30-Minute Bean and Lentil Veggie Burgers
Protein-packed vegetarian burgers combining lentils and black beans with fresh vegetables and cheese. The mixture gets bound with egg and coated in crispy panko breadcrumbs before cooking. These hearty patties offer a satisfying meat alternative with earthy flavors from the legumes, freshness from basil and spinach, and a hint of spice from taco seasoning. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, they can be pan-fried for extra crispiness or baked for a lighter option. Serve on buns with traditional fixings or over greens for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- 1 15 ounce can lentils, drained and rinsedchickpeas1:1vegetarian
similar protein content
- ½ 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 oz frozen spinach, defrosted and liquid squeezed out
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, grated
- ½ cup carrots, grated
- 1 clove garlic, pressed
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- ½ tablespoon taco seasoning
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Mix together lentils, beans, spinach, cheese, carrots and garlic in a medium bowl
- 2
Mash with potato masher until well incorporated but some bean pieces are still visible
- 3
Mix in egg, basil and taco seasoning
- 4
Roll one and half to two tablespoons of mixture into balls and roll to coat with panko
- 5
Flatten gently to form patties
- 6
For frying: add oil to pan at medium-high heat and wait for it to heat up, fry until lightly brown, flip and repeat on other side
- 7
For baking: preheat oven to 400°F, place patties on greased baking sheet and liberally spray with cooking spray, bake for 10 minutes, flip and bake for additional 5 minutes
- 8
Serve in buns or over kale with corn kernels and spicy mayo mixture
Tips
Test oil temperature by dropping a small piece of food - it should sizzle when ready for frying
Don't overmash the bean mixture - leaving some texture creates better burger consistency
Spray baked patties liberally with cooking spray to achieve golden browning in the oven
Good to Know
refrigerate cooked patties for up to 3 days in airtight container
patties can be formed and refrigerated up to 1 day before cooking
immediately while hot for best texture, or at room temperature over salads
Common Mistakes
squeeze spinach thoroughly to avoid soggy patties
don't skip the panko coating for proper binding and texture
Substitutions
Vegan Options
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I freeze these veggie burgers?
Yes, freeze cooked patties for up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator and reheat in oven or skillet until warmed through.
What if I don't have panko breadcrumbs?
Regular breadcrumbs work but won't be as crispy. You can also pulse stale bread in a food processor to make fresh crumbs.
How long do raw patties keep before cooking?
Form patties and refrigerate for up to 1 day before cooking. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.