If you associate burgers with summertime, these fall-inspired burger recipes will change your mind. Made with seasonal veggies like sweet potato, beets, and mushrooms, and packed with plant-based protein from foods like quinoa and black beans, you’ll be savoring every juicy bite of the autumn season. With five protein-packed plant-based burger recipes and two traditional burgers made healthy, these viral and seasonal-inspired fall burgers will be on rotation all season long. Easily made on the BBQ or stovetop for cooking made easy. Save this page for your next farmers market run so you can stock up on all the fall-season burger staples!
The Healthiest Seasonal Fall Flavors To Savor
Heading to the market? Here are the healthiest seasonal fall produce items to infuse into your burger recipes! Add to your burger base, mix into sauces and marinades, or add to toppings and sides.
- Pumpkin
- Sweet potatoes
- Squash
- Beets
- Turnips
- Mushrooms
- Cabbage
- Kale
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
- Pomegranate
- Cranberries
- Figs
- Grapes
- Pears
- Apples
RELATED: The Best Superfoods to Enjoy During Fall & Winter
The 7 Healthiest Protein-Packed Fall Burgers (With 5 Plant-Based Recipes!)
Ahead, the healthiest fall-inspired burger recipes with options for plant-based and meat-eaters alike! Customize as desired, and enjoy all season long. Perfect for game days and easy-prep dinners. Make extras and store in the fridge for leftovers!
Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Burgers
No BBQ (or time to grill)? These oven-baked sweet potato burgers are the perfect grilling alternative! Easy to prep and delicious to enjoy, toss all the ingredients together in a food processor and make your patties with ease. Store extras in the fridge for 3-4 days, or store in the freezer for up to one month!
Ingredients:
Directions:
- ⅔ cup cooked and mashed sweet potato, (about 1 small sweet potato, peeled and cubed)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup baby mushrooms
- 15 oz can white beans, rinsed and drained
- ¾ cup gluten-free rolled oats
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper, optional
Directions:
Step #1: Add the cubed sweet potato to a pot with filtered water to cover, then bring to a boil. Lower heat and cook for 8-10 minutes until soft. Drain and set aside.
Step #2: While the sweet potato is cooking, prepare your veggies. Add the onion and mushrooms to the pan with a drizzle of oil and sprinkle of salt and pepper. Saute until soft, about 4-5 minutes.
Step #3: Next, add the sweet potato, mushrooms, and onion to your food processor along with the spices and beans. Pulse until mixed, but be mindful not to over-blend. Add the oats and pulse several times.
Step #4: Using wet hands, roll the dough into balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Using the back of a cup, flatten the balls into patties. Will yield 4-8 patties, depending on size of your burgers.
Step #5: Place in the fridge for 60 minutes to chill before baking. Preheat oven to 450 degrees before removing burgers from the fridge.
Step #6: Once chilled, bake in the oven for 40 minutes, flipping burgers halfway through. Burgers are ready when the edges are golden and crispy, and the burger is fully warmed through.
RELATED: How to Make Protein-Packed Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Beet & Quinoa Burgers
Made with seasonal beets and hearty fall ingredients like quinoa and beans. Plus, they’re packed with plant-based protein, full of healthy fats, and rich in fall flavors for comfort food made healthy.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups grated raw peeled beets, (about 2 medium beets)
- 1 cup pre-cooked quinoa
- 1 15 oz can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- ½ red onion
- ½ cup raw walnuts
- 2 flax eggs (2 tbsp flaxseed meal + 5 tbsp water)
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Directions:
Step #1: Prep the flax egg by combining 2 tbsp flaxseed meal with 5 tbsp warm filtered water. Mix well and set aside to firm.
Step #2: Next, peel and finely grate the beetroot into a bowl. Set aside.
Step #3: Add the kidney beans, walnuts, onion, and spices to a food processor and pulse until mixed but slightly choppy (do not over-blend). Then, stir in the grated beetroot, flax eggs, and quinoa and mix until combined.
Step #4: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Then, prepare the patties. Using wet hands, roll the dough into balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Using the back of a cup, flatten the balls into patties.
Step #5: Bake for 30-40 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Veggie Pulp Burgers
Making fresh homemade vegetable juice? Don’t discard the veggie pulp! The leftover pulp after juicing veggies (such as carrots, beets, celery, leafy greens, fresh herbs, and even lemon and ginger) can be used to make a delicious and fiber-rich burger base. Plus, you can experiment with different juice combinations for various burger flavors! Combined with protein-rich beans and added seasoning, this is an easy-prep, sustainable meal.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups leftover juice pulp
- 1 egg or flax egg (1 tbsp of ground flax + 2.5 tbsp warm water)
- ½ cup beans of choice (black, cannellini, or kidney beans)
- 1 shallot, diced (optional)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp oregano
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
- Avocado or olive oil, to fry
Directions:
Step #1: Combine the leftover juice pulp in a bowl with the flax eggs (or eggs) and dried spices. Stir well to combine. Then, add in the beans and mix well.
Step #2: Chill in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to set and slightly firm.
Step #3: Remove from the fridge and prepare the patties. Using wet hands, roll the mixture into patties.
Step #4: Heat a drizzle of oil over medium heat, then place the patties into the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
Step #5: Remove from heat and serve with your favorite toppings or fixings of choice.
RELATED: 10 Simple Juice Recipes For All of Your Health Needs (No Juicer Required)
Buffalo Chickpea Burgers
This chickpea burger is served buffalo style! Full of fiber, protein, and flavor, these plant-based burgers make for a delicious and comforting alternative to traditional buffalo wings or chicken sandwiches.
Ingredients:
- 2 15 oz. cans of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup celery, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup hot sauce, adjust to taste (option to sub for vegan buffalo sauce)
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ cup rolled oats
- Avocado oil, for cooking
Directions:
Step #1: In a food processor, blend one can of chickpeas until mostly smooth and creamy. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Step #2: Add the second can of chickpeas and slightly mash, using a fork. Then add the red onion, celery, garlic, hot sauce (or buffalo sauce), olive oil, smoked paprika, sea salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Mix well.
Step #3: Stir in the rolled oats to help bind the burgers. If the mixture is too wet, add more oats. Then, chill in the fridge for 20-30 minutes to firm the batter.
Step #4: Remove from the fridge. Using wet hands, form the mixture into burger patties.
Step #5: Heat a greased skillet over medium heat. Add the burgers, cooking for 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden and heated through.
Step #6: Remove from heat. Option to serve the burgers in buns or lettuce wraps. Top with toppings of choice, such as sliced avocado, lettuce, and dairy-free ranch or vegan blue cheese.
Hearty Mushroom Burgers
Looking for a plant-based option comparable to traditional burgers? Mushrooms have a meaty, hearty texture similar to meat, making these fall burgers the perfect choice. And thanks to quinoa, these burgers are a complete protein! Meaning, you can meet all your protein needs while enjoying a plant-based dish. Enjoy with guac, dairy-free cheese, or fresh veggies like lettuce and tomato.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mushrooms, finely chopped (such as cremini, portobello, or mixed mushroom blend of choice)
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- ¼ cup yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup grated carrots
- 2 flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flax + 5 tbsp warm water)
- 1 tsp soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
- Avocado or olive oil, for cooking
Directions:
Step #1: Heat a drizzle of avocado or olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and become golden brown. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Step #2: In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked mushrooms, cooked quinoa, onion, garlic, carrots, flax eggs, soy sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, sea salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are well combined.
Step #3: Using wet hands, form the mixture into patties. If the mixture seems too wet, you can add a bit more cooked quinoa or ground flaxseeds to help bind it.
Step #4: Heat a greased skillet or over medium heat. Add the patties, and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Sage & Sweet Potato Turkey Burgers
Infused with fall flavors like sage and seasonal sweet potato, these healthy turkey burgers are a family-friendly meal that will be loved by all. Serve with your favorite toppings of choice, and enjoy open-faced or served on a grain-free bun.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 cup cooked and mashed sweet potatoes (about 2 medium sweet potatoes)
- ¼ cup fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
- ¼ cup yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Directions:
Step #1: Preheat the grill or heat the stovetop grill pan over medium-high heat.
Step #2: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, mashed sweet potatoes, sage, onion, garlic, sea salt, and black pepper. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined.
Step #3: Using wet hands, form the mixture into patties. This recipe will yield 4-6 burgers, depending on how large you make them.
Step #4: Place the patties on a greased grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the burgers are cooked through and have nice grill marks.
Step #5: Remove from the grill and assemble with your favorite toppings or fixings. Serve and enjoy!
Fall-Flavored Apple Smash Burgers
We’re giving the viral TikTok Smash Burgers a fall-flavored twist with the addition of grated apple. Enjoy the recipe as is, or swap the beef for ground turkey. Option to serve with dairy or dairy-free cheese, and fresh toppings like tomato, lettuce, and ripe avocado!
Ingredients:
- 1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
- ¼ yellow onion, finely chopped
- ½ apple, peeled and grated (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp thyme
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
- Cheddar cheese, optional
- Grain-free tortillas, to serve (optional)
Directions:
Step #1: In a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef and seasoning.
Step #2: Using a box grater, shred the apple and onion. Then, mix into the seasoned ground beef.
Step #3: Form the mixture into loosely shaped balls.
Step #4: Meanwhile, heat a griddle or grill pan until hot. Place the patties onto the heated pan.
Then, add a tortilla on top of each patty and mash it until the patty is ½ – 1 inch thin. Alternatively, rather than use tortillas, you can place a pre-sized piece of parchment paper over each patty and smash it using the back of the spatula.
Step #5: Cook for 2-3 minutes, then flip. Option to add cheese, then cook for 1-2 more minutes.
Step #6: Remove from heat and serve with desired toppings of choice!
Heat Up the Grill for a Fall-Flavored Burger Season
Who said the grilling season was strictly for summer? These fall burgers are made with a range of seasonal ingredients, not to mention full of protein, fiber, and tons of good-for-you nutrients. From beets and sweet potatoes to sage and shredded apples, there are so many mouth-watering ways to enjoy the flavors of the season. No matter if you make your burgers in the oven, on the stovetop, or on the grill, your burger comfort food cravings will be satisfied. Modify the recipes as desired and load up these burger recipes with your favorite toppings of choice!
