There are just some sandwiches that I cannot forget. Some sandwiches that I cannot get off of my mind. At one point in my life, one of those sandwiches was a barbecue pulled pork sandwich. Now I have not eaten pork in over two years, but what I have eaten is my own take on a vegan barbecue sandwich. This one, however, is centered all around one of my favorite legumes: lentils.
Does it surprise you that it took me so long to create this sandwich? Yeah, me too. How I did not think to combine two of my favorite things- barbecue sauce and lentils- in sandwich form until now, sure beats me. And how come you did not convince me to try it? Don’t you know that I rely on you to give me brilliant ideas when they escape me? But what can I say…sometimes the simplest and most delicious ideas are not always the most obvious. I sure am glad that this sandwich finally became obvious to me.
Barbecue Lentil Sandwich
Vegan
Serves 3 to 4
Ingredients
1 cup green lentils
2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
water, for cooking
1/4 medium yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1 TB apple cider vinegar
1 TB yellow mustard
1/2 TB vegan Worcestershire sauce
1/2 TB chili powder
1/4 tsp cinnamon
pinch of fine sea salt
1/2 TB your favorite barbecue seasoning (I like this one because it is sweet)*
1/3 to 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
bread or sandwich buns
*If you use a barbecue seasoning that is not sweet, you may want to add in a little brown or coconut sugar.
Directions
1. Combine lentils and vegetable broth in medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium low, cover the pan, and simmer for approximately 45 minutes, or until cooked but not mushy.
2. Once the lentils are cooked. Set aside. Heat water over medium-high heat in a large skillet until very hot. Once hot, lower the heat to medium and add onions and garlic. Cook for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, or until softened. Add additional water, as necessary.
3. Stir in cooked lentils and all remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to medium-low and simmer for approximately 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your liking.
4. Serve on toasted bread or your favorite bun.
You can certainly serve your barbecue lentils on a traditional bun or sub roll, but for some reason I am particularly partial to toasted bread. Sure, it is not very fancy. But it is crispy, grainy, and delicious.
No matter which ends for your sandwich that you choose, at least make sure to serve it alongside my side of choice- a dill pickle spear.
You are probably going to want to ensure that you top your sandwich with coleslaw, too, more specifically my sriracha coleslaw. The sweet and spicy combination is to. die. for.
What is your favorite sandwich of all time?
