6 Vegetarian Burger Recipes that Are Anything But Basic

Just like there’s more to life than work, there’s more to veggie burgers than portobello mushroom caps or frozen meat substitutes. Our favorite meatless burgers are as creative as they come—they utilize everything from legumes to tofu to thistles like artichokes!—and feature bold accompaniments. Here’s all the proof that you need that it’s time to reconsider the vegetable burger.

Black Bean Bruschetta Burgers

There’s a high probability that these black bean burgers, which are made savory with onion, cumin and egg, can be made with ingredients you already have in your pantry.

Chickpea and Roasted Red Pepper Burgers with Smoked Paprika Mayonnaise

For a Mediterranean flair, slather the chickpea, potato and roasted red pepper patty in this recipe with a generous smear of smoky paprika mayonnaise.

Miso Tofu Burgers with Sautéed Chard and Asian Mayo

The secret to this burger’s meaty flavor? Its umami-packed ingredients, like soy sauce and red miso paste. The even-more-surprising secret to the burger’s meaty texture? Weighting the tofu in between plates to remove some of its moisture.

Falafel Burgers with Lemon-Tahini Sauce

In the Mediterranean and Middle East, falafel are often deep-fried and served alongside hummus and other meze. But in this recipe, they prove they’re a worthy burger filling, too. (Bonus: They’re pan-fried, which means they’re healthier!)

Artichoke-Spinach Burgers with Tomato-Feta Topping

We all knew spinach and artichokes make for great dip, but someone made the genius decision to combine them with butter beans to form an excellent and vegetable-driven burger patty. A tomato-feta topping adds plenty of juiciness, salt and acid.

…And if You Must: Portobello Burgers with Caramelized Onion and Tomato-Ginger Jam

OK, if you must indulge in a veggie burger that utilizes the portobello, then we insist that you try this incomparable rendition. The savory tomato jam and caramelized onions add a deep, complex flavor and stand in nicely for meat.