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Easy 6-Ingredient Lentil Burgers

These crispy and tender lentil burgers are made with just six budget-friendly ingredients. Perfect for busy weeknights or laid-back weekends, they're protein-rich and family-friendly.
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Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 4 burgers
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Vegan, Vegetarian
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1.5 cups dried red lentils Soaked for 2 hours
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 large shallot, small dice (or 1 small onion, about 1/3 cup)
  • 1/3 cup grated carrots (about 3 small)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Neutral flavored cooking oil (for pan frying, optional)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400ºF. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  2. Soak the lentils in enough water to cover by about 2 inches for two hours. Rinse and drain thoroughly.
  3. Place the ingredients into a food processor: Add the drained lentils, garlic, shallot, carrot, tomato paste, cilantro, salt, and black pepper. Pulse until well combined and the mixture holds together, scraping down the sides as needed.
  4. Scoop out ¼ cup of the mixture at a time and shape it into patties about ½ inch thick.
Cooking
  1. Option 1 – Bake: Bake the patties for 10 minutes. Flip them over and bake for another 10 minutes, or until crispy on both sides.
  2. Option 2 – Pan-Fry: Heat enough oil in a large nonstick skillet. Cook for about 4 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy, doing this in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Serving
  1. Serve with a bun and your favorite toppings, a side salad, or oven-roasted potatoes.

Notes

For added spice, toss in a dash of cayenne pepper or chili flakes. If the mixture feels too wet, add a tablespoon of breadcrumbs. Make a big batch and freeze for easy meals.