Lentil Sloppy Joes

Lentil Sloppy Joes in burger buns on wooden board

If you’re wondering how to get more wine and chocolate into your savory creations, here’s a recipe including a creative sauce using both. When it comes to savory dishes, chocolate is a bit player that helps pull all the flavors together instead of the star of the show. You want to use just enough to balance the other ingredients. 

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp olive oil, divided 
  • 1 medium white onion – ½ minced and ½ sliced into rings 
  • ½ medium red pepper, diced 
  • 2 cups water  
  • 1 tsp Better than Bouillon 
  • 1 cup green lentils, well rinsed 
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced – divided in half 
  • 1 bay leaf 
  • ½ tsp ground cumin 
  • ¼ tsp cocoa powder 
  • ¼ tsp chili powder 
  • 1/3 cup red wine 
  • ½ cup ketchup 
  • 1 tsp soy sauce 
  • ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce – vegan if desired 
  • 1/8 tsp liquid smoke, or smoked paprika 
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar 
  • 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 
  • Salt/pepper to taste  
  • 4 – 6 hamburger buns 
  • 4 – 6 leaves lettuce 

Directions

  1. To a small saucepan, add 2 Tbsp olive oil, minced onion and red pepper. Cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add water, 2 cloves minced garlic, bay leaf, Better than Bouillon and lentils. Bring to a low boil, stir. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 20-25 minutes, or until tender. Set aside to drain, removing bay leaf. 
  2. Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 cloves minced garlic, cumin, cocoa powder and chili powder and stir for 1 minute. 
  3. Add red wine and simmer 2 minutes. Whisk in ketchup, soy sauce, Worcestershire and liquid smoke/smoked paprika and simmer 2 minutes more. 
  4. Remove from heat. Stir in brown sugar and vinegar and let cool slightly. Add sauce to lentils to achieve desired “sloppiness.” Serve scoops of sauced lentils onto toasted burger buns, garnished with lettuce leaves and sliced onion.