There are limited fast-food shops that have vegetarian burgers on their menu. And most of these burgers might sound healthy, but the processed burger patties may have lots of cheese and contain traces of animal by products. To make a healthy veggie burger at home is quite easy. A veggie burger just doesn't have to be the regular one with potato and other vegetables. You can use different legumes, beans and grains plus your favorite vegetables to make a delicious and hearty burger.
Today I am sharing a healthy and protein loaded burger recipe with pan-fried chickpea patties with a yogurt and tahini sauce. These eggless chickpea patties have tons of flavor from the spices. I used rolled oats to bind the patties but you can use flax seeds or chia seeds. You can freeze the remaining patties individually and use for making burgers or have them like a snack with your favorite sauce. I made a simple yogurt and tahini sauce but you can also use a plain yogurt sauce or avocado sauce. Also check out my Mexican bean burger with avocado sour cream sauce.
CHICKPEA BURGER RECIPE
{ Veggie burger with a spiced chickpea and oats patty and yogurt-tahini sauce }Makes 4 burgers
Ingredients:
For the patties:
1 ½ cup cooked chickpeas
3 tbsp oats
1-2 green chillies
¼ cup coriander leaves
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, grated
½ inch ginger piece, grated
¼ tsp turmeric powder
¼ tsp red chilly powder
¼ tsp cumin powder
¼ tsp coriander powder
1 tsp curry powder
Salt to taste
1-2 tbsp olive oil, for frying
For the yogurt tahini sauce:
⅓ cup thick yogurt
2 tbsp tahini paste
1 tsp lemon juice
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
For the burger:
Burger buns
Lettuce or any greens
Tomato slices
Onion slices
Cucumber slices
Method:
To make patties:
1. In a pan, heat olive oil and add onion, ginger and garlic. Saute till the onion becomes soft and translucent.
2. Add turmeric powder, red chilly powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, curry powder and fry for 1-2 minutes. Set aside to cool.
3. In a food processor, add chickpeas, oats, green chillies, coriander leaves, lemon juice and process until well combined. Transfer the mixture to a bowl.
4. Add the onion mixture, salt and mix well. Divide into 4 balls and shape into patties. Place on a plate and put in the fridge for at-least 30 minutes.
5. Heat a frying pan with oil and place the chickpea patties. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or till they turn golden brown.
To make sauce:
In a bowl, add the yogurt and whisk well. Add the tahini paste, lemon juice, salt, pepper and mix well.
To assemble burger:
1. Slice the burger buns and toast the buns if desired. Place lettuce leaves, tomato slices, onion slices and cucumber slices.
2. Place a patty and top with 1-2 tbsp of yogurt-tahini sauce. Cover with the other half of the bun and serve immediately.
Notes and Tips
- Process the chickpeas and other ingredients until just combined. Do not make a paste.
- Add more powdered oats if you feel the patty mixture is watery.
- Adjust spices according to your taste preference.
- Refrigerating the patties will make them firm and avoid crumbling.
- Drain water completely after cooking the chickpeas. If using canned chickpea, wash well and drain.
- Tahini is a Middle Eastern paste made from white sesame seeds.
