My handy little burger maker makes our Quinoa Lentil Burgers into the perfect uniform shape every time. This recipe for a delicious vegetarian burger is one of our favourties but there are so many veggie burger combinations using various plant based ingredients.
I really enjoy the whole burger experience, the patty, the soft bun, the onions, cheese, gherkins and French mustard, it has to be French mustard for me. For vegans, omit the cheese or use a vegan cheese.
We haven't eaten red meat burgers since Mr ND became a vegetarian many years ago but I remember when I was pregnant I was craving burgers, the baby needed a burger! She got a full on Quorn burger that day made by Mr ND, I remember it well, it went down a treat. Strange what we crave when pregnant, our body's way of telling us what we need.
What ingredients are needed for Quinoa Lentil burgers?
- Quinoa (Tricolour or white)
- Lentils (Brown or Green)
- Tomato Puree
- Beaten egg
- Oats
- Mushrooms
- Garlic
- Sesame seeds
- Salt and Black Pepper
- Paprika
- Cayenne
- Dried Parsley
We use Quinoa and Lentils quite frequently in other dishes so I thought I'd try using both of them as my base. I love Quinoa, I've been using it for years, it is an excellent choice for vegans. It is protein-rich and gluten-free and one of the few plant foods that contain sufficient amounts of all nine essential amino acids making it a complete protein source. Lentils too have a good nutritional profile of B vitamins, iron and plant-based protein to name a few.
See the nutritional info link at the end of the post for more information on Quinoa.
I've kept the Burgers quite simple but I can see other ingredients that will make it into future burgers such as walnuts, chickpeas, kidney beans, black beans, flaxseeds, chilli, etc.
Usually I would fry the burgers to brown them first and then bake but as they weren't as firm as I would have liked I baked them for 15 minutes to stop them from breaking up. Then fried them after but next time I will probably use either more oats and/or some wholewheat flour for a more firmer burger. But with careful handling I got perfect, unbroken burgers!
Yes, definitely and they will keep in the fridge for a couple of days.
Once you have the base burger mix done, you can separate it up and customise the burgers to everyone's taste if need be. This always mean extra chilli flakes for me! This batch made 5 really decent sized burgers and 1 smaller one for the little one to try.
These Quinoa Lentil Burgers will freeze for up to 2 months. Wrap each one separately in parchment or greaseproof paper. Defrost thoroughly, drizzle with olive oil then bake or fry until heated through.
Other variations:
- You can make them vegan: Replace the eggs by combining 2 tablespoons ground chia or flax seed with 6 tablespoons water. Set aside to thicken for at least 5 minutes then add to the recipe in place of the eggs.
- You can make them gluten-free: use gluten-free flour (such a chickpea or oat flour) and gluten-free buns.
- You can add nuts: add finely chopped walnuts or ground almonds to replace the oats.
- Make them seed-free: replace the sesame seeds with extra nuts.
Serve in a bun of your choice or between Lettuce leaves garnished with homemade salsa for a gluten-free version.
Nutritional Info Links:
- Quinoa - this website gives a list at the bottom of Quinoa's nutritional values.
- Lentils - excellent source of B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc plus a good source of plant-based protein and fibre.
Post updated 14th April 2021.
Quinoa Lentil Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 x large red onion, finely chopped.
- 1 x large garlic clove, minced.
- 150 grams/5 ounces Chestnut Mushrooms, chopped.
- 400 grams/14 ounces tinned Green Lentils.
- 70 grams/2.5 ounces Quinoa, cooked.
- 1 tablespoon Tomata purée.
- 1 large egg, beaten.
- 5 tablespoons Oats.
- Paprika, Cayenne and Parsley to your taste.
- 3 tablespoons Sesame Seeds.
- Sea salt and Black Pepper to season.
- Lettuce to garnish.
Instructions
How to make the Burgers
- Gently sauté the red onions for a few minutes until softened. Take off the heat and set aside.
- Gently fry mushrooms with the garlic and cook for 3-5 minutes or until soft.
- Drain the Green Lentils and rinse, put into food processor along with mushrooms, garlic, cooked Quinoa, Tomato purée, beaten egg, salt and black pepper. Pulse ingredients until you have the consistency you want.
- Pop the mixture into a large bowl and add the oats, use as many tablespoons as needed (5 was about right for mine). Also add the Paprika, Cayenne, Parsley and sesame seeds, mix well.
- Refrigerate for an hour or so or overnight to firm up.
- Put the burgers on a baking tray and bake for 15 minutes.
- Take out of the oven and fry to brown them further.
- Serve on a bun, or between lettuce leaves in place of the bun, with cheese, the red onions and garlic and lettuce.
*Nutritional data is provided as a courtesy and is accurate to the best of my knowledge. You can verify it using the nutrition calculator of your choice. All data is based on net carbs, without sugar alcohol: Swerve, Erythritol, Monk Fruit or Allulose.
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tina
What a yummy lookin' burger! Can't wait to try!
Megan Stevens
Did you use a mold of some kind to get your burgers so perfect in shape? Thanks!
ND
Yes, if you read the first sentence again, you'll find it there. There's also a photo of it on the post. Very handy and great for making perfect veggie burgers!
Yang
This is so healthy! I appreciate you sharing a vegetarian option.
Don Baiocchi
It's like a yummy salad but you get it to eat it as a burger. Love it!
ND
Veggie burgers are amazing!
Zuzana
I love burgers and this one looks very cool too. Yummy
ND
Thanks Zuzana.
Raia Todd
What a delicious way to use lentils! I'm always looking for new ways to incorporate them. Thanks!
ND
Lentils are really a versatile ingredient Raia!
ChihYu
Healthy and delicious meatless burgers! So good!
ND
So good and yes healthy and delicious!
linda spiker
Lovely. I am a fan of quinoa but never made a burger out it. My new favorite!
ND
Thanks Linda.
Meredith
I definitely need to start making my own veggie burgers - thanks for a great recipe!
ND
Thanks Meredith!
Stacey Crawford
I didn't know you could make a veggie burger with quinoa and lentils. Such a great idea for a meatless burger!
ND
I make veggie burgers with so many different ingredients, these are just a popular combination in our house.