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Easy 6-Ingredient Lentil Burgers Recipe

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3.9 from 2 reviews

These easy 6-ingredient lentil burgers are a delicious and nutritious plant-based alternative to traditional meat burgers. Made from red lentils, fresh vegetables, and simple seasonings, they come together quickly and can be baked or pan-fried to achieve a crispy texture. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner served with buns, salad, or roasted potatoes.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups dried red lentils
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 large shallot (or 1 small onion), small dice (about 1/3 cup)
  • 1/3 cup grated carrots (about 3 small carrots)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

For Cooking

  • Neutral flavored cooking oil (for pan frying, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Set your oven to 400ºF (200ºC) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
  2. Soak lentils: Place the dried red lentils in a bowl and cover with water by about 2 inches. Soak for two hours to soften, then rinse and drain thoroughly to remove excess water.
  3. Prepare burger mixture: Add the drained lentils, minced garlic, diced shallot, grated carrots, tomato paste, chopped cilantro, salt, and black pepper into a food processor. Pulse until the mixture combines well and holds together, scraping down the sides as needed for even blending.
  4. Shape patties: Scoop approximately ¼ cup of the mixture at a time and form into patties about ½ inch thick, ensuring they hold their shape for cooking.
  5. Option 1 – Bake: Arrange patties on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Flip each patty and bake for another 10 minutes until both sides are crispy and golden brown.
  6. Option 2 – Pan-fry: Heat neutral cooking oil in a large nonstick skillet, filling the pan halfway up the sides of the patties. Fry the patties for about 4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden, crispy crust. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Drain excess oil on paper towels.
  7. Serve: Enjoy the lentil burgers on buns with your favorite toppings, or alongside a fresh side salad or oven-roasted potatoes for a wholesome meal.

Notes

  • Soaking lentils softens them and ensures the patties hold together without the need for eggs or breadcrumbs.
  • Both baking and pan-frying methods yield crispy burgers; choose based on your preference or dietary needs.
  • Feel free to add spices like cumin, smoked paprika, or chili flakes to customize the flavor.
  • These burgers are best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
  • If the mixture feels too wet, add a tablespoon of flour or breadcrumbs to help bind it.

Find it online: http://bitezly.com/easy-6-ingredient-lentil-burgers/