4 Perfect Veggie Burgers

June 26, 2014

Whether we're at a restaurant or a weekend barbecue, it always breaks our hearts just a little to get a veggie burger that's little more than a dry, beige puck. There's absolutely no reason the vegetarian option can't be as flavorful, savory, and robust as its carnivorous counterpart — if not even more of a gastronomic delight. These four veggie burgers are worthy occupants of any bun — no faux-meat here, just fantastically delicious combinations of beans, vegetables, legumes, and grains.

Portobello Burger with Blue Cheese and Sauteed Red Onions

Portobello Burger with Blue Cheese and Sauteed Red Onions
A far cry from the standard grilled-mushroom-cap-as-burger, these ultra-savory portobello patties get a further umami boost from garlic and steak sauce—a perfect match for a flavorful topping of melted blue cheese and tangy caramelized red onions.Helen Rosner

Black Bean Burger with Salsa Fresca and Avocado Crema

Black Bean Burger with Salsa Fresca and Avocado Crema
Cumin, paprika, coriander, and both poblano and chipotle chiles lend their robust flavor to this earthy black bean burger.Helen Rosner

Roasted Garlic Chickpea Burger

Roasted Garlic Chickpea Burger
We took inspiration from falafel when developing these burgers—but unlike the dense, often dry deep-fried chickpea fritters, this sautéed patty is both light and rich in texture, with added depth from roasted garlic.Helen Rosner

Quinoa Veggie Burger with Roasted Red Pepper Relish

Quinoa Veggie Burger with Roasted Red Pepper Relish
Our take on a classic meatless burger calls on a slew of vegetables for flavor, color, and texture: carrot, celery, arugula, beans, and—the ingredient that really makes it—quinoa, the high-protein South American grain that has a nutty flavor and toothsome bite. This veggie burger is infinitely versatile when it comes to toppings, but we particularly like it with a cumin-accented relish of roasted red peppers.Helen Rosner

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