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This Ultimate Bean & Mushroom Burger passes the test! It won’t fall apart and it’s hearty, satisfying, smoky & bursting with rich umami flavor!
You guys, I’m just about to hit my 2-year blogiversary and I still don’t have a burger recipe on the blog yet (gasp!). Where are my priorities? Well today that’s all going to change, and to celebrate, I have this Ulitmate Bean & Mushroom Burger to share with you.
I think you’re going to like it! Especially, if you’re a mushroom lover like me. They create the perfect meaty texture for so many recipes. I’ve used them to replace beef for my Meatless Loaf and Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff. They are always a hit with my omnivore friends.
We all know that a good veggie burger is hard to come by. We’ve all experienced the patty that’s falling apart, dry as the desert and just sad.
Well, you don’t have to worry about that here. This burger is hearty, juicy and satisfying!
What makes this the ultimate veggie burger?
This burger gets a nice meaty texture from the mushrooms. They also provide a nice amount of moisture to prevent the desert-like patty we want to avoid. I sauteéd them in onions and garlic to bring out their rich umami flavor.
I smashed white beans into the mix to balance out the mushroom texture. It adds smoothness and helps hold the patties together too. Also, it adds a nice amount of protein and fiber for a satisfying meal.
I added oats, ground walnuts and short-grain rice to enhance the meaty texture, and absorb some extra moisture from the mushrooms. They add a nice bite to the patties and make them extra hearty.
I really wanted a patty that had a classic, yet smoky & savory flavor, so I lightly seasoned the mixture with cumin, coriander, and oregano.
To boost the deep smokiness and savory flavor, I added smoked paprika, liquid smoke, tamari and vegan Worcestershire sauce. Feel free to boost up the flavoring to your liking.
HOW DO I MAKE A MUSHROOM BURGER?
You do need to be gentle with the patties, but they won’t fall apart on you. I prefer to sear them in the pan because I feel it really locks in the flavor while keeping the inside moist and the outside crisp.
To perfectly sear them, heat up the oil in the pan and add the patties when the oil is hot and shimmering. You should hear the patty sizzle when it touches the pan.
To test for readiness, you can splash one small droplet of water on the oil. If it sizzles, you are ready to roll! Make sure not to overcrowd your pan or the patties will steam and create moisture.
The burger patty should be completely seared after 3 minutes. You’ll know it’s done because it will lift up easily with the spatula. If you flip too early, the patty will stick to the pan.
Baking them is another option and also a bit healthier. Just be careful not to bake them too long. This will avoid them from drying out. They should be tender inside and lightly crisp & browned on the outside.
* Tip: whether you’re baking or searing, make sure to let the burger patties sit five minutes before handling. This will help them firm up a bit.
Now the fun part!
Dress up your Bean and Mushroom Burger to your liking. I like a classic burger bun with vegan cheese, red onion, lettuce, tomato, pickles, mayo, ketchup, and mustard with a side of chips.
Looking for more mushroom recipes? Here are my faves:
- Portobello Vegan Fajitas
- Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms
- Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto
- Vegan Spinach Mushroom Lasagna
I’d love to hear from you
If you make this Bean & Mushroom Burger, I’d love to hear what you think in the comment section below. It would really make my day. You can also follow me on Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @veganhuggs and hashtag #veganhuggs so I don’t miss it.
The Ultimate Bean & Mushroom Burger
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 tablespooons ground flaxseed + 5 tablespoons of water
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil (+ more for searing)
- 1 small onion , finely diced (red or yellow)
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 12 ounces mushrooms , finely chopped (about 4 1/2 cups)
- 1 teaspoon each of smoked paprika, cumin & oregano , more to taste
- 14 ounce can white beans , drained well but not rinsed
- 1 cup cooked rice (short grain is best)
- 3/4 cup walnuts coarsely ground (I pulse them in the food processor)
- 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons gluten-free tamari , low sodium (sub soy sauce)
- 1 tablespoon vegan worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons liquid smoke
- Salt and fresh cracked pepper , to taste
- 3 tablespoons arrowroot powder
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the ground flax & water to make flax eggs. Set aside about 10 minutes. It will thicken up and become gel-like.
- In a large bowl, mash the drained beans with a fork or potato masher. Add the rice, walnuts, oats, arrowroot powder, prepared flax eggs, tomato paste, worcestershire sauce, tamari & liquid smoke. Combine really well & set aside.
- In a large pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Sprinkle with salt. Sauté onion for 3-4 minutes, until translucent. Add garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the mushrooms turn the heat up to medium-high. Sauté until they release their liquid. Cook liquid completely off or there will be too much moisture. About 6-7 minutes. Now turn the heat back to medium and add the paprika, cumin & oregano. Sauté for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Transfer the cooked mixture into the large bowl of previously mixed ingredients. Combine well, using hands if necessary. Add cracked pepper and taste to see if it needs any more seasoning. Place mixture uncovered in the freezer for 25 minutes or the fridge for 45 minutes or more. This helps firm it up and meld the flavors a bit.
- Form the mixture into individual patties, keeping the size of the burger buns in mind. Create a ball with the mixture and place on a large piece of parchment paper. Now flatten evenly with your hands to create a 1/2" disc. Smooth out sides and any cracks with your hands. Repeat until the mixture is gone. * I used 1/2 cup of mixture to form 1/2" thick patties to fit a 3.5" burger bun.
* For Baking: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. * Optional: lightly spray with cooking oil for a crisper surface. Place in the oven for 16-18 minutes until lightly browned. Flip halfway through. When finished, remove from oven and let them cool for 5 minutes before handling (to let them firm up a bit). At this point, you can eat them, refrigerate or freeze them.
* For searing:
- Place 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large pan over medium heat. Make sure the oil is hot and shimmering before adding the uncooked patties (*The patties should sizzle when you place them on the pan). Don't overcrowd the pan or the patties will steam. Sear each side for about 3 minutes until crisp and brown. If you flip the patty to early, it will stick to the pan. It should lift up easier when the side is seared. Be gentle while flipping. Place them on a paper towel-lined plate and let them sit for 5 minutes to firm up. At this point, you can eat them, refrigerate or freeze them.
- Spead vegan mayo on the burger buns. Dress burger with vegan cheese, lettuce, sliced tomato, red onion, pickles, mustard, and ketchup. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Jenni
I’m new to plant based cooking and eating, and this is the first recipe I’ve tried for making burgers – they are AWESOME!!! They will be my go-to for burgers in future, I don’t think I need to look any further. Thankyou so much!!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Jenni, I’m so glad you liked them! Thank you so much! 🙂
Ashley Oliver
Absolutely delicious recipe with no changes needed! I had mine with roasted broccoli on a bed of mashed potatoes.
Melissa Huggins
Hi Ashley, I’m so glad you liked it. It sounds perfect with the broccoli and mashed potatoes. Thank you for giving it a try. 🙂