Instant Pot Vegan Sloppy Joes – Messy, Saucy, and Delicious

Jess Miller

Sloppy Joes are one of those meals that bring a sense of fun to the table. They’re meant to be a little messy, a little bold, and full of flavor.

These vegan sloppy joes keep all the classic comfort but use plant-based ingredients that come together quickly in the Instant Pot.

Instead of ground meat, this recipe uses lentils for a hearty texture that absorbs all the savory, tangy sauce. Bell pepper and onion give a bit of bite and sweetness, while simple pantry spices bring depth.

The result is a saucy filling that’s perfect for piling high onto soft buns, served alongside a few pickles or your favorite sides.

Best of all, the Instant Pot makes it easy. You just sauté, simmer under pressure, and let it do the work while you prep the rest of dinner.

Contents hide

1 Why You’ll Love These Vegan Sloppy Joes

2 Ingredients for Vegan Sloppy Joes

3 How to Make Vegan Sloppy Joes in the Instant Pot

3.1 1. Sauté the vegetables

3.2 2. Add the lentils and sauce ingredients

3.3 3. Pressure cook

3.4 4. Adjust the texture

4 Tips for Great Sloppy Joes

5 Serving Ideas

6 Storing and Reheating

7 Final Thoughts

8 Instant Pot Vegan Sloppy Joes – Messy, Saucy, and Delicious

8.1 Ingredients

8.2 Directions

Why You’ll Love These Vegan Sloppy Joes

These sandwiches are perfect when you want something satisfying but simple. They’re packed with protein, great for feeding a family, and make amazing leftovers.

The texture is saucy but hearty, and the flavors are sweet, smoky, and just a little tangy.

Serve them on burger buns, sandwich rolls, or even spooned over rice or a baked potato for a comforting twist. They’re flexible, budget-friendly, and sure to become a go-to recipe.

Ingredients for Vegan Sloppy Joes

1 tablespoon olive oil (or water for oil-free)
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
2 ½ cups water or vegetable broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup tomato sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon mustard powder or 1 teaspoon prepared mustard
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional: pinch of chili flakes for heat

How to Make Vegan Sloppy Joes in the Instant Pot

1. Sauté the vegetables

Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode. Add the oil, then cook the onion and bell pepper for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

2. Add the lentils and sauce ingredients

Stir in the lentils, water or broth, tomato paste, tomato sauce, ketchup, vinegar, maple syrup, and all seasonings. Mix everything well to combine.

3. Pressure cook

Seal the lid and cook on “Pressure Cook” (high) for 15 minutes. Once done, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully release the remaining steam.

4. Adjust the texture

Open the lid and give everything a good stir. If the mixture seems too thin, set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” again and let it cook down for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.

Tips for Great Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes are pretty straightforward to make, but here are our top tips to ensure yours turn out perfectly:

Use green or brown lentils. Red lentils will break down too much and lose texture.
Adjust the sweetness and tang to taste. Add more vinegar or maple syrup, depending on your flavor preference.
Toast the buns. A lightly toasted bun holds up better and adds a nice texture contrast.

Let it sit a minute. The filling thickens slightly as it cools, making it easier to spoon onto your buns.

Serving Ideas

Vegan sloppy joes are perfect on toasted burger buns or soft sandwich rolls, but you can also try:

Over baked potatoes or sweet potatoes
With a side of coleslaw or pickles
On top of rice or quinoa as a bowl meal
Stuffed into pita or wraps for a quick lunch option

Storing and Reheating

This recipe is great for making ahead and works well for meal prep.

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Cool completely and freeze in portions for up to 2 months.
Reheat: Warm gently on the stove or in the microwave. Add a splash of water or broth if it thickens too much.

Final Thoughts

These Instant Pot vegan sloppy joes are everything a comfort food dinner should be. They’re saucy, filling, and full of flavor, with ingredients you can feel good about.

The Instant Pot takes the stress out of cooking and delivers a meal that’s equal parts nostalgic and satisfying.

Make them for dinner, pack the leftovers for lunch, or freeze a batch for later. However you enjoy them, one thing’s for sure – these sloppy joes are here to stick around.