The Best Plant-Based Burger Roundup for Summer Cookouts

Fill up those propane tanks, scrape off those grill grates, and start honing your burger flipping skills—because barbecue season is right around the corner. And what better way to prepare for summer cookouts than with a recipe roundup of the best Meatless Monday plant-based burger recipes.

 Unlike the stuff you find in the frozen aisle of your local supermarket, making your own veggie burgers allows you to control the flavor and feel of your food. By using ingredients like grains, beans, nuts, and different vegetables, you’ll make a more complex and delicious burger without having to rely on meat.

Whether you’re into tangy, sweet, smoky, or spicy, Meatless Monday has a plant-based burger recipe for you. You can throw these burgers on the grill for a nice char, or you can take the party inside and cook them up in a hot skillet. You can’t go wrong either way.

Beet Veggie Burger with Pickled Onions

This burger looks as good as it tastes. A half-cup of shredded beets adds a pretty pink hue to a base of pinto beans, cooked quinoa, and chopped walnuts. A topping of tangy pickled red onions adds a nice acidic tingle to the smooth and starchy burger patty.

 For the Beet Veggie Burger recipe, click here.

Butternut Squash Apple Burgers

These butternut squash apple burgers embody the spirit and taste of fall. Creamy butternut squash, tart Granny Smith apples, and toasted pumpkin seeds make for a fun combination of textures and autumnal flavors.

 For the Butternut Squash Apple Burgers recipe, click here.

Chickpea Quinoa Burgers

Packed with flavor, crunch, heat, and protein, this recipe for chickpea quinoa burgers is sure to keep you full and happy. Tahini and cumin mimic the flavor profile of hummus, while sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds provide a satisfying bite.

 For the Chickpea Quinoa Burgers recipe, click here.

Farro and White Bean Veggie Burgers

Farro is a healthy and hearty grain that does wonders when added to these farro and white beans veggie burgers. The combination of creamy white beans and toothsome farro makes for a flavorful and satisfying bite.

For the Farro and White Bean Veggie Burgers recipe, click here.

Grilled Portobello Burgers with Garlic Mayo

Feast your eyes on these super savory portobello burgers with garlic mayo. Packed with umami flavor, these lighter, veg-forward patties are sure to impress.

 For the Grilled Portobello Burgers recipe, click here.

Grilled Watermelon Pineapple Teriyaki Burger

The key to a great burger is balance, creating harmony between sweet, sour, and savory flavors. Grilling fruit, like watermelon and pineapple, creates a layer of caramelization that pairs beautifully with the richness of any homemade or store-bought veggie patty or plant-based burger.

 For the Grilled Watermelon Pineapple Teriyaki Burger recipe, click here.

Leftover Rice Veggie Burgers

This clever recipe from our Meatless Monday culinary ambassador, Chef Priyanka, is the perfect way to use that container of rice taking up space in your refrigerator. Using freshly toasted whole spices along with fresh chile and a garlic coriander aioli sets this veggie burger apart from all the rest.

 For the Leftover Rice Veggie Burgers recipe, click here.  

Mini Mushroom Burgers

Who needs greasy sliders when you can have juicy mini mushroom burgers? Because you can finish them in only a few bites, these perfectly-portioned mini burgers are ideal for poolside eating.

 For the Mini Mushroom Burgers recipe, click here.

Supreme Crispy Quinoa Vegetable Burgers

Packed with protein, these crispy quinoa burgers develop a hard crust that you’ll love to sink your teeth into. Cooking the quinoa in vegetable broth adds another dimension of flavor to go along with the punchy chopped garlic and oniony sliced scallions.

For the Supreme Crispy Quinoa Vegetable Burgers recipe, click here.

Vegan Black Bean Burgers with Guacamole and Charred Romaine Salad

These vegan and gluten-free black bean burgers are hearty enough for an all-day cookout. Ground oats give the patties structure while smoked paprika, sautéed onions, and lime bring the tang. In the warm weather, consider servings the burgers on a crunchy purple cabbage slaw.

For the Vegan Black Bean Burgers with Guacamole recipe, click here.

Click here for more Meatless Monday recipes. When posting pictures of recipes to your social media network, tag @MeatlessMonday use #MeatlessMonday to show the plant-based community your creation.