Vegan Lentil Burgers

 Vegan Lentil Burgers

Admit it: You’re pretty sure even the most serious vegans miss burgers from time to time. These hearty lentil burgers are packed with other wholesome ingredients, like spinach and walnuts, and get their flavor from a punchy trio of garlic, black pepper and cumin that will make you forget all about their beefy brethren.

Total:2 hr 10 min

Prep:20 min

Inactive:1 hr

Cook:50 min

Yield:6 servings

Level:Intermediate

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

Watch how to make this recipe.
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.

These burgers are packed with flavor, fiber and prot

ein while still being low in fat. We love them grilled, but you can also pan-fry them: Heat 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and fry patties until well browned, about 2 minutes per side. (Remember: The extra oil will alter the calorie and fat totals.) .

Categories:Healthy Burger Beans and Legumes Lentil Recipes High Fiber Heart-Healthy Low-Cholesterol Low-Fat

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