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These Vegan Lentil Burgers feature an Asian flavored twist on a veggie burger. Serve them with crunchy raw cabbage and carrots, fresh cilantro, and a creamy sesame sauce all wrapped in a large lettuce leaf.
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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!
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!
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. 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 Sesame Dressing. The kids went crazy for these too and my son even took one in his lunch the following day.
More vegan burger recipes
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you tried it, please use the star rating system in the recipe card and leave a comment with your feedback. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For even more easy family recipes, be sure to check out my cookbook, The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook!
Asian-Inspired Vegan Lentil Burgers
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked brown or green lentils
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 3 green onions rough chopped
- 2 garlic cloves chopped
- 2 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or gluten-free tamari
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- ½-3/4 cup bread crumbs gluten free, if desired
- 6 large lettuce leaves Bibb or green leaf works well
- raw shredded veggies I used a coleslaw mix (optional)
- fresh cilantro
- Creamy Sesame Salad Dressing for drizzling
Instructions
- 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 to 8 minutes.
- To the bowl of a food processor, add the mushrooms along with the lentils, brown rice, green onions, garlic, mayo, and soy sauce and pulse until well combined, but not puréed.
- Transfer the mixture into a large bowl and add the breadcrumbs. The mixture should form easily into patties. If it's too wet, add another 1 to 2 tablespoons of breadcrumbs. If it's too dry, add another splash of soy sauce or even water.
- Form the mixture into 6 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 to 30 minutes, flipping them over half way through. Alternately, you can pan fry in a tablespoon 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 Sesame Dressing. Wrap them up and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are calculated using online calculators and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data.
Paige @ Where Latin Meets Lagniappe
These look so tasty! A perfectly delicious lunch idea!
Jenn S.
Thanks, Paige! Let me know if you try them!
Sina @ Vegan Heaven
This sounds so delicious, Jenn! I love lentil burgers. And what a great idea to use lettuce wraps. 🙂
Jenn S.
Thank you so much, Sina! The lettuce wrap went perfectly with the flavors of the burger!
Levan Wee
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.
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
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.
Monica, that is a brilliant tip!! Sometimes mistakes are actually happy accidents!
Howie Fox
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.
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
Lettuce wraps are the best! Don’t you love taking random leftovers and turning them into something awesome? Great recipe, Jenn!
Jenn S.
You should have seen our dinner tonight, Linda! Talk about random leftovers…but it turned into some delicious enchiladas!! Leftovers rule!
Pretty Practical Pantry
I’m going to pin this so that I remember to make it later. Looks so delicious!!!!
Jenn S.
Thanks, Byron!! Pin away!! 🙂
Traditionally Modern Food
Burger with rice and lentil looks delicious
Jenn S.
Thanks!
Michelle
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.
Thank you so much, Michelle! Please let me know if you do!
Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes.com
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.
Me too, Vanessa! I LOVE lentils! Don’t know what I would do without them! I hope you love it!
pragatibidkar
Love these…the sesame based sauce really brings it together…and the lentil brown rice combo is really robust. Awesome!
Jenn S.
Thanks, Pragati!! The sauce really does make the meal!!
Christine
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.
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
That is hysterical Jenn! Surely there must be edible tape available. I mean there ARE edible underpants!!
Jenn S.
OMG, hysterical! I’ll let you know if I find any, but for now, Photoshop! 🙂
veggiesdontbite
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.
Thanks, Sophia! I’m actually glad I was out of buns because lettuce wraps really do go best with these!
veggiesdontbite
I bet! It’s almost like those asian chicken lettuce wraps but a vegan burger!
Jenn S.
Yes, exactly!
Natalie
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.
Yes! Double the flavor…always a winner! 🙂 Thanks, Natalie!
Strength and Sunshine
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.
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
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.
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
AHA!!! Found it. Brilliant. Thanks a bunch Jenn.
Jenn S.
Great!!