Walnut and Mushroom Smash Burgers

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-05 · Updated 2026-04-05

Umami-packed vegetarian patties featuring toasted walnuts, sautéed mushrooms, and smoky spices, pressed into golden, crispy burgers for a satisfying plant-based meal. This American-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs cooked brown rice, mixed mushrooms, walnuts for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• 1 cup mixed mushrooms
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/4 cup yellow onion
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 whole wheat burger buns
• 2 cups fresh spinach

The griddle we’d cook this on → Best Griddles for 2026: Stovetop and Electric Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Toast 1/2 cup walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes until fragrant, then chop finely. Finely chop 1 cup mixed mushrooms and 1/4 cup diced yellow onion.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup cooked brown rice, 1 cup chopped mushrooms, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, 1/4 cup diced onion, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder; mix until well combined.
3. Step 3: Divide mixture into 4 portions, shape into 3/4-inch-thick patties, and press firmly with a fork to flatten. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then cook patties for 4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
4. Step 4: Place patties on whole wheat buns, top with 2 cups fresh spinach, and serve immediately.