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Lentil Burger Lettuce Wraps – an Asian flavored twist on a veggie burger. Oil-free and gluten-free options available. These burgers are crisp and firm on the outside, soft and moist on the inside and hold up really well.
There’s a new favorite burger in our house and it’s this Asian Lentil Burger. I was staring in the fridge at leftover lentils and leftover brown rice and, voila, this burger was born. But, I was out of buns the day I served them, so they became Asian Lentil Burger Lettuce Wraps. And you can’t serve lettuce wraps without a dipping sauce, so then I created this amazing Creamy Sesame Soy Asian Dressing that I posted for you the other day. And instead of using it as a dipping sauce, I just drizzled it all over the top of these lentils burgers. Ok, maybe I did also dip it into the sauce because it’s just that good! If you love Asian flavors and want to switch up the usual stirfry/noodle routine, this one is for you!
Bring the Flavor
Have you ever noticed that the only way most meat burgers are varied is by changing up the toppings? Now it’s a cheeseburger, now it’s a bacon burger, now it’s a mushroom burger….but the burger is always the same. Why is that? Putting the flavor IN the burger is where it’s at! That’s why veggie burgers rule. This baby is chock full of lentils, rice, mushrooms, green onions, garlic, soy sauce, sriracha and more! Wrap it all up in lettuce topped with some shredded veggies and dressing and now you are eating your salad, too….all in one bite. That’s smart eating and being efficient!
Texture is Key
And I would bet that you could fool the omnivores with the way this burger looks. It’s crisp and firm on the outside, soft and moist on the inside and holds up well. You could put this on a bun if you wanted to. I experimented with baking and pan frying these lentil burgers, and while I did prefer the later, they are delicious either way. They are more firm if you bake them, but more moist if you pan fry…just depends if you want them to be oil-free (baked) or not. I also give a gluten-free option in the recipe notes, so be sure to check that out if you wish.
I topped mine with raw coleslaw veggies and fresh cilantro before drizzling on the Asian Dressing. The kids went crazy for these too and my son even took one in his lunch the following day.
Lentil Burger Lettuce Wraps
I hope guys love these Asian Lentil Burger Lettuce Wraps as much as we do. If you try them, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. You can also find me on social media. Be sure to tag @veggie_inspired and #veggieinspired so I’m sure to see it. Enjoy!
A Asian flavored twist on a veggie burger. Oil-free and gluten-free options available. These burgers are crisp and firm on the outside, soft and moist on the inside and hold up really well.
- 1 cup cooked lentils
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 1/2 lb sliced mushrooms
- 3 green onions (rough chopped)
- 2 garlic cloves (chopped)
- 1/4 cup aquafaba (chickpea brine)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten free)
- 1 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp sriracha
- salt/pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup vital wheat gluten (or gluten free breadcrumbs)
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs (gluten free if needed)
- 6-8 large lettuce leaves (Bibb or Green Leaf works well)
- Raw shredded veggies (I used a coleslaw mix) (optional)
- Fresh Cilantro
- Creamy Sesame Soy Asian Dressing
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. (Skip this step if you plan to pan fry)
- In a small pan on the stove, sauté the mushrooms over medium heat until soft, about 7-8 minutes.
- To the bowl of a food processor, add the mushrooms along with the lentils, brown rice, green onions, garlic, aquafaba, soy sauce, and sriracha and pulse until well combined, but not pureed.
- Pour the mixture out into a medium bowl and add the vital wheat gluten (or 1/2 cup breadcrumbs). Massage the mixture with your clean hands for several minutes until the gluten starts to work (it will start to get "stringy". If you are using breadcrumbs instead of vital wheat gluten, just stir to combine.
Add the breadcrumbs (or other 1/2 cup if you already used them in the previous step) and stir to combine. The mixture should form easily into patties. If it's too wet, add another 1-2 tbsp of breadcrumbs. If it's too dry, add another splash of soy sauce or even water.
- Form the mixture into 6-8 patties. You can cook them right away or place the patties in the fridge in a single layer for 30 minutes to firm up even more.
- Bake the patties in the oven for 25-30 minutes, flipping them over half way through. Alternately, you can pan fry in a tbsp of oil for about 5 minutes each side on medium heat.
- Lay your lettuce leaves flat, top each one with a burger, raw shredded veggies, if using, fresh cilantro, if using, and a drizzle of the Asian Dressing. Wrap them up and enjoy!
~Nutrition facts calculated for burgers alone, not including any toppings.
More Creative Veggie Burgers to Love:
Spinach Artichoke White Bean Burgers
Suzan says
Tried this recipe and it is wonderful! Will definitely make it again. Thank you for sharing this recipe and so many others that are just great! If I hadn’t found you I might not have stayed vegan.
Jenn Sebestyen says
Suzan, thank you so much! I’m so happy you love the recipe and so many others. Please don’t hesitate to reach out via social or e-mail if you ever need some extra motivation! And let me know if you have any recipe requests! Have a great week!
Trinity Bourne says
This sounds like totally fab feel-good food. I love that you’ve wrapped it in lettuce… 10/10 for that 🙂
Jenn S. says
A perfect 10…wow! Thanks, Trinity! 🙂
Dianne says
I love the idea of combining a veggie burger with asian-style lettuce wraps! So creative!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Dianne! They lettuce wrap definitely complements the burger perfectly!
Cadry's Kitchen says
That’s such a great point about putting the flavor IN the burger instead of around it. And I like that you used lentils for the burger. They have so much deep deliciousness built into them.
Jenn S. says
If I was stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing…it would be lentils. I can’t get enough of them! Thanks, Cadry!
The vegan 8 says
These look so amazing! The texture and flavors all look perfect! I totally agree with what you said too, I don’t want a plain burger patty, I want the flavor IN the burger too! Then toppings and more flavor! I hate plain tasting food. I need to try these, I just love everything about them!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Brandi! I’ve got plans to try your Red Beans & Rice Burger too…it sounds so delicious! Flavor IN the burgers are where it’s at!
Becky says
Ooh I love this! The lettuce instead of a bun is genius.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Becky!! I honestly don’t think these would be quite as good on a bun. It really takes all the different components to make the delicious flavors all stand out!
Richa Gupta says
How cute are these lettuce wraps and how have I never thought of this!! Brilliant!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Richa! The lettuce wrap idea kind of happened on a whim, but it worked out so well!!
Willow says
Isn’t it fun when you can make something out of leftovers! You may have been out of buns, but I love to substitute collard greens for wraps and lettuce leaves for sandwiches. These flavors sound wonderful! I love to use sriracha in my cooking. Your dressing sounds yummy as well!
Jenn S. says
I LOVE collard wraps! Thanks so much, Willow! Sriarcha makes everything better, right?!
markr356 says
Love the Asian touch and wrapped in the lettuce keeps it light and healthy.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Mark! Yup, go ahead and have two!
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago says
As much as I love a good beef burger, veggie burgers are always a great option when you want something lighter. These sound wonderful, especially that sauce!!
Jenn S. says
Thanks so much, Kathryn! I’ve used the sauce on many other things since…it’s so good!
Paige @ Where Latin Meets Lagniappe says
These look so tasty! A perfectly delicious lunch idea!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Paige! Let me know if you try them!
Sina @ Vegan Heaven says
This sounds so delicious, Jenn! I love lentil burgers. And what a great idea to use lettuce wraps. 🙂
Jenn S. says
Thank you so much, Sina! The lettuce wrap went perfectly with the flavors of the burger!
Levan Wee says
LOVE LOVE LOVE this! And I see a hint of aquafaba inside the recipe? Amazing!! 🙂 Always a pleasure to see your new recipes Jennifer!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Levan!! Aquafaba is my new favorite egg replacer. I’ve been using it in everything. Still need to try out your AMAZING macaroons though!
Monica Gilbert says
Aqua faba is also brilliant to dunk tofu in after dowsing with flour and before crumbing. I made the mistake of not wiping the bottom of the glass jar I poured the aqua faba into before I put it in the fridge. It’s excellent as glue!
Jenn S. says
Monica, that is a brilliant tip!! Sometimes mistakes are actually happy accidents!
Howie Fox says
Oh woww, I like the idea, this wrap sounds delicious! I’d leave out the mushrooms though. I only eat them when I really have no other choice. Like when I’m on the moon and that’s the only edible thing left. =P
Jenn S. says
LOL, Hauke!! My son detests mushrooms too, but he happily gobbled these up. He had no clue they were in there. You don’t taste them, but they do give a nice depth of flavor. You should try it!!!
Linda @ Veganosity says
Lettuce wraps are the best! Don’t you love taking random leftovers and turning them into something awesome? Great recipe, Jenn!
Jenn S. says
You should have seen our dinner tonight, Linda! Talk about random leftovers…but it turned into some delicious enchiladas!! Leftovers rule!
veganinthefreezer says
Oh, man! These sound absolutely fantastic. Love the flavors and then eating them as a lettuce wrap sounds even better.
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Ginny! Sometimes it’s a good problem to be out of bread/buns! 🙂
Pretty Practical Pantry says
I’m going to pin this so that I remember to make it later. Looks so delicious!!!!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Byron!! Pin away!! 🙂
Traditionally Modern Food says
Burger with rice and lentil looks delicious
Jenn S. says
Thanks!
Michelle says
This burger lettuce wrap resonates well with me. I just love everything about this recipe and I can’t wait to try it!
Jenn S. says
Thank you so much, Michelle! Please let me know if you do!
Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes.com says
Love this healthier version of a burger. I’m such a big lentil fan and try to eat them at least twice a week. Looks like I’ll have to try this recipe out soon 🙂
Jenn S. says
Me too, Vanessa! I LOVE lentils! Don’t know what I would do without them! I hope you love it!
pragatibidkar says
Love these…the sesame based sauce really brings it together…and the lentil brown rice combo is really robust. Awesome!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Pragati!! The sauce really does make the meal!!
Christine says
Loving all the flavors in this and the no bun necessary-ness of it. HOW on earth, though, did you get your lettuce to swaddle that burger so perfectly? Mine NEVER look like that. Be honest. Did you use tape 😉
Jenn S. says
LOL, Christine. I’ll let you in on my little secret: I had an ugly looking toothpick in there and I photoshopped it out. Ha! Because for the life of me I couldn’t get it to stay closed without the toothpick. I tried “sealing” it with sauce, but that didn’t work either. Tape is a pretty good idea though!! 😉
Monica Gilbert says
That is hysterical Jenn! Surely there must be edible tape available. I mean there ARE edible underpants!!
Jenn S. says
OMG, hysterical! I’ll let you know if I find any, but for now, Photoshop! 🙂
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchenc says
I seriously want to take a big bite of this 🙂 I love eating my burgers in lettuce wraps as well! Love that sauce on top!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Ceara! The sauce makes the meal, right?
veggiesdontbite says
I love a good veggie burger and this sounds delicious! Lettuce wraps are such a good twist too. I love this when I don’t feel like too much bread. YUM!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Sophia! I’m actually glad I was out of buns because lettuce wraps really do go best with these!
veggiesdontbite says
I bet! It’s almost like those asian chicken lettuce wraps but a vegan burger!
Jenn S. says
Yes, exactly!
Natalie says
I love the lettuce wrap idea, why have I never tried this before!!!? And the texture looks amazing, between the mushrooms and the lentils i bet there is a lot umami going on in every dang bite! Plus I love asian flavors, always my favorite <3 You are so right about putting the flavor in the burger with veggie burgers, plus then you can still put a sauce on top and have double complimentary flavors going on!!! Vegan food really is the best 🙂
Jenn S. says
Yes! Double the flavor…always a winner! 🙂 Thanks, Natalie!
Strength and Sunshine says
Woowee! These look like meat burgers! (Scared me for a second) 😉 Haha!
Soo good though! Asian flavors are some of the best…sesame love for life!
Jenn S. says
LOL, Rebecca! Don’t worry, you won’t be finding any meat here, I promise! I am huge sesame lover too!! It’s so good! Have a great weekend!
Monica Gilbert says
This looks absolutely wonderful but I have a memory like a sieve so I need to print the recipe. Is there a print button that I’m missing? And yes, yes, I’m all for keeping it green but being vegan I’m way ahead of the meat eaters in saving the planet.
Jenn S. says
Hi, Monica! There is a print button right below the picture in the recipe box. I need to find a way to make that bigger!! Have a great weekend!
Monica Gilbert says
AHA!!! Found it. Brilliant. Thanks a bunch Jenn.
Jenn S. says
Great!!