These raw burgers are a vibrant, plant-forward alternative to traditional patties—brimming with flavor, texture, and wholesome goodness. Crafted from everyday vegetables and pantry staples, this recipe transforms humble ingredients into a satisfying meatless delight. With each bite, you’ll experience a beautiful harmony of earthy vegetables, hearty grains, and aromatic herbs—all brought together in a hearty patty that’s both rustic and refined.
Ingredients Breakdown
The heart of this burger lies in its colorful medley of vegetables—eggplant adds soft, meaty texture; red bell pepper brings a subtle sweetness; and grated beetroot lends a vibrant hue and earthy undertone. Rolled oats act as a binding base, absorbing moisture while offering structure and a gentle chew. Ground flaxseed works as a natural binder, helping the patties hold their shape with a pleasantly nutty note. Aromatics like garlic and onion layer the burger with depth and savoriness, while fresh parsley and chives infuse it with a clean, herby finish. Tomato sauce provides a touch of tang and moisture, balancing the savory elements. A drizzle of olive oil enhances richness, and a pinch of salt ties it all together. Every ingredient has its place and purpose, creating a burger that’s not just plant-based—but genuinely satisfying.
Step-by-Step Preparation Process
Start by finely chopping the onion, garlic, eggplant, and bell pepper—uniform cuts ensure consistent flavor distribution and even cooking. While prepping the vegetables, let the rolled oats simmer gently with water until they become soft and slightly creamy, forming the base that holds everything together. In a skillet, sauté the garlic and onion in olive oil until golden and fragrant. Add the eggplant and bell pepper next, letting them cook down to a tender consistency. Stir in the tomato sauce, simmered oats, grated beetroot, and ground flaxseed, blending flavors and textures into a warm, cohesive mixture. After a few minutes of cooking, transfer the mixture into a food processor and pulse just enough to achieve a grainy, moldable dough—sturdy yet textured. Let it cool slightly, then shape the patties by hand, moistening palms with olive oil to prevent sticking and to create smooth, even surfaces. Choose your cooking method: grill the patties on a hot skillet for a golden crust or bake them in the oven until firm and lightly browned.
Recipe Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
How to achieve the perfect patty texture without crumbling:
Ensure oats are fully cooked and flaxseed is well distributed—these act as natural binders that help the burger hold its shape.
Tips for shaping evenly sized burgers:
Use a measuring cup or cookie scoop to portion the mixture before forming into patties. This promotes even cooking and a professional look.
Balancing seasoning for richer flavor:
Don’t hesitate to taste the cooked mixture before blending—adjust salt, herbs, or even a dash of paprika or cumin to enhance complexity.
Best practices for stovetop grilling or oven baking:
Preheat your pan or oven thoroughly. A hot surface ensures the patties sear properly and don’t stick or fall apart.
Can these patties be made ahead of time and frozen?
Yes. Shape the uncooked patties and layer them between parchment sheets in an airtight container. Freeze for up to one month and cook directly from frozen.
What can I use instead of eggplant or beetroot?
Zucchini or mushrooms can replace eggplant; grated carrot or mashed sweet potato can take the place of beetroot for a sweeter, softer patty.
How do I prevent the patties from falling apart while cooking?
Make sure the mixture is not too wet or too dry—adjust with extra oats or a splash of tomato sauce if needed before shaping.
Can I make this recipe without a blender or food processor?
Yes. Mash the mixture by hand using a fork or potato masher. The texture will be chunkier but still moldable.
What to Serve With This Recipe
These burgers shine with a variety of toppings—think avocado slices, red onion rings, tomato, or a spoonful of tangy vegan mayo or mustard. Serve them on classic burger buns, whole-grain rolls, or even warm pita pockets for a Mediterranean twist. Pair with baked sweet potato fries, roasted chickpeas, or a quinoa salad to round out the meal. For a lighter touch, plate the patties over a crisp green salad and drizzle with tahini dressing or lemon vinaigrette.
Variations to Explore
Personalize these burgers by mixing in other vegetables like shredded zucchini, corn kernels, or sautéed mushrooms. Spice things up with curry powder, chipotle, or smoked paprika for a bold kick. You can also shape them into mini sliders for party platters or serve bite-sized portions as savory appetizers with dipping sauces.
Raw burgers offer a satisfying, flexible way to enjoy a veggie-packed meal that doesn’t compromise on taste or texture. Whether grilled or baked, they deliver rustic charm and hearty flavor in every bite. Perfect for vegetarians, weekly meal plans, or anyone seeking a wholesome twist on classic comfort food.
Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats
1 eggplant, diced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
1 strip red bell pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons grated beetroot
1 tablespoon tomato sauce
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
2 tablespoons chopped chives and parsley
Salt, to taste
Olive oil, to taste
Instructions
Begin by rinsing and finely dicing the onion, garlic, eggplant, and red bell pepper. In a small saucepan, combine the rolled oats with ½ cup of water and allow them to simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes, until soft and slightly thickened.
In a separate skillet set over medium heat, drizzle a little olive oil and sauté the garlic and onion until they begin to soften and turn fragrant. Add in the chopped eggplant and red bell pepper, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. Incorporate the tomato sauce, cooked oats, grated beetroot, and ground flaxseed. Season with salt as desired and cook the mixture for another 5 minutes, stirring well to combine all the ingredients.
Once cooked, transfer the entire mixture to a food processor or blender and pulse until it reaches a coarse, moldable texture—firm enough to shape but not overly smooth. Allow the mixture to cool slightly. Lightly grease your hands with olive oil and begin shaping the mixture into small balls. Flatten each into a patty shape, ensuring an even thickness for uniform cooking.
For the final step, you can either grill the patties in a hot skillet until they develop a light golden crust on both sides or bake them. To bake, brush each burger with olive oil and place them on a lined baking tray. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (392°F) for approximately 20 minutes, or until firm and lightly browned.
Raw Burgers Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 eggplant diced
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 strip red bell pepper chopped
- 2 tablespoons grated beetroot
- 1 tablespoon tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives and parsley
- Salt to taste
- Olive oil to taste
Instructions
- Begin by rinsing and finely dicing the onion, garlic, eggplant, and red bell pepper. In a small saucepan, combine the rolled oats with ½ cup of water and allow them to simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes, until soft and slightly thickened.
- In a separate skillet set over medium heat, drizzle a little olive oil and sauté the garlic and onion until they begin to soften and turn fragrant. Add in the chopped eggplant and red bell pepper, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. Incorporate the tomato sauce, cooked oats, grated beetroot, and ground flaxseed. Season with salt as desired and cook the mixture for another 5 minutes, stirring well to combine all the ingredients.
- Once cooked, transfer the entire mixture to a food processor or blender and pulse until it reaches a coarse, moldable texture—firm enough to shape but not overly smooth. Allow the mixture to cool slightly. Lightly grease your hands with olive oil and begin shaping the mixture into small balls. Flatten each into a patty shape, ensuring an even thickness for uniform cooking.
- For the final step, you can either grill the patties in a hot skillet until they develop a light golden crust on both sides or bake them. To bake, brush each burger with olive oil and place them on a lined baking tray. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (392°F) for approximately 20 minutes, or until firm and lightly browned.
