Lentil enthusiasts, these lentil patties are just for you! These robust meatless patties are crafted with familiar and nutritious ingredients, setting them apart from many store-bought varieties available today. While my Favorite Veggie Burgers remain my top choice, these lentil patties come in a close second.
Infused with grated carrot, fresh cilantro or parsley, onion and garlic, along with spices such as chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper, these patties are bursting with flavor. Two eggs can be added (omit for vegan patties), as they contribute extra moisture and a lighter texture.
The recipe is seamlessly blended in the food processor. Similar to my veggie patties, baking these lentil burgers in the oven yields the best results, being a more efficient and straightforward method than frying them in a skillet. They come out beautifully golden and firm enough to maintain their shape when placed in a bun.
Lentil Burger Serving Ideas
These patties are best enjoyed with robust toppings, such as an herbed avocado sauce and pickles. Alternatively, you can serve these patties without buns, perhaps on a green salad or over cooked brown rice, farro, or quinoa with some of the topping ideas listed below. Store any leftover patties in the freezer for a quick protein and fiber boost in future meals.
– Buns or bread of choice, like hamburger buns, English muffins, or even flatbread. Lightly toast them for added texture.
– Sauce, such as guacamole (as shown), avocado pesto, avocado dip, green goddess tahini dip, ketchup, mayo, or mustard.
– Greens, such as crisp lettuce, arugula, or spinach.
– Add some crunch with dill pickles, quick-pickled red onions, or thinly sliced radishes or cucumbers.
– Sliced ripe tomatoes, only if they are in season!
Lentil Insights
This recipe requires 2 ½ cups of regular greenish-brown lentils. You can prepare them yourself or use canned or steamed lentils from Trader Joe’s. Regardless of preparation, ensure to spread them on a paper towel to soak up excess moisture before using. If you have any leftover lentils, incorporate them into a green salad this week.
More Hearty Meatless Main Dishes
Here are a few additional bean and lentil-centered recipes to explore:
Please share how your lentil burgers turn out in the comments! I enjoy hearing from you and hope this recipe becomes a new favorite for you.
Lentil Veggie Burgers
These meatless lentil patties are hearty, flavorful, and maintain their shape well. They come together quickly in the food processor. Bake them to a golden finish, and freeze any extras for later. Recipe yields 8 veggie patties.
Lentil Patties
Paddy assembly suggestions
– 8 buns of choice (hamburger buns, English muffins, or flatbread), toasted
– Sauce: Guacamole, Avocado Pesto, Avocado Dip, Green Goddess Tahini Dip, ketchup, mayonnaise, or mustard
– Greens: Lettuce, arugula, or spinach
– Add some crunch: Dill pickles, quick-pickled red onions, or thinly sliced radishes or cucumbers
– Sliced tomatoes
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for convenient cleanup.
2. Thoroughly drain the lentils in a colander, then measure 2 ½ cups and spread them out over a lint-free tea towel or paper towels to help dry them (if there are extra lentils, set them aside for another use).
3. To create the patties: Chop the halved onion into several slices before adding the onion and garlic cloves into the food processor. Pulse until the onions are coarsely chopped, avoiding over-processing.
4. In the food processor, add: the towel-dried lentils, eggs, oats, a handful of herbs (if desired), chili powder and cumin, salt, and black pepper. Process until the mixture resembles chunky hummus (be cautious here). Manually incorporate the grated carrot.
5. To form the patties: Divide the lentil mixture into 8 equal sections using about ½ cup each, shaping them into patties about 1-inch thick. (If the mixture is too wet to handle, mix in a couple of tablespoons of flour of your choice, or more as necessary.)
6. Generously brush both sides of each patty with oil and arrange them on the lined baking sheet, ensuring a few inches of space between each. Bake until the patties are richly golden on the outside, around 35 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
7. To construct the patties: Toast your buns if desired. Layer the bottom bun with lettuce, if using, followed by a veggie patty, and then spread a generous amount of guacamole or sauce on top. Add crunchy toppings and tomatoes, and enjoy!
8. Leftover patties