This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Spiced Lentil Burgers with Tahini Slaw are made with pantry-staples and come together in 30 minutes. Vegan, gluten free, freezer-friendly, and nutrient-packed.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love these Lentil Burgers
The frozen food aisle abounds with frozen veggie burger options these days. However I have yet to find one that really mimics the meaty texture and savory depth of a meat patty.
Therefore, I set out to create a patty using wholesome ingredients that’s also free of eggs (for my vegan pals), gluten (for my wheat-sensitive pals), and any binding agents.
Just like my Black Bean Burgers, this recipe relies heavily on pantry staples like lentils, tomato paste, and common spices.
Additionally, they don’t require chilling before searing, meaning they come together in right around 30 minutes.
If you love a veggie burger as much as I do, be sure to check out my Wild Rice Burgers and Portobello Burgers, too!
The Ingredients
- Lentils: These patties get most of their heft and staying power from protein- and fiber-rich lentils. Most of the lentils get mashed, therefore acting as a filler and binder, while the rest are left whole for added texture. Cook your own at home, or look for steamed, vacuum-packed lentils in the grain aisle for convenience.
- Carrots: For a touch of sweetness and color, add grated (or matchstick) carrots.
- Tomato Paste: For brightness and a dose of umami.
- Garlic: Fresh or dried (granulated) works great!
- Spices: This is where the real magic lies in these meatless burgers. I love using a mix of paprika, cumin, and onion powder. Additionally, you can add coriander and/or a pinch of cayenne.
- Tahini: This sesame seed paste adds creaminess to the slaw without the need for dairy. The flavors complement the lentil burger patties beautifully.
- Slaw: You can use a bag coleslaw mix or shred your own cabbage for the slaw mixture.
- Parsley: This lemon-y fresh herb gets mixed into the lentil patties and the slaw mix.
- Buns: You can serve these lentil burgers on your bun of choice, or enjoy them over a bed of greens (I love using arugula), quinoa, or cauliflower rice.
In terms of toppers, the tahini cabbage slaw adds colorful and crunchy contrast to the earthy burgers. I also love adding a slick of tahini under the burger patty to help adhere it to the bun.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Lentil Burger Patties. Place 1 cup of the lentils in a large bowl and thoroughly mash. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup whole lentils, along with remaining burger ingredients. Mix well until cohesive, divide and shape into 4 patties.
Step 2: Cook Lentil Burgers in a large skillet over medium-high heat until golden.
Step 3: Prepare Tahini Slaw by combining all slaw ingredients in a bowl; mix well.
Step 4: Assemble Lentil Burgers by adding one lentil patty to each toasted bun, and topping with tahini slaw.
Serving Suggestions:
These lentil burgers pair well with just about salad or side dish. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Cucumber Salad: Especially my Smashed Cucumber Salad or Cucumber Avocado Salad.
- Pasta Salad: The flavors of this Healthy Creamy Pasta Salad will especially pair well.
- Potato Salad: For a cookout favorite, try my Pesto Potato Salad.
- Sautéed Veggies: Garlic-Herb Sautéed Zucchini or my go-to Sautéed Broccoli.
Recipe FAQs
Canned lentils work fantastic in this recipe! It also eliminates the additional step of boiling and cooling the lentils.
The trick is to partially mash the lentils so that they better stick together. Using a binder such as eggs, flaxseeds, or oats can also help.
Add an assortment of grated or chopped veggies to the lentil mixture to help thicken up the patties. You can also mix in oats, almond flour, or cooked rice.
More Veggie Burger Recipes to Try:
Be sure to tag #dishingouthealth on Instagram if you make these plant-based burgs, and I’d love if you could come back and leave a review!
Spiced Lentil Burgers with Tahini Slaw (Vegan)
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Large skillet
- Grater
Ingredients
Spiced Lentil Burgers
- 1 3/4 cups cooked green lentils from dried or 1 (15-oz.) can of drained and rinsed lentils
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 3/4 tsp. smoked paprika
- 3/4 tsp. ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp. granulated garlic
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1/2 cup finely grated carrots
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
- 2 to 3 Tbsp. oat flour
- 2 to 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil for cooking
- 4 buns or wraps
- 1 large ripe avocado, thinly sliced
Tahini Slaw
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 Tbsp. tahini
- 1 tsp. granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 2 cups shredded red cabbage
- 1/2 cup shredded (or matchstick) carrots
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Place 1 1/4 cups of the lentils, tomato paste, and spices (smoked paprika through black pepper) in a large bowl. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or a potato masher to very thoroughly mash. (You can also blend in the food processor.)Stir in remaining 1/2 cup whole lentils, along with carrots, parsley, and 2 Tbsp. oat flour. Mix until the mixture holds together when squeezed; if it doesn’t, continue to mash until it does and add an additional 1 Tbsp. oat flour, if needed. Form into 4 patties about ¾" thick.
- Prepare slaw by combining lemon juice, tahini, sugar, and salt in a medium mixing bowl; whisk until smooth. Add cabbage, carrots, and parsley; mix well to coat. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook lentil patties until deeply browned and crisp on bottom side, about 3 minutes. Carefully turn and repeat on the other side.
- Serve burgers on toasted buns with Tahini Slaw, sliced avocado, and your condiments of choice (I love adding a little hummus or yogurt dip.)
Nutrition
I calculate these values by hand to ensure accuracy, however expect up to a 10% variable depending on food brands.
Hi Jamie,
Big fan of your recipes, though this one left me a little confused. In the recipe ingredients photo, flaxseeds are shown, however in the written recipe, they are not mentioned; instead, oat flour, which isn’t in the recipe ingredients image, appears.
Can either be used? Also, if using flaxseeds, is this just the dry ingredient or are we dissolving them in water to make a flax egg?
Would appreciate any clarity you can provide.
Thanks!
About how much dried lentils should yield 1 3/4 cups cooked lentils?
I stumbled upon this recipe after doing a quick last minute search for vegetarian inspired burgers for my dinner guest.
It was the first time I have tried lentil burgers.
The recipe was simple, easy and tasty.
The mashed lentils held together well when cooked. I would recommend this recipe to anyone trying vegetarian alternative to meat burgers.
I made up my own salad to accompany the burgers (shaved celery, shaved fennel and shaved wombok) but the suggested salad recipe would be just as delicious.
Thank you.
Do the carrots go in the patty or the slaw or both?
What about freezing? Do the patties freeze well? To be used in a few weeks?
Super flavorful and delicious. I have been eating them all week!
Hi! Can this be made in the air fryer?
Hi there, I haven’t tried so I can’t say for sure!