Burgers are one of the most reliable staples to be found in any cook’s arsenal. Infinitely adjustable, easily prepared, and universally enjoyed, many satisfying meals both past and present can be attributed to the humble patty.

Watching Labor Day pass right before my eyes, I groaned as I looked back through my archives and spotted this bun-clad beauty just waiting in the wings. A perfect recipe for the backyard barbecues and grilling extravaganzas synonymous with the date, familiar pangs of guilt gripped me as it seemed like a prime opportunity wasted. Created, photographed, and completely devoured in late June, why oh why hadn’t it made it into the spotlight yet? Before the shame could fully settle, I realized that something as versatile as a properly constructed veggie burger was truly timeless, and better yet, the ingredients might even be better suited for autumnal eating.

Pumpkin is the secret ingredient here, like just about every other crazy new edible on the market these days, such as…

• Pumpkin spice lattes
• Pumpkin spice chewing gum
• Pumpkin spice Oreos
• Pumpkin spice whiskey
• Pumpkin spice potato chips

Before you reach pumpkin overload, consider adding this particular incarnation of everyone’s favorite orange gourd into your diet. Bearing far more than just flavoring or pie spices, these burgers have some real heft thanks to the addition of pumpkin seed protein powder. No additives, fillers, or sweeteners set this particular smoothie staple made by Sprout Living apart from the crowd, making it an ideal ingredient for both sweet and savory recipes. My standard bean burger formula is no slouch when it comes to nutrition, but the pumpkin puree and protein powder ensure instant hunger satisfaction, without sacrificing flavor one bit.

Whether you’re determined to keep the spirit of summer alive or looking to transition into more autumnal foods, this is the recipe for you. Best of all, the finished patties freeze beautifully for even colder days down the road.

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Yield: Makes 6 – 8 Patties

Pumpkin Protein Burgers

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Hearty, protein-packed veggie burgers get a boost from the savory side of pumpkin. They're the quick and easy answer for a weeknight meal, any season.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Additional Time 15 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 2 Cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1 Cup Diced Onion
• 1 Teaspoon Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 14-Ounce Can (1 3/4 Cups Cooked) Chickpeas, Drained
• 1/2 Cup Pumpkin Puree
• 1 Tablespoon Yellow Mustard
• 1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
• 1/4 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
• 1/2 Cup Pumpkin Seed Protein Powder
• Salt and Pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Lightly grease and set aside.
   
2. Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over moderate heat. When shimmering, add in the garlic and onions, sauteing until aromatic and lightly golden brown. This should take no more than 6 – 8 minutes; be careful not to overdo it and burn the garlic. Deglaze the pan with the balsamic vinegar, turn off the heat, and let cool for about 10 minutes minutes.
   
3. In a separate bowl, roughly mash the beans with a fork or potato masher. You want to keep the texture fairly coarse so that the burger maintains a satisfying bite. Add in the pumpkin puree, mustard, spices, and herbs, mixing well to incorporate.
4. Once cool enough to handle, introduce the sauteed vegetables and stir once more, introducing the pumpkin seed protein powder as well. Mix thoroughly, making sure that there are no pockets of dry ingredients remaining. It should be soft but manageable; something you can fairly easily mold into patties that will hold their shape. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
   
5. Measure out between 1/3 – 1/2 cup of the burger mixture for each patty, and form them into round, flat pucks with slightly moistened hands. Space them out evenly on the sheet at least 1 inch apart. Bake for 15 minutes, flip, 10 more minutes, until golden brown. Let cool for 10 – 15 minutes before removing from the sheet.
   
6. Serve immediately while still hot, or cool completely before freezing and storing for up to 6 months.

Recommended Products

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. I have experience with all of these companies and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something through my links.

• 
  Roland Foods Balsamic Vinegar Glaze of Modena, 5.07 Ounce
• 
  La Tourangelle, 100% Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 25.4 fl oz (750 ml)
• 
  Sprout Living, Simple Pumpkin Seed Protein, 1 lb

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 68Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 67mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 5g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.