Hearty Flavorful Veggie Burger (Printable Version)

Hearty plant-based burger with chickpea patty, fresh vegetables, and classic garnishes ready in 40 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ For the Veggie Patties

01 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 medium carrot, grated
03 - 1 small zucchini, grated and excess water squeezed out
04 - 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2/3 cup rolled oats
07 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 1 tsp ground cumin
09 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
12 - 1 egg (or 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 2.5 tbsp water for vegan option)
13 - 2 tbsp olive oil (for frying)

→ For Assembling

14 - 4 whole wheat burger buns
15 - 4 lettuce leaves
16 - 1 large tomato, sliced
17 - 4 slices cheddar cheese (use vegan cheese for vegan option)
18 - 1 red onion, sliced into rings
19 - 4 tbsp mayonnaise or vegan mayo
20 - 2 tbsp ketchup
21 - 2 tbsp yellow mustard
22 - 8-12 pickle slices

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, mash the chickpeas with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth, leaving some texture for mouthfeel.
02 - Add grated carrot, grated zucchini, red onion, garlic, oats, parsley, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until evenly distributed.
03 - Add the egg (or flaxseed mixture for vegan) and stir to combine. Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes to allow oats to absorb moisture.
04 - Shape the mixture into 4 equal patties, pressing firmly to ensure they hold together during cooking.
05 - Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and heated through.
06 - While patties cook, lightly toast burger buns for added texture and to prevent sogginess.
07 - Spread mayonnaise on the bottom half of each bun. Layer with lettuce, veggie patty, cheddar cheese, tomato, onion rings, pickles, ketchup, and mustard. Top with the other half of the bun.
08 - Serve immediately while patties are warm and buns remain crisp.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • These patties hold together beautifully unlike so many crumbly veggie burgers that fall apart on the first bite
  • The combination of smoky paprika and earthy cumin gives them a depth of flavor that satisfies even the most dedicated carnivores
02 -
  • Squeezing the water out of grated zucchini is not optional. I learned this the hard way when my first batch fell apart in the pan
  • Letting the mixture rest for five minutes before shaping is the difference between burgers that hold together and ones that crumble
03 -
  • Do not skip the indentation in the center of each patty. This small step prevents the burgers from becoming dome shaped and rolling off the bun
  • Cheese placed on the patty during the last minute of cooking melts perfectly without needing additional heating
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