An easy way to make broccoli burgers! Instead of making a patty, we smash and roast our broccoli florets and shape them into a bun with cheese. It’s messy, drippy, delicious, and a perfectly easy way to make a homemade vegetarian burger night happen. Easily made vegan with a nondairy cheese.
I am aware that calling these “burgers” is a stretch. What we’re dealing with is, in fact, a mound of roasted cheesy broccoli in a burger bun. And it doesn’t sound like peak burger night material, but if our broccoli is well seasoned and garlicky, charred, dripping in cheese and covered with whatever toppings your heart desires… it’s actually pretty tasty! If you a) love the taste of roasted broccoli and b) can be flexible in your interpretation of what counts as a burger, this should work out for you.
(If not, feel free to wander on over to my more traditional vegetarian mushroom burger, halloumi burger or beyond burger recipes instead.)
I came up with this recipe because I saw a lot of recipes for broccoli burgers that involved making a patty with broccoli in it, alongside beans or breadcrumbs or whatever else. I am sure they’re all delicious… but to me, it felt like a lot of work when broccoli is capable of being quite “meaty” and chewy anyway if you prepare it right. So I wondered if we could just get away with roasting and smashing our broccoli, then piling it up into a patty shape, melting some cheese on top to keep it vaguely cohesive, and throwing it in a bun with topping.
Hey, it works!
Ingredients for Broccoli Burgers
- Broccoli: one small head will make about two burgers, larger head = more burgers.
- Buns: I like brioche buns. But this would also be great prepared as a broccoli sandwich with sourdough.
- Garlic and/or other seasonings: Garlic powder will do in a pinch. You can also add other flavorings to your broccoli: lemon or lime juice and/or zest, spice mixes you enjoy (dukkah would be my pick) or BBQ sauce. (If you add wet ingredients like sauce or marinade, the cook time may be a little longer.)
- Cheese: Pre grated cheese works fine here and is the easiest option, but use what you’ve got. A really flavorful cheese is ideal, something like smoked cheddar or pepper jack would be amazing, but I used Leerdamer for the burgers photographed which worked perfectly well too. If you’re using vegan cheese, just find the meltiest option you can.
- Toppings: I’ve added a dollop of hummus, red onion slices and a few cilantro (coriander) leaves but there is plenty more you can do. Favorite sauces and condiments can easily find a home here. Try the tahini sauce from this recipe for a great fresh, herby option. A chunky pesto is also a fantastic topping, something like this Spicy Harissa Pesto, Cilantro (Coriander) Pesto Pasta or the avocado pesto from this gnocchi recipe.
Adapting Your Favorite Broccoli Recipe into a Burger
At the point that you smash and flip the broccoli, you can add whatever seasonings and flavors you like so you can take ANY roasted broccoli recipe that you enjoy and adapt it to work here. Here are a couple that I have on my site which would be delicious adapted into burgers:
- For a spicy kick, try my popular Harissa Broccoli recipe.
- For a nutty crunch, try my Christmas Broccoli which has toasted pistachios and citrus zest.
More Fun Broccoli Ideas
Smashed Broccoli Burgers
Ingredients
- olive oil
- 1 small head broccoli
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- ½ cup grated cheese
- 2 burger buns
- toppings of choice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C / 390F.
- Prepare the broccoli. Cut the florets off and arrange on a baking tray. Brush with oil. Place the broccoli in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Remove the broccoli from the oven. It will be a little softer and starting to brown. Use a potato masher to smash down and flatten the florets as best you can.
- Flip the florets over, sprinkle the garlic over them and add another spritz or drizzle of olive oil.
- Return to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the broccoli is super crispy and charred around the edges.
- Gather the florets together into two round piles. Have the largest at the bottom, then slot the smaller ones on top.
- Cover with cheese and place back in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Use a spatula to remove the burgers and place into a bun.
- Add toppings and serve!
