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.
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.
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for these grilled zucchini burgers can be found at the bottom of this post.
Zucchini Patties 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.
Recipe Tips
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.
- 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 The Burger 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 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.
sophia
This is such a great idea for a healthy veggie burger. The sriracha gives it a nice kick!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Yes it does spice things up nicely for sure.
Stephanie Simmons
These look soo yummy! I honestly don’t like zucchini very much unless it’s in something else – so this is a great way for me to incorporate it into my meals! Your zucchini fritters look delicious too!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
This is a great way to use zucchini….and economical too. Hope you give them a try.
Lathiya
The burger loaded with veggies looks and sounds spectacular…This makes a perfect picnic day food
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I agree, you can never go wrong with a great burger!!
Charity
I love this idea! Veggie burgers can be very heavy just like beef burgers. But this seems like a nice vegetarian option on par with crab cake sandwiches. Light and summery!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Yes it is a great summer burger for sure. Hope you give it a try.
Amy
What a unique use for zucchini! When I was little, my family used to grow huuuuge zucchini out in our back garden every summer … we don’t usually have time for it anymore, but I’ve never lost my taste for it! 😉 Looking forward to trying this as a healthier alternative to typical cookout food!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Well you can never have too many zucchini recipes that is for sure.
Kelly Anthony
This Zucchini Burger with Sriracha & Pancetta is going to be the perfect sub for red meat! On a strict diet at the moment and love flavorful subs. Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Well I hope you can work this into your diet…I think you will love it.
Ana
What a great idea on how to eat zucchini! I just planted some and usually get tons of zucchinis and never know what to do with so many lol! I’m going to make this. Thanks for the recipe!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
If you have zucchini in the garden, you really need to make these.
Linda
Oh yay! Can’t wait for zucchini season to come and this burger also makes a great addition to summer BBQ, too.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY…I know we sure will be.
kallee
I am always looking for ways to use up pletiful zucchini. I never thought of burgers. They looks delicious.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Well add this you your list of zucchini recipes. You won’t be disappointed.
Kate
This is such an interesting recipe! I actually usually find zucchini kind of boring, but this is a fun way to use it. I am saving this recipe for my next cookout 🙂
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
There are so many ways to use zucchini. Give this a try. It is far from boring.
Patti
One year, I planted too much zucchini, and we were harvesting 20 pounds per week from our small backyard garden. I wish I had this recipe then. There’s a zucchini jelly recipe as well as zucchini relish. Both are very good. I agree with your Instagram followers. It does look like a frittata on a bun. I love the pancetta on top. I’ve pinned this recipe for when my zucchini harvest starts rolling in this year. I see these in my grilling future.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
HAHAH…zucchinis grow faster than weeds. ENJOY!
Stefani
What a creative way to use zucchini in the summertime! We usually just grill them on their own, but I love this idea. Zucchini is so healthy, and I love the burger option you brought!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give these fun and delicious burgers a try.
Rachel
Yes! I love recipes like this because they show how good plant based meals can be! I just want to reach into my screen and grab this burger. My meat loving husband said the same thing! Awesome recipe!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much. These really are healthy and delicious.
Toni | Boulder Locavore
I love it! Packed full of delicious flavors!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
We have to agree with you. ENJOY!
Trish Bozeman
I am a total sucker for a good homemade veggie burger! We are in the process of buying our first house and I’d love to plant some zucchini to have for the late summer. I know what I’m making first! 🙂
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Well you will need lots of great recipes for sure. These are amazing. Sure hope you give this recipe a try.