If you’re looking for a tasty and healthy alternative to classic meat burgers, broccoli burgers are the perfect solution. Easy to prepare, full of flavor, healthy, light, and with an irresistible texture, these vegetarian burgers are perfect for those who want to vary their diet without sacrificing taste.
The base of the recipe consists of broccoli, a vegetable rich in vitamins and fiber, which is first boiled and then sautéed to enhance its flavor. To make the burgers even more flavorful and compact, we use soaked stale bread, grated smoked scamorza cheese, and a pinch of breadcrumbs. Everything is bound together by the egg, which gives structure to the mixture.
Cooking in a pan with a drizzle of oil makes the burgers crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, but nothing prevents you from experimenting with an oven version for an even lighter result. Perfect to enjoy on their own, accompanied by a sauce or a side dish like salad or fries, or inside a bun with your favorite condiments.
Ready to discover how to prepare them?
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- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Affordable
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Fall, Winter, and Spring
Ingredients for Preparing Broccoli Burgers
- 1.1 lbs broccoli
- 3.5 oz stale bread
- 1.75 oz breadcrumbs
- 2.5 oz smoked scamorza cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 clove garlic
- extra virgin olive oil
- salt
- pepper
Tools for Preparing Broccoli Burgers
- Bowl
- Pan
- Cooking Ring
- Parchment Paper
- Grater
How to Prepare Broccoli Burgers
To prepare the broccoli burgers, first clean the broccoli and divide it into florets. Boil it in salted water for about ten minutes and drain it from the cooking water. Sauté peeled garlic in olive oil in a pan, remove the garlic, and add the broccoli florets. Cook for a few minutes. Then place them in a bowl with the bread previously soaked in water or milk and squeezed. Add the grated scamorza cheese, egg, salt, and pepper, and as much breadcrumbs as necessary to obtain a homogeneous and compact mixture.
Form the burgers using a cooking ring on a cutting board covered with parchment paper. You should get about 8 burgers.
Pour olive or peanut oil in a pan and place the burgers few at a time. Cook them for 5 minutes on each side until they are golden.
Serve the broccoli burgers.
Storage
Broccoli burgers can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 days, in an airtight container.
You can also freeze them: place them on a tray lined with parchment paper, freeze for a couple of hours, then transfer them to a food bag. This way, they will last up to 3 months.
Tips and Variants
Oven cooking: For a lighter version, bake the burgers in a static oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes, turning them halfway through, or in an air fryer for 15 minutes.
Substitutions:
You can replace smoked scamorza cheese with another semi-hard cheese like provolone or caciocavallo.
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free bread and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Adding spices: To give the burgers an extra kick, try adding smoked paprika, turmeric, or curry to the mixture.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can I bake broccoli burgers instead of cooking them in a pan?
Yes! Just place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, brush them with a bit of oil, and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes, turning halfway.
Are broccoli burgers suitable for children?
Absolutely yes! They are a great way to get kids to eat vegetables.
Can I prepare them in advance?
Yes, you can prepare them in advance and store them in the refrigerator for a couple of days before cooking them.
How can I make them even more crunchy?
For extra crispiness, you can coat them further by rolling them in breadcrumbs before cooking.
What can I serve with broccoli burgers?
They are great with a fresh salad, baked potatoes, or in an air fryer, inside a bun with mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomato.
