Vegan Spicy Lentil Walnut Burgers
I special thanks to California Walnuts for sponsoring today’s recipe!
Grilling season is officially in session here in Georgia and our family has been spending more time cooking on the grill than in the kitchen! I was starting to get bored of the same old black bean veggies burger and decided it was time to text something new. I wanted something packed full of lots of healthy ingredients and still taste amazing. After trial and error I finally managed to create the most delicious and satisfying vegan spicy lentil walnut burger… ever! This burger was absolutely amazing, even the kids were impressed and didn’t let a single bite got to waste.
I typically use sunflower seeds in my burgers, but this time used California Walnuts instead and I am so pleased with the results! I decided to use walnuts because they are a delicious and versatile ingredient that is the perfect complement to other whole foods for a nutritious, tasty meals.
Another reason I decided walnuts would be the perfect ingredient is because they are the only nut that contains omega-3s. Since the kids and I are vegan, I always look for plant based products that contain Omega3 since it’s so important for everyone’s health. Walnuts are also the only nut to contain a significant amount of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the essential plant-based omega-3 fatty acid. In one ounce, there are 2.5 grams of ALA, which is more than five times the amount found in any other nut. As if that wasn’t enough, walnuts offer other important components of a healthy diet, including 4 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber per ounce.
I tried to keep this recipe very simple and not over-complicated, as many veggie burger recipes tend to be. The spices in this recipe are essential to giving this burger that spicy flavor, but if you prefer a milder burger, than I suggest leaving out the cayenne and garam masal.
Once you have mixed all of your ingredients, if you find that the chilled mixture is too wet, add in more flour. The amount needed depends on the moisture in the veggies, the kind of lentils and just general mood of things in the mixture. Add more flour if too sticky wet and add another flax egg if too crumbly to make patties. This is really just trial and error until you get the consistency that you are happy with.
Cook these on the grill… the stove top just won’t be the same! Once your burgers are done, add a slice of Daiya vegan cheddar cheese, vegan mayo, red onions, tomatoes, lettuce and anything else you enjoy on a burger. This is a guilt free vegan burger packed full of so many healthy ingredients. Let me know in the comments below if you tried out this recipe and what you thought!
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 3 Large Mushrooms
- ¼ cup packed cilantro
- ½ cup chopped red onions
- 1 clove of garlic
- ¼ inch ginger
- ¾ tsp salt or more (depends on if the lentils were salted)
- ¾ tsp each of ground cumin
- ½ tsp garlic
- ½ tsp cayenne
- ½ tsp garam masala
- ¾ cup cooked brown or white rice
- 1.5 cups cooked brown lentils
- 2 tsp ketchup
- 1 flax egg (1 tbsp flax seed meal mixed in 2.5 tbsp warm water, let sit for 2 minutes)
- 3 to 4 tbsp flour
- In a food processor, process onion, garlic, ginger, walnuts, mushrooms and cilantro until finely chopped.
- Add the spices, salt, basil, rice, half of the cooked lentils and pulse a few times until well combined. Transfer to a bowl with the rest of the lentils. Add ketchup, oil, flax egg and mix everything until evenly mixed in. Mash a bit if needed and mix in. Taste and adjust salt, spice, herbs if needed. Add in the flour and mix in. Let the mixture chill for 10 minutes.
- If the chilled mixture is too wet, add in more flour. The amount needed depends on the moisture in the veggies, the kind of lentils and just general mood of things in the mixture. Add more flour if too sticky wet. Add another flax egg if too crumbly to make patties.
- Shape into 4 large patties. Pack well. Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add a drizzle of oil and spread it around. Place patties on the skillet and cook for 4 to 6 minutes per side.
- Serve with vegan cheese, mayo or ketchup, red onions, tomatoes and any of your favorite toppings!