Burgers Galore - no Meat in Sight

By Billa

Some time ago, I mostly stopped eating meat. But, every once in a while, I get a hankering for a burger, specifically, a burger on a brioche bun slathered with mayonnaise and accompanied by French fries. So, over time, I’ve developed some satisfying substitutes for the burgers. Here are five of my favorites:

#1: Mushroom Burgers

Yield: 4 burgers

These mushroom burgers approximate the taste of meat best of the five. They also look like meat burgers.

Ingredients

8 oz. cremini mushrooms, trimmed

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

2 medium shallots, finely chopped

1/2 cup panko crumbs

1/4 cup pistachio nuts, chopped

2 tablespoons mayonnaise, plus more for spreading on the bun

1 tablespoon tamari sauce

1 tablespoon lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Brioche buns for serving

2 tablespoons mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, or catsup to spread on buns

Catsup plus tomato, onion, and pickle slices as garnish

Preparation

1. In a food processor, finely mince mushrooms. Place in a medium bowl.

2. In pan, sauté shallots in one tablespoon olive oil, over medium heat, for 5 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove and add to mushrooms along with panko, pistachio nuts, mayonnaise, tamari, lemon zest, salt, and pepper . Mix well and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

3. Add remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Warm over medium heat. Shape mushroom mixture into 4 patties and add to the pan. After 4 minutes, flip and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes until browned.

4. Slather brioche buns with mayonnaise. Place a patty on each. Garnish with slices of tomato, onion, and pickle.

#2: Sardine Burgers

Serves 2

Although they do have a little fishy flavor, I like their overall taste. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Ingredients

1 can boneless sardines in olive oil, drained

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 tablespoon breadcrumbs

1 tablespoon corn meal

1/4 cup sliced scallions

1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/2 tablespoon harissa

1 teaspoon parsley, chopped

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons flour

1 tablespoon olive oil or butter

Brioche buns for serving

Mayonnaise

Sliced tomato as garnish

Preparation

1. To a medium bowl, add sardines. Break up with fork. Add egg, breadcrumbs, corn meal, scallions, mustard, harissa, parsley, and salt.

2. Shape into 2 patties. Dredge in flour.

3. Heat the olive oil or butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Sauté the cakes for 4-5 minutes on each side, until browned.

4. Spread mayonnaise on split buns, insert burgers, top with tomato slices, and serve.

#3: Salmon Burgers

Serves 2

These are moist and tender and packed with Asian flavors.

Ingredients

8 ounces skinless salmon fillet

1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon mayonnaise + more to spread on buns

1 scallion, sliced thin crosswise

1/2 tablespoon tamari

2 tablespoons breadcrumbs

1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

4 tablespoons sesame seeds

1 teaspoon peanut oil

2 brioche buns

Preparation

1. Cut salmon into 1-inch pieces. Place in food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add mustard, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, scallion, tamari, breadcrumbs, sesame oil, salt and black pepper. Mix well. Form into two patties.

2. Sprinkle sesame seeds on one side of the patties.

3. Brush a small non-stick pan with the peanut oil. Heat over medium heat. Add patties, sesame seed side down and cook 4 minutes. Flip the patties and cook another 3 minutes.

4. Spread a thin layer of mayo on buns and place salmon patties on them.

#4: Black Bean Burgers

Serves 2

When I mash the beans, I like to leave some parts in large pieces to give the burgers texture. The salsa makes them juicy.

Ingredients

15-ounce can black beans

2 tablespoon mayonnaise, divided, plus more to spread on buns

1/4 cup bread crumbs

1/4 teaspoon dried cilantro

1/4 teaspoon cumin

2 tablespoon mild salsa, plus more for serving

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 tablespoon olive oil

2 brioche buns

Preparation

1. In a medium bowl, Use a potato masher to mash the beans with 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise until almost smooth. Add the bread crumbs, cilantro, cumin, salsa, salt and pepper. Mix well.

2. Lightly flour hands and shape mixture into 4 small patties. Brush a small skillet with olive oil. Heat on medium until hot. Add the patties and cook until browned on one side, about 3 minutes. Flip, and cook on the other side for another 3 minutes.

3. Spread each brioche roll with a tablespoon of mayonnaise, insert a bean patty, and serve with more salsa on the side.

#5: Falafel Burgers

Serves 2

I love falafel, but don’t like that it’s deep-fried. These burgers taste almost as good and are much healthier. Making them even healthier are the accompanying zucchini fries.

Ingredients

1 14-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup coarsely chopped red onion

1 and 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon tahini, plus additional for serving

1 teaspoon mild harissa

1 tablespoon flour

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons bread crumbs

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 buns or pitas, for serving

Preparation

1. Add chickpeas, onion, lemon juice, tahini, harissa, flour, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, and salt to a food process. Process until smooth. Remove and form into 3 or 4 patties.

2. Place breadcrumbs in shallow bowl. Coat patties in breadcrumbs.

3. Heat olive oil in pan over medium flame. When hot, add patties and brown for 4-5 minutes. Flip, and sauté for another 3-4 minutes until browned.

4. Serve on a bun or in a pita with tahini on top.