This Vegan Christmas Burger is rich and satisfying and packed with festive flavours like chestnuts, sage, apples and cranberry sauce! The perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit!

I'd been thinking about making a Vegan Christmas Burger for ages, so I'm glad to be finally posting this! It tastes rich and "meaty" thanks to the mushrooms and chestnuts, and using white beans gives it a colour reminiscent of turkey!
Using apples in a burger might seem a bit strange, but paired with the sage it honestly makes the burger taste just like stuffing! And cranberry sauce adds even more festive flavour and colour.
Where can you buy chestnuts?
This recipe uses chestnuts, which you can buy peeled and ready-cooked in packets in most supermarkets - you'll find them in the dry foods section.
You can also buy peeled frozen chestnuts in most supermarkets - you'll find them with the frozen vegetables. These frozen ones are usually uncooked so you'll have to boil them first (usually takes around 15 minutes) before using them in this recipe.
If you can't get hold of chestnuts, they can be replaced with walnuts, pecan nuts or sunflower seeds!
Why you'll love this Vegan Christmas Burger:
- it's full of flavour
- it's rich and "meaty"
- it's fragrant
- it's hearty and satisfying
- it's healthy and nutritious
- it's a good source of protein and fibre
- it's easy to make
- it's perfect for Christmas!
How to make this Vegan Christmas Burger
Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe.
- Fry the onion, garlic, mushrooms, apple and sage.
- Fry for around 15 minutes until everything is softened.
Tip: Make sure to get rid of any excess water otherwise the burger patties will be hard to form.
- Place all the ingredients in a food processor.
- Blend until combined but still retaining some texture.
Tip: Mixing it around a few times will help it blend evenly.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
- Divide the burger mixture into two and use your hands to shape into two patties.
- Heat up the oil in a frying pan and place the patties in the pan once hot.
- Cook on a medium heat for around 15 minutes, flipping over halfway through, until golden brown and crispy on both sides.
Tip: Use a spatula to turn them over.
How to serve this Vegan Christmas Burger
I like to serve this Vegan Christmas Burger in a bun with cranberry sauce, vegan mayonnaise and rocket (arugula), but other excellent additions include:
If you don't want to eat the burger in a bun, it would also be great served with mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes or roast potatoes and gravy!
More vegan burger recipes:
If you try out this recipe or anything else from my blog, I’d really love to hear any feedback! Please give it a rating, leave a comment, or tag a photo @rhiansrecipes #rhiansrecipes on Instagram! Thank you.
Vegan Christmas Burger (Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil (or sub olive, vegetable or rapeseed oil)
- 1 onion , diced
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 70 g (2.5 oz) mushrooms , sliced (I used chestnut/button mushrooms)
- 1 apple , peeled, cored and diced
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 400 g (14 oz) tin of white beans , drained and rinsed (cannellini, haricot or butter beans)
- 50 g (⅓ cup) cooked peeled chestnuts *
- Salt + pepper to taste
To serve (suggestions)**:
- Burger buns (ensure vegan/gluten-free if necessary)
- Cranberry sauce
- Vegan mayonnaise
- Rocket (arugula)
Instructions
- Heat up 1 tablespoon of the oil and add the onion, garlic, mushrooms, apple and sage once hot
- Fry for around 15 minutes until everything is softened - make sure to get rid of any excess water otherwise the burger patties will be hard to form
- Once cooked, place in a food processor with all the other ingredients
- Blend until combined but still retaining some texture - mixing it around a few times will help it blend evenly
- Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary
- Divide the burger mixture into two and use your hands to shape into two patties
- Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a frying pan and place the burgers in the pan once hot
- Cook on a medium heat for around 7 minutes, then use a spatula to carefully turn them over
- Cook for a further 7 minutes on the other side, until slightly browned on both sides
- Serve in burger buns with desired sauces and salad ingredients
- Best enjoyed immediately!
Notes
- roasted butternut squash
- vegan brie
- stuffing
Disclosure: This posts contains affiliate links to Amazon. If you purchase any of these products, a small percentage will come to me with no extra cost to you! This income will go towards the running of this blog – thank you.
Helen
I can’t wait to make this I will use walnuts instead of chestnuts and I will def let you know how it turns out
Thanks again Rhian I love browsing through yr emails and recipes every time they come in.
😃
Rhian Williams
Thank you so much, hope you'll like it!
Helen
I wish you and your family a happy and safe holiday season.
Helen. 💙🎉🎄🍸
Rhian Williams
Thank you so much, Helen! You too!
Christine
What burger bun brand did you use? I can’t find one without yeast.
Rhian Williams
I used one with yeast unfortunately, I can't think of one without yeast. If you can't have the bun, this also tastes great served with mashed or scalloped potatoes and gravy!
Emma
Hi Rhian, I was wondering if the nutritional information was for the burger pattie itself or if it included the bun and sauces that you serve with it. It looks amazing. Can't wait to give it a try.
Rhian Williams
It includes the bun (though obviously will change depending on which type of bun you use, but not the sauces). Hope that helps!