Description
This Ultimate Vegan Smash Burgers recipe delivers a deliciously crispy, flavorful plant-based burger made from black beans, lentils, and oat flour, complemented by a tangy vegan mayo sauce and fresh toppings. Perfect for a quick and satisfying vegan meal.
Ingredients
Vegan Burger Sauce
- ¼ cup vegan mayo
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dill pickle relish
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Burger Patties
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans
- ½ cup cooked brown lentils
- ½ cup oat flour
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs or panko
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (divided: ½ tsp in sauce, 1 tsp in mixture)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (divided: ½ tsp in sauce, 1 tsp in mixture)
- 1 teaspoon salt (divided: ½ tsp in sauce, ½ tsp in mixture)
- ¼ teaspoon pepper (added to mixture)
- Neutral oil, for frying
Assembly & Toppings
- 4 slices vegan cheese
- 2 burger buns, lightly toasted
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 4 lettuce leaves
- ¼ cup dill pickles
Instructions
- Prepare the vegan burger sauce: In a small bowl, combine vegan mayo, ketchup, mustard, dill pickle relish, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, and pepper. Stir well and chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Mash the beans: Drain and rinse the black beans, then mash them thoroughly in a bowl using a fork or pulse briefly in a food processor until broken down. Transfer to a large mixing bowl if using the processor.
- Mix the patties ingredients: Add the cooked brown lentils, oat flour, breadcrumbs, soy sauce, nutritional yeast, tomato paste, onion powder, remaining 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, and pepper to the mashed beans. Mix thoroughly with your hands until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Form patties: Divide the mixture into 4 equal-sized balls, shaping them just enough to handle before cooking.
- Heat the skillet: Add neutral oil to a cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan and heat over medium-high until shimmering.
- Smash and cook patties: Place one ball in the skillet and press it down firmly using a flat lid or spatula until about ¼-inch thick. Cook for 3 minutes undisturbed until the edges are crispy and browned.
- Flip and add cheese: Flip the patty, place a slice of vegan cheese on top, cover the skillet, and cook for another 3 minutes until the cheese melts and the patty is cooked through. Repeat with remaining patties.
- Prepare toppings: While the patties are cooking, slice the onion, tomato, lettuce, and prepare pickles.
- Assemble burgers: Spread the chilled vegan burger sauce on both the top and bottom halves of the lightly toasted buns. Layer on 2 patties per bun, then top with sliced onion, tomato, lettuce, and dill pickles as desired.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve immediately for best texture and flavor with your favorite sides or condiments.
Notes
- Using a cast iron skillet helps achieve the signature crispy edges of smash burgers.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste, especially salt and smoked paprika for more smoky flavor.
- Oat flour can be substituted with any gluten-free flour for a gluten-free option, and use gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed.
- You can make the patties ahead and refrigerate before cooking to make assembly faster.
- Feel free to customize toppings with avocado, vegan bacon, or spicy sauces.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 19 minutes
- Category: Burgers
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American