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Jump to RecipeLooking for an easy lentil recipe? This Instant Pot Lentil Sloppy Joes recipe is an easy, plant based recipe that’s full of fiber. Add this to your favorite Instant Pot recipes, because this is an easy inexpensive meal that you’ll keep coming back to!
Instant Pot Lentil Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joe’s are a classic comfort food. I mean, who doesn’t remember this tasty meal from their childhood?! Sloppy Joe’s have come a long way since we (most of us) made it with ground beef + a can. In fact, I have a homemade sloppy joe’s recipe (that’s also made in the Instant Pot) that’s been a reader favorite. But for those of you who don’t eat meat, I didn’t want you to miss out. So I made a homemade, healthy vegan Sloppy Joe recipe. It’s full of fiber, plant-based protein and lots of other goodies!
How to make Vegan Sloppy Joe’s
This is a very easy Instant Pot recipe. You’ll simply add oil and then onion, carrots and bell pepper to the pressure cooker and saute them until softened. After pressing the cancel button (to stop the saute function), add the remaining ingredients. Close the lid, seal it, and set to pressure cook for 5 minutes. Don’t forget that the Instant Pot will take time to get up to pressure, so the cook time ends up being around 30 minutes altogether.
After the pressure is released, your dish is ready. I find this is a good go-to on those nights where I have no idea (and little time) to prepare dinner. But don’t think this can’t be a fun one, too—buy (or make) some tasty buns, toast them up, and make a tasty side to go along with it. Leftovers are a great thing to pack in lunches, too.
Questions about this Instant Pot Lentil Sloppy Joes Recipe
How to reheat this vegan recipe? While this recipe is delicious right after it’s cooked, it’s absolutely fine to reheat these. Simply store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze these in an airtight container for up to 3 months, too.
What type of lentils to use? Use either brown or green lentils for this vegan version of sloppy joe’s. Red lentils will get too overcooked (read: mushy) and black lentils won’t be the best fit, either.
Do these taste like Sloppy Joe’s? Well these are lentils, not ground meet. But, the sauce and texture really does taste like the traditional meal! And when you pair it with the right accompaniment
What type of barbecue sauce to you suggest? Primal Kitchen has an unsweetened organic BBQ sauce, and Noble Made has another healthy option. I sometimes get the organic version that is at Trader Joe’s when i a pinch.
How to serve this easy lentil recipe
Traditionally speaking, sloppy joe’s are served on buns. I would suggest toasting the bun so that they don’t get soggy from the cooked lentils.
As you can see above, I served this on mashed potatoes—talk about healthy comfort food! You could also serve this over riced cauliflower as another healthy vegetarian meal. If you really want to up your greens game, you could also serve these lentils on top of a bed of lettuce with other raw vegetables.
Looking for an easy lentil recipe? This Instant Pot Lentil Sloppy Joes recipe is an easy, plant based recipe that's full of fiber. Add this to your favorite Instant Pot recipes, because this is an easy inexpensive meal that you'll keep coming back to!
- 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil sub coconut oil or avocado oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced bell pepper (you choose the color)
- 1 1/2 cup dry lentils green or brown, don't use red as they will get mushy
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup barbeque sauce
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp mustard
- 1.5 tsp chili powder
- 2.5 cups vegetable broth (sub chicken broth if desired, but won't be vegan)
- salt & pepper to taste
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Add oil to Instant pot and press the saute button. After 60 seconds, add onion, carrots and pepper. Saute until softened, about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Press cancel to turn off saute function.
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Add remaining ingredients and stir, to ensure nothing is sticking to the bottom.
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Close the Instant Pot lid and turn the steam release valve to the sealing position. Press the Pressure Cook button and set to high pressure for 5 minutes. The pressure cooker will take about 15 minutes to reach pressure and then the cook time will begin.
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When the cook time ends, allow pressure to naturally release by just letting it go for about 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully turn the steam release valve to venting (using the end of a wooden spoon, or something similar to avoid potentially getting burned). Let steam escape before removing lid.
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Slowly open the lid, and stir. Serve warm on toasted buns, mashed potatoes, riced cauliflower, or even atop of a salad.
The Instant Pot is my favorite pressure cooker. I have lots of other recipes that you can use it for, too!
Other Instant Pot Recipes You May Enjoy
Dairy-free Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto
Instant Pot Black Beans: Eat Healthy and Save Money!
Easy Instant Pot Oatmeal Recipe
Easy Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
Also, if you make this – please tag me at @easyrealfood so that I can share it!! Thank you for reading!
