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A hamburger consists of a cooked patty of ground meat, seafood, or vegetarian foods, usually placed between two slices of a bread roll. Hamburgers are often served with lettuce, bacon, tomato, onion, pickles, cheese, and condiments such as mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup, and relish. There are many types of hamburgers with significant variations.

Black bean burgers  Print Recipe

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

2 (14 ounce) cans black beans, drained, rinsed, and patted dry
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
3/4 cup finely chopped bell pepper (1/2 of a pepper)
1 cup finely chopped yellow onion (1/2 of a large onion)
3 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 Tablespoon)
1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 cup bread crumbs or oat flour
1/2 cup feta cheese
2 large eggs
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 Tablespoons ketchup, mayo, or BBQ sauce
pinch salt and pepper

Black bean burgers

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190°C). Grease cookie sheet or line with parchment paper and set aside.
Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Spread beans evenly onto a lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes until slightly dried out.
Meanwhile, sauté olive oil, chopped pepper, onion, and garlic over medium heat until peppers and onions are soft,and no moisture left about 5-6 minutes. Place in a large bowl or in a food processor with the remaining ingredients. Stir or pulse everything together, then add the black beans. Mash with a fork or pulse the mixture, leaving some larger chunks of beans.
Form into patties– about 1/3 cup of mixture in each.
To bake: Place patties on a lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F (191°C) for 10 minutes on each side, 20 minutes total. To grill: Place patties on greased aluminum foil and grill 8 minutes on each side. Heat temperature is personal preference as all grills differ. Generally, black bean burgers should grill on medium-high heat about 350°F (177°C) – 400°F (204°C).
Serve with your favorite toppings.

Make ahead tip: Cooked or uncooked black bean burgers freeze wonderfully! Stack between parchment paper in a freezer container or zipped-top bag. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat to your liking or, if uncooked, cook according to instructions.

Chickpea-broccoli burgers  Print Recipe

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

½ cup couscous
1 cup water
1 ½ cups broccoli florets
2 tsp. olive oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 Tbs. toasted sesame tahini
¼ to ½ cup plain dry breadcrumbs
Salt to taste

Chickpea-broccoli burgers

Preparation:

In small saucepan, bring couscous and water to a boil; turn off heat, cover and let stand until liquid is absorbed and couscous is tender, about 10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup couscous and save remaining for another use.
Meanwhile, steam broccoli until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from steamer and set aside to cool.
In medium skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in cumin. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Preheat oven to 400F. Line large cookie sheet with foil, then dust with breadcrumbs.
In food processor or blender, combine couscous, broccoli, onions, chickpeas and tahini. Process until blended, stopping to scrape down sides of bowl when necessary. Transfer mixture to large bowl. Gradually add 1/4 cup bread crumbs. Add enough additional bread crumbs until mixture is stiff enough to form into patties but still moist. Season with salt.
Shape mixture into 3-inch patties (1/2-inch thick). Put patties on prepared cookie sheet. Bake until lightly browned on both sides about 30 minutes, turning once halfway. They can be served at this point or grilled or broiled until crispy for 1 or 2 minutes per side.

Lentils mini burgers  Print Recipe

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

1 cup lentils
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 small carrot, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 ounces Button Mushrooms, wiped clean and sliced
2 large eggs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 cup Marinara sauce

Lentils mini burgers

Preparation:

Combine the lentils and 2 quarts water in a medium stockpot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the lentils are soft about 20 minutes. Drain the lentils and allow to cool.

Add 1/4 cup of the olive oil to a large frying pan and sauté the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, and salt over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and just beginning to brown. Add the tomato paste and continue to cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, for 10 more minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and allow to cool to room temperature. When cool, add the lentils to the vegetable mixture.

Add the eggs, Parmesan, bread crumbs, parsley, and walnuts to the cooled vegetable mixture and mix by hand until thoroughly incorporated. Place in the refrigerator for 25 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil into a 9×13-inch baking dish and use your hand to evenly coat the entire surface. Set aside.

Shape the mixture into mini burgers (about 1 1/2 inches), making sure to pack the vegetable mixture firmly. Place in the prepared baking dish, allowing 1/4-inch of space between the burgers.

Roast for 30 minutes, or until the mini burgers are firm and cooked through.
serve with marinara sauce.

Salmon burgers  Print Recipe

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:12 minutes

4 kaiser rolls, or hamburger buns
1 tablespoon butter, softened
1 pound salmon, boned and skinned
1/2 cup seeded and diced red bell pepper
1/2 cup seeded and diced green bell pepper
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
1/4 teaspoon green tabasco sauce
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
to taste salt, ground black pepper
1 egg white
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 teaspoon butter
4 thick slices large tomatoes
1/2 cup tartar sauce
2 cups cole slaw

Salmon burgers

Preparation:

Preheat the broiler. Lightly brush bread with butter. Broil on both sides for about 2 minutes. Set aside.
To prepare the salmon burger mixture:
Cube the boneless and skinless salmon. Chop finely on a cutting board. In a large bowl, combine the salmon with the red and green peppers, green onion, tabasco, salt and pepper to taste. Beat the egg white with a wire whisk until soft peaks form. Fold into the salmon mixture.
Divide into 4 equal portions, shape into patties 3/4-inch thick and 4 inches in diameter.
Refrigerate the patties on a tray until ready to use.
When chilled they hold together better.
Preheat a large nonstick skillet on the stove over medium heat until hot.
Brush the salmon burgers with canola oil on both sides, and carefully place in the skillet. Cook until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn and continue cooking the burgers until they are browned and just cooked through.
PRESENTATION
Arrange each salmon burger on a bun. Top with a slice of tomato, one heaping tablespoon of tartar sauce, 1/4 cup mixed green salad and finish with another piece of bread.

Salmon burgers with cole slaw  Print Recipe

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

See Salmon Burgers recipe
Cole slaw:
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3 cups finely shredded cabbage
1 large carrot, shredded coarse
1 small red onion, sliced thin

Salmon burgers with cole slaw

Preparation:

Make cole slaw:
In a large bowl whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and mustard.
Add remaining cole slaw ingredients and salt and pepper to taste and toss to combine well.
Cole slaw may be made 4 hours ahead and chilled, covered.

Salmon burgers with herb aïoli  Print Recipe

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

2 small cloves garlic
salt
1-1/2 cups mayonnaise
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh chives
2 Tbs. finely chopped fresh dill
1-1/2 Tbs. Dijon mustard
1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1/8 tsp. cayenne
Freshly ground black pepper

5 brioche, hamburger or Kaiser buns, 1 cut into large cubes, the other 4 split
1 lb (2 cups) skinless salmon fillets, skinned and boned, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 oz. (4 Tbs.) unsalted butter

Salmon burgers with herb aïoli

Preparation:

Mash and chop the garlic with a pinch of salt. Transfer the garlic to a small bowl and stir in the mayonnaise, chives, dill, mustard, lemon juice, cayenne, 1/4 tsp. pepper, and salt to taste. Set the aïoli aside.

In a food processor, pulse the cubed bun into crumbs. Set aside 1/2 cup of the crumbs and save the rest for another use. Pulse the salmon until coarsely chopped, about 5 pulses. Transfer the salmon to a medium bowl and stir in 3/4 cup of the aïoli, the reserved breadcrumbs, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Shape into four 1-inch-thick patties.

Heat 2 Tbs. of the butter in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When melted and hot (but not smoking or brown), add the patties and cook until they are firm and each side is crisp and golden-brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side.

Brush melted butter on the insides of the split buns. Put the buns on a baking sheet, butter side up, and toast under the broiler until light golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.
Serve the burgers on the buns, spread with the remaining aïoli.

Serve with Spinach Salad.

Spicy edamame burgers  Print Recipe

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

1 lb shelled edamame thawed or fresh
1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
4 ounces (110 g) sliced mushrooms, shiatake or crimini
1/3 cup water
4 garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon low salt soy sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon chickpea flour or cornstarch
Oil, for frying

Spicy edamame burgers

Preparation:

Combine the edamame, chickpeas, mushrooms, water, garlic, cumin, soy sauce and salt and pepper in a food processor and process until smooth. Transfer into a large bowl.
Add the flour and mix well
Place the bowl in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes to make it easier to handle when forming the patties.
Shape mixture into 10 patties.Dust both sides of the patties with chickpea flour or cornstarch.
Heat the oil in a sauté pan and fry the patties for 4 to 5 minutes on each sides, or until golden brown on both sides.
Serve on top of a spinach sald, or on a toasted bun.

Sweet potato burgers  Print Recipe

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour

1 large sweet potato
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
4 cups cooked cannellini beans
2 tsp favorite spice blend (such as cajun or curry powder)
1/4 cup almond flour
5 oz mixed salad greens
Dressing:
1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced
2 tbsp tahini paste
1 lemon juice
1 lemon zest
1 garlic clove, minced

Sweet potato burgers

Preparation:

Make the burgers: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a small baking sheet with foil.

Using a fork, prick deep holes all over the sweet potato. Brush it with 1 teaspoon of the olive oil. Season generously with salt and black pepper and bake until completely soft, 45 to 50 minutes; a knife should easily slide through. Let it cool until you can handle it.

Peel the sweet potato and place the flesh in a medium bowl. Add the beans and mash the potato and beans together with a potato masher or large fork. Season the mixture with the spice blend, cayenne pepper, and salt and black pepper to taste.

Stir in the almond flour and shape the mixture into 8 patties.

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large cast-iron pan and brown the patties until crispy and golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side.

Make the dressing: In a small bowl whisk together all of the dressing ingredients until smooth. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

Assemble the burgers: Place the burgers on a bed of greens and top each one with a few slices of avocado. Drizzle a little tahini dressing over each burger and serve immediately. You may also add your favorite burger toppings such as caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, or your favorite burger condiment. Any leftover sweet potato mixture can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.