Chickpea Veggie Burgers
Pulse the chickpeas, cilantro, lemon juice, flour, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper in a food processor until a batter like consistency forms. Spoon patty-sized batches into a pan with 2 tablespoons olive oil and cook 5 to 8 minutes, about three minutes per side. Sauté the garlic in butter on medium low about 3 minutes, brush it over the bun tops, and toast at 375° for up to 8 minutes. Top the patties with cucumber, onion and feta, and set them on the bottom buns.
A great veggie burger isn't an imitation of a beef burger; it is its own delicious thing. These chickpea patties are savory and herb-flecked, with a crisp seared crust and a tender, well-seasoned interior that holds together beautifully. Piled on a garlic-toasted bun with your favorite fixings, they are hearty and genuinely satisfying — the kind of meatless meal that wins over the whole table, skeptics included.
The Herbed Chickpea Patties
Flavor and texture are everything in a chickpea burger. Pulse the chickpeas so they hold together but keep some texture — a completely smooth paste turns pasty, while a rough mash gives a pleasant bite. Fold in plenty of fresh herbs, aromatics, and seasoning so the patties taste of something, and bind them just enough to stay intact in the pan. There is no forming by hand and no chilling — the flour and breadcrumbs do the firming, and the mixture goes straight from the processor into the hot pan.
Searing & the Garlic-Toasted Bun
Sear the patties in a hot pan so they develop a crisp, golden crust while the inside stays tender — that crust is what gives them a satisfying, burger-like bite. Meanwhile, toast the buns with a little garlic butter until they are golden and fragrant, a small step that makes a big difference. Build the burger with the crisp patty, the warm garlicky bun, and whatever fresh toppings you love, and it eats every bit as generously as any burger should.
Chickpea Veggie Burgers
Ingredients
Method
- In a food processor or blender, combine the garbanzo beans, cilantro, lemon juice, flour, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper, pulsing until a batter like consistency forms.
- With a large spoon, transfer batches of the mixture to a non-stick pan, or one with 2 tablespoons olive oil for frying.
- Each batch transferred to the pan should resemble a hamburger patty in size and shape.
- Cook the patties for 5 to 8 minutes, about three minutes per side. Remove to a platter and top chickpea patties with the cucumber slices, onion and feta cheese.
- Add the garlic to a separate pan with butter and sauté on medium low heat about 3 minutes.
- Brush butter/garlic over the top of each hamburger bun.
- Toast the top of each bun in an oven that has been preheated to 375° for up to 8 minutes or until golden brown.
- Place cooked patties on the bottom half of the bun, and top with the garlic buttered bun tops for the perfect bite!
Notes
The Heart of the Table
To make a meatless meal this hearty and welcoming is a thoughtful, inclusive kind of hospitality — a way of making sure everyone at the table, whatever they eat, gets something delicious and satisfying. There is generosity in the care of a from-scratch veggie burger, seasoned and seared with real attention, set out for all to enjoy.
The Art of the Host
A sturdy skillet and a light touch are what these need. Pulse the chickpeas so a little texture survives, and spoon the mixture straight into a properly hot pan. Get the pan properly hot for a good crust, and don't flip too soon — let the sear set. Toast the buns with garlic butter for that final, fragrant lift.
Neighborly Grace
- The Preparation: You can make the chickpea mixture ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator, so dinner is just a quick sear when you're ready. Making them ahead actually helps them hold together, and the components — patties, buns, toppings — can all be prepped in advance for a fast, easy assembly.
- The Pour: A crisp lager or a bright, herbaceous white like Sauvignon Blanc suits the herby chickpea patty. For a non-alcoholic option, a sparkling lemonade or a cucumber-mint cooler keeps it fresh.
- The Vibe: This is hearty, feel-good comfort that happens to be meatless — serve the crisp patties on garlic-toasted buns with a spread of toppings and let everyone build their own. It is a satisfying, crowd-friendly dinner that suits eaters of every stripe.