Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups cooked regular green lentils
- ½ medium yellow or white onion
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled
- 2 large eggs (optional)
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats
- ⅓ cup fresh cilantro or parsley leaves
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and grated
- Up to ½ cup flour of choice (oat flour, all-purpose, etc.) if needed
- Avocado oil or extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
To Serve
- 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
- Crunchy toppings: dill pickles, quick-pickled red onions, or thinly sliced radishes or cucumbers
- Tomato slices
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Lentils: Drain the cooked lentils thoroughly in a colander. Measure 2 ½ cups and spread them on a lint-free tea towel or paper towels to dry further. Save any extra lentils for another recipe.
- Process Aromatics: Slice the onion and add it along with the garlic cloves to a food processor. Pulse just enough until the onions are roughly chopped to retain some texture.
- Make the Burger Mixture: To the food processor, add the towel-dried lentils, eggs (if using), oats, herbs, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Process until the mixture resembles chunky hummus, being careful not to over-process. Stir in the grated carrot by hand to add moisture and texture.
- Form Patties: Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions (about ½ cup each). Shape each portion into a 1-inch thick patty. If the mixture feels too wet to handle, gradually mix in up to ½ cup of your choice of flour until manageable.
- Bake the Burgers: Brush both sides of each patty generously with avocado or olive oil. Arrange them on the lined baking sheet with space between each patty. Bake for about 35 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are deeply golden and cooked through.
- Assemble the Burgers: Toast your buns as desired. Build each burger by placing greens on the bottom bun, then a lentil patty, followed by your chosen sauce, crunchy toppings, and tomato slices. Top with the other half of the bun and serve warm.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftover burgers for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze burgers in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave for about 1 minute or in a 400-degree oven for 12-15 minutes until warmed through.
Notes
- Using eggs is optional and primarily helps bind the burger; substitute with flax eggs or omit for vegan adaptation.
- Adjust the flour quantity to achieve a perfect patty consistency—more may be needed if mixture is too wet.
- These burgers can be customized with your favorite herbs and spices to suit your taste preferences.
- Make sure to thoroughly dry lentils before processing to prevent excess moisture.
- Serve with a variety of sauces and fresh vegetables for added flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegetarian American
- Diet: Vegetarian
