Eggplant Veggie Burgers

by Erin

Yesterday my car read 111 degrees as the outside temperature during my drive home. And I had just walked approximately 5 blocks to my car. Where’s a air conditioned body suit when you need one? Then while flipping through retail magazines from the mail, they had the nerve to display the new fall collection. Just looking at it made me sweat! I love fall clothing, but I am pretty sure I haven’t seen a temperature below 90 since early May and haven’t had the ability to think of having more clothing on than necessary (Scarves? Look more like choking devices right now).

Despite the heat, I still manage to turn on my oven. I pay for it (literally) when my utility bill comes every month, but I’m not very good at coming up with no-cook entrees. At least this one is on the stove-top (although I did use the broiler too). It takes a bit of extra time compared to a meat burger, but it was well worth it. It has to be impossible for these not to be juicy. And the fantastic flavors that come from the eggplant and seasonings won’t need to be accompanied by any condiments. Yes, a lover of condiments just stated their lack of purpose on this sandwich!

Ingredients:

3 large eggplants, peeled and cubed

4 green onions, sliced, both white and green parts

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1-1/2 cups plain bread crumbs

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Pinch of salt and black pepper

1-3/4 tsp Weber Grill Creations Gourmet Burger Seasoning (or your favorite blend)

Buns and toppings

Directions:

  1. In a large pan (my largest wasn’t big enough so I used to pans), heat a bit of oil over medium-low and cook the cubed eggplant down completely, till it’s sort of a mushy mass of eggplant. This takes about 25 minutes, and be sure to stir occasionally. When you stir, smush it with your spoon or spatula. Remove it from the pan and put it in a large bowl.
  2. In the same pan, lightly sauté the green onions and garlic, just about 2-3 minutes to take the raw edge off. Add to the bowl of cooked eggplant.
  3. Stir the parsley, cheddar, bread crumbs, and seasonings into the eggplant mixture. Get in there with your hands and mix it up. Set in the fridge for 20-30 minutes to chill. After chilling, form the mixture into 8 patties.
  4. In the same large skillet, heat a bit of oil over medium high heat. Get the oil nice and hot, and cook the patties for 4-5 minutes on one side, then flip and cook on the second the side for about 5 minutes*. You want them nicely golden brown and crispy on each side (will still be a bit mushy inside).
  5. Serve with your favorite burger accessories. Store any leftovers in the fridge!

*Cooking them in the pan was a failure for me. Instead I stuck them under the broiler set at 500 degrees for about 10 minutes per side, or until crispy and browned.

Source: Elle’s New England Kitchen, with slight changes purely based on what I had on hand already.

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14 comments

Tracey August 11, 2011 - 7:33 pm

Another fantastic eggplant recipe – thanks Erin! I’ll have to make this one sometime when Shane isn’t around – he wouldn’t know what to do with a burger that didn’t contain meat…

Reply
spiffycookie August 12, 2011 - 9:37 am

Meatless burgers are a new adventure for me, but I’m liking it so far!

Reply
Cassie (Bake Your Day) August 5, 2011 - 8:30 pm

I’m so thankful for this recipe. My hubby brought home several pounds of eggplant yesterday and I wanted something new to try with it, this could be it!

Reply
spiffycookie August 6, 2011 - 12:15 pm

Perfect!

Reply
German Mama August 5, 2011 - 2:48 pm

This sounds superb. I love eggplant and I have been looking for a good veggie burger recipe. This one’s definitely a winner.

Reply
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts August 5, 2011 - 1:05 pm

Ok, that is just entirely too HOT!! The burgers look great! I have never done veggie burgers before, but you might inspire me to try soon!

Reply
spiffycookie August 5, 2011 - 1:39 pm

Yea, I really cannot wait for summer to be over! And August has just begun :-(. As for veggie burgers I was just recently turned onto making them at home, you should try it for sure.

Reply
Lauren August 4, 2011 - 3:23 pm

These sound divine! I’ve never thought to make burgers out of eggplant.

Reply
spiffycookie August 4, 2011 - 8:14 pm

Me either! But it made sense, eggplant is kind of meaty.

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natalie (the sweets life) August 4, 2011 - 1:15 pm

I’ve seen lots of veggie burgers but never with eggplant! It sounds (and looks) awesome!

Reply
spiffycookie August 4, 2011 - 1:16 pm

Oh, and it was. I’m so glad I have leftovers!

Reply
Elle August 4, 2011 - 9:46 am

Yours look great!

Reply
spiffycookie August 4, 2011 - 9:47 am

Thanks, and props to you for a great recipe!

Reply

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