Vegan Lentil Panini Burgers is enticement with a twist. Patties are cooked in a panini press before being rolled up like a wrap. You deserve a great meal!
Have you noticed all of the pita pockets that don't have pockets in the stores nowadays? Yeah, they're pocketless pitas and they are stacked high on the shelves.
Very much like flatbread.
I kind of love them. They are soft and rollable and make a really nice wrap.
This vegan lentil panini burgers recipe was actually the absolute very first recipe that I ever put on my blog. It is so good that I wanted to bring it up to date and bring it back into the light.
The stack of panini pressed patties, in the photo below, is from that original post. Because of the thinness of the patty there is a lot of crispy texture and they roll up beautifully inside of the pita.
My panini press does not get out enough and I need to remember it more often. It pressed and cooked these patties, on both sides, all at the same time so that little appliance deserves some love.
Lentil Panini Burgers has wonderful flavors and I dress it up with Homemade Almond Mayonnaise. Try to have this on hand for the sandwich if you can. It is so good and versatile.
How Do I Make Panini Sandwiches without a Panini Press?
Panini sandwiches are usually pressed after the sandwich is put together. In this recipe, it makes the patties crispy and malleable.
If you don't have a press then you can do the pressing in a skillet.
The easiest way is to lay your patty in a skillet that has been preheated to medium-high. Place another skillet (iron adds more weight) or saucepan on top of the patty.
Now fill that pan up with unopened cans of food. Cook for about 4 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove the top pan and flip your patties. Now replace the inside pan and cook until golden on that side.
Now you have perfect lentil patties for bread or rolling in flatbread or pita as it is done in this recipe.
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Vegan Lentil Panini Burgers
Ingredients
- 16 ounces brown lentils dried, rinsed
- 8 cups vegetable stock
- 1 ½ cups freshly made breadcrumbs
- 2 egg substitutes packaged or prepared from scratch
- 5 garlic cloves finely diced or pulsed in food processor
- 1 green chili finely diced or pulsed in food processor
- ¼ red onion finely diced or pulsed in food processor
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Put the rinsed lentils in a large saucepan and pour in the vegetable stock. Bring to a boil and then turn down the heat to medium. Cook about 20 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Drain and put in a large bowl to cool.
- While the lentils are cooking make breadcrumbs in a food processor. Set aside.
- Prepare the two egg substitutes and set aside.
- Finely dice the veggies, all together, in a food processor. Pulse them for less than a minute until they are very very fine.
- To the large bowl that is holding the cooked lentils add breadcrumbs, egg substitutes, diced garlic, green chili, onion,Worcestershire sauce, marjoram,salt and pepper.
- Combine well.
- Lightly oil the panini grill with the oil.
- Turn on the grill to heat.
- Roll some of the lentil mixture into a ball and flatten slightly. Place in the center of the hot, oiled panini grill. Press down the lid to help flatten out the patty and cook for about 8 minutes. Check because some of the panini presses do have different temperatures. Mine has only one.
- Cook all of the patties, oiling the grill in between when necessary.
Nutrition
Can you Freeze Lentil Panini Burgers?
Yes, so easily!
FREEZE:
At this point, you can freeze the patties. They will also keep in the refrigerator for 3 days.
EAT NOW:
To prepare put the lentil patties on your favorite bread. As I stated above, I used pocketless pitas. You can heat the pitas in a microwave for a few seconds to make them even more pliable. You could also use tortillas or serve flat on a bun. Add lettuce, onion and your favorite condiments.
TO PREPARE AFTER FREEZING:
Defrost the patties in the refrigerator for about 4 hours. To heat, you can zap them in the microwave for about 30 seconds or heat quickly in a nonstick pan. All set and ready to eat.
Lora @savoringitaly
I love lentils and am always searching for new ways to enjoy them. Now this is something fantastic I could eat for lunch or dinner (or both!!)Great idea, Ginny!
Ginny McMeans
You're making me smile Lora. Thank you!
Dee
I already had lunch, but I'm hungry just looking at these. They sound wonderful! 🙂
Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
These look SO darn tasty. I love how thin they are, making them on a panini press is brilliant!
Ginny McMeans
Thank you so much Heather! That means a lot to me 🙂
eat good 4 life
This is right up my alley. I wish I could have this for lunch today!
Ginny McMeans
Thanks Miryam! I have a few patties in the freezer and it has been a real treat. 🙂
Beth
I love the idea of making them on the panini press What a great idea!
Dahn
these look great. it's just the kind of thing I would make up and freeze so I could pull something out in the mornings for a quick work lunch
rika
Looks so delicious and healthy! My husband would love to try this for lunch!
Patty @ Spoonabilities
These look so healthy and delicious! The homemade almond mayo sounds amazing too!
Lindsey
I've been trying to eat healthier lately and it's such a struggle. But I'm thankful I discovered this recipe! This looks delicious!
Ginny McMeans
Thanks Patty. That mayo goes with so many things!
Ginny McMeans
I'm glad too Lindsey! It really fills you up and lentils have lots of protein.