Zucchini burgers are a delicious change from meat-based burgers. After all, you can never have too many zucchini recipes during the summer squash season.
Combine grated zucchini, diced bell pepper, Panko breadcrumbs, and a nice hit of Sriracha sauce. Top with some crispy grilled pancetta and garnish to your perfection.
A delicious zucchini burger recipe with simple ingredients. Great for summer BBQ cooking.
You can easily make these vegan burgers, just leave off the pancetta. Instead, top them with some pickled zucchini ribbons. Need a great side? How about this Mediterranean Couscous Salad? The perfect party salad.
Very soon we will be right in the heart of “zucchini season”. Do you grow your own in the garden? I am not a gardener, but I do visit the Farmers Market on a regular basis from June to October.
I have yet to try stuffed zucchini flowers. I need to hunt some zucchini blossoms down this year for sure.
Zucchini Burgers Are Easy To Make
Honestly, these burgers have very few ingredients:
- grated zucchini
- diced bell pepper
- Sriracha sauce (adds some nice spicy heat)
- Panko breadcrumbs
- salt and pepper
- pancetta (because bacon always makes things delicious)
With a little grating and dicing, you will be ready to cook these in no time. In fact, you can make them ahead of time and keep them in the fridge until ready to use.
The most important part of making this burger recipe is preparing the zucchini.
- Grate the zucchini (you do not need to peel it). You can use a box grater, food processor, or mandolin.
- Place a metal sieve (preferably over the sink) and sprinkle it with salt.
- Let it sit and drain for about 25 minutes.
- Rinse with cold water.
- Squeeze to remove excess moisture ( I like to roll it in a kitchen towel).
Now you are ready to make the patties. Place all the ingredients in a bowl (not the pancetta), mix, form and you are ready to cook. Full instructions are in the recipe card.
- You can always add more or less Sriracha, or even replace it with something else if you wish.
- Pancetta can be optional, but I highly recommend it. You can use regular bacon or even turkey bacon.
- If you don’t have Panko breadcrumbs, any kind of breadcrumbs will work.
- I like to chill them before cooking. It prevents them from falling apart.
Grated zucchini blends well with lots of great options too. Try adding ground turkey, black beans, quinoa, or even rice. Believe me, you will not run out of burger variations.
Cooking Zucchini Patties
We cooked these on the grill. BBQ season is upon us (thank goodness).
- Heat the grill to medium-high.
- Grill for about 5-6 minutes per side.
These do tend to stick to the grates, so I would suggest that you use a grill mat for the best results.
Alternatively, you and always cook these on the stovetop.
- Use a non-stick pan with a touch of oil.
- Heat to medium-high.
- Cook for about 5-6 minutes per side.
What To Do With All The Garden Fresh Zucchini
Courgette is the BRITISH name for this delicious squash. Did you know that? No wonder Jamie Oliver always refers to it as courgette. I’m not sure which name I like best.
You can use it in so many recipes, and I can find a way to incorporate into delicious meals from breakfast to dessert. YES, you can eat zucchini raw!
- Use it in soup. Zucchini gazpacho is perfect for a hot summer day. This is made in the blender in minutes.
- How about a zucchini noodle recipe for dinner tonight. This quick and easy stir fry is sure to please your family.
- Perfect used in salads (yup eat it raw). This Greek zoodle salad contains creamy goat cheese as the dressing. Love Caesar salad? Give this Zucchini Caesar a try!
- Of course, you can never go wrong with baking. These Nutella zucchini muffins contain chocolate chips.
- Use it in recipes like these Grilled chicken skewers.
Not into veggie burgers? Give this salmon burger recipe a try instead. In fact, check out this burger roundup for lots of great suggestions. Don’t forget flavoured mayo, the perfect condiment.
Zucchini Burger Patties
Ingredients
- 10 ounces grated zucchini (skin on)
- 3 ounces bell pepper (diced, any colour)
- 1 tablespoons Sriracha sauce
- 1 egg
- ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- salt & pepper (to taste)
- 3 ounces pancetta (optional)
Instructions
Make the Zucchini Patties:
- 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.
- Place drain zucchini in a mixing bowl.
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.
- Form into 2 balls, giving a squeeze to remove any remaining liquid.
- Form into 2 patties approximately ¾ inch thick and 4 inches in diameter.
- Place on wax paper. You can place these in the fridge until ready to use (even overnight).
Grill the Zucchini Burgers:
- Heat the grill to medium-high. Use a grill mat to cook the patties on for best results
- Grill burgers approximately 5-6 minutes per side.
- While burgers are cooking, you can grill your pancetta at the other end of the mat.
- Remove cooker burgers and place on buns. Top with pancetta. Garnish with your desired ingredients.
Pan Fry the Burgers:
- Heat a non-stick skillet with about 1 tbsp. of oil.
- Cook burgers about 5-6 minutes per side.
- Remove from heat. Place on buns and enjoy.
Ashley @Irishred02
I have been looking for red meat alternatives and I am getting tired of turkey. I will definitely be trying this one out!
Chef G
Hope you enjoy them.
Shirley Wood
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.
Chef G
Yes I cannot wait for BBQ season here too.
Claudia Krusch
Grilling season is here! I can’t wait to try your recipe! It sounds sooo good!
Chef G
Hope you do and ENJOY!!
Khrista {ezeBreezy Life Simplified}
I have never seen a burger made of zucchini before…i love it! I have 4 zucchini sitting in the fridge and will give this a try for dinner tomorrow. Thanks for the great recipe.
Chef G
Hope you like them as much as we do.
laura londergan
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!
Chef G
They are really tasty.
Mama to 5 BLessings
Wow those burgers look amazing. What a healthy alternative than meat!
Chef G
They are great!!
Alicia Taylor
I could almost dive into those veggie patties. They look amazing and so colorful!
Chef G
Thanks…we love them!!
Heather lawrence
This looks delicious! I love zucchini but never though you could make a burger with it.
We normally add it in with our baking or on a kabob.
Chef G
Zucchini make awesome burgers!!
Helene Cohen Bludman
That sounds really good! I will try this out when our vegetarian friends come over for a cookout this summer.
Chef G
They are great!!
Jessica Harlow
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!
Chef G
Awesome…they are so good.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy)
Oh yum! My husband will flip his lid when I make these for him!!
Chef G
They are really good.
Choclette
Love the idea of making courgettes into a burger. I’ve been making courgette fritters, which are sort of similar, yet rather different too.
Chef G
Hello and thanks for stopping buy. Yes they are similar to fritters….both are delicious!!
Kacie Morgan
This looks delicious – an easy way to help reach your 5-a-day 😀
Chef G
Thanks…always looking for new ways to get in those veggies for sure!! Thanks for stopping by!
La Cuisine d'Helene
I love this simple dish in the summer, it looks so yum!
Chef G
Yes it’s funny how sometimes the simple things are soooooo gooooood!!!
Chrissie (thebusybaker.ca)
Mmmm! These look great! Can’t wait till my zucchini is ready to be picked! I’ll be making these for sure 🙂
Chef G
Hope you enjoy them. I know we did!!