Description
These Carrot & Sesame Burgers are a delicious vegetarian option packed with grated carrots, chickpeas, and aromatic spices. Combined with tahini and lemon zest, they offer a flavorful and wholesome meal perfect for grilling or pan-frying. Served in wholemeal buns with creamy lemony sesame yogurt, avocado, rocket, and a touch of chili sauce, they make for a satisfying and healthy burger experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Burgers
- 750g carrots, peeled and grated
- 410g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 small onion, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp tahini paste
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 100g wholemeal breadcrumbs
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 3 tbsp sesame seeds
- Seasoning (salt and pepper) to taste
Lemony Sesame Yogurt
- 150ml natural yogurt
- 1 tsp tahini paste
- 1 tsp lemon juice
To Serve
- 6 wholemeal buns
- Rocket leaves
- Sliced red onion
- Sliced avocado
- Chilli sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the burger mixture: Put a third of the grated carrot into a food processor along with the drained chickpeas, roughly chopped onion, 2 tablespoons tahini, ground cumin, and the egg. Whizz everything together until it forms a thick paste. Transfer this mixture into a large mixing bowl.
- Cook the remaining carrot: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in your largest frying pan over medium heat. Add the remaining grated carrot and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the carrot softens and turns a more golden color.
- Combine all ingredients: Add the cooked carrot to the food processor mixture in the bowl. Then add the wholemeal breadcrumbs, lemon zest, sesame seeds, and season well with salt and pepper. Mix everything thoroughly using your hands until well combined.
- Shape and chill the burgers: Divide the mixture into six equal portions. With wet hands, shape each portion into a burger patty. Cover the patties and place in the fridge to chill until ready to cook.
- Prepare the lemony sesame yogurt: In a small bowl, mix the natural yogurt with the remaining 1 teaspoon tahini paste and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Chill this sauce until serving time.
- Cook the burgers: Preheat a barbecue or heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Brush the burgers with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook the burgers for 5 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crisp.
- Toast the buns: While the burgers are cooking, warm or toast the wholemeal buns. You can place them on the barbecue alongside the burgers or toast in a toaster or oven.
- Assemble the burgers: Spread each bun base with some of the lemony sesame yogurt sauce. Layer on rocket leaves, sliced avocado, the cooked burger patty, sliced red onion, and more rocket leaves. Finish with a drizzle of chilli sauce and top with the bun lid.
Notes
- For a vegan version, substitute the egg with a flax egg or mashed banana and use a plant-based yogurt.
- Ensure the burgers are well chilled before cooking to help them hold together better.
- Brush the burgers with oil to prevent sticking and promote browning.
- Adjust chili sauce amount according to your spice preference.
- Wholemeal buns add fiber and nutrients for a healthier burger.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Vegetarian
Keywords: carrot burgers, vegetarian burgers, chickpea burgers, healthy burgers, tahini burgers, sesame burgers, easy vegetarian dinner, summer burgers
