Lentil & Beyond Beef Sloppy Joes (Easy, Hearty, Family-Friendly)

These plant-forward sloppy joes are the perfect blend of hearty lentils, savory Beyond Beef, and a sweet-tangy homemade sauce. They’re fast, cozy, and kid-friendly — and can be made fully whole-food plant-based by leaving out the Beyond Beef. Pile the mixture onto toasted buns for an easy weeknight dinner everyone will love.

Servings: 6–8

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Lentils

• 2 cups dry lentils (yields about 2½ cups cooked)

• Salt for the cooking water

For the Sloppy Joe Mixture

• 1 package Beyond Beef (optional — lentils alone work great)

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 2½ cups cooked lentils (from above)

For the Sauce

• ½ cup ketchup

• 2 Tbsp tomato paste

• 1–2 Tbsp mustard (yellow or Dijon)

• 1–2 Tbsp soy sauce

• 1–2 Tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tsp chili powder (use more or less to taste)

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

For Serving

• Toasted buns

• Optional toppings: pickles, shredded lettuce, green onions

Instructions

1. Cook the lentils:
   Add lentils to a pot of salted water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until tender. Drain and rinse. You’ll need about 2½ cups cooked lentils for the recipe.

2. Cook the Beyond Beef (optional):
   If using Beyond Beef, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add Beyond Beef and cook until browned.

3. Add onion + lentils:
   Add the diced onion to the skillet with a splash of water to prevent sticking. Sauté until softened.
   Stir in the cooked lentils and mix well.

4. Make the sauce:
   Add ketchup, tomato paste, mustard, soy sauce, maple syrup, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir to combine.
   Simmer for a few minutes until thickened and saucy.

5. Assemble:
   Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto toasted buns. Add optional toppings like pickles or lettuce and serve warm.

Notes + Substitutions

• Oil-Free: Sauté with water or broth.

• Gluten-Free: Use GF buns + tamari instead of soy sauce.

• Whole-Food Plant-Based: Omit Beyond Beef and increase lentils to 3 cups cooked.

• Make Ahead: The filling keeps well in the fridge for 4–5 days and reheats beautifully.