Easy Homemade Red Lentil Burger Patties Recipe

I’ve been trying my luck for some meatless patties and now I can totally say my easy homemade red lentil burger patties recipe is a must-try for everyone. Even fussy eaters will be delighted with this recipe.

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After a few tries on how to make meatless burger patties, I choose red lentils because they are easy to prepare. Oh boy, you’ll never know these patties are made of lentils.

The idea and practice of eating meatless burgers are now mainstream, but what if you can make your own burger patties with less sodium, no added preservatives, and just pure goodness.

While I do enjoy eating vegan burgers with sourdough buns once in a while, let’s admit it is pricey which makes others think that this lifestyle is expensive. So how about trying to make your own homemade burger patties.

Did you know that 100g of cooked lentils can give you about 9g of protein, while it may be lower than the usual meat source, still lentils have higher nutrients and minerals.

• Folate
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Manganese

If you would like to know more about the Best Plant Sources of Protein, check this guide: The Ultimate Guide To Best Plant Protein Sources

How Long To Cook Lentils

If you do not have red lentils you can use any lentils you have only the time of cooking them or boiling will vary. Since red lentils are usually used in soups it only requires a few minutes of boiling around 8-10 minutes and also you wouldn’t like it if it’s too mushy or it’s just me.

While if you have brown or green lentils boiling until soft can range from 20-30 minutes under medium heat. You can also try to soak them for 30 minutes to an hour before boiling.

How To Prepare Lentils

I usually see and therefore buy dry lentils and read instructions (if any) on how to keep them. For the recent red lentils I have, the instruction is to be kept in the fridge and so I did.

But usually, lentils can be stored in your cupboard or cabinet if you haven’t opened the packaging. But once you open it, keep it in an airtight container to keep it fresh and to prevent small insects from getting inside.

Be sure to keep it away from heat and direct light so it’s best to store it in your cupboard. Canned lentils can also be kept in cupboards but must be transferred in an airtight container once you open the can.

Both must be washed and remove any dirt you will see, canned lentils though already cooked can be washed 1-2 minutes to reduce sodium, or look for a brand that has lower sodium content.

Is This Recipe Vegan and Gluten-free

All the ingredients used in this homemade red lentil burger patties are vegan, all the recipes that I create are dairy-free and vegan although I practice a plant-based lifestyle.

While lentils are naturally gluten-free, I am not sure if it has been packed in an environment that also processes or packs gluten products. Please check the labels carefully.

Also, I use all-purpose flour for this recipe and it contains gluten. While for the breadcrumbs, I managed to find a vegan option.

To make this recipe gluten-free you can try using chickpea flour, almond flour or gluten-free flour that you have used before. There are gluten-free breadcrumbs available too.

For the soy sauce which adds taste to these burger patties, use a gluten-free sauce like coconut aminos or tamari gluten-free sauce.

How Long Can I Keep The Patties

These homemade red lentil burger patties can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months in an airtight container. After shaping these patties I store them in my freezer-friendly container placing a plastic food wrap in between.

It will help the burger patties not to stick together especially when I only need a few patties to fry.

Are Lentils Healthy

Aside from the nutrients and minerals mentioned in the first part of this recipe, lentils in general are healthy and a good source of fiber.

While moderation may be key, meat is high in saturated fat and has been associated with cancer and heart diseases. Our goal here is to enjoy more plant-based food without sacrificing the taste and our budget.

Lentils are good for the heart and can help reduce LDL (low-density lipoprotein) also known as bad cholesterol. If you are a blood donor, eating lentils is encouraged because of their high iron content.

For more information about the health benefits of Lentils check medical news today.

Homemade Red Lentil Burger Patties

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils
• 3-4 cups water (for boiling)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 medium-size onion (finely chop)
• 1 carrot (finely chop)
• 2 cloves garlic (finely chop)
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 3/4 cups bread crumbs
• 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (unbleached)
• 1-2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tbsp. soy sauce
• 2 flax egg (2 tbsp. flaxseed and 6 tbsp. water)

Optional Ingredients

• Pinch of cumin
• Cilantro or Parsley
• Pinch of cayenne, chili powder or chili flakes

Instructions

• Mix flaxseed and water and set aside to create  flax egg.
• Wash lentils and boil in a pot or saucepan with 3-4 cups of water for 10 minutes or until soft and water has been absorbed. Remove excess water and set aside after boiling.
• Prepare other ingredients, using a food processor (optional). Combine carrot, onion and garlic. Pulse until fine and combined.
• Alternatively, finely chop garlic, onion and carrot.
• In a pan swirl 1-2 tbsp. of olive oil and add garlic and onion until it’s slightly brown. Add carrots and stir fry for 1-2 minutes. 
• Add lentils, soy sauce, salt, pepper and chili powder. Mix  and adjust taste if needed. Turn off the heat.
• Add flax egg, bread crumbs and flour and combine all the ingredients.
• Alternatively, using a food processor add all ingredients ( wet and dry) Pulse until everything is mixed but not too much, that lentils have become mushy.
• Shape the mixture into patties with your hands, adjust size and thickness to your preference. 
• Keep in the fridge for about 30 minutes before frying (optional). Just to ensure your patties will not fall apart.
• Fry under low heat to even out the cooking with 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil.
• Serve with vegan buns of your choice. 
• Lentil patties can be kept in a freezer-friendly container. Add a plastic food wrap in between patties. It can be kept for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Recipe Notes

1. Adding flour helps remove the moisture/water from the mixture especially from the lentils and carrot.
2. Breadcrumbs add a good crunch in the mixture and help hold the patties.
3. Flax egg serves as your binder. 
4. You can also use other lentils of your choice and softening them requires additional time for up to 20 minutes or more.
5. You can also bake or air fry these red lentil patties but I have not tried that option and how long it is needed.
6. You can also experiment with fresh herbs like adding cilantro or parsley.
7. For the sauce I didn’t add any because I already like the taste of it. But you can add tomato ketchup, vegan mayo or a mash avocado which is what I really have in mind.
8. Make sure to use vegan buns, like this focaccia buns with herbs that I got, add lettuce, tomato and onion and your burger is ready.
9. I tried it with rice and enjoyed it as well. 

Nutrients

This  homemade red lentil burger patties recipe can yield up to 12 servings with 139 calories per serving. Total Fat 1.8g | Saturated Fat 0.3g | Cholesterol 0mg | Sodium 182mg | Total Carbohydrate 24.1g | Dietary Fiber 5.8g | Total Sugars 1.4g | Protein 6.4g | Vitamin D 0mcg | Calcium 31mg | Iron 2mg | Potassium 214mg

Nutrition calculation is based on using an online calculator (verywellfit) and for reference use only. 

TRY THIS GREEN LENTIL BURGER PATTIES TOO USING CORNFLOUR INSTEAD OF REGULAR FLOUR.

More Meal Prep Ideas

• Sweet and Sour Pineapple Tofu Recipe
• Easy Gobi Manchurian Recipe
• Vegetable Spring Rolls

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