Whip up these Easy Vegan Chickpea Burgers with just 9 ingredients. Ready in 25 minutes, these flavorful plant-based patties are a delicious and quick meal option.
These versatile burgers are packed with protein and fiber from the chickpeas, offering a satisfying and nutritious alternative to traditional burgers. Top them with your favorite toppings for extra taste.
Whether you're a vegan or simply looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet, these vegan chickpea burgers are sure to be a hit at your next gathering or family dinner.
Looking for more vegan grilling inspiration? Try my Vegan Burgers, Vegan Black Bean Burgers, and Vegan Steak recipes. Fire up the grill and indulge in plant-based perfection!
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🌟 Why you'll love this recipe
- Delicious Flavor. Irresistible flavors and satisfying texture make these burgers a must-try!
- Simple and Easy. This recipe is a breeze with only 9 simple ingredients and no complicated techniques or lengthy cooking times.
- Healthier Option. Packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and nutritious ingredients, they offer a healthier alternative to traditional burgers.
- Satisfying and Filling. These burgers are packed with protein-rich chickpeas and wholesome ingredients that will keep you nourished and satisfied.
- Budget-Friendly. Made with simple and affordable ingredients, these burgers provide an economical option without compromising on taste or nutrition.
🧾 Ingredient notes
Garlic - For improved digestibility, try cutting the garlic clove in half lengthwise and removing the sprout before incorporating it into your recipe.
Garlic powder can be used as a substitute. The general rule is approximately ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder per clove of garlic. So, for 2 cloves of garlic, you would need around ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder.
Red onion - Use any type of onion, white, yellow, or even green onion.
Cilantro leaves - I like to use the leaves and discard the stems, but you can use them if you prefer. Alternatively, you can use other herbs like parsley or fresh basil, or omit this ingredient altogether.
Chickpeas - I used canned chickpeas, but you can also cook them from scratch.
Canned chickpeas usually come in 15-ounce or 400-gram sizes, yielding around 9 ounces or 250 grams (about 1 and ½ cups) of drained chickpeas.
If you're using dried chickpeas, keep in mind that they roughly double in weight once cooked.
To obtain 9 ounces or 250 grams of cooked chickpeas, you'll need to cook approximately 4.5 ounces or 125 grams (about ¾ cup) of dried chickpeas.
Panko breadcrumbs - They can easily be substituted with regular breadcrumbs, offering a similar texture. If you have dietary restrictions, opt for gluten-free breadcrumbs instead.
Tahini - You can substitute it with Peanut Butter or any nut or seed butter of your choice.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
📋 Variations
Take your vegan chickpea burgers to the next level with these delicious variations:
- Spicy Kick. Incorporate diced jalapeños or chipotle peppers in adobo sauce into the burger mixture for some heat. Top with avocado slices and spicy vegan mayo.
- Southwest Fiesta. Add diced bell peppers, corn, and black beans to the burger mixture. Top with fresh salsa, sliced avocado, and a sprinkle of vegan cheese.
- Asian Fusion. Add minced ginger, soy sauce, and a touch of sesame oil to the burger mixture. Serve with Asian Slaw, sliced cucumber, and a dollop of Sriracha mayo.
- Cheesy Mushroom. Caramelize sliced mushrooms and onions, and mix them into the burger mixture with vegan cheese. Serve Vegan Aioli.
- Italian Herb. Mix in dried oregano, basil, and a touch of nutritional yeast into the burger mixture. Serve with Marinara Sauce, vegan mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: In the bowl of a food processor, pulse garlic, red onion, and cilantro until finely minced.
Step 2: Add chickpeas, panko breadcrumbs, tahini, salt, and pepper to the food processor and process until a large ball forms.
Step 3: Shape the mixture into burger patties, approximately 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) wide and ½ inches (1 cm) thick. Transfer to a lined baking tray and freeze to firm up for 30 minutes (this is optional).
Step 4: Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Place all 4 burgers in the pan and fry, turning regularly, until browned and crispy on each side, approximately 4 minutes per side.
Step 5: Generously brush the burgers with BBQ sauce, ensuring they are fully coated (this is also optional).
Step 6: Serve on vegan hamburger buns with vegan mayo, crispy lettuce, sliced tomato, and sliced red onion, or with your favorite toppings.
💭 Expert tips
- Consistency of the mixture. Ensure the mixture is firm enough to hold together without being overly dense. If it's too wet, add breadcrumbs to absorb excess moisture.
- Proper shaping. When shaping the burger patties, make sure they are evenly sized and have a consistent thickness. This will ensure even cooking and a pleasing presentation.
- Proper pan temperature. Achieve a golden brown crust by heating it over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. This ensures even cooking and a nice sear.
- Cooking time and temperature. Whether frying or baking, ensure that the burgers are cooked through, but overcooking can result in dry burgers.
- Resting time. Allow the cooked burgers to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the flavors to meld together and allows the juices to redistribute within the burger.
❓Recipe FAQs
They can typically last for 3-5 days when stored in the fridge. It's essential to keep them in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap to maintain their freshness.
It's recommended to consume them within this timeframe for the best quality and taste. If you need to store them for a longer period, you can freeze the cooked burgers for extended shelf life.
Yes, you can freeze them! After cooking the burgers, allow them to cool completely. Then, individually wrap each burger tightly in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe container or bag.
Make sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. The frozen burgers can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw them in the fridge overnight and reheat as desired.
Yes, you can definitely make them ahead of time. After shaping the patties, you can refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before cooking.
This allows the flavors to meld together and makes them convenient for meal planning or preparing in advance.
Just store the patties in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap before refrigerating.
When you're ready to cook, follow the recipe instructions for frying or baking the burgers.
Absolutely! You can easily make them gluten-free by substituting panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Pair your vegan chickpea burgers with a variety of delicious sides like Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Baked Potato Wedges, Vegan Potato Salad, or my Easy Guacamole Dip.
Alternatively, you can try a fresh side salad with mixed greens and your choice of veggies, or some grilled vegetables for a smoky flavor.
🍔 Other delicious dishes to serve with these burgers
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📖 Recipe
Easy Vegan Chickpea Burgers
Ingredients
For the vegan chickpea burgers:
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- ½ red onion, roughly chopped
- ½ cup cilantro leaves, loosely packed
- 15 ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons oil, for frying, I used extra virgin olive oil
For serving (optional):
- BBQ sauce
- Lettuce, tomato, and red onion
- Vegan mayonnaise
- 4 vegan hamburger buns
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor, pulse garlic, red onion, and cilantro until finely minced.
- Add chickpeas, panko breadcrumbs, tahini, salt, and pepper to the food processor and process until a large ball forms.
- Shape the mixture into burger patties, approximately 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) wide and ½ inches (1 cm) thick. Transfer to a lined baking tray and freeze to firm up for 30 minutes (this is optional).
- Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Place all 4 burgers in the pan and fry, turning regularly, until browned and crispy on each side, approximately 4 minutes per side.
- Alternatively, you can bake the burgers at 350ºF (180ºC) for 15 minutes, then flip them and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes.
- Generously brush the burgers with BBQ sauce, ensuring they are fully coated (this is also optional).
- Serve on hamburger buns with vegan mayo, crispy lettuce, sliced tomato, and sliced red onion, or with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Consistency of the mixture. Ensure the mixture is firm enough to hold together without being overly dense. If it's too wet, add breadcrumbs to absorb excess moisture.
- Proper shaping. When shaping the burger patties, make sure they are evenly sized and have a consistent thickness. This will ensure even cooking and a pleasing presentation.
- Proper pan temperature. Achieve a golden brown crust by heating it over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. This ensures even cooking and a nice sear.
- Cooking time and temperature. Whether frying or baking, ensure that the burgers are cooked through, but overcooking can result in dry burgers.
- Resting time. Allow the cooked burgers to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the flavors to meld together and allows the juices to redistribute within the burger.
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