At its best, the veggie burger is more than just a meat alternative—it’s an opportunity to celebrate the flavors of vegetables, grains, and legumes in a convenient, delicious way (between two buns, covered in sauce). Of course, the veggie patty has range, too. A savvy addition to any salad, substantial enough to qualify as an afternoon snack, and just generally delicious, these meatless wonders rightfully belong at any meal. In hopes of celebrating—and perhaps spreading awareness—of the culinary genius behind the veggie burger, we’ve compiled our seven favorite recipes below.
1. Miso Veggie Burgers
According to recipe developer Rick Martinez, miso gives this burger a “really deep, caramel-y, umami flavor. That’s going to basically simulate a burger being seared over an open fire on a grill and being smashed.” Even better—Rick says you can find all of the ingredients at your average grocery store.
2. 3-Ingredient Veggie Burgers
An esteemed member of the Five Ingredient Or Less Club, these burgers from former Food52 editor Emma Laperruque combine chickpeas, marinated artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes to create something greater than the sum of its parts. It’s worth noting that this recipe requires 13 hours of prep time.
3. Beet & Feta Burgers
“The flavor and texture of the beetroot is essential and affects everything in the burger,” says recipe developer Green Kitchen Stories. “We have added feta cheese for extra flavor, but you could substitute it for tofu as well.”
4. Black Bean Burgers
By toasting the black beans before combining them with other burger ingredients, recipe developer Alison Buford ensures these veggie patties are anything but mushy. However, that doesn’t mean these burgers are at all dry—Worcestershire, mayo, and hot sauce offer ample moisture and flavor.
5. Black Bean–Chipotle Falafel Burgers From Joe Yonan
Similar to the 3-Ingredient Veggie Burger from earlier, this vegan option from Joe Yonan relies on chickpeas for both structure and flavor. Bonus: This recipe includes a sub-recipe for an acidic, garlic-forward chickpea aioli that is worth keeping on hand at all times.
6. Sun-Dried Tomato, Basil & White Bean Burgers
“This [burger] features the flavor power couple of sun-dried tomatoes and basil and also hits you with protein from the legume- and grain-based angles,” writes recipe developer Kendra Vaculin. “If I had known about these burgers when I was trying to be a vegetarian in college, I may never have fallen off the wagon.”
7. White Bean & Quinoa Burgers With Sumac Yogurt
Behind every great burger is an even better sauce, and this recipe is no exception. Tangy yogurt, combined with sumac and fresh mint, creates a sauce that is decidedly bright and fully deserving of being slathered all over any burger, vegetable-based or not. Oh, also—the burger is pan-fried, meaning it’s crispy, crunchy, and hard to put down.
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