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Zucchini Burger with Sriracha & Pancetta

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Zucchini Burger with Sriracha & Pancetta is a great addition to the burger rotation this BBQ season. After all, you can never have too many zucchini recipes during the summer.

This zucchini burger recipe combines grated fresh zucchini, diced bell pepper, Panko breadcrumbs and a nice hit of Sriracha sauce. Topped with some crispy grilled pancetta and garnished to your perfection.

Very soon we will be right in the heat of “zucchini season”. Do you grow your own zucchini in the garden? I am not a gardener, but I do visit the Farmers Market on a regular basis from June to October.

What To Do With Zucchini

If you are like me, you can never have too many zucchini recipes. Once zucchini starts to grow, we all know it grows like CRAZY. I still remember my husband bringing home this HUGE zucchini that a co-worker gave him. It was so BIG that I grated it up, placed it in freezer bags and froze it. I also baked him some zucchini muffins as a thank you.

Zucchini grated to make zucchini burgers, pancetta in the background.

Zucchini is such a versatile squash. You can use it in so many recipes, and I can find a way to incorporate into delicious meals from breakfast to dessert.

 

Zucchini gazpacho is a favourite here (this was our first time trying cold soup).  We love turning zucchini into zoodles, and my Greek Zoodle Salad is perfect for all the BBQ parties we seem to have during the season.

How To Make Zucchini Burgers

With BBQ season in full swing, burgers are flying off the grill. You can NEVER have too many mouthwatering recipes in your arsenal. Grilled zucchini burgers are easy to make, and are a great vegetarian burger option too.

These healthy zucchini patties include:

  • grated zucchini
  • bell pepper
  • salt & pepper
  • Panko breadcrumbs
  • egg
  • Sriracha sauce

I posted a picture of this zucchini burger on Instagram after I finished my photo shoot (just before we devoured these for dinner). I asked people to guess what it might be. I got answers like: crab cakes, veggie burger, and someone even said it looked like a frittata on a bun.

Zucchini burgers cooking on the grill.

You can make these zucchini burgers well ahead of time. I like to keep them in the fridge for a few hours before cooking. This helps hold them together. I would not hesitate to make them the day before and just let them chill until ready to cook.

One thing we find that works well when you cook these burgers on the grill is using a BBQ cooking mat. The first time we cooked these, we just grilled them on the grate. Unfortunately, the BBQ got to eat these delicious burgers too. If you don’t have a BBQ mat, my next suggestion would be a cast iron grill pan.

Close up shot of pancetta on top of a grilled zucchini burger.

Talking about veggie and vegetarian burgers, zucchini in burgers is a fantastic ingredient. Now, this particular zucchini burger recipe is ALMOST vegetarian. Since bacon makes everything better (and we LOVE it), we topped it with pancetta. Feel free to leave it off. As for the Sriracha, adjust to your liking. If you want to turn up the heat, add more.

Zucchini Burger topped with pancetta, tomatoes and pea shoots....ready to eat.

Zucchini season is here. Add this great Zucchini Burger with Sriracha & Pancetta to your burger selection this summer. Happy Grilling!!

Do you have a favourite zucchini recipe?

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Zucchini Burger with Sriracha & Pancetta

Course: BBQ, Burger, main
: Canadian
Keyword: zucchini BBQ grill
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 2 burgers
Calories: 306 kcal
Author: Homemade & Yummy

Zucchini Burger with Sriracha & Pancetta is the perfect way to use all that summer zucchini. You can never have too many zucchini recipes in your arsenal.

Print

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces grated zucchini (skin on)
  • 3 ounces bell pepper (diced, any colour)
  • 1 tbsp Sriracha sauce
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • salt & pepper (to taste)
  • 3 ounces pancetta (optional)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

To make the Zucchini Burgers:

  1. Grate the zucchini and place in a metal sieve. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt and let drain for 25 minutes.

    Rinse with water to remove salt, and squeeze out excess liquid.

  2. Place drain zucchini in a mixing bowl.

  3. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.

  4. Form into 2 balls, giving a squeeze to remove any remaining liquid.

  5. Form into 2 patties approximately 3/4 inch thick and 4 inches in diameter. 

  6. Place on wax paper. You can place these in the fridge until ready to use (even overnight).

To cook the Zucchini Burgers:

  1. Heat the grill to medium-high.

  2. Use a grill mat for best results.

  3. Grill burgers approximately 5-6 minutes per side.

  4. Will burgers are cooking, you can grill your pancetta at the other end of the mat.

  5. Remove cooker burgers and place on buns. 

     Top with pancetta.

     Garnish with your desired ingredients.

  6. ENJOY!

Nutrition Facts
Zucchini Burger with Sriracha & Pancetta
Amount Per Serving
Calories 306 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g 31%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 109mg 36%
Sodium 607mg 25%
Potassium 603mg 17%
Total Carbohydrates 18g 6%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Sugars 6g
Protein 12g 24%
Vitamin A 34.7%
Vitamin C 102.5%
Calcium 6.2%
Iron 11.1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Zucchini Burger with Sriracha & Pancetta Pin Image

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. I am always looking for new zucchini recipes! It’s in abundance at our farm market all summer and I can never resist buying them by the basketful. I absolutely love that you’ve topped these burgers with grilled pancetta. What a great addition, and that kick from the sriracha must give this burger the perfect finish!

    Reply

  3. Now this is my kind of burger!! With burger season upon us my hubby is all about grilling and hamburgers at least once a week, as the only person in my family thats not a big red meat fan I am always on the lookout for a veggie option that still has some flavor. Not only does this pack a punch of flavor BUT it also gives me a use for the masses of zucchini I have growing in the garden right now. Can’t wait for the next bbq to enjoy these again 🙂

    Reply

  4. Oh my gosh, this is such a good idea for zucchini season when I have SO MANY ZUCCHINI! It’s such a challenge to use it all up and this is a new twist I haven’t seen before. Looking forward to trying it when I’m knee deep in zucchini.

    Reply

  8. You’re right, you really can’t have enough zucchini recipes! I buy zucchini every time I hit up the grocery store. I usually just roast it with some nutritional yeas, but I’ll have to give this a whirl! I love trying new veg burgers.

    Reply

  9. These look amazing Gloria! I love the use of zucchini but still having the pancetta in there. It’s a lot less heavy than a regular burger but there’s still pancetta in there to hit the spot. I think this would be a hit at a bbq since it’ll make sure you’re not too full to have everything else!

    Reply

  10. Just wanted to let you know we tried the burgers out and they were delicious. We wanted something light and tasty but satisfying too. The zucchini burger was delicious!! We did use some of our homemade hot sauce on them and they were spiced just right. Great recipe, Gloria!!

    Reply

  11. Here in Italy, zucchini is practically a summer staple! I cook them a lot and have also grown them myself although not this year. I’ve never made zucchini burgers though. But, after seeing this recipe am def adding them to my to-make list! I also love the sound of your zucchini gazpacho!

    Reply

  13. This veggie burger is just bursting with flavor! I love the touch of the sriracha and pancetta…these would be a huge hit in my house. I know my family would thoroughly enjoy these for dinner one night!

    Reply

  14. I am in love with these burgers Gloria. Cannot wait to try them. I love zucchini and if I’m not zoodling them I’d probably make a patty out of them. So this would be just perfect. Saving this for later. Love the pictures too.

    Reply

  15. First of all, I am down for anything with pancetta, just saying! This sounds so flavorful and delicious, and sounds like such a great filling meal. What a great way to use fresh garden veggies as well!

    Reply

  16. These burgers look so fresh and delicious! I love the colour and they do look a little bit like frittatas 🙂 Great suggestion about using a grilling mar. And you are right, bacon makes everything better!

    Reply

  17. Fortunately I have another couple of weeks before zucchini season up here in Northern NH, but I will definitely be checking out these burgers. Those peppers really pop and the tomatoes look scrumptious! Glad to know I should use my grill pan. 😉

    Reply

  18. I love making zucchini patties, but I’ve never thought to make them into burgers! And I’m loving all the bright colors in yours. I’m definitely adding this to the meal plan

    Reply

  19. What a great idea for using zucchini!! I love zucchini and we’ve been zoodling up a storm. But making the zucchini into a patty is a wonderful way to have a delicious and low-calorie sandwich filling. We are always looking for something yummy without a lot of fat. This recipe certainly has what we’re looking for. Will be picking up more zucchini at the grocery store.

    Reply

  20. Yes thank you this is the perfect recipe for my BBQ next week.. My niece is a new vegetarian and I was at a loss what to cook for her.. Love this recipe

    Reply

  21. Zucchini really sounds so refreshing as a burger. I love how to added the peppers and green to make it more colorful. Pancetta would definitely be an amazing combination. I cannot wait to try this soon.

    Reply

  24. Yum, I love this take on a veggie burger. I love zucchini fritters, this is taking it to the next level. And you can’t go wrong with sriracha and pancetta 🙂

    Reply

  25. I am all vegetarian and do not eat meat so you can just imagine how excited I am to see this one! I have 3 zucchini in my fridge and lots of peppers. I will make two batches one for me and then my husband will love the addition of Pancetta! Love this!

    Reply

  26. Not only do those sound great, they look so pretty! The will be great with our garden zucchini this summer. I wonder if you could freeze these? They would make a really nice lunch too just pan fried I think.

    Reply

  27. A friend gave me two zucchini plants this spring, and I’ve never grown it before! This is such a great idea- I need to try it! I can’t wait to go zucchini crazy 😀

    Reply

  28. When the zucchini comes in — you better have an arsenal of zucchini recipes ready and this one is genius! I’ve never heard of a straight up zucchini burger. I usually add shredded, sauteed zucchini to my turkey meatballs to keep them moist while adding in veg, but you’ve gone ALL THE WAY! And yes, everything is better with bacon, or pancetta in this case. We need to make this one ASAP!

    Reply

  31. I’m so intrigued by these veggie burgers! I feel like normally when I try to make veggie burgers they fall apart easily but these look like the egg and panko hold everything together quite well. Can’t wait to make them asap!

    Reply

  32. Wow! Now that’s a healthy burger! You answered my question when you said cook it on a grill mat because my first thought was how do I hold them together. Great idea! I love adding zucchini to regular beef burgers too as it makes them a little healthier and much moister. Love the sound of this burger and the addition of bacon was the perfect touch!

    Reply

  34. I had a zucchini slider when I was in Philadelphia a couple weeks ago and loved it! I was hoping to find a recipe just like this so thank you! Do you think it would work to sub in almond flour for the breadcrumbs? Or to at least use a gluten free option?

    Reply

  35. This is totally happening in my house this week! I would skip the pancetta and egg and find a way to make it all plant-based but i absolutely love the idea of a zucchini patty!

    Reply

  42. This was a really creative use for zucchini and I’m going to try it out. My neighbor always brings me over zucchini from her garden and I don’t know what to make with it. I’ll enjoy cooking these up on the grill.

    Reply

  50. What a tasty zuccini recipe. I think I’d prefer to eat it without the bun. Grilling season is almost here for us so I’ll save this recipe for my hubby. He is a big fan of zuccini and we always need more recipes.

    Reply

  53. I gotta be honest in that I have never had something like this but I would be willing to try it as it looks that good. lol I love finding healthy options so this would definitely work!

    Reply

  57. That sounds really good! I will try this out when our vegetarian friends come over for a cookout this summer.

    Reply

  58. This sounds delicious and like a great way to eat up all the zucchini that grows in our garden! I’m always looking for different ways to use that veggie other than the typical zucchini bread recipe!

    Reply

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