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The Best Damn Chunky Portabella Veggie Burgers on the planet! Portabella mushrooms, broccoli, black beans, and seasoning make this a burger even meat lovers can’t resist! This burger is packed full of veggies and seasonings that make it taste like a real beef burger! Whether you’re a vegetarian or a carnivore you’ll love this burger!
Last week I was at Sam’s club, like every Saturday morning picking up my weekly supplies perusing through the fresh produce section. I was pushing my buggy through the aisles, taking my time looking at everything when I spotted the most incredible Portabella mushroom caps. Each cap was the size of a dinner plate!
I have never seen them that big; I mean EVER! And for like $3.50 I was all over that!
So I brought them home, tucked them in the fridge for a few days. Since my tummy was on the fritz and hating most meats (it does it every once in a blue moon) I figured it was perfect timing to use these face-sized mushrooms.
Ingredients needed to make these Portabella Mushroom Burgers
Obviously you need mushrooms. They are the cornerstone of these burgers. And portabella (or portobello depending on how you spell it) are the mushrooms of choice here.
I go with these mushrooms because they are the most like meat. As they are meaty and “beefy”. Often I’ll grill these up for me, with my typical Montreal Steak seasoning while I make him a new york strip.
For this recipe I went with what I had on hand:
- Portabella mushrooms
- Black Beans
- Fresh broccoli – I minced it and kept it raw for texture but you could cook it if you wanted to first
- red onions
- bread crumbs (see below how to make keto and gluten-free)
- egg (see below how to make egg-free or see THIS POST for egg substitutes!)
- cheese (see below for vegan options)
- seasonings
Now, can you go with other veggies? ABSOLUTELY! I’ve used zucchini, carrots, cauliflower, corn.
Remember, this is NOT a vegan recipe HOWEVER I have a section below on how you can make it vegan thanks to all of your input!
Not all mushrooms are the same with water content
Now you can use white button mushrooms or crimini mushrooms but for this recipe, I only use portabella mushrooms.
That being said, the water content in each mushroom is different. Some have more water when you cook them up and some don’t.
When making this recipe you have 2 choices
- You can sautee up the mushrooms to remove the moisture – this ensures that you have a more cohesive/less bread crumb/binder to the mix
- You can chop, mix and add a bit more binder.
I’ve done both and honestly the only thing I think is better about cooking them up first is that they have a more rich, depth of flavor. Again, totally your call.
So use the breadcrumb measure below as a guideline because it honestly depends on your mushrooms. Just don’t add a ton as you want this to be a burger and not a meatloaf
Cleaning your mushrooms
During Lent, I try to come up with truly meatless dishes as even though most people eat seafood on Friday there are tons that hate seafood. So I took out the gorgeous portabellas and cleaned out the gills.
Now you don’t have to remove them as they are edible. Most chefs remove them as they will discolor your sauce and make it muddy. For this dish, it’s totally your call. I just do it out of habit.
Adding the veggies and binding ingredients to this portabello veggie burger
As I mentioned above, I went with what I had on hand. When using more watery type veggies (zucchini, squash, etc) you want to remove as much water out of them BEFORE you add to the mix otherwise the mixture will be soggy and you’ll find you’ll have to add a ton more binding ingredients – breadcrumbs and cheese.
So I chopped the veggies (and kept them raw as I wanted texture). I hate a bean or mushroom burger that has zero texture other than ‘creamy’. By leaving the broccoli raw (while keeping them small) it gave the burger great texture and mouthfeel.
To give the burger a more well-rounded flavor profile, I added in minced garlic and onion. The onion adds moisture.
The only thing that was missing was the protein. Sure the eggs were a great source of protein but I want more. I opted to add black beans not only for color, protein, and flavor but also texture. They, unlike cooked broccoli, mushrooms and onions stay semi-firm.
I quickly sauteed up the mushrooms to help remove as much liquid as possible as I wanted these to be hearty burgers that were easier to shape and hold the shape.
Mixing Portabella Mushroom Burger all together
Once everything was ready to go, into the bowl they went. I knew the best bet to really get these to stick together with as little filler (bread crumbs) as possible was to mash half of the beans. That really helps to bind the stuff together without adding a lot of bread crumbs making it then almost meatloaf-like.
- Place the prepared veggies, and seasonings into a large bowl. Mix just until coated
- Add in the breadcrumbs, cheese, and egg until the mixture is well combined.
- With damp hands, form into burgers that are tight and compact. If the mixture is really loose and won’t hold it’s shaped, add a bit more breadcrumbs. Again, this is all driven by the water content in your mushrooms.
Best Tips for shaping and forming Portabella Mushroom Burgers that hold their shape
- My biggest advice I can give you when you make these is to make sure you have like a bowl or something with water in it so you can dip your hands in to get wet as this mixture is soft and will stick to dry hands. Plus it helps to make shaping them so much easier.
- Your mixture should be soft and sticky but if you grab a 1/2 cup of the mixture, go to shape it like a burger (again it will be soft) and it does not hold the shape at all, you’ll need to add a bit more breadcrumbs.
As you can see by the pictures they are super moist and juicy inside. I just love how you can see the different ingredients and textures. That peek-a-boo look of pieces of broccoli just makes the pictures (plus the taste!).
Can I make Portabella Mushroom Burgers ahead of time?
Yes but I do not recommend mixing up the recipe, shaping them, and then putting them into the fridge (or freezer) uncooked.
Even though you may have cooked your mushrooms ahead of time, vegetables have water in them so by cutting them up and incorporating them raw into the mix, you’re increasing the possibility of the water making these get soggy if they sit raw.
I advise shaping, cooking them up, and then either storing them in the fridge or freezing them.
These reheat beautifully in the oven!
Making the Portabella Mushroom Burgers
Pan-fried
In my recipe, I prefer to pan-fry these as I want that caramelized crust you would like if you made a real beef burger. If you’re worried about fat you can use a lighter, more neutral oil. Make sure though that your burger is shaped and holds a tight shape.
Do not try and flip it a million times. It’s a soft burger so flip it once. And do not rush the cook.
Baked
You most certainly can bake these. Line a rimmed baking sheet with sprayed parchment.
- Preheat the oven to 400F, place the burgers on the pan and drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake for 10 minutes, carefully flip, drizzle with a bit more oil and bake for another 5-10 minutes.
- Just flip GENTLY as these will be much softer than the pan-fried ones.
Grilled
I’ve not personally tried this but I know many of you have with success. Since these are not like regular burgers, I would not advise putting it directly on the grill. Instead, I would place a grill pan in the bbq, oil it up and then grill. the biggest factor is to watch your temp in the grill.
Even a hardcore carnivore meat-loving burger enthusiast will LOVE this burger!
It’s funny as when I was heating these up at work for lunch so many people would come into the kitchen and say “What is that smell? It smells amazing! Lori what did you make??”.
Then when I showed them their eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. So I managed to lose one every day to passers-by as they wanted to taste. I didn’t mind though as I find that to be such a huge compliment.
What’s funny is I’d tell them it was all veggies and then a few guys would argue with me saying “It can’t be as it tastes like beef! There has to be beef in there!” but I would just shake my head no over and over.
So yeah if you can get people arguing with you over a veggie burger tasting so much like beef that they question if it’s really just veggies then you’ve created something pretty amazing!
Even if you’re a hardcore carnivore I’m asking you to give this a shot.
You will LOVE these!
Portabello Mushroom Burger Keto and Gluten-Free Substitutions
Some of the best substitutions for breadcrumbs in this burger is one of two things:
- Homemade Gluten-Free Panko breadcrumbs – this is the same coating I use on my GlutenFree Chicken Parmesan and it’s INCREDIBLE!
- Pork Rinds – Yes, good ol’ pork rinds, that are ground using the above panko recipe instructions are the best. I make my own as it’s cheaper and I can control how much I make!
- If you want, there are 2 great Keto/Gluten-Free Pork Rind Breadcrumbs that are already prepared that are good too!
Portabello Mushroom Burger Vegan and Dairy/Egg-Free Substitutions
As I stated above, this is NOT a vegan recipe BUT that doesn’t mean vegans and those with allergies can’t enjoy this!
Thanks to the millions of you that are, your incredible feedback on how you “veganized” the recipe or how you modified it for your dietary needs, I’ve been able to test your substitutions out with GREAT SUCCESS!
Dairy / Egg-Free / Vegan Substitutions
- To not use eggs, most folks go with 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal and 3 tablespoons of water for each egg. I HIGHLY recommend reviewing my Egg Substitutions post as it’s extremely detailed!
- For the cheese, go with vegan cheese or even nutritional yeast.
- For the Worcestershire sauce, use this VEGAN version
More Mushroom Recipes
- Chunky Portabella Parmesan Veggie Burgers
- Breakfast Stuffed Portabello Mushroom Caps
- Garlic Herbed Roasted Portabello Mushrooms
- Green Bean Casserole Stuffed Portbello Mushrooms
- Porcini Mushroom Pasta with Bacon, Peas and Mushrooms
- BBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed Mushrooms
- Ultimate Mushroom Veggie Meatloaf
- Pizza Stuffed Portabello Mushroom Caps
Chunky Portabella Veggie Burgers
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 35
- Category: Burgers
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: Vegetarian
The best damn Chunky Portabella Veggie Burgers on the planet! Portabella mushrooms, broccoli, black beans, and seasoning make this a burger even meat lovers can’t resist! This burger is packed full of veggies and seasonings that makes it taste like a real beef burger! Whether you’re a vegetarian or a carnivore you’ll love this burger!
Ingredients
- 2 cups Portobello mushrooms, cubed (smaller pieces); gills removed *see note about sauteing first.
- 2 cups cooked black beans, rinsed and divided
- 1 cup minced broccoli, fresh only
- 1/2 cup red onion, minced
- 3 XL eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoon Panko or Gluten Free Panko
- 1 tablespoon Montreal Steak Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire *for full vegetarian or vegan style use one that does not contain anchovies like this one
- 2 tablespoon minced garlic
- 3/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan *Look for vegetarian or vegan Parmesan cheese if you do not eat animal products
- Olive oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl add 1 cup of black beans and mash with a masher (chunks are OK).
- Next, add in the mushrooms (preferred sauteed), the rest of the beans, broccoli, garlic, onion, Worcestershire and steak seasoning.
- Mix just until coated.
- Add in the eggs, cheese and bread crumbs and mix gently with a large spoon until the mixture is combined.
- Set aside while you place a medium non-stick pan over medium heat and add in 2 tablespoon of oil.
- Once the oil starts to shimmer (about a minute or two), using dampened hands (the mixture will stick to you if you don’t), scoop a 1/2 cup of mixture into the palm of your hand and gently shape into a burger all the while pressing together. The mixture should hold a burger shape. If it doesn’t add just a tablespoon more of bread crumbs.
- Place in the oil and cook for 3-5 minutes per side or until golden brown and a crust has formed on each side.
- Serve with hummus, guacamole or steak sauce.
Notes
Saute First
If you are sautéing you will need to start with 3 1/2 cups raw chopped mushrooms. Mushrooms are high in water and it can vary from mushroom pack to mushroom pack how much water is in them. To alleviate the extra liquid/softness of the burger saute the mushrooms first in a little olive oil for about 5-7 minutes or until lightly browned and the liquid has been drawn out of the mushrooms. Allow to cool slightly before adding to mix.
Vegan
I get asked this a lot – how to make it vegan. I’m not a vegan so I have to trust in the comments that you guys provide.
1. To not use eggs, most folks go with 1 tablespoon of flax seed meal and 3 tablespoons of water for each egg.
2. For the cheese, go with vegan cheese or even nutritional yeast.
Make Ahead
- It is NOT recommend to mix this up, shape the patties then hold to cook. You cannot do this as the mushrooms will start to seep water and the patties will turn mushy.
Freezing Instructions
- My recommendation is to form the patties, cook per the instructions, allow to cool then freeze. You must cook these fully prior to freezing.
- To reheat just pop them into the oven at 350F for 10-12 minutes or even in a microwave.
Debi says
Can you make these up and freeze them before cooking them?
TKWAdmin says
Hi Debi!
I’m actually just testing that for Anita above. They are in the freezer now (raw) and I’m cooking them tomorrow night. However read my response to her above as I’ve cooked these and then kept them in the fridge for 5 days. They never got soggy and were amazing as ever.
Check back tomorrow night for the results!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
TKWAdmin says
Hi Debi as I just wrote back to Anita above I did freeze them uncooked and then popped them (frozen) in the pan with oil and cooked them perfectly (adding a few more minutes to the cooking time since they were rock solid). They taste amazing.
As I told her I personally would make up the batch at once, cook them and then either keep in the fridge covered for a few days OR once they are cooled post cooking, flash freeze them (line them on a parchment lined pan uncovered) until frozen solid and then wrap up in portions. They reheat beautifully without losing any flavor.
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Andie says
Hi 🙂
I am looking to make these in a day or two, as they look delicious!
I just wanted to point out that, from my phone, when I click the print button, it takes me to a completely different recipe (Mexican braised ribs, I believe)
Just hoping to help 🙂
TKWAdmin says
Hi Andie!
Thank you! There was an incompatibility issue between the Apple OS (iPad and iPhone)and my code however that’s fixed now. If you still get it showing up the wrong recipe, clear your cache/history and then reload the page. I just tested it and it’s good to go.
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Anita says
Hi! These look great! I need to make a large batch of veggie sliders for an event I’m hosting. Do you think I could freeze these? Not sure if someone asked this already so, my apologies if you’re having to repeat yourself. Thanks!
TKWAdmin says
I haven’t tried freezing them. I know if you form them and then store uncooked in the fridge overnight they become more wet ( due to mushrooms holding liquid). I can try tonight to freeze one and then cook tomorrow to let you know if I had to make changes.
I’m thinking might have to add more binder to absorb the liquid.
And most importantly…am I invited to this event *wink*
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Anita says
Thank you so much for offering to try and freeze! I’m wondering if I should cook and then freeze–could just reheat in oven after thawing?
Of course you are invited to the event! Would love to have you!
TKWAdmin says
Anita,
No thanks needed! I love these things! I’m making them today (from the freezer and will let you know if I had to change anything). Now I do know when I make these I make 6 at a time and they keep well in the fridge covered for 5 days. To reheat I just pop in the toaster oven for a few minutes and they are as awesome as day one. Since they are already cooked, the excess moisture is out of the mushrooms so cooking then freezing should work.
And thank you for the invite 🙂
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Anita says
I see I am not the only one wondering about freezing!!
I’m thinking, if you’ve kept them in the fridge for 5 days, maybe I don’t need to freeze. I can just cook them up 5 days before my event and heat them up the day of.
Do you just keep them in an airtight container? Also, I’d be comfortable leaving them after cooking for a longer period because there is no meat in them.
I’m still curious to see how your freezing experiment works out, though! I’ll check back tomorrow!
TKWAdmin says
Okay test is complete. I put them frozen in a pan with some oil and cooked them a few minutes longer than the directions above and they came out perfect. I still would go with the option of cooking them all at once and either storing in the fridge (covered) for up to 3-5 days OR cook them immediately, allow to cool and then freeze. They reheat beautifully!
Let me know what you go with!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Anita says
You are awesome! Thank you for the beautiful recipes and all the fantastic information. I will let you know which method I decide to go with–likely it will be the one that time allows!
Warm regards
A.
TKWAdmin says
You are most welcome!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Christina says
I made this yesterday for a Mother’s Day Luncheon everyone really liked it. I tried to convert this into a meatloaf but it didn’t really hold it’s form, maybe i should have used more binder. Still delicious and I will make this again, Thank you!
TKWAdmin says
I just made this as a meatloaf. There are some tweaks you need to make. I have to finish the photo shoot and then will post the recipe
Thank you so much by the way!
Best Kitchen Wishes!!!
gigi says
I love portabello mushrooms! this is gonna be a great one to try. thanks for sharing it. stumbled across your blog on foodgawker and can’t wait to scan your site for more tasty recipes! xx. gigi. www.gigikkitchen.com
TKWAdmin says
Well thank you so very much Gigi! Please explore away!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Pierre says
I have for a number of years been looking for THE veggie burger, and THIS IS IT!!! I’m not a vegetarian, but I don’t eat much meat and would replace any meat dish with an “equivalent” veggie version anytime. I have tried many different veggie burgers without really feeling wowed, my taste buds were still wanting the meat version. This recipe has convinced and tricked my palate, I don’t crave the meat version anymore. I’m going to make another batch today. I love these burgers without the bun, just slices of avocado and hummus… What a dish! Thank you so much for posting this recipe!
TKWAdmin says
Pierre,
Well thank you so very much for your kind words! I’m with you. I’m not a vegetarian but really don’t each much meat any more. I like it but I find myself leaning more and more towards the veggie side. WOW! You eat them just like I do! I have mine in a lettuce cup and then top it with roasted garlic hummus! My favorite!
Wait until you see the next version of this I have coming up! You are going to flip out over it! I have pics of it posted on our facebook page. Check us out!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
pam says
what a beautiful recipe! i can’t wait to try it! in your narrative, you mention the possibility of using shredded zucchini. i have just “discovered” zucchini pasta and I’m obsessed with zucchini EVERYTHING. i’m wondering what amounts of shredded zucchini you would add and then what you would omit if anything. thank you so much for this. it’s tomorrow night!!
TKWAdmin says
Thank you Pam! I would go with 1 cup shredded zucchini that has been rung out. Place it in a dish towel and squeeze/ring to get rid of the excess water.
Add it in place if the broccoli or in addition to the other items. If adding in addition, bump up the cheese by 2Tbl.
I agree about being obsessed with zucchini! Love it!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
pam says
WOWWEE! these are delicious! delicious! you might have changed my life. …. now for a big question. do i need to cook and save the burgers, or can i keep the extra burger mixture in the fridge over night ( maybe adding more panko if needed) and fry them up tomorrow AM?
i served these on a buttered toasted pretzel roll and they were so good i almost cried.
TKWAdmin says
Wow!!! Thank you so very much!!!
What I would recommend is you either freeze them immediately (uncooked) and then cook when you want to OR cook them at once and then store in the fridge for 3-5 days OR freeze them after they are cooked. They reheat beautifully!
These also make AWESOME sliders and meatballs!!!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
matmedmera says
These looks amazing!
TKWAdmin says
Well thank you very much!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Melissa says
These look fabulous and I can’t wait to make them for my boyfriend tonight! Is there any way to bake them in the oven instead of pan-cooking them with the oil on the stove?!
TKWAdmin says
Thank you Melissa! These are delicate patties so I wouldn’t recommend putting them on a baking sheet/cooling rack to bake. If you want to bake line a pan with foil and spray. Bake at 400 for 10 mi, flip and re-spray cooking for another 10.
My concern about baking them is having them stick.
You could pan fry is a lighter oil- say avocado oil.
I’m working on a baked version but haven’t quite nailed it down yet.
Let me know how you end up making them.
Best Kitchen Wishes!
PhoebeAnne says
I bake bean burgers on parchment paper and it works very well. No sticking at all. Can’t wait to try these Portobello burgers, but will adapt them to the Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease plan by using flax eggs and whole wheat Panko and I’ll bake them instead of frying them in oil. Thank you for this recipe!
PhoebeAnne says
In addition, I’ll use nutritional yeast instead of the Parmesan cheese. My mouth is watering just thinking about these Portobello burgers!!
TKWAdmin says
Yep you can most certainly use nutritional yeast in lieu of the cheese. I LOVE that flavor profile!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
TKWAdmin says
Oh awesome PhoebeAnne! I bake mine at times but do spray the parchment paper as well. For me there’s just something awesome about that ‘crust’ you can get from a pan sear.
Best Kitchen Wishes!