Meta Description: Learn how to make delicious vegan sweet potato lentil burgers. This easy recipe is packed with flavor and is the perfect plant-based alternative for your next barbecue.
🍔 The Burger That Fooled My Dad: My Vegan Revelation
My dad is a burger purist. For him, a burger is a patty of seasoned ground beef, a slice of cheese, and maybe a little ketchup on a bun. He’s a man of simple pleasures, and he was always skeptical of my attempts to introduce new things, especially vegetarian things, to our weekly barbecue rotation. I wanted to create a burger that was so good, so flavorful, and so satisfying that it could win him over. I was tired of serving sad veggie burgers that tasted like cardboard. I wanted a burger that was hearty, a little bit sweet, and had a good, meaty texture.
I had some cooked lentils from a recipe I had made the night before, a few sweet potatoes that needed to be used, and a head full of ideas. I decided to combine them. I figured the sweet potato would add a beautiful, naturally sweet flavor, and the lentils would provide a good, hearty texture. I mashed them together with some spices, a little bit of onion, and a binder, and then I formed them into patties. I pan-fried them until they were golden brown and had a beautiful crust. I served one to my dad, telling him it was a “new kind of burger.” He took a bite, and his eyes widened. He finished the whole thing and said, “That’s actually really good. What’s in it?” When I told him it was a vegan burger made of sweet potatoes and lentils, he couldn’t believe it.
That day, the vegan sweet potato lentil burgers became a new staple in our house. They are the perfect solution for anyone who wants a delicious, satisfying, and healthy burger without the meat. They’re so good that they can convert even the most skeptical meat-eater. They are a dish that feels comforting and new, and they are a wonderful way to bring a little bit of plant-based magic to your table.
🌱 The Power of Plants: Why This Burger Is So Good
A great burger patty needs a few things: it needs to be hearty, it needs to be flavorful, and it needs to hold its shape. This vegan burger hits all those notes, using a few simple plant-based ingredients to create a perfect patty.
The foundation of the burger is a combination of sweet potatoes and lentils.1 The sweet potato, when cooked and mashed, provides a beautiful, naturally sweet flavor and a soft, creamy texture that helps to bind the patty together. The lentils are the hero ingredient. They are a fantastic source of plant-based protein and fiber, and when cooked and mashed, they create a wonderful, hearty texture that mimics the texture of ground meat.
The flavor in this recipe comes from a few simple spices that add a warm, earthy, and smoky note. Smoked paprika, cumin, and garlic powder all work together to give the burgers a delicious, savory taste that makes them feel so much more substantial. The use of oats or breadcrumbs as a binder is crucial. They help to absorb any excess moisture from the sweet potato and lentils and ensure that the patties hold their shape while they cook.
This recipe for vegan sweet potato lentil burgers is a testament to the idea that you can create a complex and satisfying meal with simple, wholesome ingredients. It’s a dish that is both nourishing for the body and comforting for the soul.
✅ The Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients. The key is to use cooked and cooled sweet potatoes and lentils.
- For the Burgers:
- 1 large sweet potato, roasted or boiled and mashed (about 1½ cups)
- 1½ cups cooked brown or green lentils, cooled
- ½ cup finely diced yellow onion2
- 2 cloves garlic, minced3
- ½ cup rolled oats or breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- For Frying:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil4
- For Serving (suggestions):
- Burger buns or lettuce wraps
- Sliced avocado
- Tomato slices
- Red onion slices
- Arugula or lettuce
- Your favorite condiments (ketchup, mustard, vegan mayo)
🍽️ Step-by-Step Instructions
Total preparation and cooking time: 45 minutes
Making these burgers is a simple process. The key is to get your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start forming the patties.
- Prep the Sweet Potato and Lentils: You can either roast or boil the sweet potato until it’s very tender. Mash it until it’s smooth. Make sure your lentils are cooked and cooled completely.
- Make the Burger Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the mashed sweet potato, cooked lentils, finely diced onion, minced garlic, rolled oats or breadcrumbs, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Use your hands to mix everything together until it’s well combined and you have a cohesive mixture.
- Form the Patties: Divide the mixture into 4-6 equal portions. Use your hands to form each portion into a patty, about ½-inch thick. If the patties are too sticky, you can add a little more oats or breadcrumbs.
- Cook the Burgers: Heat the olive oil or vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place the patties in the skillet, leaving a little space between each one. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and have a beautiful, crispy crust.
- Serve: Serve the burgers immediately on a bun with all your favorite toppings.
🌟 Pro Tips for a Perfect Patty
- Use Cooked and Cooled Ingredients: Using warm or hot sweet potato and lentils can make the mixture too soft and difficult to form into a patty. Make sure everything is completely cooled.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the burgers in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. If the pan is too crowded, the burgers will steam instead of fry, and they won’t get that beautiful crispy crust.
- Gently Form the Patties: Be gentle when you form the patties. You don’t want to over-compress them, or they will become tough.
- The Right Oil: Using a neutral oil with a high smoke point is a good choice for pan-frying. Olive oil or vegetable oil works perfectly.
🍽️ Creative Variations & Pairing Suggestions
This vegan sweet potato lentil burgers recipe is a fantastic base for all sorts of other flavors and ingredients. You can customize it to your heart’s content.
- Add a Different Spice: You can add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little bit of heat, or some dried oregano for a more herbaceous flavor.
- Add a Crunch: You can fold in some chopped walnuts or a tablespoon of pumpkin seeds to the mixture for an added crunch.
- Make It a Bowl: Instead of a burger, you can crumble the patties over a bed of quinoa or a simple side salad for a deconstructed burger bowl.
- Pairing Suggestions:
- With a Simple Side Salad: A light green salad with a simple vinaigrette would be a perfect complement to the richness of the burgers.
- With Sweet Potato Fries: Serve the burgers with a side of crispy sweet potato fries for a complete and delicious meal.
- With Coleslaw: A simple, crunchy coleslaw would be a great textural contrast to the soft, hearty burgers.
❓ Common Questions Answered
- Can I bake these instead of frying? You can, but they won’t have that classic crispy, fried texture. To bake them, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through.5
- Can I use a different type of lentil? Yes, you can. Brown or green lentils would work best, as they hold their shape better. Red lentils will break down too much.
- How do I store leftovers? Leftover burgers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can reheat them in a pan on the stovetop or in a toaster oven to bring back their crispiness.
| Nutritional Information (per burger) | Amount |
| Calories | 350 kcal |
| Protein | 15g |
| Fat | 10g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Carbohydrates | 50g |
| Fiber | 10g |
| Sugar | 8g |
This information is an estimate based on standard ingredients for one of four burgers and may vary.
✨ A Delicious and Healthy Game-Changer
These vegan sweet potato lentil burgers are a true testament to the idea that a healthy meal can be both delicious and satisfying. They are a simple, easy-to-make, and incredibly versatile dish that is a perfect solution for a busy weeknight or a quick lunch. The combination of sweet potato, hearty lentils, and savory spices is simply irresistible.
This recipe is a must-try for anyone who wants to add a little flair to their weekly meals. It’s a simple, brilliant way to create a dish that is both healthy and delicious.
Give this recipe a try and let me know how it goes! What are your favorite vegetarian burger toppings?