Move over, dry, tasteless veggie burgers. There’s a new meatless burger in town, and it’s delicious. And made with wholesome, real ingredients! Made with simple pantry staples, this chickpea burger comes together in about 30 minutes and tastes great on a bun with all your favorite burger toppings.
Like meaty burgers, this chickpea burger recipe is easy. Just blend garbanzo beans and lemon juice in a food processor, then mix with egg, bread crumbs and seasonings, and shape into patties. The patties cook quickly on the stovetop and are a perfectly easy vegetarian recipe for weeknight dinners or summer barbecues. Be sure to make a double batch to freeze!
Chickpea Burger Ingredients
- Garbanzo beans: Also known as “chickpeas,” garbanzo beans are a versatile legume with a mild nutty flavor and a creamy consistency. If you’d like to use dried chickpeas instead of canned, follow our tips for cooking dried beans.
- Lemon juice: Lemon adds acidity, moisture and brightness to this chickpea burger. For the best flavor, use freshly squeezed juice.
- Dry bread crumbs: Bread crumbs and egg act as a binder to hold the burger patties together. No bread crumbs? No problem! Use one of these substitutes for bread crumbs.
- Egg: The egg binds the patty ingredients together and adds flavor and texture.
- Seasonings: Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder and crushed red pepper flakes season these burger patties. You can easily make your homemade Italian seasoning with six simple ingredients.
- Canola oil: Cook these patties in a neutral oil, like canola oil. It’s reliable, stable and the perfect cooking oil for searing, frying, browning and even roasting.
- Hamburger buns: Split and toasted whole wheat or whole grain hamburger buns make for a more wholesome bite. Feeling ambitious? Make hamburger buns from scratch!
- Cheese: We suggest topping your chickpea burger with reduced-fat American cheese slices, although any cheese will do.
- Optional toppings: Top your burgers with anything you like! Check out our suggestions in the section below.
Directions
Step 1: Blend the wet ingredients
Place the garbanzo beans, water and lemon juice in a food processor. Cover and process for a few seconds.
Editor’s Tip: It’s OK if the mixture is a little chunky. You’re looking for some texture rather than a smooth paste. We’re not making hummus (this time)!
Step 2: Mix in the dry ingredients
Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the bread crumbs, egg and seasonings. Mix well, then shape into four patties.
Editor’s Tip: Use a large cookie scoop for even-shaped veggie burger patties. To shape, form into balls, then flatten into patties.
Step 3: Cook the chickpea burger
In a large cast-iron or heavy skillet, cook patties in oil until lightly browned, three to four minutes on each side. Serve on toasted buns with cheese and your favorite toppings.
Editor’s Tip: For a crisp burger, cook the patties in batches to avoid overcrowding the skillet.
Ideas for Chickpea Burger Toppings
Top your chickpea burgers with all the usual fixin’s you enjoy on a burger. The possibilities are up to you! Some topping favorites include chopped lettuce, sliced tomato, sliced red onion, sliced avocado, dill pickles, cheddar cheese, provolone cheese, ketchup, mustard, ranch dressing, barbecue sauce and mayonnaise.
Recipe Variations
- Make vegan chickpea burgers: For a vegan version, use an egg substitute, such as ground flaxseed or a store-bought egg replacer. Top the burgers with your favorite vegan cheese.
- Make spicy chickpea burgers: Add 1 tablespoon Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce to the blender with the wet ingredients.
- Add extra flavor: Blend in a quarter of a red onion for additional flavor. Or toss 1 tablespoon fresh parsley into the blender with the chickpeas for a bright, herby flavor.
- Beef them up: Add a meaty taste to this plant-based burger with a dash of liquid smoke, a splash of soy sauce or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast to create umami flavor.
- Use different beans: If you’re not a fan of chickpeas, try black beans, navy beans or kidney beans instead. Check out these healthy canned bean recipes for your next bean-based meal.
How to Store Chickpea Burgers
Leftover chickpea burgers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Reheat in a skillet or 350°F oven for 10 minutes.
Can you freeze chickpea burgers?
It’s best to freeze chickpea burgers before cooking them. Once shaped, wrap each patty in storage wrap, and store them in an airtight container or bag in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then cook on the stovetop as directed.
Chickpea Burger Tips
How do you keep chickpea burgers from falling apart?
Add a binding agent if you notice your chickpea burger patties are falling apart. For this recipe, we recommend peanut butter or tahini. Just a tablespoon will help these burgers stay together. Additionally, try not to flip the chickpea burgers multiple times when cooking. Get a nice golden brown crisp on one side, then flip to repeat.
How do you keep chickpea burgers from getting mushy?
To avoid mushy chickpea burgers, don’t overprocess the patties. Aim to break down the chickpeas, then transfer the mixture to the mixing bowl. Second, don’t make the patties too thick. Shoot for a 1/2-inch thickness.
What should you serve with chickpea burgers?
Go beyond the typical burger and french fries pairing. These chickpea burgers pair perfectly with crispy baked onion rings, a cold pasta salad and grilled corn in husks. Or try any of these other yummy sides for burgers.
