Heat the oil over medium heat in a large cast iron pan. Add the onions, garlic, and bell pepper—season with the salt, and sauté until tender.

Add the chili powder, mushroom powder, and smoked paprika continue to cook and stir for another minute.

Add the soy sauce, black vinegar, and molasses, cooking and stirring until the liquid is reduced by half.

Mix the tomato paste cooking for 1-2 minutes, add the water mixing all of the ingredients together. Reduce to low.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Rinse the lentils under cold water.

Bring a a pot of water to a boil, and add the lentils, stirring the whole time, this will help prevent the lentils from sticking to the boom of the pot.

Cook the lentil for 5 minutes, drain, and rinse under cold water.

Add the lentils to the sauce mixture, and gently stir the lentils to mix evenly.

Place in the oven cooking for 20 minutes.

Toast the hamburger buns and add the lentil sloppy joe mixture. Serve immediately.