There are many ways to customize Instant Pot Lentil Sloppy Joes. Let’s start with the main ingredient: lentils. If you have green lentils on hand and would like to use them, feel free to substitute them for brown lentils. However, avoid using red lentils as they have different cooking times. “I usually only use red lentils when I want to add richness and thickness to a soup or curry,” says Hahn.
Adding extra vegetables adds nutritional value and flavor. Other colored peppers, celery, and corn also make great additions. “If you’re adding more vegetables to this dish, be sure to dice them into smaller pieces so they don’t get too chunky in the pan,” Hahn explains.
You can adjust the amount of molasses to control the level of sweetness, or use brown sugar, maple syrup, or agave nectar in place of another sweetener. Start with a small amount, taste, and add more if necessary. “I love using molasses in this sloppy Joes recipe; it has a strong flavor that’s sweet and a little bitter, but you can also swap it out for another sweetener,” says Hahn.