Best Veggie Burger

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more for drizzling
• 2 shallots, chopped (⅔ cup)
• 16 ounces mushrooms, mix of shiitake + portobello, stemmed and diced
• 2 tablespoons tamari
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon mirin, or ½ teaspoon maple syrup
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons sriracha, more if desired
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• ¼ cup ground flaxseed
• 2 cups cooked short-grain brown rice, freshly cooked so that it’s sticky*
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs, divided
• Vegan Worcestershire sauce, for brushing
• Nonstick cooking spray, for grilling
• Hamburger buns & desired burger fixings
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

• Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and sauté until soft, 1 minute. Add the mushrooms and a generous pinch of salt, and sauté until soft and browned, 6 to 9 minutes, turning down the heat slightly, as needed.
• Stir in the tamari, vinegar, and mirin. Stir, reduce the heat, then add the garlic, smoked paprika, and sriracha. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool slightly.
• In a food processor, combine the sautéed mushrooms, walnuts, flaxseed, brown rice, and ½ cup of the panko. Pulse until just combined. The mixture should hold together when pinched, but it should still have some texture.
• Transfer to a large bowl and fold in the remaining panko.
• Form into 8 patties, place them on a large plate and chill in the fridge for 1 hour.
• If you’re grilling the patties, preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Brush the patties with olive oil and spray the grill with cooking spray. Place the patties on the grill and use a spatula to press down lightly. Grill for 7 minutes on the first side, flip, and grill for 6 to 7 minutes on the second side, or until well-charred and cooked through.
• Alternately, cook the patties on the stove. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Coat the bottom of the skillet with oil and cook the patties for 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until well-charred and cooked through.
• Remove from the heat, brush with Worcestershire sauce, and serve with desired fixings.