Lentil Burgers
Brown lentils, oats, onion and spices mashed into patties and fried for 20 minutes until crisp outside. Four servings in 35 minutes.
Photograph credit: Black Lentil Veggie burger (160167180) by Kari Sullivan from Austin, TX · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Storing and Planning Ahead
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan.
Making Lentil Burgers
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Dry the lentils in a pan for 2 minutes, then mash roughly with the oats, onion, garlic, cumin, puree, egg and salt.
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Shape into 4 patties and chill for 15 minutes.
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Fry in the oil over medium heat for 10 minutes per side, until firm and dark. Serve in the buns.
Tips for Success
- Dry the lentils before mashing.
- Leave half of them whole.
- Chill the patties first.
- Turn them only once.
Why the Method Is What It Is
Lentil burgers fall apart for one reason: too much moisture. The cure is to dry the lentils before they are mashed, and to use oats to take up what is left.
Drain the cooked lentils well and tip them into a dry pan for 2 minutes over medium heat, stirring, until the surface steam is gone. Mash roughly, leaving about half whole, so the patties have a bit of texture.
Oats bind and absorb. Add onion, garlic, cumin and a spoon of tomato puree for savour, then season well, since lentils are bland. Chill the shaped patties for 15 minutes to firm them up before they hit the pan.
Fry in oil over medium heat for 10 minutes a side, until deep brown and firm. If your pan runs hot, check at 8 minutes. Turn them only once. Serve in a bun with a sharp relish. They freeze well, so a double batch is a sensible use of one hour.
Serving Ideas
Sweet potato fries · Relish · Green salad · Yoghurt sauce
Ingredient Swaps
- An eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder per clove is the usual stand-in when you are out of fresh garlic — it will not caramelise the same way, but it carries the flavour.
Lentil Burgers FAQ
How long does Lentil Burgers take to make?
About 35 minutes in total — 15 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 4.
What are the key tips for making Lentil Burgers?
Dry the lentils before mashing. Leave half of them whole. Chill the patties first. Turn them only once.
What should I serve with Lentil Burgers?
Sweet potato fries; Relish; Green salad; Yoghurt sauce.
How should Lentil Burgers be stored?
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan.
Is Lentil Burgers suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian, low-carb, keto and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
The Numbers per Serving
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
Reader Reviews
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.
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