Spiced Lentil Burgers

These delicious tasting Spiced Lentil Burgers are very hearty, healthy, and flavorful. The patties are made with protein rich brown lentils, almond flour, veggies, and some spices. The nutrient packed lentil burgers are gluten-free and vegan friendly. 

Lentil burgers are made by using wholesome ingredients and without adding any breadcrumbs for binding them together. Perfectly cooked, well drained, and non mushy brown lentils work as a magic in these beautiful patties. Almond flour adds tons of nutty flavors and amazing texture to the lentil burgers. 

I created this lentil burgers recipe for a friend who is on a particular diet and can not consume rice, wheat, quinoa, oat, or many more grains. We wanted to invite him for dinner and I made this recipe as a trial. My family and his family totally enjoyed the patties. 

I felt that creating lentil burgers without any breadcrumbs or any binding agent is very hard and may fall apart. I thought of not cooking them over a stove top as the patties might break while flipping them. Using an oven for cooking the patties was a great choice. 

After my 1st ever trial, I made it a couple of times on different heat settings in the oven and over a stovetop. Now I am ready to share this amazing tasting recipe with you all. While testing my recipe, I made some of the patties by using oat flour and the patties turned pretty well too. 

Lentils are high in fiber content and have potential to cause some discomfort, bloating, or gas. Soaking the lentils helps break down the complex sugar and may help in reducing some discomfort. Rinsing the lentils a couple of times, soaking them in water for between 4-12 hours, and cooking them in freshwater potentially ease digestion. 

Cooking the lentils in a pressure cooker or instant pot is very convenient. You can cook the lentils over a stove top easily in a large pot for about 20 minutes. Make sure to add around 2 to 2.5 cups of water. 

Ingredients

• Brown lentils
• Almond flour 
• Onion
• Garlic
• Red bell pepper
• Carrots
• Cilantro
• Lime juice
• Cayenne pepper
• Paprika
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper powder
• Cumin powder
• Garam masala
• Salt
• Oil

Spiced Lentil Burgers Step By Step Recipe

Preparing The Lentils

Triple wash the lentils and soak them in 3 cups of water for 5-8 hours. Discard all the water and wash the lentils with some fresh water. 

Instant Pot Lentils 

Transfer the lentils to the inner pot of an instant pot. Add 1.5 cups of fresh water, and close the lid on your Instant pot, making sure the valve is set to sealing. 

Turn on the MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK button (High Pressure) and set the timer to 10 minutes.

Let the pressure naturally release (NRP) for 12-15 minutes.

Once the pressure is released, transfer the lentils to the colander to remove the water. Let them come to a room temperature and moisture free. 

Indian Pressure Cooker Lentils

Follow the first 2 steps until washing the lentils after soaking. 

Transfer the lentils to the Indian pressure cooker and add water. Put a lid on and let it whistle 3 times and transfer them to the colander once the pressure is released. 

Lentil Patties

In a pan, heat 2 tsp oil, add chopped garlic and onions, and sauté them for 5 minutes on medium heat. 

Transfer the red bell peppers and sauté them for another 5 minutes. Set the veggies aside. 

In a large mixing bowl, transfer the cooked lentils, and mash them with the back of a serving spoon or a potato masher. You can mash them with your hands or in a food processor as well. 

Transfer the sautéed veggies, grated carrot, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and spices. Mix everything well with a spatula. 

Next, add some almond flour and keep binding the mixture together. Cover the bowl with a lid and let it sit in the refrigerator for 1 hour. 

Shaping The Patties

Line a parchment paper to a baking pan, brush the paper with ½ tbsp oil, and set aside. 

Preheat the oven to 400℉/200℃ 

Take out the mixture from the refrigerator. Grease your hands with a few drops of oil, take some mixture to form into a round shape, and then press it to form a patty shape. Set the patty on a baking tray. 

Repeat the process with the remaining mixture and make 11 patties out of it. Set all the patties on a baking tray without overcrowding them. 

Bake the patties for 15-17 minutes without disturbing them. Take out the pan from the oven and wait for 30-40 seconds before flipping them. 

Gently flip each patty using a spatula. Bake the patties for another 5 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. 

Take them out of the oven and let them sit in the baking tray for 7-8 minutes. 

Assemble The Burger 

Warm up some burger buns, spread your favorite burger sauce – I have mixed some mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, and mustard on both sides of the bread. Add some lettuce or mixed greens followed by tomato slices. 

Melt some cheese on the burger patty, transfer the patty on the top of tomato slices, and add some sautéed onions. Drizzle some more mayonnaise mixture. Cover the burger with the other side of the bun and enjoy! 

Tips For Making Spiced Lentil Burgers? 

• When it comes to making spiced lentil burgers, always remember to get rid of the excess moisture. Extra moisture causes the patty to break very easily while cooking. 
• Do not add too much water while cooking the lentils or they will turn very mushy and release more moisture. 
• Drain the lentils very well and do not mash them while too hot. 
• You can blend the lentils in a food processor but make sure they are well drained and have come to a room temperature. 
• Preheat the oven for 8 minutes before transferring the baking tray for cooking the lentil burger patties. 
• Let the patties cook for about 15-17 minutes without disturbing them. Take them out of the oven and let them sit in the pan for 30-40 seconds. After that carefully flip each patty or it might break when it is too hot. 

Variations

• You can reduce the soaking time of brown lentils by soaking them for 30 minutes.  Let them cook in 2 cups of water for about 15 minutes in an instant pot. 
• Blend 1 cup of rolled oats in a grinding jar and use them instead of almond flour for a nut-free recipe. 
• Around 1 tsp Red chili powder can be added instead of cayenne pepper and paprika while mixing the spices.  
• Add 2 tsp tomato paste while mixing the patties mixture to add some sweet and tangy flavors. 
• You can cook the patties on a stove top in a large skillet but do not add more than 4-5 patties at a time. Heat the skillet on medium high heat and lower the temperature to medium low. Brush some oil to the pan, transfer the patties and let them cook for about 8-9 minutes without disturbing them. Gently flip the patty with 2 spatulas and cook the other side for about 5-6 minutes. 

How To Store Spiced Lentil Burger Patties?

Store the lentil patties in an airtight container for 4-5 days in a refrigerator.

They can be easily stored in a freezer safe container for 3 months. Take the required patties and reheat them in an oven or on a stove top on a skillet. 

How To Serve Spiced Lentil Burgers?

Serve the lentil burgers with my homemade burger buns or wheat and oat buns. 

Baked sweet potato fries or oven roasted broccoli goes perfect as a side dish with these beautiful lentil burgers. 

Serve some hot soup like roasted bell pepper tomato soup, creamy vegetable soup, or beetroot tomato soup. These soup flavors go pretty well with these lentil burgers.

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