It may be peak grilling season, but summer doesn’t have to be all about traditional burgers and hot dogs! Now don’t get us wrong, summer and burgers go hand-in-hand, but there’s no rule that says they have to be made with beef, or even meat for that matter. Switch up your cooking techniques by trying some burger alternative variations—your vegetarian and health-conscious friends will thank you. Plus, you’re sure to find some new flavor trends you love like the sweet potato, falafel, or turkey burger options shown below; each one beef-free yet full of taste!
Check out these vegetarian (v) and beef alternative burgers using creative and flavorful ingredients like beans, veggies, fish, and poultry!
Vegetarian Burger Options
These five burger options are perfectly suitable for your veggie-loving friends (with one small tweak).
(V) Easy Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers
These flavorful veggie burger patties are made with a base of mashed sweet potato and cannellini beans, with additional mix-ins including white onion, tahini, garlic powder, chipotle powder, and spinach. Serve on Martin’s 12-Sliced Potato Rolls with fresh tomato and avocado slices and you have yourself a delicious and nutritious meal you won’t feel guilty about devouring!
https://potatorolls.com/recipes/sweet-potato-veggie-burgers
(V*) Buffalo Cauliflower Burgers
With bold flavors like buffalo sauce and crumbled blue cheese, these breaded, seasoned, and baked cauliflower steaks make a great healthy alternative for burgers or fried chicken sandwiches. *Top with bacon to satisfy the meat-lovers in your family, or omit it for a vegetarian option.
https://potatorolls.com/recipes/buffalo-cauliflower-burgers
(V) Portobello Mushroom Burger
Who needs meat when you can get plenty of that umami flavor from simply grilling up some large Portobello mushroom caps and topping with gruyere cheese, sliced red onion, spinach, and soy sauce “dijonnaise?”
https://potatorolls.com/recipes/portobello-mushroom-burger
(V) Black Bean Veggie Burgers
Black beans make a great meat alternative due to their dense structure, while also providing extra protein and fiber. Add them to brown rice and oat bran for consistency, hickory BBQ sauce and molasses for that sweet and smoky taste, and seasoning from beet juice, chili powder and cumin, and you won’t mind these veggie burgers one bit!
https://potatorolls.com/recipes/black-bean-veggie-burgers
(V) Falafel Sliders with Avocado Hummus
Give your burgers a Middle Eastern spin with these falafel patties—mashed chickpeas, onion, garlic, tomatoes, parsley, cumin, coriander, salt, and flour. Top the pan-fried patties with avocado hummus, tahini sauce, tomato, lettuce, and onions, and serve on Martin’s Sandwich Potato Rolls.
https://potatorolls.com/recipes/falafel-sliders-avocado-hummus
Beef Alternative Burger Options
Not a fan of red meat? Or just looking to switch things up? Try these burgers made with alternative meats such as chicken and fish.
Spicy Salmon Burgers
Using seafood for your burgers is a great way to incorporate omega-3 fatty acids and other beneficial nutrients into your diet. These salmon patties, topped with baby spinach and spicy garlic-mayo, are great for pescatarians and seafood-lovers.
https://potatorolls.com/recipes/salmon-burger-with-spicy-mayo
California Turkey Burgers
Ground turkey is a great substitute for ground beef, whether you are avoiding red meat or simply looking for a leaner alternative. Try these action-packed burgers topped with sharp cheddar cheese and a fresh tomato and avocado salsa.
https://potatorolls.com/recipes/california-turkey-burgers
Chicken Fajita Burgers
Just like with turkey, ground chicken is a convenient lean alternative for traditional beef burgers. Try using it for burger versions of your favorite meals like chicken fajitas (fajita-seasoned patties topped with sautéed peppers and onions) or chicken marsala (topped with the classic mushroom-wine sauce)!
https://potatorolls.com/recipes/chicken-fajita-burgers
https://potatorolls.com/recipes/marsala-burgers
Chorizo Sliders with Street Corn Slaw
Spice things up by using a blend of ground pork and chorizo like in these Mexican-inspired burger sliders topped with street corn slaw (a mixture of corn, shredded cabbage, garlic, jalapeno, cotija cheese, cilantro, lime juice, and mayo).
https://potatorolls.com/recipes/chorizo-sliders-mexican-street-corn-slaw
Mini Grilled Gyro Burgers with Tzatziki
If you’re just looking for a break from routine, try using lamb instead of beef for your burgers. Lamb meat is generally more tender than beef and is a good source of protein. Try it out in these Greek-inspired gyro burgers with tzatziki yogurt sauce. (Just substitute the ½ lb. ground beef for lamb to make an all-lamb version).
https://potatorolls.com/recipes/mini-grilled-gyro-burgers-with-tzatziki-and-pickled-peperoncini
Find more burger alternative recipes at: https://potatorolls.com/recipes.
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