11 Veggie Burger Recipes for a Lighter Cookout

These heart-healthy burgers are packed with vegetables, grains, and protein.

Veggie burgers, filled with fiber and whole grains, make a satisfying meal for vegetarians and carnivores alike. Below, 11 veggie burger recipes that are heavy on nutrients and easy on your waistline.

1. Portobello Mushroom Burgers 
via Yummy Beet

This recipe uses portobello mushrooms to create a thick texture that mimics meat. Instead of processed ketchup, the recipe calls for a sauce made with tomatoes, peppers, apple cider vinegar, and paprika. A sprouted grain English muffin instead of a bun finishes off this lightened-up burger.

2. Sweet Potato Quinoa Veggie Burgers
via Macheesmo

Sweet potato and quinoa are blended together with zucchini, corn, and onion in this veggie-heavy burger. Sweet potato acts as a great binding agent, but to further reduce the chance of the burger falling apart, cook it on the stove instead of the grill.

3. Curry Roasted Eggplant Hummus Burgers
via Running to the Kitchen

Roast the eggplant before combining it with curry powder, hummus, and other spices. For an extra health kick, the burgers are baked instead of grilled or pan-fried.

4. Butternut Black Bean Burgers
via Peas and Crayons

This vegan and gluten-free burger is made of butternut squash, black beans, and oats. To help the burgers maintain their shape, place them in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before grilling.

5. Turnip Veggie Burgers
via Food 52

These burgers, made with turnip root and greens, hold together with rice and breadcrumbs. For an extra health boost, use brown rice and make your own whole wheat breadcrumbs by pulsing stale whole wheat bread in a food processor.

6. Hawaiian Veggie Burgers
via Delish Knowledge

Top these black bean and brown rice burgers with a fresh slice of pineapple for a tropical, summery flavor. Form the patties into thin discs to get a crispy texture.

7. Indian-Spiced Beet Burgers
via The Roasted Root

Cumin, turmeric, and curry powder give these shredded beet burgers an earthy flavor. A lemon-dill sauce made from Greek yogurt, dried dill, fresh lemon, and a touch of honey pairs well with the spicy patty.

8. Broccoli Veggie Burger with Brown Rice and Mushrooms
via Foodness Gracious

Blanch the broccoli and sauté the mushrooms before forming the mixture into patties. Try substituting olive oil for butter to keep things diet-friendly.

9. White Bean and Corn Veggie Burgers
via The Kitchen Whisperer

Frozen corn works just fine in this recipe, so don’t worry if you don’t have any fresh produce on hand. If the bean and corn mixture is too soft when shaping the burgers, add more cream of wheat, or sub in ground oats.

10. Spinach and Farro Veggie Burgers
via Allison’s Tuscany

Spinach and farro, a whole grain filled with protein, magnesium, and potassium, form these wholesome burgers. The burgers will last up to five days in the fridge and several months in the freezer.

11. Caprese Veggie Burger Sliders
via Little Leopard Book

Canned tomatoes, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and buckwheat are puréed with garbanzo beans for a protein-rich meal. The recipe calls for a homemade basil pesto topping, but a store-bought pesto will also work.