Lentil Sloppy Joes with Scoops (Plant-Based Party Dip)
This plant-powered dip is my hearty, healthy twist on game-day chili. It’s smoky and saucy, and perfect for scooping up with crunchy tortilla chips or whole grain crackers. Think of it as sloppy joes reinvented as a meatless appetizer… just as fun at a tailgate as it is at a casual weeknight hang.
The base is the same one I use in my Lentil Sloppy Joes in Zucchini Boats— a skillet of tender lentils, onions, peppers, garlic, tomato, and spices, all simmered into a savory-sweet mixture that clings perfectly to every chip. It’s loaded with plant protein and fiber, yet it tastes like pure comfort food: warm, tangy, and seriously satisfying.
To round out your spread, try pairing it with my Creamy Queso-Style Dip, Creamy Guacamole, Spinach Artichoke Dip or Buffalo Cottage Cheese Dip. You can also put out a Mediterranean Hummus Platter or these Buffalo Cauliflower “Wings” for even more options your guests will enjoy!
Love lentils? Try my Lentil and Mushroom Bolognese!
Lentil Sloppy Joes with Scoops
Ingredients
- ½ cup dry green or brown lentils*
- 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- ½ red bell pepper, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1½ tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1½ tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ tablespoon mustard, spicy brown, Dijon, yellow, etc
- Tortilla chips and/or whole grain crackers
Instructions
- Combine lentils and 2 cups water in a large saucepan. Cover and bring water to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 25 minutes, until lentils are tender. Drain excess water and set aside.
- While lentils cook, heat olive oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and pepper and sauté until softened, about 7 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- Add chili powder, oregano, salt, tomato sauce, tomato paste, maple syrup, mustard and cooked lentils. Mix well. Reduce heat to low and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Transfer to a bowl, garnish with optional minced herbs and serve with tortilla chips and whole grain crackers.
- Nutrition provided per ¼ cup Lentil Sloppy Joes (chips or crackers are not included as nutrition can vary from brand to brand).
Hi so I have already steamed lentils that come in the package from Trader Joe’s it’s in their produce section unflavored tho can I use them? I’m guessing I have to rinse and drain them first and pat dry or let them air dry?
HI Gabb! The Trader Joe’s steamed lentils are perfect for this recipe! Since they’re already cooked and unflavored, you can skip the lentil cooking step.
No need to rinse them. Just open the package and measure out about 1¼ cups, which is the amount you’d get from cooking the ½ cup dry lentils listed in the recipe. If they seem a little moist, you can lightly pat them dry with a paper towel, but it’s not necessary. Then simply start the recipe by sautéing the onion and bell pepper and add the lentils when the recipe calls for the “cooked lentils”.
It’s a great shortcut and saves about 25 minutes of cooking time!
I’m going to try this. I love your recipes. Always pretty easy, healthy and tasty too.
So happy you’re here, Linda! xx