Veggie Burgers are a great plant-based alternative to a traditional meat burger. Love and Lemons has created the perfect tangy, smoky, and savory grill-able patties with a hearty texture from walnuts and mushrooms.
Ingredients for Veggie Burgers
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling2 shallots, chopped (⅔ cup)16 ounces mushrooms, a mix of shiitake + portobello, de-stemmed and diced2 tablespoons tamari¼ cup balsamic vinegar1 tablespoon mirin, or ½ teaspoon maple syrup2 garlic cloves, minced½ teaspoon smoked paprika2 teaspoons sriracha, more for an extra kick½ cup crushed walnuts¼ cup ground flaxseed2 cups cooked short-grain brown rice, freshly cooked so that it’s sticky*1 cup panko bread crumbs, dividedVegan Worcestershire sauce, for brushingNonstick cooking spray, for grillingHamburger buns & desired burger fixingsSea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and sauté until soft, 1 minute. Add the mushrooms, a generous pinch of salt, and sauté until soft and browned, 6 to 9 minutes, turning down the heat slightly as needed.Stir in the tamari, vinegar, and mirin. Stir, reduce the heat, then add the garlic, smoked paprika, and sriracha. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool slightly.In a food processor, combine the sautéed mushrooms, walnuts, flaxseed, brown rice, and ½ cup of the panko. Pulse until well combined.Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the remaining panko.Form into 8 slider-sized patties or 6 burger-sized patties.Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Spray the grill with nonstick cooking spray and drizzle or brush the patties with olive oil. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until char marks form. Remove from the grill, brush with Worcestershire sauce, and serve with desired fixings.
Notes
The patties can be made in advance and stored on a tray in the fridge until ready to grill. They can also be grilled in advance and stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days – they reheat surprisingly well. *It’s very very important that your brown rice is freshly made and sticky so that the burgers will be cohesive. (Long grain rice isn’t as sticky, so be sure to get short grain rice).
Awesome Side Dishes
