Vegetarian Bollywood Lentil Burgers and Nuggets

Elevate your plant-based cooking with these savory and spice-infused Vegetarian Bollywood Lentil Burgers and Nuggets! Packed with hearty brown lentils, vibrant vegetables like carrot and spinach, and an aromatic blend of garam masala, cumin, and turmeric, these burgers and nuggets deliver irresistible Indian-inspired flavors in every bite. Perfectly crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, they’re a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a veggie burger in your favorite buns or as bite-sized nuggets dipped in a creamy yogurt-mint chutney. Ready in under 40 minutes, this wholesome, protein-rich recipe is ideal for a quick weeknight meal or an impressive party platter. Whether you're a vegetarian or simply exploring globally-inspired flavors, this recipe is a must-try!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown lentils
• 3 cups water
• 1 medium (grated) carrot
• 1 cup (finely chopped) spinach
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 medium (mashed) cooked potato
• 1 small (finely diced) red onion
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon or to taste salt
• 0.25 cup (finely chopped) fresh cilantro
• 3 tablespoons (for frying) oil
• 0.5 cup (for coating) all-purpose flour
• 0.25 cup (optional, for dipping sauce) plain yogurt
• 0.25 cup (optional, for dipping sauce) mint chutney

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the brown lentils under cold water and add them to a pot with 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked lentils, grated carrot, chopped spinach, breadcrumbs, mashed potato, diced red onion, and ginger-garlic paste.

Step 3

Add the garam masala, ground cumin, turmeric powder, cayenne pepper, and salt to the mixture. Mix well until all ingredients are incorporated.

Step 4

Stir in the fresh cilantro and adjust seasonings as needed. The mixture should hold together when pressed. If it’s too wet, add more breadcrumbs; if too dry, add a splash of water.

Step 5

Divide the mixture into equal portions. Shape half of the portions into burger patties and the other half into nugget-sized shapes.

Step 6

Place the all-purpose flour on a plate. Lightly coat each burger and nugget with flour to help form a crispy crust during cooking.

Step 7

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add 3 tablespoons of oil. Fry the burgers and nuggets in batches for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and heated through.

Step 8

Remove the cooked burgers and nuggets from the skillet and let them drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 9

Serve warm with a side of yogurt mixed with mint chutney as a dipping sauce, or as burger patties in buns with your choice of toppings.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1536.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1212.6

Total Fat 50.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 3.7mg	0%
Sodium 2831.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 158.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 29.0g	0%
Total Sugars 21.4g
Protein 37.0g	0%

Vitamin D 29.4IU	0%
Calcium 372.3mg	0%
Iron 16.5mg	0%
Potassium 2731.5mg	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: 36.6%

Protein: 12.0%

Carbs: 51.4%