“Burger” Bowls (WFPB, Vegan)
Don’t miss out on these amazing vegan burger bowls that are easily-customizable and ideal for feeding a crowd! Combine salad greens with french fries, seasoned lentils (or tofu or tempeh or plant-based “beef”), pickles, onions, avocado, tomato, and a special sauce that you’ll lick up every last drop of! This bowl is inspired by the taste of a McDonald’s Big Mac but is waaaay better for you!
“This tasted just like a McDonald’s burger, it was a little surreal how similar it was.” –Rebecca
I have had this sitting in my blog post drafts for at least 6 months. I was about to post it when I had the idea to try other types of protein on it. So I have tried tofu, tempeh, and Impossible “ground beef.” I love them all and the indecision of which one to post made me procrastinate the publication.
The easiest and most whole-food option is probably the lentils, so I put them in the recipe card. However, I love the texture of the other options. They each have their advantages, so choose which you want to try.
Recently, I made this for 25 women at a PlantWhys retreat. I got to plan the menu for the trip this time. I made the lentil filling and some Impossible meat to try. It was such a hit and everyone was excited to get the recipe and try it at home.
I’ve also made this for two friends recently to take them lunch on their birthday. They both loved it!
Why a Burger Bowl is Such a Good Idea!
- Naturally gluten-free. If you want to have a barbeque, but someone in the crowd can’t have gluten, this side steps that issue of finding a good-tasting gluten-free bun.
- Easily customizable. Kids might eat only the fries and pickles (like mine do). Meat-eaters can put meat on it or faux meat like Impossible or Beyond ground beef.
- Quick to make. No standing over a grill for a long time flipping burgers, but you get those same flavors.
- A refreshing type of bowl that isn’t the typical rice and beans or Cafe Rio or Chipotle type.
What Makes an Amazing Vegan Burger Bowl
The FRIES. The fries make this bowl feel filling and fun. Either pop a bag of frozen fries into the oven, or make my really yummy Seasoned Sweet Potato Fries (this is what I always make with this salad!). You can also use white potatoes. I recently started to cut them really thin into shoestring shape so they’re extra crispy. I also like to use my crinkle cut knife for a beautiful shape that adds to the fun presentation.
The SAUCE. This sauce tastes like big mac sauce or fry sauce. The pickle juice adds such a tasty depth of flavor! It’s made with a nutritious base of cashews instead of mayo. If you can’t have cashews, sunflower seeds will work.
The TOPPINGS. Don’t skip the pickles, tomatoes, and avocado. They are what make it really taste like a burger! Sliced onions, sauerkraut, or even pickled jalepenos are also yummy. Choose your favorites.
How to Make Burger Bowls Quickly
If you need some short-cuts:
- Use a bag of frozen fries.
- Used canned or pre-cooked lentils (I’ve actually never bought canned lentils before but I think it would work well).
- Or, use tempeh. It’s quick to crumble into a skillet and add the seasonings.
- Use pre-shredded iceberg lettuce for the greens.
Here is a picture of it with the tempeh. I love this version so much, and it’s a little quicker than cooking lentils.
If you’re new to eating plant-based, I would first try this with Impossible or Beyond Ground Beef. Plant-Based “meats” are healthier than meat (let alone the environmental impact which is huge). Then try adding some lentils to the plant-based meat, then switch completely to lentils if you’d like (it does save a lot of money).
Let me know if you try this and what you think of it!
Big Mac "Burger" Salad (WFPB, Vegan)
Ingredients
- sweet potato fries or any fries can use this recipe or a bag of frozen fries
Lentil "Meat" (see note about substituting tofu , tempeh, or vegan ground beef such as Beyond, Impossible or Gardein)
- 1 cup dry brown lentils (or 2.5 cups cooked lentils)
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika (smoked or regular)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional for meaty texture)
Special Sauce
- 1/2 cup raw cashews (substitute sunflower seeds if needed)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup dill pickle brine (or 3/4 tsp salt)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- more salt to taste
Salad
- shredded iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, or spring mix
- pickles, chopped or sliced
- halved cherry tomatoes
- cubed avocado
- green onions, sliced or red onion, sliced
Instructions
- Begin by getting the fries baking or cooking in the air fryer.
Lentils
- Next, start cooking the lentils (or the tofu, tempeh or faux meat options listed in the notes). Add the lentils, water, and all the seasonings to an Instant Pot. Set to high pressure for 8 minutes, and let it naturally release for 10 minutes. Release any remaining pressure, and stir in the walnuts (if using).
Sauce
- While the lentils are cooking, make the sauce. Combine all the ingredients into the blender until smooth. Add a little more water if needed to help it blend, or you want a thinner sauce. Taste and add some salt or more pickle brine until it's the right amount of salty and zingy. Since it will be diluted over the salad, you want it very bright and strong.
Salad Components
- Get the salad greens ready by shredded a head of iceberg lettuce or slicing romaine, or just putting spring mix into a bowl.
- Cut cherry tomatoes in half. Chop pickles, avocado, and onions. Set all the toppings in little bowls.
- Let everyone make their own salad with greens, "meat," fries, pickles, onions, avocado, tomato, and lots of sauce drizzled on top. SO GOOD.
Notes
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This tasted just like a McDonald’s burger, it was a little surreal how similar it was.