A delicious meatless burger bursting with Mediterranean flair.
Whether it’s a veggie burger, portobello burger, or these grilled eggplant burgers, there are plenty of delicious meatless options to replace the classic ground beef burger.
However, I’ve found that the best way to enjoy these burgers is not to think of them as substitutes at all. These Mediterranean Grilled Eggplant Burgers aren’t just some sad vegetarian substitute for red meat. They’re a delicious, fresh, and flavorful meal in their own right.
This was something my father could never quite grasp. As far as he was concerned, a burger was one thing and one thing only: ground beef and cheese on a bun with pickles and ketchup. My mother tried to introduce veggie burgers and other meatless options, but to my father, they were only ever paltry substitutes.
The Case for Meatless
These days, I often run into the same problem when it comes to cooking for my boyfriend. A lot of men seem to have strong, not particularly well-informed opinions about meat. Chief among those opinions: the belief that meat is necessary at all times.
If anything seems vaguely vegetarian, my boyfriend is immediately skeptical. For men like him and my father, anything that seems like a veggie substitute for their beloved red meat is simply unacceptable.
However, as the rest of us know, these guys are missing out. Meatless burgers are not just for vegetarians, and they’re definitely not just “substitutes” for ground beef or turkey. These grilled eggplant burgers are a delicious summer meal with a fresh Mediterranean flavor that puts any traditional burger to shame anyway.
But just because these eggplant burgers are so much more than a meatless substitute doesn’t mean they don’t make a good one. It’s no secret that cutting back on red meat is good for you. And it’s even less of a secret that veggies are your friend. So anytime you can swap a veggie in place of meat, it’s really a two birds one stone kind of situation.
Whether you’re vegetarian, trying to eat clean, or just looking for some new burger recipes, these grilled eggplant burgers are a must-try recipe. Complete with feta cheese and topped with a zesty Greek yogurt sauce, this delicious recipe bursts with Mediterranean flair.
They’re Easy to Make
This delicious recipe is also super easy to make. The best part about making these grilled eggplant burgers? You don’t even need a grill! Just a stovetop and skillet will suffice, making this recipe perfect for summer cooking and beyond. Craving a refreshing summery meal but not in the mood to clear the snow off the grill? Stay inside and whip up a batch of these zesty Mediterranean eggplant burgers.
This recipe uses eggplant seasoned with salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano and cooked in olive oil. Placed on a toasted hamburger bun, this grilled eggplant burger is topped with feta, onion, tomato, and romaine. Finally, this burger is topped off with a Greek yogurt sauce seasoned with garlic and dill.
So no, not all meatless burgers are just vegetarian substitutes. They are delicious burgers in their own right. But good luck trying to convince the men in your life.
If you’re willing to give it a shot though, try some of these other meatless burgers:
How to Make Mediterranean Grilled Eggplant Burgers With Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 eggplant large, cut into 1/4 inch thick circles
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 whole-wheat hamburger buns
- 1/3 cup feta cheese crumbles fat-free
- 1 tomato large, cut into 1/8 inch circles
- 1 red onion cut into thin strips
- 4 romaine lettuce leaves large
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt plain
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon dry dill
Instructions
- Season each side of the eggplant with salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano.
- In a large skillet on medium heat, heat the olive oil. Once hot, add the seasoned eggplant. Cook, each side, about 3 minutes or until eggplant is soft and lightly golden brown on each side. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Brush the inside of each hamburger bun with the remaining olive oil. Heat the same pan the eggplant was cooked into medium heat and place the buns into the pan oiled side down. Cook, about 2 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan.
- Place the bottom toasted bun onto a serving plate. Top with 2 slices of the eggplant followed by feta, tomato, red onion, and lettuce.
- In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, garlic, and dill and stir well. Drizzle over the top of the eggplant. Place the top but onto the burger and serve.
Nutrition Information
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Is there a typo with the recipe? It says 44 calories for 1 burger, but those way too low for a whole burger.
Hi Natalie, you’re absolutely correct! I have updated the nutritional information to reflect the correct numbers. Thanks for catching that mistake!