Chickpea Burgers & Tahini Sauce

Rating: 4.69 stars
49 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 40
  • 4 star values: 4
  • 3 star values: 4
  • 2 star values: 1
  • 1 star values: 0

Rather than a heavy, fried falafel, here's a lighter version of the pocket sandwich: a chickpea patty served in a whole-wheat pita with a flavorful and lower-in-fat tahini sauce. Make it a Meal: Serve with a tomato-&-feta salad or Parsley Tabbouleh. Wash it down with an organic Wit Bier from Wolaver's.

EatingWell Test Kitchen
Source: EatingWell Magazine, August/September 2006

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Recipe Summary

total:
25 mins
Servings:
4
Nutrition Profile:
High Fiber
Vegetarian
Healthy Aging
Healthy Immunity
Healthy Pregnancy
Low Added Sugars
Nutrition Info
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Ingredients

Chickpea burgers
Tahini sauce

Directions

  • Place chickpeas, scallions, egg, flour, oregano, cumin and salt in a food processor. Pulse, stopping once or twice to scrape down the sides, until a coarse mixture forms that holds together when pressed. (The mixture will be moist.) Form into 4 patties.

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  • Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties and cook until golden and beginning to crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully flip and cook until golden brown, 2 to 4 minutes more.

  • To prepare sauce & serve: Meanwhile, combine yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, parsley and salt in a medium bowl. Warm pitas, if desired. Divide the patties among the pita halves and serve with the sauce.

Tips

Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate the uncooked burger mixture and tahini sauce for up to 2 days.

Ingredient Note: Tahini is a thick paste made from ground sesame seeds. Look for it in the Middle Eastern section or near other nut butters in large supermarkets.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
400 calories; protein 14.8g 30% DV; carbohydrates 54.5g 18% DV; exchange other carbs 3.5; dietary fiber 9g 36% DV; sugars 3.2g; fat 15.1g 23% DV; saturated fat 2.5g 13% DV; cholesterol 48.3mg 16% DV; vitamin a iu 808.8IU 16% DV; vitamin c 18.6mg 31% DV; folate 132.6mcg 33% DV; calcium 148.4mg 15% DV; iron 4.1mg 23% DV; magnesium 79.2mg 28% DV; potassium 494.1mg 14% DV; sodium 714.7mg 29% DV; thiamin 0.3mg 32% DV.
Exchanges:

3 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1 1/2 fat

Reviews (49)

Read More Reviews
49 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 40
  • 4 star values: 4
  • 3 star values: 4
  • 2 star values: 1
  • 1 star values: 0
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
Carol Lenz
Rating: 4 stars
07/27/2017
These burgers are great but could use a little more seasoning if eaten without the sauce. If you make the patties on waxed paper which you then turn over and release burgers into the pan they stay together. No need for a lot of oil. I use minimal safflower brushed onto the pan. Read More
Amy Lee Myer-Seaman
Rating: 3 stars
06/14/2017
I could not get these to stay together at all. Good flavor but I was hoping to eat it as a patty on a lettuce leaf and that was just not going to happen. Very frustrating! Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
07/21/2016
Delicious but! I've made this recipe twice now. The first time I used canned beans and then fell apart completely in the pan. So the second time I used dried beans and they've held together beautifully. I also added garlic to the tahini sauce and a little cumin as well. Delicious recipe but definitely use the dried chick peas! Read More
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EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
06/06/2013
New favorite of my 3 young boys! I used onion instead of chives for more flavor. Wrapped in a tortilla with cucumbers tomato and more onions for a less carby meal. Best part is my three little guys who like NOTHING LOVED this meal. High fives all around. Pros: my kids loved Cons: none Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
04/04/2013
Sauce is the best part! I love these chickpea burgers. They are super easy to make and the yogurt/tahini sauce balances out the flavors so well. I have made it numerous times and eat time find myself licking the sauce off my fingers. Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 3 stars
01/24/2013
Too Watery I don't have a food processor so had to use an immersion blender. It created a great mix but the ingredients were too wattery. The first two patties were a mess in the pan and I need a ton of oil. But the secon dbatch (with another 2 tblsp of flour) were quick needed less oil and were super tasty. I also added hot sauce to the pita's at the end. Awesome addition. Pros: Tasty healthy Cons: Needed too much oil Read More
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EatingWell User
Rating: 2 stars
10/07/2012
Don't expect it to be anything like falafel! I am a college student and was looking for good healthy easy and inexpensive recipes. This recipe immediately caught my eye as I thought it'd turn out similar to falafel since falafel is made from basically the same ingredients and served the same way. Boy was I wrong. I found the chickpea burgers to be VERY bland/boring and had to add huge amounts of cumin and a dash of cayenne pepper to really taste anything. The Tahini was worse. I'm not sure if the person who created this recipe has ever had real tahini but this wasn't even close. Unfortunately I'm no real chef and wasn't able to fix it but I rescued the recipe by adding my own homemade hummus to the inside of the pita. Long story short these burgers are cheap healthy pretty easy but are VERY bland. Not worth the effort and I won't be making this again. Pros: Easy Cheap Healthy Cons: Bland Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 3 stars
09/24/2012
Great Mix of Flavors - Add Red Pepper Flakes Mix the sauce in a food processor too...mmmm...creamy. Pros: Super easy super fast Cons: I mixed the chickpea mixture too much. Don't do what I did. Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
09/07/2012
I thought these burgers were great. I didn't find them bland I just added a little bit more salt. Before I cooked them I put the mixture in the freezer a bit and wet my hands before forming them and that helped a lot. When I made the sauce I used Greek plain non-fat yogurt and I added a bit more lemon juice. Overall a great meal! And my dad even liked them who would never consider something vegetarian. Pros: fast and easy to make Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
09/07/2012
I thought these burgers were great! Super easy to make and not many ingredients. I love the flavor the scallions gave it. When I ate mine I put dill pickles on it to give it some more crunch and it was really good. I will definitely be making these again very soon. Pros: fast and easy to make! Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 3 stars
08/20/2012
Trying to duplicate local favorite This recipe is a good starting point. I added grated garlic finely chopped bell pepper and smoked paprika. Enjoyed the flavor. The texture was a little smoother than I was hoping for. Would have liked a little more bit. Pros: healthy easy Cons: didn't love the texture Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 4 stars
08/14/2012
Easy to make mine stayed together fine. Although I did not have a food processor I just used a potato masher and a wooden spoon so that might have had something to do with it. I skipped the scallions and oregano but added about 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder and cayenne pepper along with a bit of fresh ground pepper. I couldn't be bothered making a sauce so instead used a Greek yogurt and cucumber sauce I found at the grocery store. I put the patty in a whole wheat pita with some lettuce and topped it with the sauce. I served it with a side of semolina and fresh beet salad. It tasted great! I will definitely make this again. Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 4 stars
03/31/2012
Really quick and easy to make! really liked this recipe. luckily for me i tasted the burger mix before i fried it and found it bland so added some old el paso spice mix and stuffing mix i had at hand. the tahini dip tasted a bit odd at first so had to add a bit more lemon juice and pepper. once the burgers are tasted with the tahini sauce they were both fine and tasted great together! would definitely make this again. Pros: doesnt take long to make Cons: had to add more flavour Read More
jordanhorowitz@verizon.net
Rating: 5 stars
10/31/2011
This is one of our most favorites. It's easy to prepare and over-the-top delicious. We've started modifying the recipe using other spice combinations with different toppings. Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/31/2011
Very tasty but time consuming...these burgers also crumble and fall apart VERY easily Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
I l-o-v-e this recipe. It is cheap easy and tastes great - perfect for college cooking! I followed the recipe exactly except for one thing: I added a sprinkle of paprika to the tahini sauce. It gave the sauce the kick I think it needed. Anonymous Allentown PA Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
This was easy and oh so good the family loved it. I am looking for a better way to eat and in my house this recipe will be served at least once a week. Thank you diana South Plainfield NJ Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
Made this many times. We've started some variations and would recommend: (a) adding some curry powder to the mix and serving with Major Grey Chutney; (b) after processing mixing in grated carrot and sunflower seeds (really good with some homemade guacamole on top); and (c) adding cumin chile powder and a minced jalapeno to the mix making small patties and serving on warm corn tortillas with taco toppings (lettuce tomato salsa etc.). Jordan Long Beach CA Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
Yummy tasting recipe! I make my own tahini by grinding up toasted sesame (3-5 min in oven) seeds in a coffee grinder then just adding a bit of olive oil til the consistency is right - so much better and less expensive than store bought. Janice San Jose MX Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
Fantastic! Fast! Easy and whats more it is close to the BEST Falafel I eat in town! Patty San Jose CA Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
This was fabulous! It came together just like the recipe said.. and it was DELISH!!! Our new favorite here. Great job Eating Well! We love the vegetarian protein packed meals like this one. Thanks so much! Carrie Sarasota FL Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
This recipe was a big success to me because i have tried to make veggie burgers in the past and they have not come out very tasty. So i gave this recipe a try and i found out it worked quite nicely. I made it without the tahini sauce and the spices and put it on a slice of ezekiel bread and it was still tasty! it was just a little bland though but i might try to add my own blend of spices. Overall a very good recipe! Great job! MM ID Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
This one is in our regular rotation as well. To help form the patties dip hands in water spoon mix into hand squish into shape and place on square of wax paper. Then you can move them into the pan (or fridge to firm up) without directly touching them. Plop upside down in pan then peel off wax paper. Instead of tahini sauce we do a raita with lowfat plain yogurt ground cumin salt fresh mint chopped seeded cucumber and quartered grape tomatos. Have yet to see a 19 oz can of chickpeas. Usually open two cans and reserve the leftovers for salads. Daytona Camp Hill PA Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
One of the few things I've ever made to turn out just like the picture. They were delicious... and the sauce went perfectly with them. Katey Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
This recipe can't be right -- i made as directed and the mixture was so wet that i couldn't form a patty of any sort. After two attempts at frying them in olive oil adding more flour after the first i threw the batter away. Now i am wondering what to make for dinner... D London Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
Great vegetarian option! I made this last night and it was very easy. I had a hard time finding the Tahini so made a modified yogurt sauce and served them with that and salsa. Very good. Thanks! www.eatatthetable.com Eat At The Table Washington DC Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
Great dish. Instead of hamburger sized patties I just dropped a spoon full into the oil for mini patties. I used 2 cap-fulls of oil for the pan I may do a bit more next time. Thank you Roger Sacramento CA Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
It had a lot of flavor. Easy to make. Just put in the mini food processor. It did need extra flour to hold together but a easy recipe. Anonymous LaCresenta CA Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
Simply DELICIOUS recipe...yes a tiny bit time consuming but worth it. I would double this and try freezing some mix for later maybe? SOOO yummy and the sauce is the perfect accompaniment. These would also make great hors d'oeuvre! Anonymous Oak Bluffs MA Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
Delicious! This is a great recipe. We added some avocado tomato and sprouts in whole wheat pita. This has entered the "regular rotation" in our house. Anonymous Long Beach CA Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
the flavors were great but i ended up with way too much pita. next time i'll try these with some tabbouleh instead of pita. Anonymous oakland ca Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
Love it! Anonymous Portland Love it! Anonymous Portland OR Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
I had to adjust my recipe because I could only find a 15oz can of chickpeas so it may have been a little more wet than normal. However this was still a really tasty recipe that I am going to make again this week. Anonymous Salem MA Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
This recipe needs more spices! The ingredient list I thought was deceptively devoid of garlic onion etc... the chickpea burgers turned out quite bland but would otherwise be delicious with the addition of a little kick. Read More
rebeccalc
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
I love this recipe! I make it all the time but I use almost double the recommended amount of tahini in the yogurt sauce. Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
At our local Middle Eastern restaurant they add nutmeg to the burgers. And bulgar wheat. They also serve a different kind of sauce. Its yogurt garlic and mint. I am so glad to have this recipe Its so very good!!! Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
Very tasty - however I think I'll try some of the suggestions by other readers to add more of a kick to it or maybe even add onions to the patties next time. Overall tasty satisfying delicious meal! Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
Does anyone know if this recipe freezes well? Looks delish! Great suggestions from the comments Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
This was delicious!! I used 5 scallions and added one more tbsp to the tahini sauce. LOVED IT!!! Read More
mrs.rauenhorst@gmail.com
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
This is a terrific recipe! Great for a non-meat weeknight! My 3 YO loved it too! We used a little extra lemon juice in the sauce and thought the flavor was fresh and bright. Read More
JanetC
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
Pretty good and fairly filling but next time I'll use less oregano and add a little garlic. I also used just a splash of lemon juice in the blender--using a food processor would be easier.:) I didn't make the sauce because tahini turned-out to be hard-to-find in my neck of the woods and expensive when I finally did; used spinach-artichoke hummus. Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
This recipe was cheap and easy to make as well as quick. I thought it lacked flavor though. I would add garlic more onion some coriander nutmeg and a touch of toasted sesame oil for flavor. As I ate it I thought of so many different ingredient combinations that are possible. I would make the sauce differently with more flavor as well. I would probably add a little cucumber to the dip and some mint pepper and onion powder. Basically it was blah blah blah and if it weren't for the onions the recipe called for there wouldn't be much going on. I'm definitely up for making it again just with more flavor. I would also recommend using white pita not whole grain so that the burger patty can be more easily tasted as it was dry and the whole grain pita was also dry. Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
I haven't tried this recipe but in the past if I didn't have tahini when making hummus I substituted a little peanut butter instead. Read More
bluellies
Rating: 5 stars
10/29/2011
These would have received 5 stars but as written the recipe lacks enough flavor for me. I double up the cumin add some garlic and voilla--delicious! I always let them chill a bit in the fridge and never have a problem with the patties falling apart. Do make sure your hands are wet so the mixture doesn't stick. They freeze well too--you can bake from frozen or thaw and pan-fry. Read More
Mitchell Hellman
Rating: 5 stars
10/29/2011
Fine recipe; my wife especially liked the sauce. I made the patties and refrigerated them overnight; they never appeared to be falling apart so the cooling/resting time probably helped. I am far from being a vegetarian but was quite satisfied with these. Read More
raheli4@yahoo.com
Rating: 5 stars
10/29/2011
One of my favorites I am not a huge pita fan so I use whole-wheat hamburger buns for this. It's a favorite in our house. We usually serve with sweet potato fries which also is good with the leftover tahina sauce (of which there is a lot of leftover!). The dish has also gone over well when we served to meat eating friends and family. Pros: Meat-eaters also really like this Read More
marti1234567@gmail.com
Rating: 5 stars
10/29/2011
Interesting but very good I was a little hesitant to try this recipe but I'm glad I did because it was very good. I added garlic like a reviewer suggested and 1 jalapeno to the chickpea mixture. It gave it just the right amount of kick so it wouldn't be bland. I also refrigerated the patties for one night and wetted my hand before forming the them like another reviewer suggested. This made making and cooking the patties much easier. Next I think I will just buy a flavored dip I didn't really like the one I made. Read More
nancy.barnes@live.ca
Rating: 4 stars
10/29/2011
Pretty Good needs a little more flavor I just added tomato's and red onions to mine to make it more flavorful. I also made the sauce a bit different.. i put greek yogurt (cus thats all i had) natural peanut butter instead of tahini.. the sauce was a little strong and tasted a little too much like peanut butter.. but overall its was pretty good and filling and made me feel great! Pros: healthy vegan tastes good. Cons: needs a bit more flavor Read More
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