I know a lot of people cringe at the phrase “tofu burger.” (I can only assume they envision a white gelatinous slab perched atop a soggy bun.) One bite of this burger may change their tune. The lentils lend an amazing texture and the garlic, herbs, and liquid aminos give it great flavor. My daughter literally shoved chunks of this burger into her mouth with both hands!
And I was loath to slow her down. Tofu contains good amounts of protein, iron, and calcium. Lentils are not only inexpensive, but they are loaded with fiber and protein. These burgers are winners all around.
Ingredients
- 2 Stalks celery, chopped
- 2 Tbsp. Chopped dried onions
- 2 Cloves garlic, minced
- 1 12-oz. Package firm tofu, pressed and mashed
- 1/4 C. Ground flaxseed
- 1 1/2 C. Cooked lentils
- 3 Slices whole wheat bread, processed into crumbs
- 3 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. Liquid aminos
- 2 Tbsp. + 2 Tbsp. Ketchup
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 2 sprigs Fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 sprig Fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 1 sprig Fresh rosemary, finely chopped
Instructions
- Saute the celery, dried onions, and garlic in a few tablespoons of vegetable stock (add more as needed to prevent sticking).
- In a large bowl, combine the mashed tofu, lentils, ground flaxseed, bread crumbs, 3 tablespoons of the liquid aminos, 2 tablespoons of the ketchup, dijon mustard, and fresh herbs.
- Stir in the celery, onion, and garlic.
- When all of the ingredients are combined, form into burger-sized patties and place on a baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, combine the remaining 2 tablespoons of ketchup and 1 teaspoon of liquid aminos. Brush on top of the burgers.
- Bake in a 350F oven until cooked throughout and a fork comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Serve on whole wheat buns with fresh greens and the condiments of your choice.
- Makes 6-8 burgers.
Note: This recipe was inspired by Lynn’s Meatloaf from the Engine 2 Diet website. If you’re ever looking for a vegan meatloaf recipe, I highly recommend that one. It’s our favorite!