Vegan Lentil Burgers
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 6 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Calories
- 434
- Total Fat
- 11 grams
- Saturated Fat
- 1 grams
- Cholesterol
- 0 milligrams
- Sodium
- 577 milligrams
- Carbohydrates
- 69 grams
- Dietary Fiber
- 16 grams
- Sugar
- 3 grams
- Protein
- 21 grams
- Total: 2 hr 10 min
- Prep: 20 min
- Inactive: 1 hr
- Cook: 50 min
Ingredients
3/4 cup brown lentils, rinsed, strained and picked through
1 3/4 cups plus 1 tablespoon low-sodium vegetable broth or water
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large red onion, half finely chopped and half thinly sliced
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Kosher salt
8 ounces fresh baby spinach
2 large cloves garlic, minced
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and finely chopped
Cooking spray
6 whole-grain vegan hamburger buns
Baby arugula, basil, roasted red bell peppers and spicy mustard, for serving, optional
Directions
- Bring the lentils and 1 3/4 cup of the broth to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover and simmer until the lentils are fully softened and the liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl with the remaining 1 tablespoon broth and mash well with a potato masher. Set aside.
- Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, until softened, about 6 minutes. Add the spinach, garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper and cumin and stir until the spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes.
- Add the spinach mixture, breadcrumbs, walnuts and 3/4 teaspoon salt to the lentils and mix thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high. Form the mixture into six 4-inch patties and spray with cooking spray on each side. Grill until nice grill marks form, about 3 minutes per side. Place the patties in the buns with the sliced onion and other toppings, as desired, and serve.