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Curried veggie burger with chickpeas, lentils, rice, and a crisp golden patty

Curried Veggie Burgers with Chickpeas, Lentils and Rice

Curried veggie burgers are hearty plant-based patties with a satisfying texture, warm curry flavor, and a crisp panko-coated exterior. They are a flavorful option when you want a filling meatless meal with plenty of texture.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 14 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 282
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Burger Base
  • 1 (14 oz / 395 g) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (28 oz / 795 g) can lentils, rinsed and drained, or 3 1/2 cups cooked lentils
  • 1 heaping cup cashews
  • 1 cup uncooked brown rice
Vegetables
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and shredded
  • 2 yellow onions, minced
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
Binding
  • up to 1/2 cup vegetable broth
  • 2 cups panko bread crumbs

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Place the rinsed chickpeas and lentils in a large mixing bowl. Start cooking the brown rice.
  2. Warm a large dry skillet over medium-high heat and toast the cashews until browned. Process the cashews in a food processor or blender until they become fine crumbs, then add them to the bowl.
  3. Add the olive oil to the skillet. Cook the onion and garlic over low heat for 10 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add the shredded carrots and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes until tender, adding more oil if needed. Transfer the vegetables to the mixing bowl.
Assembly
  1. Stir the curry powder, salt, turmeric, and cooked rice into the bowl with the other ingredients until combined.
  2. Process the mixture in a food processor or blender until a dough-like texture forms, adding a few tablespoons of vegetable broth as needed to help it blend. Keep some texture in the mixture rather than making it completely smooth.
  3. Mix in the panko bread crumbs, then shape the mixture into patties.
Cooking
  1. For a firmer texture, arrange the patties on an oiled cookie sheet and bake at 400°F (204°C) for 15 minutes. Flip the burgers and continue baking for another 15 minutes, or until they reach the desired color and texture.
  2. For a softer interior with a crisp exterior, brush the patties with olive oil and cook them in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, flipping after a few minutes.
  3. For the preferred combination of firmness and browning, bake the patties as directed and then finish them in a skillet as described above.

Notes

1. Bake on an oiled cookie sheet for 15 minutes, flip, and bake for another 15 minutes until the burgers reach the texture and color you prefer. This method creates a firmer patty. 2. Brush with olive oil and cook in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, turning after a few minutes. This creates a softer burger with a browned, crisp outside. 3. Use both methods together by baking first and frying afterward for a firmer texture with extra browning. The combined method was the favorite.