The Ultimate Guide for the Best Vegan Burger Recipe
There's nothing better than a perfectly cooked and juicy burger, but landing on the perfect recipe and then executing it deliciously is no easy feat. In fact, we think most vegan burger recipes on the internet stink. Many tout cooking instructions not suitable for plant-based ingredients and subpar ingredient combos that yield unpalatable vegan burgers that are often dry, bland, or just downright forgettable. We're here to change that. We believe that crafting the most delicious vegan burger possible shouldn't be complicated. Instead, we think it can be simple and enjoyable with the proper guidance and know-how.
At PLNT Burger, ingredients, taste, and flavor are of utmost importance and that dictates our process for crafting our tasty plant-based burgers at any of our PLNT Burger locations. Since we feel like we've got something pretty special going on, we've put together this guide for people who may be unable to visit us at PLNT Burger but who still crave the indulgence of sinking their teeth into an insanely delicious vegan burgers prepared and enjoyed at home.
We're sharing some of our best-kept secrets that we think all the best vegan burger recipes have in common and teaching you how to create the perfect vegan burger patty, try your hand at various cooking techniques that actually yield yummy results, inspire you with unique topping ideas, and even provide you with tips on making and storing your vegan burgers so you can enjoy them now—and later! Let’s dive in and revolutionize your vegan burger game!
Creating the Perfect Vegan Burger Patty
Key Ingredients for Flavor and Texture
If you're making your vegan burger patty from scratch some common burger mix ingredients include plant-based proteins like black beans, chickpeas, other legumes, cooked quinoa or brown rice, rolled oats, certain vegetables like bell peppers, red onions, caramelized onions, shiitake mushrooms, cashews, and coconut aminos. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different spices and herbs for your burger mixture like garlic powder, onion, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and chili powder to give your burger that extra kick of flavor.
If you'd rather purchase your vegan burger patties, we recommend Beyond Burger plant-based patties. They have all the meaty deliciousness of a conventional meat burger patty and they satisfy like one, too.
Vegan Burger Prep & Topping Ideas
Classic options like crisp lettuce, tomato, red onion, and cheese are always a hit, but sometimes it's fun to get creative with toppings like roasted vegetables, avocado, caramelized onions, mushrooms, jalapenos, pickles, slaw, vegan mayo, or barbecue sauce to jazz things up a bit. To prepare for making any vegan burger recipe, chopping any of your toppings ahead of time can be helpful to keep the process smooth.
Chef Spike Mendelsohn's Classic Vegan Burger Recipe
Chef Spike Mendelsohn, Co-Founder and Culinary Director of PLNT Burger, has trained with the world's most prestigious chefs and restaurateurs. He knows his stuff when it comes to all the techniques and tricks to making the best possible vegan burger to curb those burger cravings.
Mendelsohn shared his recipe for a Beyond Classic Burger using the Beyond Meat patties and let's just say, it's perfection.
Mendelsohn begins this recipe by prepping his ingredients. In the case of this classic vegan burger favorite, he recommends chopping lettuce, tomatoes, and onion before moving on to putting together his secret sauce which includes a blend of mayonnaise, grain mustard, relish, molasses, and ketchup.
Using a flat top griddle, Mendelsohn recommends cooking your Beyond Meat patties until about 165 degrees Fahrenheit, about 3 minutes on each side. Flip after you achieve a nice sear and crunch on each side. Once cooked, top with your favorite cheese. Pro tip: Cover the burger and cheese with a pan to get that professional ooey-gooey melt.
Now for the fun part— assembly! Choose your favorite hamburger buns and add lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, and a secret sauce and it's time to enjoy!
Try this one for yourself and get Mendelsohn's full recipe or go a step further and watch him prepare it in real-time
Vegan Burger Cooking Methods
There are several exciting cooking techniques for cooking vegan burgers found on the internet. Some include pan-frying, grilling, baking, and air frying. Each technique has its own recommended cooking time and temperature, so make sure to follow the guidelines closely to ensure your burger is cooked just right.
We personally believe the grill is the enemy of a tasty plant-based burger. Taste and flavor are of utmost importance at PLNT Burger, which is why we prepare our own burgers this way—whether at home or at any of our PLNT Burger locations. Bottom line is cooking it on the griddle top is our favorite and we tend to like recipes that call for that.
And remember, when handling vegan burgers during cooking, it’s best to use a soft touch when moving them around or flipping to maintain their shape and texture.
Choosing the Right Kitchen Tools
To create the perfect vegan burger, it’s essential to have the right kitchen tools at your disposal. A flat-top griddle, a food processor, a high-speed blender, and a good quality chef’s knife are the top tools to have on hand for making the best vegan burgers you've ever tasted.
A food processor is excellent for quickly and evenly blending ingredients together and creating the perfect burger patty mixture for your burgers. Similarly, a high-speed blender can also be a good idea to have on hand to ensure an even blend of ingredients for your burger patty mixture. Last but not least, a chef’s knife is indispensable for chopping and slicing vegetables and other ingredients for your vegan burger patties or toppings, as well as for shaping the burger patties themselves. Another important step as you prepare to make your vegan burgers is to get all the tools you think you might need out on the counter or work area before you begin with any recipe.
Nutritional Benefits of Vegan Burgers
Not only are homemade vegan burgers delicious, but they also offer a number of nutritional benefits compared to store-bought options. Vegan burgers are generally higher in fiber and lower in sodium and saturated fat than traditional meat burgers. They are also packed with high-quality protein, iron, and other vitamins and minerals. Vegan burgers are also cholesterol free and plant-based alternatives have been endorsed by The American Heart Association.
Troubleshooting Common Vegan Burger Issues
If you’re experiencing issues with your vegan burgers, don’t worry—we have some expert tips and advice to help you troubleshoot! If your burgers are undercooked, make sure your burgers are cooked to the correct temperature for the chosen cooking technique your recipe calls for. Again, we recommend the flat top griddle for best results.
If you’re not using a store-bought patty and are struggling with binding, consider using binding ingredients such as flaxseed meal, chia seeds, and oats to help your burger mixture stick together. And if your black bean burgers are too mushy, ensure that the burger mixture isn’t over-blended and the ingredients aren’t too wet – thoroughly drain and rinse your beans and pulse the ingredients together until just combined.
PLNT Burger's Guide to the Best Vegan Burger Recipe
We think that PLNT Burger's vegan burger recipe is a culinary masterpiece. We hope this guide will equip you with the tools you need to create indulgent, nutritious, and tasty vegan burgers at home that satisfy all your cravings. If you're ever in the neighborhood of one of our PLNT Burger locations, we hope you'll say hello.
Frequently Asked Questions
What holds a homemade vegan burger together?
Mashed avocado or white miso make great vegan burger binders, with egg replacers, wheat germ, bread crumbs, oats and ground flax seeds also being effective choices. We recommend Beyond Meat burger patties which also keep their shape beautifully.
What are vegan burgers made out of?
Vegan burgers are made of a delicious mix of vegetables, grains, peas, legumes and healthy fats! These burgers are a great way to get your daily dose of plant-based nutrition and protein without sacrificing flavor. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and are a great source of protein. Plus, they are easy to use.