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.
Debra
I’m always keeping an eye out for healthy veggie burgers. Wholesome and unique ingredients makes this a great find! We definitely have an abundance of zucchini every year and I am pinning this to have something different to make when that happens.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY! I know we will be making our fair share of these burgers too.
Mimi
A fantastic way to grill at party! I am saving this so I can try it as soon as I run my first BBQ event. And I can’t wait to dive into the world of zucchini flavors – it is so good!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I can’t wait for BBQ season. I know these tasty burgers will be happening a lot during the summer. ENJOY!
April
Absolutely agree – zucchini burger will have it own special place in the list of BBQ burgers. I can’t wait for the season to start – it will be a great opportunity to try this recipe.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Such an economical burger to make. A great place for all those zucchinis for sure.
Jori
Thanks for the heads-up on the bbq mat. I didn’t know those things existed! My grill would’ve definitely gobbled these up, too.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
YES a mat is a MUST with this recipe. You would hate for the BBQ to eat them instead of you.
Sean@Diversivore
I think that anyone who grows zucchini is going to agree with your assessment that one can never have too many zucchini recipes. If only every vegetable was so prolific! I’ve always liked zucchini but not really LOVED it, you know? I think it’s the water content. That’s why I was intrigued by this recipe – grating, salting, and draining the zucchini and then working it into a burger sounds really interesting. I’m always hunting for a new veggie burger (or veggie-heavy burger) idea, and there are SO many out there, but I’ve not seen a zucchini one yet, and I’m eager to try it. Love the colour and pop from the bell peppers too.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
This is such an economical burger, especially during zucchini season. Hope you give these a try. Be sure to use the BBQ mat. You would hate for the grill to eat these burgers instead of you.
Dana
I love zucchini patties! Zucchini is one of the most versatile veggies out there. Yet, despite the amount of fritters and latkes I’ve made, I would’ve never thought to do up burger patties. Love this!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Well if you love fritters and latkes….you will certainly love these too. ENJOY!
Jayashree
This is definitely new to me and loved the idea of zucchini here. Nice idea.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much. Hope you give this recipe a try.
Maman de sara
What a great way to use zucchinis!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I totally agree you need LOTS of zucchini recipes. Hope you give this one a try.
Amanda
What a delicious burger! I love the sriracha and pancetta additions. They add such great flavor. Thanks for the recipe!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
It really is such an economical way to feed a family. All you need is that HINT of bacon on this delicious burger.
Marisa F. Stewart
What a great idea for a low calorie sandwich that is loaded with flavor. I’m so glad we can get zucchini throughout the year and it isn’t expensive. I’m looking forward to making me a great sandwich – and we do have a mat to use on the grill.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Zucchini is so economical. I am so looking forward to grilling season.
Karyl Henry
It does kind of look like a fritatta LOL! I’m loving all the vibrant colors in this burger. I’ve got quite a bit of zucchini in the fridge, and this looks like the perfect way to use some of it
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Yes I rather liked that guess. Hope you give this a try to use up some of your zucchini.
Lois Christensen
Saving this recipe for when my garden is overflowing with zucchini! Looks yummy and a perfect Meatless Monday meal.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Yes (minus the pancetta)….and a great way to use ALL that zucchini.
Emmanuella Sjögren
This looks delicious and fresh! I love how you snuck pancetta in for us bacon lovers? I grow a lot of my own summer veggies like tomatoes, carrots rhubarb etc but not zucchini though I get tons of from my mother in law. She always end up with way too much and
so this will definitely be on my of recipes to make this summer. Gorgeous pictures!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Zucchini grows like crazy. You always need lots of recipes to use it up.
Jeannette (Jay Joy)
I didn’t know that once zucchini starts to grow, we all know it grows like CRAZY. I am excited because I have been thinking about growing some in my garden.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
OMG…they can grow MASSIVE. Have fun with your garden. You will need this recipe, trust me.
Julie Menghini
This burger just screams summer to me. I sure wouldn’t have thought to come up with this delicious burger but it’s sure on my radar now!. I’ve really cut back on my gardening but zucchini is so easy to come by in the summer and like you stated can really go a long way.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
These are a great way to use zucchini for sure. Economical too.