Have you ever bitten into a veggie burger so delicious, so packed with flavor and wholesome goodness, that it instantly became your favorite? For many, that iconic veggie burger experience is reminiscent of the classic California veggie burger, often enjoyed from brands like Dr. Praeger’s or Amy’s. Now, you can recreate that same mouthwatering experience right in your own kitchen with this easy-to-follow, homemade copycat recipe! This California veggie burger recipe is brimming with fresh vegetables, hearty grains, and a perfectly balanced spice blend that will tantalize your taste buds. It’s a light yet satisfying meal option, ideal for those seeking a nutritious and flavorful meatless alternative, reminiscent of the beloved Doctor Praeger’s veggie burgers. Get ready to make this high-protein, veggie-packed burger your new go-to, especially for sunny summer cookouts!
Close up head on photo of a copycat dr prager
This recipe is inspired by those unforgettable veggie burgers that seem to pop up in the most unexpected places – from hospital cafeterias to college barbecues and local diners. There’s a certain nostalgic charm to that classic veggie burger, and while the exact brand might remain a mystery, the incredible taste is always memorable. It’s that flavor, reminiscent of a high-quality veggie burger like Doctor Praeger’s, that we’re aiming to capture and bring into your home.
These California-style veggie burgers are characterized by their vibrant mix of corn, peas, edamame, shredded carrots, and red peppers. It’s a style popularized by brands like Amy’s Vegetarian and, notably, Doctor Praeger’s Sensible Foods. Understanding this “California” style of veggie burger was the first step in crafting this homemade version. Now, it’s time to share this fantastic plant-based recipe, allowing you to create your own signature California veggie burgers, akin to Doctor Praeger’s, whenever you crave them. This recipe embraces the essence of a great veggie burger: loaded with vegetables, proudly plant-based, and bursting with a flavor profile that keeps you wanting more – it’s definitely not trying to be just another beef burger imitation!
Why This Homemade California Veggie Burger Recipe Rivals Doctor Praeger’s
What makes this veggie burger recipe stand out and become a strong contender against store-bought favorites like Doctor Praeger’s? Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:
- Unbeatable Flavor: Forget bland veggie burgers! This recipe delivers an explosion of deliciousness, transforming simple vegan ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience. You’ll find the flavor profile remarkably similar to, if not better than, Doctor Praeger’s California Veggie Burgers.
- Packed with Hidden Veggies: This is a fantastic and delicious way to incorporate a generous serving of vegetables into your diet without even realizing it. Each bite is packed with nutritional goodness, much like you’d expect from a Doctor Praeger’s product.
- Meal Prep Champion: Make a big batch of these burgers ahead of time and freeze them for future meals. Veggie burgers are incredibly freezer-friendly, making them perfect for busy weeknights. Just like Doctor Praeger’s, you can have a quick and healthy meal ready whenever you need it.
- Endlessly Versatile: This recipe offers numerous substitution options, allowing you to customize it to your liking based on your dietary needs or ingredient availability. Want to tweak the veggies or spices? Go for it! This flexibility makes it easy to create your perfect Doctor Praeger’s inspired burger.
Key Ingredients for Your California Veggie Burgers, Inspired by Doctor Praeger’s
What exactly goes into a California veggie burger? Popular brands such as Doctor Praeger’s Sensible Foods and Amy’s Organic California Burger typically include a medley of organic vegetables, aromatic spices, and grains like oats or oat bran. Both Doctor Praeger’s and Amy’s pride themselves on being vegan and free from animal products.
Looking at Doctor Praeger’s ingredient list, you’ll often find a mix of vegetables like carrots, zucchini, peas, and corn, combined with plant-based proteins and binders. Amy’s ingredients, as listed on their website, feature organic mushrooms, organic bulgur wheat, organic onions, organic celery, organic carrots, organic oats, organic walnuts, organic wheat gluten, organic potatoes, sea salt, organic high oleic safflower and/or sunflower oil, organic garlic. It’s worth noting that while Amy’s contains tree nuts, Doctor Praeger’s burgers are nut-free, catering to different allergy needs.
In our homemade California veggie burger recipe, aiming for a similar profile to Doctor Praeger’s, we utilize these wholesome ingredients:
- Flax Egg (ground flaxseed + water): This acts as our vegan binder, holding the burger together perfectly, just like the binders used in Doctor Praeger’s burgers.
- Broccoli: Adds texture and nutritional value, contributing to the veggie-packed nature of the burger.
- Frozen Peas: Provides sweetness and a pop of green, essential to the California veggie burger experience, and found in many Doctor Praeger’s recipes.
- Shredded Carrots: Adds color, sweetness, and moisture, mirroring the vegetable blends in brands like Doctor Praeger’s.
- Red Pepper: Contributes a slightly sweet and vibrant flavor.
- Jalapeno: Introduces a subtle kick of spice, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Frozen Edamame: Offers protein and a pleasant texture, a common ingredient in California veggie burgers and Doctor Praeger’s products.
- Red Onion: Provides a savory base and depth of flavor.
- Fresh Garlic: Essential for aromatic richness.
- Frozen Corn: Adds sweetness and that classic veggie burger taste, reminiscent of Doctor Praeger’s corn-containing varieties.
- SPICES: Cumin, sea salt, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper – These spices create a well-rounded and savory flavor, comparable to the spice blends in Doctor Praeger’s burgers.
- Lime Juice: Brings brightness and acidity, lifting all the flavors.
- Brown Rice: Cooked brown rice adds substance and helps bind the ingredients.
- Cornmeal: Provides texture and helps create a slightly crispy exterior when cooked.
Overhead photo of an edamame and corn veggie burger on a bun with avocado sauce and a side of fries
Customizing Your Veggie Burgers: Inspired by Doctor Praeger’s Variety
Just like Doctor Praeger’s offers a variety of veggie burger options, this recipe is highly adaptable. When making substitutions, always consider the overall moisture and texture balance of your burger mixture. If it’s too dry, add a touch of liquid. If too wet, incorporate more dry ingredients like cornmeal.
Flax Egg Alternatives: Chia seeds can be used instead of flax seeds for the binding “egg.” You could also experiment with commercial egg replacers like Neat Egg or Bob’s Red Mill, to mimic the binding properties found in different veggie burger formulations, including some from Doctor Praeger’s.
Edamame Swaps: Fava beans or baby lima beans (Green Baby Limas) can replace edamame, offering similar texture and nutritional value, allowing for variations similar to the diverse ingredient lists in Doctor Praeger’s product line.
Spice Rack Freedom: Maintain the total spice quantity, but feel free to swap individual spices to match your preferred flavor profile. Experiment and create your own signature spice blend, perhaps inspired by the unique spice combinations Doctor Praeger’s is known for.
Rice Options: While brown rice is used here, cooked barley, white rice, or jasmine rice might also work. Experiment to see what texture you prefer, keeping in mind the different grain bases Doctor Praeger’s might use in their various burger types.
Cornmeal Alternatives: Chickpea flour, soy flour, all-purpose flour, or gluten-free all-purpose flour could substitute cornmeal, though the texture will slightly change. This allows for gluten-free variations, similar to Doctor Praeger’s gluten-free options.
Veggies Unleashed: Use this recipe as a template to use up leftover vegetables and create your own unique veggie burger combinations. When substituting veggies, aim for similar textures and water content (e.g., cauliflower for broccoli, green pepper for red pepper). Get creative with combinations, just as Doctor Praeger’s does with their diverse vegetable blends, and always check the mixture’s final texture.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Homemade Doctor Praeger’s Style Veggie Burgers
Making these veggie burgers does require some chopping and prep work (a food processor can be a lifesaver!), but the result is a large batch of freezer-friendly burgers, perfect for meal prepping – just like stocking up on Doctor Praeger’s from the freezer aisle! Cook once, and enjoy veggie burgers for weeks! Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Veggie Prep
This is crucial because there’s a lot of chopping involved! Cook the brown rice beforehand. Chop all your vegetables into small, uniform pieces. Prepare the flax egg by mixing ground flaxseed and water in a small bowl and set aside to thicken.
Step 2: Sauté for Flavor
Heat olive oil in a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add red pepper, red onion, jalapeno, garlic, and all the spices. Stir to coat the veggies with spices and sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
Add frozen edamame, peas, broccoli, carrots, and corn. Stir to combine everything and cook uncovered on medium heat for 4-5 minutes. Mix in the cooked brown rice, lime juice, and lime zest. Continue cooking, uncovered, for another 5 minutes. This process helps meld the flavors and slightly soften the vegetables, similar to how Doctor Praeger’s burgers achieve their texture.
A grid of three photos showing the process of making veggie burger mix in a bowl
Step 3: Create the Burger Mix
Transfer the sautéed vegetable mixture into a large mixing bowl. Add the cornmeal and the prepared flax egg. Thoroughly mix everything until well combined. Let the mixture cool down slightly before forming the burgers – this makes them easier to handle.
Step 4: Shape the Patties
Using clean, dry hands, form the mixture into 8-10 patties, each about ½ cup in size. Place the patties on a plate or baking sheet. To ensure they hold together well, squeeze the mixture firmly when forming each patty, compacting it before gently flattening and shaping the edges.
Step 5: Cooking Methods
Pan-frying is highly recommended for the best texture and flavor, achieving a slightly crispy exterior reminiscent of a perfectly cooked Doctor Praeger’s burger. However, baking and air frying are also great options!
Pan-Frying: Heat ½ Tbsp refined coconut oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Pan-fry burgers for about 5 minutes per side until golden brown and heated through.
Baking: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes on parchment paper or a lightly oiled baking sheet, flipping halfway through.
Air Frying: Lightly spray your air fryer basket with oil (or use air fryer parchment). Air fry burgers in batches at 400°F (200°C) for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Preventing Veggie Burgers from Falling Apart
The key to preventing these homemade veggie burgers (and even store-bought ones like Doctor Praeger’s, if not handled carefully) from crumbling is in the patty-forming technique. Squeeze the mixture very firmly when shaping the patties. Form a ball, squeeze it tightly, then flatten it into a patty. Check for cracks and press the mixture together to seal any openings.
If your burgers are still falling apart, the mixture might be too dry. Add a teaspoon of warm water at a time until it just comes together more easily. Be cautious not to add too much liquid, which can lead to mushy burgers.
Grilling Your Veggie Burgers
These veggie burgers aren’t ideal for direct grilling on grates as vegetables might fall through. Using a thin, lockable grilling basket, designed for vegetables and easy flipping, works perfectly for grilling veggie burgers. Check out this grilling basket from Shizzo. This method ensures your burgers cook evenly and stay intact on the grill, giving you that smoky barbecue flavor, just like you might enjoy at a cookout serving Doctor Praeger’s burgers.
Image: A close-up image of a California veggie burger served on a bun with guacamole and lettuce, highlighting delicious serving suggestions that complement the homemade burger, much like the serving options for Doctor Praeger’s.
Serving Suggestions for Your Vegetarian Burgers
Allow your cooked veggie burgers to cool slightly on a wire rack or paper towel before serving. Serve them on burger buns with your favorite toppings. Delicious topping ideas include vegan ranch, guacamole or avocado slices, crisp lettuce, and juicy tomato.
Top Veggie Burger Toppings:
Personalize your veggie burger experience with your favorite toppings. Here are some popular choices:
- Classic Combo: Lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, mustard, pickles – a timeless combination that always works.
- Special Sauce: Our vegan burger sauce is a fantastic upgrade.
- Avocado & Peppers: Creamy avocado or guacamole with raw or sautéed red peppers for extra flavor and texture.
- Spicy Ranch: Elevate your burger with Spicy Avocado Ranch Sauce!
Perfect Veggie Burger Sides:
- Easy Sides: Store-bought fries or chips for a quick and simple side.
- Potato Wedges: Healthy Cast Iron Potato Wedges for a satisfying and wholesome option.
- Salad: A fresh side salad with vegan caesar dressing or Italian vinaigrette.
- Loaded Potato: Vegan Broccoli Ranch Twice Baked Potato for a heartier side.
- Green Beans: Pan-seared spicy green beans for a lighter, flavorful vegetable side.
- Corn on the Cob: A classic summer barbecue side that pairs perfectly with veggie burgers.
Storing and Reheating Your Homemade Plant-Based Burgers
Store leftover veggie burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 10 weeks. For freezing, it’s best to freeze them individually on an ungreased baking pan first, then transfer them to freezer-safe bags like Stasher 1/2 gallon silicone bags. This method mirrors how Doctor Praeger’s burgers are often purchased frozen for convenience.
Reheating Instructions:
- Microwave: Reheat in the microwave at 75% power, wrapped in a paper towel, for about 60 seconds.
- Skillet: Reheat in a lightly oiled skillet over medium-low heat, covered, flipping every few minutes until heated through.
Freezing the Burger Mixture:
Yes, you can freeze the uncooked burger mixture. However, it’s recommended to form patties first and then freeze them on a baking sheet before packing into freezer bags. This way, you can easily defrost and cook just one or two burgers at a time. Alternatively, freeze the mixture in ½ cup portions using Souper Cubes for perfectly portioned servings.
Explore More Vegan Burger Recipes
If you try this California veggie burger recipe, inspired by the flavors of Doctor Praeger’s, please share your experience! Rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Your feedback is invaluable and helps others discover and enjoy our vegan recipes!
Happy cooking and enjoy your delicious homemade veggie burgers!
Overhead photo of an edamame and corn veggie burger on a bun with avocado sauce and a side of fries
California Veggie Burger Recipe
By Brittany Roche
This California Veggie Burger recipe lets you create a homemade version of the classic veggie burger experience, similar to Doctor Praeger’s or Amy’s, packed with vegetables, grains, and balanced spices. It’s a simple, light, and filling high-protein vegan option perfect for any time of year!
5 from 4 votes
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Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Course: Burgers
Cuisine: American
Calories: 189 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 flax egg: 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed + 2 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced red pepper
- 1/3 cup diced red onions
- 2 Tbsp minced jalapeno
- 3-5 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 Tbsp ground black pepper
- 1 cup frozen edamame
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 3/4 cup finely chopped broccoli
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/3 cup frozen corn
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- 3 Tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 Tbsp lime zest
- 1 cup cornmeal
Instructions
[Instructions from original article remain the same]
Notes
[Notes from original article remain the same]
Alternate Cooking Instructions
[Alternate Cooking Instructions from original article remain the same]
Reheating Instructions
Reheat leftovers in the microwave at 75% power wrapped in a paper towel for about 60 seconds. You can also reheat in a non-stick skillet on medium-low heat covered, stopping to flip it every few minutes until it’s warmed through.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 burger | Calories: 189 kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 556mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g
Keywords: basic veggie burger recipe, california veggie burger, california veggie burger recipe, copycat dr praegers, doctor praeger’s, high protein veggie burger recipe, veggie burger recipe, veggie burger recipe vegan
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