When making burgers at home, breadcrumbs are a popular binding agent to help hold the ground meat together. However, some people may want to avoid breadcrumbs for dietary reasons like gluten intolerance or low-carb diets. Luckily, there are several great alternatives to bind burgers that can mimic the texture and moisture that breadcrumbs provide.
Why Use a Binder in Burgers?
Using a binder in burger mixes serves a few important purposes:
- It helps hold the ground meat together so burgers don’t fall apart while cooking.
- It adds moisture to the burgers, preventing them from becoming too dense and dry.
- It provides texture and absorbs any fat or juices released while cooking.
- It acts as a “filler” that makes the ground meat stretch further.
While breadcrumbs are the traditional burger binding agent, there are many non-breadcrumb options to achieve these same goals. The key is to use an ingredient that can soak up moisture and blend well with the ground meat.
Top Alternatives to Breadcrumbs in Burgers
Rolled Oats
Rolled oats, sometimes called old fashioned oats, make an excellent breadcrumb substitute in burgers. They have a neutral flavor and absorb liquid well. The oats break down during cooking, leaving you with a tender burger. Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup of oats per pound of ground meat.
Crushed Crackers
Crushed crackers like saltines, Ritz, or buttery rounds can stand in for breadcrumbs when binding burgers. Go for unflavored crackers or ones with simple seasonings. Crush them up into fine crumbs before mixing into the meat. Use about 1/2 cup crushed crackers per pound of meat.
Panko Breadcrumbs
For those avoiding gluten but not all grains, panko breadcrumbs make a goodsubstitute. Panko is Japanese-style breadcrumbs noted for their light, crispytexture. They contain no gluten but provide the binding qualities of regularbreadcrumbs. Use them in equal amounts when replacing standard breadcrumbs.
Mashed Potatoes
Cooked mashed potatoes work wonderfully to bind juicy burgers. They have a mild flavor and the starch gives a nice cohesion to the meat. Potatoes go great with beef. Use 1/2 cup per pound of ground beef when making burgers.
Chia or Flax Eggs
For binding power and added nutrition, chia seeds and flax seeds make great options. Mix 1 tablespoon of seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and let sit for 5 minutes to form a gel. This can replace 1 egg as a binder. The gel binds just like eggs or breadcrumbs.
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a high protein ingredient that compliments ground meat beautifully in burgers. For every pound of meat, use 1/2 cup cottage cheese and omit any other binder. The creamy curds bind well and add moisture.
Cooked Rice
Cooked white or brown rice can substitute for breadcrumbs when making meatballs, burgers, or meatloaf. The starch in rice serves the same functional purpose of holding the meat together. Use about 1/2 cup cooked rice per pound of ground meat.
Oatmeal
Regular oatmeal and quick oats also work well for binding burgers. Cook the oats first before mixing into raw meat. Start with 1/4 to 1/2 cup oats per pound of beef and adjust moisture as needed.
Nuts or Seeds
Finely chopped or ground nuts and seeds can provide flavor and texture when binding burgers. Try almonds, walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or sesame seeds. Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup per pound of meat.
Bread
If avoiding gluten but not all grains, bread can substitute for breadcrumbs when binding burgers. Use gluten-free bread, Ezekiel bread, or sourdough bread for the meat binding effects without gluten. About 1 slice of bread per pound of meat should do the trick.
Cornmeal
Cornmeal adds both texture and moisture to burger mixes. For a quarter cup of breadcrumbs, substitute 2-3 tablespoons of cornmeal when making a gluten free burger recipe.
Quinoa
This popular ancient grain serves as an excellent breadcrumb replacement. Cook quinoa first, then use about 1/2 cup per pound of ground meat to bind burgers.
Tips for Using Binders
When substituting for breadcrumbs, keep these tips in mind:
- Make sure to use ground meats with sufficient fat content. Extra lean meat dries out without a binder.
- Chop nuts and seeds finely so they incorporate well into meat.
- Cook any grains or potatoes first before adding to raw meat. This improves binding.
- Add eggs in addition to a binder substitute for extra moisture and cohesion.
- Start with less binder than the breadcrumb amount, adding more as needed.
- Season the binder ingredients for extra flavor.
Sample Recipes
Here are some sample burger recipes using non-breadcrumb binders:
Tex-Mex Turkey Burgers
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp Southwest seasoning
- 1/4 cup salsa
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.
- Form into patties about 4 inches wide.
- Grill over medium heat 5-7 minutes per side.
- Serve on buns with favorite toppings.
Veggie Quinoa Burgers
Ingredients:
- 15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Process chickpeas in food processor until coarsely chopped.
- Mix chickpeas with remaining ingredients.
- Shape into patties and cook in skillet over medium heat until browned, about 5 minutes per side.
Bison Burgers with Rice
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground bison
- 1/2 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 small shallot, diced
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl gently with hands.
- Form into patties and grill about 5-7 minutes each side.
Tips for Making Great Burgers
Here are some additional tips for making flavorful, juicy burgers every time:
- Use freshly ground meat whenever possible for best texture and shape retention.
- Don’t overwork the meat when mixing. Gently mix just until combined.
- Make a slight depression in the center of patties to prevent burger puffing up.
- Let burgers rest for 5 minutes after cooking for juicier results.
- Brush patties lightly with oil to prevent sticking on the grill.
- Mix meats for blended flavor – like beef and pork or lamb and sirloin.
- Chill patties for at least 30 minutes before grilling for better coherence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of breadcrumbs in burgers?
Yes, Greek yogurt works wonderfully as a replacement for breadcrumbs when making burgers. Use about 1/4 cup Greek yogurt per pound of ground meat. The thick consistency helps bind the burger mix.
Do I have to cook rice and oats before adding to burger mixes?
It’s best to cook grains like rice and oats first before mixing into raw ground meat for burgers. This allows the starches to fully gelatinize and absorb moisture. Raw grains won’t bind as effectively. So take the extra step of pre-cooking them.
What is the best breadcrumb substitute for people with celiac disease?
For people who need to avoid all gluten, nuts make one of the best replacements for breadcrumbs when binding burgers and meatballs. Finely grind or chop almonds, walnuts, pecans or sunflower seeds and use in place of breadcrumbs at a 1:1 ratio.
Can I use crushed potato chips instead of breadcrumbs in my burger recipe?
Crushed potato chips can substitute for breadcrumbs when binding burgers, but won’t provide as much moisture. Use thicker kettle chips and crush them up fine. Limit to about 2 tablespoons chips per pound of meat to avoid greasiness.
What can I use if I don’t have eggs to help bind burger meat?
If you don’t have eggs, substitute 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds whisked with 3 tablespoons water and allowed to thicken. This forms a vegan “egg” replacement with binding power. Mayonnaise and mustard can also help bind burgers without eggs.
Conclusion
With a wide range of breadcrumb alternatives from oats and crackers to cheese and cornmeal, you can customize your burgers for any diet. Experiment with different binders and seasonings to create your ideal burger blend. Just remember to use a light touch when mixing to avoid dense burgers. With the right binder and a hot grill, you’ll be enjoying crave-worthy burgers in no time.
