I keep these mildly spiced to keep them kid-friendly, but if you want heat, add some cayenne pepper or a dash or two of hot sauce.
    For soy-free: Omit the Tamari and use coconut aminos OR omit, and add a little salt, to taste.
    For added nutrients, add more chopped veggies like celery, diced potato, mushrooms, peas, and/or carrots.
    Leftovers keep refrigerated for 3-4 days or freeze airtight in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 188kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 327mg | Potassium: 619mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 675IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 5mg
    DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE?Mention @this.healthy.kitchen on IG and tag #thishealthykitchen!
    *Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools and does not include optional ingredients unless otherwise indicated.
    1.5K shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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    1. Kathy

      October 15, 2022 at 8:36 pm

      5 stars
      Easy and delicious! I served it over baked potatoes.

      Reply
      • Rosa

        October 16, 2022 at 11:52 am

        Yay! Thrilled you enjoyed Kathy. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Letty

      March 23, 2021 at 9:54 pm

      Can’t wait to try this! At the moment I *only* have split red lentils. Will this still work?

      Reply
      • Rosa

        March 24, 2021 at 8:26 am

        Hi Letty, yes you can sub the green or brown with more split red. Just note that split red absorb more liquid and will make the sauce thicker, so if needed, you can thin it out with a little extra broth once cooked.

        Reply
    3. Becca

      October 03, 2020 at 11:45 am

      5 stars
      This is absolutely delicious! I am a HUGE fan of this. It is so easy to make too. I didn’t have the red peppers and tomato sauce so I substituted with carrots and curryketchup. I also added a little garlic and liquid smoke. I definitely recommend this recipe and I definitely will be making this again.

      Reply
      • Rosa

        October 04, 2020 at 8:50 am

        Thanks so much for the review Becca! Thrilled you enjoyed. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Angeline

      February 07, 2020 at 11:52 am

      I cannot find red lentils to save my life. What should I do? LOL

      Reply
      • rosa

        February 07, 2020 at 6:59 pm

        You may use more green or brown lentils instead. You may also sub for split peas. Enjoy! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Jerry

      November 12, 2019 at 8:53 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe! My wife had it as a soup but I went for the sloppy sandwich. Will make again.

      Reply
      • rosa

        November 13, 2019 at 11:03 am

        Thanks Jerry. Glad you both enjoyed!

        Reply
    6. Michelle

      May 03, 2019 at 2:45 am

      5 stars
      These look so good and it’s a bonus that they are healthy and vegan! Adding these to our weekly menu!

      Reply
      • rosa

        May 03, 2019 at 12:03 pm

        Thanks Michelle. Hope you enjoy!!

        Reply
    7. Elaine

      May 02, 2019 at 11:26 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious, healthy and filling. What else do you need, right? 🙂 I can see why it was a family favorite recipe – it can easily become mine, too!

      Reply
      • rosa

        May 03, 2019 at 12:02 pm

        Thanks so much Elaine!

        Reply
    8. Angela

      March 14, 2019 at 8:19 am

      5 stars
      I just LOVE this recipe! Simple ingredients and really mimics the flavors of Sloppy Joe’s. Excellent job with this one. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂

      Reply
      • rosa

        March 14, 2019 at 3:51 pm

        Thanks so much for your kind words Angela!

        Reply
        • Valerie

          September 30, 2020 at 5:46 pm

          5 stars
          You saved my dinner the other night! I was not feeling so well, so I didn’t have much time or energy to make dinner — but with just a few minutes, I prepared this recipe in my Instant Pot! I used 2 carrots instead of pepper, burger buns, and lettuce slices for a bit of crunch in the sandwiches. My family loved them – this is going on our dinner menu as a family favourite for sure! Thanks for all your great recipes!!!

          Reply
          • Rosa

            October 01, 2020 at 10:17 am

            My pleasure Valerie, so glad you all loved these!

            Reply
    9. Dina

      February 21, 2019 at 8:19 am

      5 stars
      Loving your delicious, nutrient-dense recipes, especially the instant pot one – so great for us working moms! Keep ‘em coming!!

      Reply
      • rosa

        February 21, 2019 at 11:31 am

        Thanks Dina! So glad you’re enjoying my recipes. Definitely more to come. 🙂

        Reply
    10. Sofia

      February 05, 2019 at 4:20 pm

      5 stars
      I made your Sloppy Joe Instant Pot recipe for dinner last night and it was a hit with the kids!!!! 👍🏼 Thanks for your delicious and reliable recipes – I can’t go wrong with them!!

      Reply
      • rosa

        February 05, 2019 at 7:02 pm

        Hi Sofia. Thanks so much for the kind feedback! I’m so glad the kids were pleased. I know how difficult it can be cooking for little ones.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Rosa! Welcome to This Healthy Kitchen where you'll find tasty and nutritious, plant-based recipes. I'm an avid home cook who believes food is medicine. Each recipe is made using wholesome ingredients and under 400 calories per serving with many gluten-free and oil-free options. Occasional cheat days included. 😉

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