Tuesday 1 October 2013

Homemade Tofu Burger

Burger patties sold commercially, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, aren't probably the healthiest version. I've always wanted to make my own tofu burgers with fresh ingredients and no preservatives and additives. 

Now that I'm hosting Little Thumbs Up for October and the theme is Soya Beans, there is no more excuse for being lazy. Finally, here's my home made tofu burger patties with Asian inspired flavours.

Version one - the one without sprouts for my kids...


And version two - the one with sprouts for me!


Although it takes a while to chop up the ingredients aside, this burger is relatively easy to make and I love the aromatic flavours of the coriander, lime leaves, chilli and seasame oil coming through with each bite. It's great served with regular burger condiments such as mustard, relish, pickles or just simply a dollop of ketchup!


For those who want a healthier burger treat, this is really one delicious home made version. I made them into mini patties and my kids loved it so much and had two of these mini burgers each. 


Home made Tofu Burgers (Makes 6-10 patties depending on size)
Recipe adapted from The Little Teochew

Tofu Patties:
  • 480 g firm tofu (tau kwa)
  • 1 yellow onion, sliced finely
  • 1 sprig coriander (leaves only), sliced finely
  • 4 kaffir lime leaves, sliced very, very finely
  • 1 red chilli (deseeded), sliced very finely
  • 1/3 cup sharp cheddar or parmesan, grated (add more if desired or omit for Vegans)
  • Pinch of paprika or cayenne pepper
  • Pinch of pepper
  • Pinch of salt (taste test as you go because sharp cheeses can be very salty)
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (I toasted 5 slices of bread and blitzed them in a food processor)
  • 1-2 tsp sesame oil
  • 6 - 8 tbsp of water (add enough so that pattie holds well together and does not fall apart)
  • Vegetable oil for frying
For serving:
  • Burger buns (number depends on number of patties)
  • Butterhead lettuce or baby romaine leaves
  • Tomato slices
  • Condiments of your choice - mustard, relish, ketchup
Method
  • Mash tofu till crumbly. Add chopped onions, coriander, kaffir lime leaves, chilli, cheese, breadcrumbs and paprika. Mix well. Season with salt, pepper and sesame oil. Do a taste test to determine if more seasoning is needed. 
  • Add 6 tbsp of water to the mixture till it resembles fine wet sand. Shape mixture into patties, and flatten them gently using your palms. If the patties do not hold together, add a little more water. It is important to flatten the patties as much as possible so that they brown evenly on the pan.
  • In a frying pan, under a small-medium flame, heat the vegetable oil. The oil/pan must hot be too hot because the bread crumbs in the patty will burn. Fry the patties till crisp and golden brown on both sides.
  • Slice your burger buns horizontally and lightly butter both halves. Place some lettuce leaves on top of the bun, followed by the tofu patty, and then with tomato slices. Then cover it with the top half of the bun, and you are ready to dig in!
This post is linked to the event, Little Thumbs up organised by Doreen from my little favourite DIY and Zoe of Bake for Happy Kids, hosted by Mich of Piece of Cake at this post.


39 comments:

  1. Your burgers look really appetising and sound really tasty with the added chilli and kaffir lime leaves. One for the to do list:-)

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  2. The vegetarian would sure gives this two thumbs up! Great to have this for a change instead of meat burgers

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  3. Mich, I bet this is just as tasty as the meat burgers! I am very keen to try it.

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  4. I am sure these are much better than the tofu and other vegetarian burgers from the grocery store - more tasty and healthier!

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  5. Hi Mich, this is yummy and healthy. A very good substitute for meat burger!

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  6. This is one of those things I wanted to try but doesn't seem to have gotten round to it. Your burgers here look so inviting and tempting to my palate. Looks good!

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  7. Hi Mich, I'd like one with the sprouts too :) Will submit my entry for LTU soon.

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  8. I'm not a fan of tofu but that burger looks so good you'd even get me trying it!

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  9. Wow, makes me so hungry at tis hour... Shld try making them soon...

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  10. Looks very delicious. Can't tell your burger is made from tofu! Now I think I can cheat my daughter....haha.

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  11. Hi Mich,

    Funny that most kids are fussy with sprouts... Mine will pretend to choke when he eat sprouts and even tofu!!!

    I would love to cook this tofu burger for myself but ONLY for myself :p

    Zoe

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  12. Great looking and healthy tofu patties. My kids love burgers. Keen to try this recipe and serving to them. Not sure they accept this new flavour or not. For sure me love it!

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  13. Wow, what a great and healthy alternative to meat...I love all the flavors that you have in this tofu burger...
    Have a wonderful week Mich :D

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  14. That is one of the delicious tofu burger.

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  15. Hi Mich, this tofu burger looks so delicious!

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  16. If I ever want a healthy burger, this is it....looks tempting enough to make me want to eat it:D

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  17. Such a healthy and delicious recipe :D

    Cheers
    CCU

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  18. This look amazing I have to make some day something with TOFU! xo

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  19. Healthy burger - cant tell its made with tofu. Can I order one without bean sprouts? :)

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  20. Woa looks so yummy, what's more is healthy too!

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  21. OHH This is GREAT !!
    I love tofu and actually use it quite a lot (usually fry it) as a meat substitute,
    This burger is calling my name :)

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  22. This a very good and healthy burger. When I think of burgers I always have in mind fatty and cheap meat! Tofu is a much better alternative and surely very tasty too!

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  23. what a lovely japanese looking burger

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  24. I love yours with bean sprouts! Looks very appetizing!

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  25. Love all those fresh aromatics going in with the tofu. I am sure with the red chills inside even my picky teenagers might give your tofu-burger a try. I know I would sure love one. Have a super weekend. BAM

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  26. Hi Mich,
    Your tofu burger looks amazing! I would never have known that it is made from tofu! A healthier choice and delicious too!
    Will be linking something in the next few days!

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  27. Hi Mich, great idea, healthier way to have burgers.

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  28. I love tofu Mich and I have always wanted to try a tofu burger at home. The ingredients in these are exactly what I've been looking for. Your burgers look awesome!

    Thank you so much for sharing...

    P.S. An older post is fine as long as it mentions Pasta Month. You could just repost it if you like with an October 2013 date and add Pasta Month some where in the post. I'm so glad you will be joining the Pasta Party!

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  29. These look so good! And so much better than what you can find at the store. We'll be making these soon! Thank you for sharing!

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  30. Very enticing. Bookmarked!

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  31. Mich , your tofu burger looks fantastic ! I haven't made burger out of tofu before but I've made tofu fritters and not as healthy as the one you had there :D

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  32. totally agreeing with you on how unhealthy store bought frozen patties are! they are probably full of msg, preservatives and what nots!

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  33. Love this healthy version burger. Looks tasty! ;)

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  34. this looks so inviting...i think most of the kids dont like eating this kind of sprouts ..but i like them in homemade burgers too!

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  35. Hi Mich, your burgers look very delicious! I think I can eat 2 without feeling as guilty ;)

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  36. wow Mich, a perfect way to make my kids eating tofu, they dislike tofu!
    thks for sharing :)

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  37. Hi Mich,
    Your burger looks inviting. Can't tell it is vegan version. I would love to sunk my teeth into one of your burger.
    mui

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  38. Hi Mich, I love the East meets West ingredients you put into these absolutely tasty patties. I've made soy burgers, from the the residual pulps of the soybeans, but they were too crumbly, ie, didn't hold together so well. Maybe I should add some grated cheese the next time :-)

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