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.
Leslie-Anne
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.
Homemade & Yummy
Well you are in for a treat. Be sure to follow the tip and use a grill mat.
Lisa
What a great idea! I am always looking for new zucchini recipes! This looks great!
Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY….these are delicious.
mydeliciousmeals
That’s an interesting one, I have never tried zucchini burger, wonder how this one will taste. The pancetta addition sounds very delicious. Thanks for sharing!
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give this delicious recipe a try soon.
Stephanie Simmons
What a great way to sneak in some extra veggies! This looks delicious
Homemade & Yummy
YES….lots of delicous zucchini in these burgers.
Dana
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.
Homemade & Yummy
These are such a great way to use zucchini….hope you give it a try soon.
Carmy
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!
Homemade & Yummy
These really are a great burger option….and a way to use all that zucchini.
Marisa Franca
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!!
Homemade & Yummy
THANKS for letting me know. ALSO….I really need to make your HOT SAUCE recipe….trying to hunt down some peppers.
Jacqueline Debono
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!
Homemade & Yummy
YES….we eat a lot of zucchini too…..and you can never have too many recipes.
swathi
Zucchini burger looks delicious I like the spicy Kick from the sriacha and pancetta makes it more delicious. Perfect for grilling season.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes the sriracha really does add some kick…ENJOY!
Catherine
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!
Homemade & Yummy
It really does make a great “veggie burger” if you leave off the pancetta….if you DARE!
Veena Azmanov
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.
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much for the compliments. We really do like this burger…hope you give it a try.
Leah
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!
Homemade & Yummy
Yup you can really do a lot with this humble burger for sure.
Julia
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!
Homemade & Yummy
The grilling mat is a MUST if you don’t want your BBQ to eat the burgers.
Catherine Brown
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. 😉
Homemade & Yummy
YUP for sure…grill pan or grill mat is a must here.
Karyl Henry
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
Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY….we sure do. Happy grilling!!