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Hemp Tofu Burger with an optional Herbed White Bean Spread – No mushy veggie burgers allowed! This burger is very firm and will not fall apart when you take a bite. It’s wonderful on it’s own, but the flavor is mild enough that you can load it up with whatever toppings you see fit.
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve had someone tell me that they could never eat a plant based diet because they hate tofu. You could easily be 100% plant based and never touch tofu in your entire life. I maybe eat tofu once or twice a month. The majority of my diet comes from beans, lentils, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds.
However, I do love tofu. When cut into bitesize pieces and baked (like this Sesame Ginger Baked Tofu or Baked Tofu Tacos) or pan fried until crispy, it’s hard to stop eating!
There are many other ways that tofu is delicious as well (try this Tofu Scramble!), but today I’ve got a recipe for even those of you who think you don’t like tofu.
The tofu is disguised in this firm and “meaty” burger and you won’t get that spongy tofu texture that turns off so many.
It’s the perfect veggie burger for adding all the delicious toppings of your choice. Here I used a flavorful Herbed White Bean Spread (because tofu and hemp just wasn’t hippie enough for me!)
Ingredient notes
The main ingredient in these tofu burgers is, obviously, tofu!
In addition to aromatics like onion and garlic, these meatless burgers contain red bell peppers, tomato paste, and tamari (a gluten free condiment similar to soy sauce) for extra flavor and richness.
For texture, I add cornmeal and hemp seeds. Curious about hemp seeds? See this post about Protein Muffins.
Finally, for binding, brown rice flour work perfectly. If you don’t need a gluten free option, all-purpose wheat flour would also work.
How to press tofu
You’ll want to press your tofu first to get out as much moisture as possible. You can use a tofu press for this, but I find it just as easy to place it on a clean dishtowel (or paper towels) on a plate and then place another dishtowel (or paper towels) on top and then cover with another plate. Weigh the top plate down with something…I use bags of dried beans from the pantry…and let is sit for about 30 minutes.
My son loaded up his vegan burger with ketchup, mustard and pickle – just like a traditional burger. He has also declared this Tofu Burger his new favorite burger! Admittedly, I did’t tell him there was tofu in it until 3 days later. But that just proves that even if you don’t like tofu, you will like this burger!
Herbed White Bean Spread
I loved the Herbed White Bean Spread with this burger. It really brightened up the flavors. I used cannellini beans, which make the sauce super creamy…and the herbs and citrus ensure it doesn’t taste “beany.”
If you are looking for a veggie burger that holds up to all the toppings you can throw at it and doesn’t fall apart when you bite it, this Tofu Burger is for you!
More vegan burgers
- Chickpea Veggie Burger
- Falafel Burger
- BBQ Kidney Bean Kale Burger
- Spinach Artichoke White Bean Burgers
- Taco Burger
- Black Bean Salsa Burgers
- Asian Lentil Burger
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you tried it, please use the rating system in the recipe card and leave a comment below with your feedback.
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For even more easy family recipes, be sure to check out my cookbook, The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook!
Hemp Tofu Burger
Ingredients
Tofu Hemp Burger
- 8 ounces firm or extra firm tofu ½ block
- ½ sweet onion diced
- ½ cup hemp seeds
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste or ketchup
- 2 tablespoons gluten free tamari or soy sauce
- ½ cup cornmeal or breadcrumbs – gluten free if necessary
- ¼ cup brown rice flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Serving (optional, use what you like):
- burger buns gluten free, if desired
- Herbed White Bean Spread recipe below
- red onion slices
- pickles
- avocado
Herbed White Bean Spread (makes about 1 cup)
- 1 cup white beans
- 1 handful fresh parsley
- 1 handful fresh cilantro
- 2 scallions
- 2 garlic cloves
- juice of 1 lemon
- salt/pepper to taste
- water to thin if necessary
Instructions
- Press the tofu for 30 minutes.*
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- While tofu is pressing, make the Herbed White Bean Spread, if using. Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree. Add water 1 tbsp at a time, if needed, to thin. Place in the fridge until ready to serve.
- When the tofu is done, crumble it with your hands into a large mixing bowl.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix well. Use your hands (clean hands!) to mix it all together…I found this worked better than a spoon and it allows you to further mash up the tofu.
- The mixture will seem delicate, but it should stick together when pressed.
- Form into patties (I made mine about the size of my palm) and and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the burgers for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping half way through.
- For serving: Place one burger onto a bun and top with the Herbed White Bean Spread and any other toppings of choice.
Payal Patel says
Can i substitute cornmeal with flexseed meal?
Jenn S. says
Flaxmeal doesn’t have as much texture as cornmeal, so it might change the texture of the final burger, but I think it would still turn out okay. Let me know if you try it.
WholeFoodBellies says
Oh yum, this sounds delicious! We love veggie burgers around here, but I haven’t made one with tofu yet. I just happen to have a lovely block sitting in the fridge waiting to be used – tonights dinner is sorted 🙂
Jenn S. says
Perfect!! I hope you all enjoy! Please let me know how they turn out. 🙂
Michelle Blackwood says
This is a hearty and healthy high protein burger. Love tofu especially when its flavorful like in these burgers!
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Michelle! Gotta season up that tofu, right?!
Gin says
I’m actually going to buy hem seeds specially to make these burgers, they look so good. Pinned! I love the sound of an actually firm veggie burger. LOL this _is_ totally hippie, in a very awesome way. 🙂
Jenn S. says
Sometimes we gotta live up to our stereotype, right?! LOL!! I hope you love them! Please let me know how they turn out!
Rebecca @ NOURISHED. the blog says
These look awesome! I love a good meatless veggie burger and tofu and hemp seeds sound like a great combination. I normally don’t eat a lot of tofu but I think these burger will change that!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Rebecca! I don’t eat a ton of tofu either, but every once in awhile it’s soooo good!! I hope you love them!
Mel @ avirtualvegan.com says
I love the sound of these. It’s unusual for a veggie burger to be firm like these which is great. All too often you take a big bite on one side and half of it squirts out of the other in regular veggie burgers! I end up in such a mess.
Your spread sounds delicious too and would be great as a sandwich or wrap filling too.
Jenn S. says
Yes, I hate when a burger is squishy! I could think of many ways use the herbed bean spread. I did use it on a veggie sandwich the next day and it was delicious! Would be great as a dip too! Thanks, Mel!
Uma says
I love tofu in any form! But this is great idea of eating burger ! Thanks 🙂
Jenn S. says
Glad to know I’m not the only one! 🙂 Thanks, Uma!
nicoleanndawson says
Don’t you just love the honesty of kids? There are times I make something that I love but 1 of them will just not like it at all. Nice to know, I’m not alone. However, I think mine would all love this burger. It looks wonderful, especially with the bean puree.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Nicole! Kids definitely tell it like it is…that’s for sure! 🙂 To be fair, I have made plenty of veggie burgers that I haven’t really liked either. Ha! Only the great ones make the blog! 🙂
Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes.com says
This is one good looking veggie burger, Jenn! Makes me crave summer 🙂 Sharing!
Jenn S. says
Oh man, I have such spring fever, it’s not even funny!! Thanks, Vanessa!
pragatibidkar says
Love tofu…this veggie burger looks really good. I add chickpea flour or oats but never added rice flour yet
Jenn S. says
I’m sure either of those flours would work too, Pragati. Thanks!
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
i have come across so many people who are not into tofu and always tell them that there are other plant based sources of protein too…i love tofu in any shape/form so this looks perfect dinner option for me.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Dixya! Yeah, I think some people think tofu is the only plant based protein source. So far from it!! But, it IS a great addition to any diet…if done right! 🙂
Natalie Freed says
Its amazing to me that after all my cooking, I have never made a tofu burger! Beans, yes, Seitan, yes, but no tofu! What do you like about using tofu in burgers? Texture…moistness…?
Jenn S. says
It’s the firmness! It really holds together better than any bean burger (and I have some bean burgers that hold together really well, so that’s saying something!). And, since tofu is basically flavorless, you can season it up however you want and really takes that flavoring well! If you try it, let me know! Thanks, Natalie!
Letty / Letty's Kitchen says
I always have hemp seeds around for smoothies and salads and stuff. I just posted a blueberry hemp muffin recipe on my blog today! I can’t wait to try these veggie burgers. Pinned!
Jenn S. says
Thank you! That muffin sounds diving, Letty!! I’ll have to check that out for sure!
Linda @ Veganosity says
LOL! That’s so funny. I’ve heard that comment too. Like tofu is the only plant based food with protein? Those burgers sound wonderful. Pinning for later.
Jenn S. says
Some people seriously think that! Thank you for the PIN and kind words!!
foodhuntersguide says
That herbed bean spread sounds so yummy
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Theresa!