Looking for a tasty meat-free meal that’s packed with protein and fibre? These homemade Bean Burgers with Basil Dressing are a delicious way to include more beans and pulses in your diet while enjoying a satisfying lunch or evening meal.
Made with borlotti beans, fresh herbs and a creamy homemade basil dressing, these burgers are easy to prepare and can be served in flatbreads, pittas or tortillas with plenty of fresh salad. They’re a great choice if you’re looking to try more plant-based meals without compromising on flavour.
This recipe comes from Cooking Good, a charity that helps people build confidence in preparing healthy, affordable meals. You can find the original recipe here: bean-burger-with-basil-dressing.
Bean Burgers with Basil Dressing
Makes: 4 bean burgers
Preparation time: Approximately 10 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling)
Cooking time: Approximately 15 minutes
Ingredients
For the bean burgers
- 425g can borlotti beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato paste or tomato purée
- 85g fresh breadcrumbs (approximately 3 cups)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or mixed herbs
- 1 egg, beaten
- Sunflower oil, for frying
For the basil dressing
- 1 fresh cucumber
- 400g plain Greek yoghurt
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Pinch of salt
Method
To make the bean burgers
- Place the borlotti beans into a large bowl and mash well using a potato masher or fork.
- Add the chopped onion, tomato paste, half of the breadcrumbs, the dried herbs and the beaten egg.
- Season to taste and gently mix until everything is well combined.
- Divide the mixture into four equal portions and shape into burgers.
- Coat each burger with the remaining breadcrumbs, then cover and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat 2–3 tablespoons of sunflower oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat.
- Fry the burgers for 3–4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on kitchen paper before serving.
To make the basil dressing
- Wash and grate the cucumber, then gently squeeze out any excess water.
- Mix together the Greek yoghurt, chopped basil, lemon juice and grated cucumber.
- Season with a pinch of salt and stir well until combined.
Serve the burgers in warmed flatbreads, pittas or tortillas with plenty of fresh salad and a generous spoonful of the basil dressing.
Good Food Northants Top Tips
- Beans are a brilliant budget-friendly source of protein and fibre, making them a great alternative to meat in many recipes.
- These burgers can be prepared in advance and chilled until you’re ready to cook.
- Add a handful of toasted pine nuts or crushed cashew nuts for extra texture if you enjoy nuts.
- For a little extra flavour, try adding crushed garlic or a pinch of chilli to the burger mixture.
- Leftover basil dressing also makes a delicious dip for vegetable sticks or a dressing for salads.
Good Food Northants Healthy Eating Tip
Beans and pulses are a fantastic source of plant-based protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals, and they also count towards your 5 A Day. Including more meat-free meals during the week can be good for both your health and your food budget.
To create a balanced meal in line with the Eatwell Guide, serve your bean burger in a wholemeal pitta or flatbread with plenty of colourful salad, such as lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and grated carrot. This helps you enjoy a variety of nutrients while making vegetables a bigger part of your plate.
At Good Food Northants, we’re passionate about helping people prepare simple, affordable meals that support healthier lifestyles. We’d like to thank Cooking Good for creating this delicious recipe and allowing us to share it with our community.
Happy cooking!