How to Cook Storebought Veggie Burgers So They Taste (Really Really) Good (2024)

Introduction: How to Cook Storebought Veggie Burgers So They Taste (Really Really) Good

Summertime barbecues can be hard on vegetarians. While everyone else is noshing on steak and burgers, they fill their plates with extra salad. They know what will happen if they try and put a veggie burger on the grill- either the burger will stick, break, and crumble into a mess (especially non-soy burgers), or the burger will transform into a dried out hockey puck. The problem is that veggie burgers require a different type of cooking because they do not have the animal fats to melt through them and keep them juicy. This instructable will show you how to cook a veggie burger so that even meat-eaters will ask for seconds. I used soy-based burgers as the example because, if they are cooked the way I show you, they will taste remarkably like juicy meat burgers. Non-soy burgers should also be cooked the same way (as should veggie hot dogs), since they also can dry out quickly and lose their flavour and texture. (Just remember that most non-soy burgers aren't supposed to taste like meat burgers, so they will still taste great but not meaty)

Step 1: Prep Your Tools and Garnishes.

Get out a BBQ-safe frying pan and lid. Cast iron is the best. You can get some of the BBQ smoky taste by using the pan on the grill, but you will keep in the juices at the same time.

Slice up some onions and (optional) beets thinly. The onions help to keep the burgers moist and add steam and flavour during cooking. If you don't like onions, try sliced mushrooms. Spices like garlic powder and a good barbecue sauce are also important for that authentic barbecue flavour. And cheese is just dandy too. A good vegan cheese is healthier, but vegetarians could also use a dairy cheese.

Step 2: Optional Step for Bacon-Cheese Burger Lovers.

Put the pan on the grill at high heat with a wee bit of oil and fry up those beet slices! (These ones are made with a spiralizer to give them their thin curly shape, but thin slices-the thinner the better- also work well and just need a bit longer to fry). They get crisp and dark and they become very bacon-like. So very delicious to add to the finished burger. Trust me on this.

Step 3: Now Cook Those Burgers

While the pan is on the hot grill, add a little bit more oil if necessary, and put in the burgers. Fry the burgers at a fairly high heat so they quickly brown well on one side (~2 minutes). Browning quickly is important so they don’t dry out. Flip them and turn the heat right down, (or move to a cooler spot on the grill) to let the other side brown more slowly.

Step 4: Moving Fast Now...

As soon as you flip the burgers, sprinkle them with the garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste. Put the onions and barbecue sauce on top. Then seal all of those in by topping with the cheese. Finally, put a lid on to keep in the heat and steam, and quickly pull the pan right off the BBQ. If you are using cast iron, it will stay hot enough to brown side two, steam it all and melt the cheese, and cook the onions a little. Don't overcook!

Step 5: Wipe Your Drooling Mouth and Prep Your Bun

Once you pull the pan off the grill, the cooking part is all done (the beets take way more time than the burger- the burger is done in less than 5 minutes). While the pan sits and the cheese melts into the burger- prep your bun, and then open the lid and look at that delicious gooey, melty cheeseburger!

Step 6: Prepare Your Tastebuds

Lovingly take your spatula, and nestle that delightful veggie burger onto the dressed bun. Add any desired final condiments and top with your crispy beet-bacon bits. Grab several napkins. You'll need them. After you taste this burger you may never go back to meat again!

How to Cook Storebought Veggie Burgers So They Taste (Really Really) Good (5)

Participated in the
Summer Food and Drink Contest

How to Cook Storebought Veggie Burgers So They Taste (Really Really) Good (6)

Participated in the
Summer Fun Contest

How to Cook Storebought Veggie Burgers So They Taste (Really Really) Good (7)

Participated in the
Camping Food Challenge

How to Cook Storebought Veggie Burgers So They Taste (Really Really) Good (2024)

FAQs

How to make a store-bought veggie burger better? ›

Stuff it with cheese.

Cheese improves everything, including purchased veggie burgers. Slice the patty in half crosswise and fill it with you choice of cheese, like shredded cheddar or crumbled feta. Then grill the patty so the cheese melts into a gooey layer.

How to make a veggie burger taste better? ›

Slice up some onions and (optional) beets thinly. The onions help to keep the burgers moist and add steam and flavour during cooking. If you don't like onions, try sliced mushrooms. Spices like garlic powder and a good barbecue sauce are also important for that authentic barbecue flavour.

How do you cook store-bought veggie burgers? ›

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Preheat non-stick skillet over MEDIUM heat.
  2. Lightly spray skillet with cooking oil.
  3. Place frozen burgers in skillet.
  4. Heat burgers over MEDIUM heat for 7-8 minutes, turning burgers over occasionally through heating time.

Should veggie burgers be thawed before cooking? ›

Stick them in the freezer, grab them whenever, and cook them straight from frozen. It's just as convenient as serving your favorite store-bought brand, but tastier. Making really delicious homemade veggie burgers, says Chris, is all about moisture control.

How do you make premade burgers taste better? ›

Even though your beef patties are already rich in flavor, a bit of seasoning will never go amiss. Sprinkle a bit of salt and pepper on both sides of your frozen patty. Remember, it's better to start with less seasoning — you can always add more to taste after cooking.

What makes veggie burgers taste like meat? ›

Soy protein is still the plant protein that delivers the most meat-like taste and texture. Since it has been used for decades now, a lot of research has been done and its texturization process has been further improved.

How do you make supermarket burgers taste better? ›

Season Generously:Sprinkle both sides of the patties with salt and pepper before cooking. Use a coarse salt, like kosher salt, for better flavor distribution. Add Flavorful Spices:Experiment with various seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, or chili powder.

What is the binding agent for veggie burgers? ›

If you want a veggie burger that holds together, use binding agents like cooked grains (rice, quinoa, millet), eggs, flax eggs, bread crumbs, oats, flour or nut/seed flours like almond flour. The amount of grains or flour will depend on the recipe, but it's usually anywhere from ¼ to 1 cup.

What is the best way to cook plant based burgers? ›

Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until just smoking. Place 4 patties in skillet and weight with prepared pot. Cook until well browned on first side, about 1 minute. Remove pot, flip patties, and cook until just cooked through on second side, about 15 seconds.

What to use to bind veggie burgers? ›

Consider incorporating ingredients like breadcrumbs, brown rice, quick oats, whole wheat flour, or panko to bind the mixture together. These ingredients not only add texture but also help absorb excess moisture. NOTE: use quick oats as they will hold the burger together much better than regular rolled oats.

How long to cook veggie burger on stove? ›

Gluten-free Test Kitchen: Best Way to Cook Veggie Burgers
  1. Oven-baked (350°F, parchment lined baking sheet, 15 minutes one side, flip, then an additional 7 minutes)
  2. Pan fried in a non-stick pan (medium-low heat, little bit of oil in the pan, 3 – 5 minutes per side)

Do you season veggie burgers? ›

Use what works best for you. Spices and tomato paste: Smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper combine to make these burgers a little smoky and incredibly delicious. Tomato paste adds color, sweetness, and an umami flavor to the burgers (highly recommended!). Cooked rice: Adds more texture to the veggie burgers.

How do you keep vegetable burgers from being mushy? ›

Refrigeration – After you've formed your patties, refrigerate (or freeze) them for an hour or two. This will give the breadcrumbs time to absorb some of the moisture in the burger, making them more apt to stay together during cooking. Good beer – A good general rule for cooking, particularly when a bbq is involved.

How do you make frozen veggie burgers crispy? ›

Fry veggie patties

To pan fry, heat a pan with 1½ to 2 tablespoon oil. Let the oil become hot, then place 2 to 3 patties as many as your pan fits. Rotate the patties with your fingers gently to coat the patties with the oil. Fry them on a medium high heat until the base turns golden and crisp.

How do you make frozen veggie burgers taste good? ›

To enhance the flavor of a frozen veggie burger, you can add various toppings or condiments. Consider adding sliced avocado, caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, or your favorite sauces like barbecue or sriracha mayo. Don't forget to add some fresh lettuce, tomato, and pickles for a refreshing crunch.

What else to do with veggie burgers? ›

Cut up veggie burger (warm or cool) and put it on a wrap spread with hummus, vegan mayo, mustard, thick salad dressing, or other spread. Then add vegetables, greens, and/or sprouts and roll it up.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Last Updated:

Views: 5480

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Birthday: 1992-02-16

Address: Suite 851 78549 Lubowitz Well, Wardside, TX 98080-8615

Phone: +67618977178100

Job: Manufacturing Director

Hobby: Running, Mountaineering, Inline skating, Writing, Baton twirling, Computer programming, Stone skipping

Introduction: My name is Wyatt Volkman LLD, I am a handsome, rich, comfortable, lively, zealous, graceful, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.