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 vegetarian recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs cooked brown rice, mixed mushrooms, and 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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.