These lentil sloppy joes are effortlessly easy, perfectly frugal, and healthy too. They’re made with green lentils instead of ground beef, making them a delicious meatless meal option for lunch or dinner. AND (this is one of my favorite parts) you can use the delay start feature on your Instant Pot so you’re sloppy joes will be ready whenever you are!
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I have the perfect summer recipe for you today! It’s easy and healthy, and maybe best of all, it can be made ahead of time so you can come home to a hot meal after an evening at the pool or an afternoon at the park.
I first shared this recipe a couple of years ago in a list of Instant Pot appetizers, but after I included it in the yearlong seasonal meal plan I created, I knew it needed its own post.
Lentil sloppy joes were on my meal plan this week, along with my easy coleslaw hack. We had them the day we went to the park and the children’s museum.
The sandwiches were the perfect meal to have as a late lunch that would satisfy us after our outings and keep us full until we had a late dinner after church.
I prepped all the ingredients, put them in the Instant Pot, set the delayed start, and came home to everything ready to eat.
Lentil Sloppy Joes in the Instant Pot
The ingredients are simple– and inexpensive. Lentils are not difficult to find, and the rest of the ingredients are basic pantry staples.
I just made sure to add lentils to my Whole Foods order (I’ve been using their delivery option for Prime members, and LOVING it!).
This recipe makes a lot, so you can make a batch at the beginning of the week and eat the leftovers all week. Or if you only want enough for a meal, simply cut the recipe in half.
More easy meal ideas ::
- Easy Dinner Ideas Mega List
- How to cook ground beef from frozen in the Instant Pot
- 20 Essential Summer Recipes You Can Make In 10 Minutes or Less
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These sloppy joes are effortlessly easy, perfectly frugal, and healthy too. They’re made with green lentils instead of ground beef, making them a delicious meatless meal option for lunch or dinner. AND (this is one of my favorite parts) you can use the delay start feature on your Instant Pot so you’re sloppy joes will be ready whenever you are!
Ingredients
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced small
- 1 small onion, minced
- 2 C green lentils, rinsed
- 1 C water
- 4 C (2 14.5oz cans) of pureed tomatoes (I blended 2 cans of diced tomatoes)
- 1/2 C maple syrup
- 1/4 C apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp each kosher salt, cumin, dry mustard, and garlic powder
- 1 tsp each chili powder and paprika
Instructions
1. Combine all the ingredients in the Instant Pot. Stir to incorporate. Cover and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes, before manually releasing the remaining pressure.
2. Serve with homemade rolls, Hawaiian rolls, or over rice or potatoes, etc.
Notes
You can use the delay start on your Instant Pot with this recipe. Simply combine all the ingredients and set the cook time as usual, then select delay start (set the delay for up to four hours).
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Has anyone tried making this without the maple syrup? I’m sure it’s tasty, but is not healthy with that much of any sweetener.
If you are worried about the maple syrup you could soak 4 pitted dates and blend them with the tomatoes. Then you still get sweet , but a whole food sweet.
We made this tonight on home made rolls it was so yummy! Thanks I’m always looking for Vegan recipes!
So glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for leaving a comment!
I’m going to try it in my slow cooker!
Totally doesn’t work in the slow cooker LOL. Deff need to pre cook lentils and saute onion and carrot before putting all together to boil and combine.
Trying to not eat a lot of meat and this is a great alternative. Both my husband and I thought they were really good! They freeze well too.
★★★★★
I just made this tonight for the first time and it is perfect! My 1 year old is sooooo picky but he is gobbling this up (served his over rice) and my 3 year old loves it too. My husband and I are eating it on buns with some quick pickled red onion and avocado. So delicious! Thank you for such a yummy, meat- & dairy-free spin on a classic 🙂
★★★★★
Making this for lunch right now, it’s smelling amazing! Excited for a meatless meal option!
I was intrigued when I saw this recipe. I had not tried fixing a meatless dish before…. but we absolutely loved it!!
This dish is fast, and healthy! really important when it’s 5:30pm, and you get that ‘I really should have started dinner earlier’ feeling!?
I used green split peas, I’m assuming that’s same as green lentils?
★★★★★