Vegan Sloppy Joe

This classic can be made for my vegan lovers or meat lovers. Simply switch out the lentils for ground turkey! Seriously using a homemade sauce in SO MUCH BETTER!!

Vegan Sloppy Joes & Air Fryer Broccoli

Author: Mignon O'Brien

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients for Lentils (Vegan)

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup vegetable broth

• 1 cup green lentils

Ingredients for Ground Turkey

• Ground Turkey

• 1 cup Veggie Broth

• Salt & Pepper

Ingredients for the Sloppy Joe Sauce

• 2 Tbsp olive or grape seed oil

• 1/2 medium white or yellow onion, minced / more for serving

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/2 medium red & 1/2 med green bell pepper, diced

• Sea salt and black pepper (to taste)

• 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce*

• 1-2 Tbsp coconut sugar (plus more to taste)

• 1-2 Tbsp vegan-friendly Worcestershire sauce* or regular if you aren't vegan

• 1-2 tsp Mexican chili powder

• 1 tsp ground cumin (plus more to taste)

• 1 tsp pinch smoked or regular paprika

Ingredients for the Spicy Mustard Slaw

• 3 cups slaw mix

• salt & pepper to tast

• 1/2 jalapeño diced

• 1 tbsp white vinegar

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp coconut sugar

• 1 tbsp hot sauce (I use black truffle hot sauce)

• 2 tbsp spicy mustard

Ingredients for the Air Fryer Broccoli

• olive oil

• salt & pepper

• garlic powder

• onion salt

• red pepper flakes

Ingredients for Serving

• Gluten Free or Whole Wheat Buns

Directions for "Meat"

• If using green lentils: To a small saucepan, add I used 1 cup water, 1 cup vegetable broth and rinsed green lentils and heat over medium-high heat. Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook covered for about 18-22 minutes, or until tender. The water should have a constant simmer (not boil). Drain off any excess liquid and set aside.

• If using ground turkey: To a small sauce pan, add the ground turkey, salt & pepper, and 1 cup veggie broth. Cook on low heat until cooked through.

Directions for Sauce

1. In the meantime, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add oil, onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Season with a pinch each salt and pepper and stir to combine.

2. Sautè for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, or until the peppers and onions are tender and slightly browned.

3. Next add tomato sauce, coconut sugar, vegan worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, and paprika. Stir to combine.

4. Once the lentils (or turkey) are cooked, add them to the skillet as well, and stir to combine.

5. Continue cooking the mixture over medium-low heat until completely warmed through and thick, stirring occasionally – about 5-10 minutes.

6. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more chili powder and/or cumin for smokiness, salt for saltiness, coconut sugar for sweetness, or worcestershire for depth of flavor.

7. Serve the mixture on toasted buns with sliced onion, Mustard Slaw & Pickles (optional). Best when fresh, though leftover sloppy joe mixture will keep in the refrigerator up to 4-5 days, or in the freezer for 1 month. Reheat in the microwave, or on the stovetop, adding water or vegetable broth if the mixture has dried out.

Directions for Spicy Mustard Slaw

1. Mix ingredients together and top the Sloppy Joe with it!

Directions for Air Fryer Broccoli

1. Mix ingredients together in a bowl. Put 1 tbsp of water in the Bottom of the air fryer. Put in the broccoli and cook on 400F for 6 minutes!

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Original Sloppy Recipe from the Minimalist Baker.