Plant-Based Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

• ¾ cup lentils, brown or green, dry
• 1 medium onion
• 1 medium bell pepper, green
• 2 clove garlic
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• ½ cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp chili powder
• 1½ cup vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 4 hamburger buns
• ½ cup pickles, sliced (optional)

Steps

1. Rinse lentils thoroughly. Dice the onion and bell pepper. Mince the garlic.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Stir in minced garlic, tomato paste, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, ketchup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer.
5. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until lentils are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally.
6. Remove lid and simmer for an additional 5 minutes, if needed, to reach desired sloppy consistency.
7. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
8. Serve the sloppy joe mixture warm on hamburger buns, optionally topped with sliced pickles.