Easy 20 Minute Tofu Burgers

Name: Easy 20 Minute Tofu Burgers
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 12 ounce package extra firm tofu; 1 small shallot (peeled and roughly chopped, omit for low FODMAP); ½ cup panko crumbs (GF if needed, or ¼ cup regular crumbs); ¼ cup ground flax; 2 tablespoons ketchup (or Franks' Red Hot); 2 tablespoons tahini (or almond butter would work); 2 teaspoons garlic powder (omit for low FODMAP); ½ teaspoon paprika (regular or smoked); ½ teaspoon dried thyme; ½ teaspoon ground cumin (double for low FODMAP); ¾ teaspoon salt; cracked black pepper (use LOTS); spicy vegan mayo; hoisin; teriyaki; BBQ sauce (FODY makes a low fodmap version)

By Desiree Nielsen RD

4.80 from 5 ratings

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These protein-packed tofu burgers are so easy to make – just mix and cook! – and so versatile. Cook them on the stovetop in minutes or toss them on the grill with some BBQ or Teriyaki sauce!

hands holding tofu burgers — Super versatile so you can serve with your fave burger toppings, these tofu burgers are SO easy!

A vegan burger that’s actually grillable? That’s versatile enough for YOU to choose whatever sauce or flavour profile you want? These tofu burgers are tender but never mushy, and so easy you can make them on a Tuesday even when you don’t really have the energy to cook. They’re THAT easy.

How, after all of these years, have I never made a veggie burger from TOFU? I’ve got kidney bean burgers. Chickpea burgers (including a killer umami burger in my book Plant Magic!) but…this is baby’s first tofu burger. And she’s a beaut.

No weird ingredients you’ll only use once. No precooking rice, or mushrooms or onions…just dump everything to the food processor and pulse to combine! Ground flax and tahini add flavour-boosting healthy fats, and act as binders. And lots of umami savouriness from the garlic powder and ketchup – yes, ketchup – and cumin.

My favourite sauce for these burgers with is my A+W inspired spicy mayo…I slather it on THICK. If mayo isn’t your thing, don’t worry, we can still be friends, but I highly recommend brushing them with a BBQ or Teriyaki sauce, hoisin, or even some extra Franks would be great for a Buffalo vibe!

Okay, let’s get into it…

How to make these scrumptious, grillable tofu burgers

A tofu burger in 20 minutes, with no pressing the tofu? Yes, it’s possible. And delicious. And healthy. This dietitian is always looking out for ya!

tofu, shallot, ketchup in bowls — Make these tofu burgers your own. Gluten free? Low FODMAP? I’ve got swaps for that.

Heads up, if you think there is a lot going on here…tofu is a REAL flavour sponge…you have to add a bunch of flavour enhancers to pump up the flavour. And these tofu burgers have a deep savouriness without actually having an overt “taste”…kind of like a well-seasoned chicken burger. If you want more of a beef flavour, you could add 1 teaspoon of my ride-or-die, Better than Bouillon Vegetarian Beef Stock Concentrate. Love a smoky vibe? Use smoked paprika.

hand patting dry tofu — No need to press the extra firm tofu! BUT, I highly recommend patting the tofu dry to remove excess moisture.

Ground tofu in food processor — No need to press the extra firm tofu! BUT, I highly recommend patting the tofu dry to remove excess moisture.

Want to pop these on the BBQ? Preheat to about 400F, oil the grates and cook until browned on each side…it will take a bit longer than stovetop.

tofu burger mixture in food processor — When the mixture looks like this, starting to ball up like a dough, you’re ready!

tofu burgers in skillet — When the mixture looks like this, starting to ball up like a dough, you’re ready!

I like to serve these on a nice fluffy bun, with my spicy paprika mayo, some pickled onions and greens. And on the side? Some corn on the cob and a salad, like my Mediterranean potato salad, my peach and arugula salad or my classic vegan coleslaw.

My other yummy vegan burger recipes