Vegan Beefless Burgers or Meatballs

These Vegan Beefless Burgers or Meatballs are a plant-based twist on classic comfort foods, packed with hearty lentils, toasted walnuts, and a blend of savory spices for rich, meaty flavor. Perfectly versatile, this recipe allows you to shape the mixture into juicy burger patties or tender meatballs, depending on your meal inspiration. A flaxseed “egg” binds the ingredients together, while a touch of smoked paprika, cumin, and vegan Worcestershire sauce adds a smoky, umami punch. Whether pan-fried to golden perfection or baked for a healthier alternative, these vegan protein-packed bites are ideal for cookouts, pasta nights, or meal prep. Serve with burger buns and toppings, or smother meatballs with marinara sauce for a satisfying, cruelty-free feast.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups Cooked lentils
• 0.75 cups Walnuts
• 0.75 cups Rolled oats
• 0.5 cups Breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cups Chopped onion
• 2 cloves Garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce or tamari
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Ground flaxseed
• 2.5 tablespoons Water
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (vegan)
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Oil (optional, for cooking)

Directions

Step 1

In a small bowl, mix the ground flaxseed with water and let it sit for 5 minutes to form a flax egg.

Step 2

Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Allow to cool slightly.

Step 3

Blend the toasted walnuts and rolled oats in a food processor until a coarse meal forms.

Step 4

Add the cooked lentils, onion, garlic, soy sauce, tomato paste, smoked paprika, ground cumin, vegan Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper to the processor. Blend until the mixture holds together, but still has some texture.

Step 5

Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the breadcrumbs and the flaxseed mixture until evenly combined. If the mixture is too wet, add more breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon at a time.

Step 6

Form the mixture into patties for burgers, or roll into meatball shapes, depending on your preference.

Step 7

To cook patties: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil (optional). Cook the burgers for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and firm. Alternatively, bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Step 8

To cook meatballs: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, turning once midway through, until firm and lightly browned.

Step 9

Serve the burgers on buns with your favorite toppings, or pair the meatballs with marinara sauce and pasta. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(600.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1499.6

Total Fat 95.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 10.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 42.5g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4127.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 129.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 36.0g	0%
Total Sugars 16.8g
Protein 55.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 242.2mg	0%
Iron 19.1mg	0%
Potassium 2217.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.6%

Protein: 14.0%

Carbs: 32.4%