How do you keep lentil burgers from falling apart?

How Do You Keep Lentil Burgers from Falling Apart? The trick is to partially mash the lentils so that they better stick together . Using a binder such as eggs, flaxseeds, or oats can also help.

Do you cook sprouted lentils?

You can eat them raw, which adds a nice crunch to your dish, or blanch them for a minute to soften them both in texture and in taste . When you sprout lentils or other legumes you make them easier to digest and you also increase their nutritional content, especially vitamins B and C.

How to fry vegan burgers?

Pan fried veggie burgers Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it's hot, add the patties and pan fry until they're golden and crispy on both sides. Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess oil. Assemble the burgers on buns with your favorite toppings, then serve!

What is a good binder for veggie burgers?

The binding agents are essential for ensuring your veggie burger stays intact during cooking. Common binding agents include flax eggs (a mixture of ground flaxseed and water), chia seeds, mashed potatoes, tapioca flour, or even your favorite nut butter .

What makes veggie burgers stick together?

Eggs are the most common and effective binder, and egg replacers are an excellent alternative for vegan burgers. Other common binders include wheat germ, bread crumbs, oats, and ground flaxseeds. These are dry ingredients, though the recipe's other ingredients often add just enough moisture to make a sufficient binder.

What is the best oil for frying veggie burgers?

Vegetable Oil : Best All-Purpose Oil for Frying Typically a blend of oils, it has a high smoke point of 400 to 450 degrees, and it has a pretty neutral flavor, which deepens the flavor of the food.

How to make a veggie burger taste better?

Slice up some onions and (optional) beets thinly . The onions help to keep the burgers moist and add steam and flavour during cooking. If you don't like onions, try sliced mushrooms. Spices like garlic powder and a good barbecue sauce are also important for that authentic barbecue flavour.

Do you pan fry burgers in oil or butter?

You do need oil to cook your skillet burger. Some preferred to use butter to cook a skillet burger, however we choose olive oil . Cook your burgers on medium high heat and do not flip until about 5 minutes of cooking on the first side. If you want a cheeseburger, wait till after you flip the burger.

Why are my lentil patties mushy?

Ingredients for Lentil Burgers Just make sure not to overcook them ; we want them tender but still holding their shape, otherwise your lentil burgers might turn out mushy. Mushrooms. These add a meaty texture and tons of savory flavor.

How do you keep lentils from splitting?

Place lentils in a large pot with at least 2 inches of unsalted liquid covering them. Bring to a rapid simmer. Reduce heat to very low, so only slow bubbles appear. Cook your lentils uncovered on low heat for 20-45 minutes (based on the variety) to plump them up while avoiding split skins and mushy results.

How do I keep my burgers from falling apart?

Go easy on the shaping . When you're making your burgers, try not to manhandle them too much or else you'll end up breaking the meat into smaller pieces than you have to. We recommend simply shaping the beef into a vague burger shape with the least amount handling as possible.

How do you keep veggie burgers from being mushy?

Refrigeration – After you've formed your patties, refrigerate (or freeze) them for an hour or two . This will give the breadcrumbs time to absorb some of the moisture in the burger, making them more apt to stay together during cooking.

Easy 6-Ingredient Lentil Burgers (2024)

Published: Sep 3, 2021 by Nisha Melvani, RDN · I earn commissions from purchases via links on this post.

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Vegan Easy 6-Ingredient Lentil Burgers are the ultimate high-protein, plant-based burgers. Kid-friendly using affordable ingredients. Foolproof recipe. Oil-free option and gluten-free.

this RECIPE

I was inspired to make a simple vegan burger that actually holds together. So many fall apart and use multiple ingredients. These turn out perfectly every time.

For more easy burger recipes on my site, try these Easy Vegan Chipotle Burgers, and Thai Tofu Burgers with Thai Red Curry Dressing. These burgers pair well with my tasty Crispy Roasted Potato Bites.

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👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
🥕 Substitutions
🌶 Variations
🔪 Equipment
⏱ Storage
💡 Top Tip
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

Dried Red Lentils
Shallot
Carrots
Garlic
Tomato Paste
Cilantro
Salt & Pepper

See recipe card for quantities.

📖 Instructions

Soak the red lentils in enough water to cover by about 2 inches for 2 hours. Drain well.

Squeeze the grated carrots between paper towels to remove excess liquid.

Add the ingredients to a food processor. Pulse until the ingredients are combined and hold together when squeezed with your hands. Do not overdo. The mixture will feel a bit sticky but don't panic. The texture changes when they are cooked.

Using ¼ cup measurement for each, form 12 equal-sized patties.

Option 1 (oil-free): Bake Easy 6-Ingredient Lentil Burgers on a large nonstick baking sheet in a single layer at 400ºF for 10 minutes.

Option 2: Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. (Test that the oil is hot by dropping a small amount of the batter into the skillet and see that it sizzles.)

Cook the patties in a single layer, with enough space to flip, for about 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. (You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the skillet.)

Transfer the cooked burgers to a paper towel-lined plate to remove any excess oil.

🥕 Substitutions

Easy 6-Ingredient Lentil Burgers are versatile:

Carrots - instead of carrots, you can use grated sweet potato or zucchini, or chopped spinach using the same measurements
Cilantro - instead of cilantro, use a variety of fresh herbs as desired
Falafel - instead of burgers, use 2 tablespoons of the lentil mixture for each, and make 24 falafels

🌶 Variations

Spicy - add minced jalapeño to the food processor with the other ingredients
For more of a kick - use red onions in place of the shallots

🔪 Equipment

Make sure to use a food processor with a pulse button to combine the ingredients. Do not use a blender.

⏱ Storage

Refrigerate any remaining patties in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

These cooked patties stand up well to freezing. Wrap each individually in parchment paper to avoid sticking and place in a freezer bag.

💡 Top Tip

To ensure that the red lentils cook fully, soak them for at least 2 hours before using. Pan-fry the patties in enough oil to reach halfway up the sides.

💦Do you have to soak lentils before cooking?

Lentils typically do not require soaking before cooking. However, they do require soaking in this recipe as they are not being cooked in water.
Make sure to wash your lentils thoroughly before using.

💪🏼 Are red lentils a good source of protein?

Not all lentils are created equal. Red lentils are especially rich in protein. Plus, they have the added benefit of the shortest cooking time. One half cup of uncooked lentils boasts 22g of plant-based protein.

📖 Recipe