I can’t imagine making Sloppy Joes for my family without singing like Adam Sandler:
“SLOPPY JOE, SLOP, SLOPPY JOE YEEAAAH”.
Because to do so would not only be sacrilegious, but bad parenting on my part. And my kids know that it is physically impossible to serve them Sloppy Joes and not sing at least a line or two in that classic Adam Sandler tone.
“Now me and Sloppy Joe got married…we got six kids and we’re doin’ just fine.”
Did I mention how awesome it is when your kids are old enough to enjoy a good joke AND participate in a family SNL sing-along? #proudmama
Unlike the song though, yesterday’s meatloaf is NOT today’s Sloppy Joes. You won’t find any ♫ navy beans, navy beans, navy beans ♫ here, just good old fashioned lentils, which is ALWAYS a better option than cafeteria mystery meat.
In fact, today’s Sloppy Joes is the ULTIMATE vegan comfort sandwich!
So are you ready to take a trip down to ♫ “Lunch Lady Laaaaaaand” ♫ for an updated version of the classic Sloppy Joe?
Loaded down with BBQ lentils, red cabbage slaw, oven-baked fries, and topped with a generous portion of smashed avocado on a toasted bun, this sandwich is totally moan-worthy and not limited to children (just the young at heart!).
Pretty soon, I’m sure you’ll be dancing around the kitchen just like Chris Farley in a hair net, only (I hope) much sexier *wink*.
Enjoy this one on me, and don’t forget to sing…LOUDLY.
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Allergy-Info & Substitutions
- This sloppy joe is 100% vegan, meaning it is meat-free, dairy-free, and egg-free. It is also naturally nut-free and soy-free (when using Just Mayo brand).
- Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free hamburger buns instead of wheat.
- Bring on the toppings! Layer on as many toppings as you wish, including sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, pickles, hot sauce, or anything else your vegan heart desires.
- For another AMAZING vegan weeknight dinner, check out my easy vegan carrot hot dogs by clicking here.
Well, they call it Sloppy Joe for a reason!
Making the Ultimate Vegan Sloppy Joe makes me want to sing like Adam Sandler! Loaded down with homemade slaw, avocado, and oven baked fries, this is one delicious ritual you don’t want to miss!
The Ultimate Vegan Sloppy Joe
Ingredients
For the BBQ Lentils-
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3-4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 ½ C dried lentils washed and picked over
- 2 ¼ C "Not-Beef" broth OR veggie broth
- ½ C BBQ sauce of choice plus and additional ¼ C reserved
For the Slaw-
- ½ C red cabbage shredded
- ½ C green cabbage shredded
- 2 tablespoon vegan mayo such as "Just Mayo"
- 1-2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon almond milk
- Sprinkle of nutritional yeast
- Himalayan pink salt and pepper to taste
To Assemble-
- Hamburger buns
- 1 avocado mashed and lightly seasoned with Himalayan pink salt and pepper
- 1 package of frozen fries
Instructions
- Bake fries according to package.
- Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, saute onions and garlic in coconut oil for 2 minutes, until softened. Add dried lentils, broth, and the ½ C of BBQ sauce. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to medium low. Cover, and simmer for approximately 20 minutes, or until lentils are tender and cooked through. Stir in the ¼ C of reserved BBQ sauce and turn off heat.
- While the lentils are cooking, combine all slaw ingredients and toss to coat.
- To assemble, top toasted buns (if desired) with a generous serving of BBQ lentils, slaw, and a handful of baked fries. Smear mashed avocado on inside of bun to top it off.
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Oh, this looks amazing! So ful with everything!
Thank you love!
I love the french fry topper – perfect for sloppy joes! And smashed avocado belongs on everything. Thanks!
I agree- avocado belongs on EVERYTHING. Thanks so much for stopping by Alison!
Hey Randi: I hope you had a terrific week. This recipe is num num num going to make me cook kind of delicious!!!! I had not heard of the Adam Sandler sloppy joe song. In the first paragraph I went to you-tube so as to understand your post. Laughed like crazy, only to continue through the post and see you had done the work for me.
So cute. I am really looking forward to trying this one.
LOL, perhaps I should have placed it higher in the post, but I’m glad you watched it- it always gives me a good laugh!! I wish they had a good quality vid of the SNL version with Chris Farley, but we take what we can get:) I hope you have a beautiful week and I’d love to know how you like this if you make it!
Those sandwiches look utterly delicious! We love lentils at our house, and I’m thinking your filling could sub as a topping over ferro or rice too, yes? Scrumptious.
I think this would be great on rice!! Thanks so much for stopping by Kathryn, I hope you get to try this, whatever way you like it!
First of all – this looks like the BOMB. I’m seriously drooling over here.
Second of all: “Honestly, I can’t imagine making Sloppy Joes WITHOUT singing an ode of Adam Sandler” OMG we are meant to be beeessssttt frieeeeeennnnnndddds. Adam Sandler is my favourite ever. I’ve seen almost every single one of his movies and he’s basically my hero. Yup. I love you even more now, as if that was possible =D =D =D
And you paired it with fries – YAS.
LOL, YAAAAYY. That’s so funny that we share a love for Adam Sandler. My favorite of his has to be the Wedding Singer, but I enjoy pretty much all of his films. He is definitely my go-to when I’m having a bad day lol, it’s like my own personal “natural remedy”. Laughter is the best medicine!
Randi, you’re so fun. I was actually singing that song as soon as I saw the name of your recipe…”Sloppy Joes, Slop-sloppy Joes”. 🙂
I didn’t realize VegWeek was later this month. I’m totally going to see if people want to join too!
Thanks so much for linking up with us for Healthy Vegan Fridays! I’m Pinning and sharing!
Lol, thank you Mary Ellen! I’m glad you share the same habit I do when it comes to Sloppy Joes:) VegWeek is a great opportunity to invite people to give vegan a chance, so I think it would be awesome if you spread the word. Vegans unite!
This looks amazing and I never wanted to try a sloppy joe before now Randi
Hey thanks Amber! I hope you get to try this!
I can’t wait to try this recipe ! Does it matter what type/color Lentils? Thanks!
Yay! I used green lentils- I enjoy the texture more than the red (which can sometimes turn out “mushy”). I’m sure it would work either way though! I’d love to hear how it turns out too, thanks!
I’ve never had Sloppy Joes before (I’m British, living in Australia and they are not really a thing in either place). I loved the look of these though and thought we would give them a try. Wow! We loved them. Will definitely be making these again 🙂
YAY! Thanks for letting me know Cheryl, and so glad you enjoyed them!! There’s something so moan-worthy about the combo of BBQ lentils, avocados, and fries. #sloppyjoesforlife
Are lentils used from a can dried or a dry bag?
Hi Cynthia- the dried lentils are from a bag. I hope you get a chance to make these and I’d love to hear how they turn out! Cheers:)
I made this for July 4th and it hit the spot for me with simply mustard on a bun. That’s how I always ate sloppy joes as a kid. I did make some changes for my tastes….I found another recipe that made the joes from scratch and so I did that and spiced them up with lots of chili powder, cumin, cayenne as well as chopping and adding in small carrots, sweet pepper and onion. In a pinch the ketchup would be fine….I just had time to play around. Added vinegar, etc….essentially making “homemade” ketchup from tomato sauce and paste. But i loved your idea of cooking the lentils with the sauce….the other recipe said to start with cooked lentils….that’s too much trouble even for a grandmother with time on her hands. I have stuff to do, too, lol. Any way, I’m loving your site and learning to eat more healthy and have been vegan for one month, but I love it. My spouse and son aren’t as excited, however.
This is so great Susan! I love that you shared your tweaks and how you love to eat your sloppy joes. The chopped peppers and carrots sound like a delicious addition:)
As for your son and spouse, hopefully they will come around and warm up to it lol. Wishing you all the best in your health journey!