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Soy Protein Vegan Burgers

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Skip expensive store-bought burger patties, and make your own high-protein, healthy, you-know-exactly-what's-in-there-burgers!

Soy Protein Burger

You can spend A LOT OF money on store-bought burger patties, especially those new beyond/impossible/whatever brands. I don't know what it is, maybe they are too authentic, but I don't like the taste of them.

So, I am making my own high-protein and low-fat burger patties with TVP (soy protein).

The texture is amazing, thanks to the soy granule. And the flavor is so good because I am adding caramelized onion and garlic into the mixture. Also some fresh parsley. I am adding beet juice for a pink color.

What is TVP?

TVP stands for Textured Vegetable Protein, often also called soy meat, soya chunks/granule/slices. It is made out of defatted soy flour, which is extruded into shapes (such as granules, flakes, chunks, slices, strips, nuggets,…).

For these burger patties, we are using the smallest kind: granules.

I love TVP because

  • it can be stored at room-temperature – like forever,
  • it is high in protein, low in fat,
  • it is inexpensive,
  • it expands when cooked, so it doesn’t need much space in the pantry
  • and it’s versatile!
  • soy granule
  • soy granule

Soy Granule is the KEY INGREDIENT in these patties. It's very easy to work with. First, we're re-hydrating the granule with beet juice and water (and some salt, soy sauce, and liquid smoke to make it tasty). Then we can use it just like ground meat.

TVP (soy protein, soy granule) is gluten-free, so you can make these burger patties gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs or oat flour as the binding ingredient.

How to make Soy Protein Burger Patties

You can find the whole recipe below in the box, but I want to share with you the ingredients and basic steps first to give you an overview!

The ingredients

You will need:

  • For the Soy Protein Burger Patties:
    • soy granule / TVP
    • yellow onion
    • garlic cloves
    • fresh parsley
    • bread crumbs
    • red beet juice
    • soy sauce
    • liquid smoke
    • salt
  • Additional ingredients for the burgers:
    • burger buns
    • vegan mayo
    • arugula salad
    • caramelized onions
    • vegan cheese slices - I am using Violife cheddar flavour.

The basic steps

  • soy granule in red beet juice
  • soy granule in red beet juice
Step 1: In a pan, heat red beet juice, water, soy sauce, liquid smoke, and salt. Add the soy granule and let it cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until the soy granule has soaked up all the liquid. Then transfer it to a bowl.
onion, garlic and parsley in a pan
Step 2: Cook the chopped onion and minced garlic until translucent. Add chopped parsley. Then add it to the bowl with the soy granule.
beet juice tvp, garlic, onion, parsley and breadcrumbs in bowl
Step 3: Add bread crumbs. Give it a good mix.
shaping tvp burger patties
Step 4: Shape the burger patties. The mixture should be enough for 2 burger patties à ±100g.
  • soy protein burger in pan
  • soy protein burger in pan
Step 5: Add a bit of olive oil into a pan, bring it to medium heat and add the burger patty. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, and flip it once it's golden brown.
  • Soy Protein Burger with cheese slice
  • Soy Protein Burger with cheese slice
Bonus tip for the perfect melted cheese: Add the vegan cheese slice immediately after flipping the burger the first time. Then add a teaspoon of water into the pan and place the lid on top of the pan. Turn off the heat. The steam will help the vegan cheese to melt perfectly.
Soy Protein Burger
This is my perfect vegan burger. Bottom burger bun, vegan mayo, arugula salad, soy protein burger patty, melted vegan cheese, caramelized onions, top burger bun.

Soy Protein Burger FAQ

My mixture doesn't hold together, what can I do?

If it's too crumbly/dry you can add more water or oil; if the mixture is wet enough but doesn't hold together, you can add more breadcrumbs or all-purpose wheat flour.

Can I bake the patties?

Sure! After baking, the patties will be firmer and hold together even better, you can even put them on a grill afterward. Bake them at 400°F/200°C for 15 minutes. The color will change, though, it won't be that vibrant.

Is the red beet juice necessary?

No, absolutely not. I added it for a 'meaty' color but I also made some patties without the beet juice and they were just as good.

Looking for more recipes with TVP?

Love it? Rate it!

I hope you enjoy this Vegan Soy Protein Burger as much as I do! Let me know if you give it a try!

If you don’t want to miss out on new recipes, sign up for my weekly newsletter, join me on Instagram and Facebook.

Cheers, Bianca

Soy Protein Burger

Soy Protein Burger

Bianca Haun | Elephantastic Vegan
Skip expensive store-bought burger patties, and make your own high-protein, healthy, you-know-exactly-what's-in-there-burgers!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Basics, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 2 burgers
Calories 340 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Soy Protein Burger Patties

  • ¼ cup red beet juice
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup soy granule
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • ½ yellow onion chopped
  • 1 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tablespoons parsley chopped
  • 4 tablespoons breadcrumbs

Additional Ingredients for the Burger

  • 2 burger buns
  • ⅓ cup arugula
  • 2 teaspoons vegan mayo
  • 2 vegan cheese slices
  • 2 tablespoons caramelized onions

Instructions
 

  • In a pan, heat red beet juice, water, soy sauce, liquid smoke, and salt. Give it a good mix. Add the soy granule and let it cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until the soy granule has soaked up all the liquid. Then transfer it into a bowl.
    I am using very fine granule so it takes only a minute until it has soaked up the liquid, it may take a bit longer when your granule is bigger.
  • In a pan with olive oil over medium to high heat, cook the chopped onion and minced garlic until translucent and slightly brown. Then add the chopped parsley. Give it a quick mix. Then add it to the bowl with the soy granule.
  • To the soy granule and onion-garlic-parsley, add the breadcrumbs.
  • Let it cool off a bit until it’s cold enough to handle. Then shape the burger patties. The mixture should be enough for 2 patties à 100g.
  • Heat a pan with oil over medium heat. Add the burger patties. Flip them, add the vegan cheese, add a teaspoon of water into the pan, put the lid on, and turn off the heat. The steam will help the cheese to melt.
  • Let's assemble! I put a layer of vegan mayo on the bottom bun, then add the arugula, then the burger patties with the melted cheese, caramelized onions, and the top burger bun. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 340kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 19gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 1145mgPotassium: 201mgFiber: 6gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 417IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 198mgIron: 5mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @elephantasticvegan or tag #elephantasticvegan!

Comments

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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  1. April D says

    Hi, I was looking forward to trying this recipe but I couldn't get the mixture to form into a patty, it kept crumbling. What could I have done to fix it?

    Reply

    • Bianca says

      Hi April,
      if it's too crumbly/dry you can add more water or oil; if the mixture is wet enough but doesn't hold together, you can add more breadcrumbs or all-purpose wheat flour.

      Reply