Indian cuisine is a vibrant tapestry of spices, textures, and colors, and it lends itself beautifully to vegetarian dishes that are both satisfying and packed with flavor. If you love burgers but want to enjoy a wholesome, meat-free alternative, this vegetarian Indian burger recipe is exactly what you need.
Combining the warmth of traditional Indian spices with fresh veggies and legumes, these burgers are hearty, nutritious, and perfect for any meal. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or looking for a unique weeknight dinner, this recipe will delight your taste buds and impress your guests.
The best part? These burgers are easy to make, versatile, and can be customized to suit your preferences.
Pair them with soft buns and your favorite chutneys or sauces for a truly authentic experience. Dive into the world of Indian flavors with this delicious vegetarian burger recipe that brings comfort and spice together in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Indian vegetarian burger recipe stands out because it perfectly balances taste, nutrition, and ease of preparation. The patties are made from a mixture of mashed chickpeas and potatoes, infused with aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, and garam masala.
This combination creates a rich, flavorful base that is both filling and wholesome.
Unlike typical veggie burgers that can sometimes be bland or fall apart, these patties hold their shape well and have a satisfying texture. They’re also gluten-free if you opt for gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps, making them suitable for various dietary needs.
Plus, you get the added bonus of incorporating nutrient-rich ingredients like onions, ginger, and fresh cilantro that bring freshness and health benefits to the table.
If you love experimenting with Indian flavors, this burger is a fantastic way to bring those tastes into a familiar format. It’s a great conversation starter, a crowd-pleaser, and a wonderful way to enjoy vegetarian eating in a fun and modern way.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas (or canned, drained and rinsed)
- 1 medium boiled potato, peeled and mashed
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
- 2 green chilies, finely chopped (optional, adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder (optional)
- 1 tbsp chickpea flour (besan), for binding
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp oil (for frying)
- 4 burger buns or lettuce leaves for a low-carb option
- Tomato slices, lettuce, onion rings, and chutney/mayo for assembling
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Fork or potato masher
- Non-stick frying pan or skillet
- Spatula
- Knife and chopping board
- Burger buns or serving plates
Instructions
- Mash the base: In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked chickpeas and boiled potato. Use a fork or potato masher to mash them together until mostly smooth but still retaining some texture.
- Prepare the aromatics: Add the finely chopped onion, minced garlic, grated ginger, and green chilies to the mashed mixture.
- Spice it up: Sprinkle in the cumin seeds, garam masala, coriander powder, turmeric, red chili powder, and salt. Mix thoroughly to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
- Add binding agent: Stir in the chickpea flour (besan) which helps bind the mixture so the patties hold their shape while cooking.
- Mix fresh herbs: Fold in the chopped fresh cilantro for a burst of freshness and color.
- Shape the patties: Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each into a firm patty, about 3/4 inch thick.
- Heat the pan: Warm the oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
- Cook the patties: Place the patties carefully in the hot pan. Cook each side for about 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crisp on the outside. Avoid flipping too frequently to maintain shape.
- Toast the buns: If using burger buns, lightly toast them on the pan or in a toaster until warm and slightly crispy.
- Assemble your burger: Spread your favorite chutney or mayo on the buns, add lettuce, the cooked patty, tomato slices, onion rings, and any other preferred toppings.
- Serve immediately: Enjoy your warm, flavorful Indian vegetarian burger with a side of fries or a fresh salad.
Tips & Variations
For the best texture, avoid over-mashing the chickpeas—some chunks add a nice bite.
If you want a vegan burger, use vegan-friendly buns and swap mayonnaise for a vegan chutney or hummus.
To add extra nutrition, mix in some finely grated carrots or spinach into the patty mixture.
Try serving the patties with mint-coriander chutney or tamarind sauce for authentic Indian flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Per Serving (1 burger patty + bun) |
---|---|
Calories | 320 kcal |
Protein | 12 g |
Carbohydrates | 45 g |
Fat | 8 g |
Fiber | 8 g |
Sodium | 350 mg |
Serving Suggestions
This Indian vegetarian burger pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides and drinks. Serve with crispy sweet potato fries or classic potato wedges for a comforting meal.
For a lighter option, a fresh cucumber and tomato salad with a squeeze of lemon complements the spices beautifully.
Don’t forget to add a cooling element like a mint raita or a tangy mango chutney to balance the warm spices in the burger. If you’re hosting friends or family, consider serving a platter with assorted Indian-style dips and pickles alongside these burgers for an exciting spread.
For a beverage, try a refreshing glass of masala chai or a cold mango lassi to round out the meal with authentic Indian flavors.
Conclusion
Creating a delicious vegetarian burger with an Indian twist is a delightful way to enjoy the best of both worlds: the familiarity of a burger and the bold, aromatic spices of Indian cuisine. This recipe is approachable for cooks of all levels and can be adapted to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.
With wholesome ingredients like chickpeas and potatoes, plus a medley of spices, these patties deliver on flavor, nutrition, and texture.
Whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or simply looking to add more plant-based meals to your diet, this Indian vegetarian burger is sure to become a favorite. Don’t forget to explore our other recipes like Instant Pot Vegetarian Recipes Indian Food Lovers Adore, Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious, and Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves to expand your culinary adventures!
📖 Recipe Card: Vegetarian Burger Recipe Indian
Description: A flavorful Indian-inspired vegetarian burger made with spiced chickpeas and vegetables. Perfect for a healthy and satisfying meal.
Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT15M
Total Time: PT35M
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup grated carrot
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1 green chili, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon chickpea flour (besan)
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons oil for cooking
- 4 burger buns
- Lettuce leaves and tomato slices for serving
Instructions
- Mash the chickpeas in a bowl until mostly smooth.
- Add grated carrot, onion, cilantro, green chili, and spices; mix well.
- Stir in bread crumbs and chickpea flour to bind the mixture.
- Form the mixture into 4 equal patties.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Cook patties for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Toast the burger buns lightly.
- Assemble burgers with lettuce, tomato, and cooked patties.
- Serve hot with chutney or ketchup.
Nutrition: Calories: 280 kcal | Protein: 12 g | Fat: 8 g | Carbs: 38 g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Vegetarian Burger Recipe Indian”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A flavorful Indian-inspired vegetarian burger made with spiced chickpeas and vegetables. Perfect for a healthy and satisfying meal.”, “prepTime”: “PT20M”, “cookTime”: “PT15M”, “totalTime”: “PT35M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed”, “1/2 cup grated carrot”, “1/4 cup finely chopped onion”, “2 tablespoons chopped cilantro”, “1 green chili, finely chopped”, “1 teaspoon garam masala”, “1/2 teaspoon ground cumin”, “1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder”, “1/4 cup bread crumbs”, “1 tablespoon chickpea flour (besan)”, “Salt to taste”, “2 tablespoons oil for cooking”, “4 burger buns”, “Lettuce leaves and tomato slices for serving”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mash the chickpeas in a bowl until mostly smooth.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add grated carrot, onion, cilantro, green chili, and spices; mix well.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in bread crumbs and chickpea flour to bind the mixture.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Form the mixture into 4 equal patties.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cook patties for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Toast the burger buns lightly.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Assemble burgers with lettuce, tomato, and cooked patties.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Serve hot with chutney or ketchup.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “280 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “12 g”, “fatContent”: “8 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “38 g”}}