Serve our Greek-inspired bean burgers with pitta, in buns, or with a hearty salad for a delicious and easy lunch or dinner.
These burgers are a great option if you want more healthy family meals. Lots of the ingredients are very important and beneficial for good heart health too. Mixed beans are bursting with minerals and fibre, and low in saturated fat. They help improve your blood cholesterol and will keep you feeling fuller for longer so you’re less likely to snack between meals.
Ingredients
- 1tbsp red wine vinegar
- 75g (2 1⁄2oz) 0% fat Greek style natural yogurt or vegan alternative
- 2tbsp roughly chopped fresh mint
- 1⁄2 cucumber, finely diced
- 2 wholemeal pitta breads, halved
- Bag mixed salad leaves, to serve
For the burgers:
- 1 1⁄2tbsp olive oil
- 1 red onion, 1⁄2 diced and 1⁄2 finely sliced
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 400g tin mixed beans, drained and rinsed
- 30g (1oz) fresh wholemeal breadcrumbs
- 1tbsp dried oregano
- 1tsp chilli akes
- 1⁄2tsp dried mint
- Zest and juice of 1⁄2 lemon
- 75g (21⁄2oz) reduced-fat Greek-style salad cheese or vegan alternative
Method
- For the burgers, heat 1⁄2tbsp of the oil in a frying pan and cook the diced onion and the garlic until soft. Add the mixed beans to the pan to warm through. Use a potato masher to crush them into a paste. Mix in the breadcrumbs, oregano, chilli flakes, mint, lemon zest and juice, and cheese. Press and shape into 4 patties.
- Pour the vinegar over the sliced onion. Mix together and set aside.
- Heat the remaining 1tbsp oil in the frying pan and cook the burgers for 4 mins on each side until cooked through and hot.
- Meanwhile, mix the yogurt, mint and cucumber. Toast the pitta breads and open up the pockets. Top the bean burgers with some of the sliced onion. Serve with the salad leaves, the pittas and the refreshing minty yogurt.
Top tips for making our Greek inspired bean burgers
You could also roll the burger mixture into small balls and fry or cook in the air fryer for 5-10 mins until crisp and piping hot. Serve with a zingy Greek salad full of tomatoes, feta, onion, and kalamata olives.
What can I use to bind bean burgers?
If your patty mixture is a little dry you can add a splash of water or use a beaten egg. The bean mixture shouldn’t be too wet either so you can add more breadcrumbs if needed or a little flour.
Are bean burgers better for you?
Bean burgers are lower in calories and fat compared to beef burgers or fried chicken burgers. They are a good, hearty, meat-free option that is full of flavour too.
Can you eat bean burgers on the Mediterranean diet?
Yes, bean burgers are a good choice if you’re following the Mediterranean diet as they are classified under the vegetables and grains that can be eaten frequently. See the full Mediterranean diet food list here to see what else is included.
With a non-stick frying pan, you can omit the oil for frying the bean burger patties, helping to reduce the calorie count even further. This one from Our Place is stylish and versatile.
For some even quicker dinner inspiration, check out these 15 minute meals. We also have some tasty cheap family meals and our classic bean burger recipe is a popular choice with veggies.
