Lentil Sloppy Joes

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Total: 1 hr 10 min
  • Prep: 10 min
  • Cook: 1 hr
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Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 small onion, finely chopped

1 small carrot, finely chopped

1/2 bell pepper (red or green), finely chopped

1/2 cup ketchup

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1/2 cup dried brown lentils, picked over and rinsed

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

8 ounces ground beef

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

6 whole-wheat hamburger buns, toasted

6 slices cheddar cheese

Sliced pickles and/or pickled jalapeno peppers, for topping (optional)

Directions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, bell pepper and 2 tablespoons ketchup and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are slightly soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add the lentils, oregano and 4 cups water; bring to a boil and cook 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the lentils are tender and the water is absorbed, 35 to 40 minutes (add up to 1 more cup water if necessary). Season with salt and pepper. 
  2. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it begins to brown, about 2 minutes. Add the Worcestershire sauce and the remaining 6 tablespoons ketchup and cook, stirring, until combined. Add the lentil mixture and 1 cup water and cook, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are soft and the mixture thickens, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. 
  3. Fill the buns with the cheese and lentil mixture. Top with pickles and/or pickled jalapenos. 

Let's Get Cooking!

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Vickie F.

Great base recipe, but made some changes. Will make again.  First, I won't start with 4 cups of water for lentils - I'll try 3 cups, then adjust.  Also, this time, I added celery for extra flavor, and 1 tbl tomato paste to help thicken - both worked well.  Next time, too, I'll add cayenne or red pepper flakes for kick. 

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