Added to Basket
The Pantry
Recipes
Guides
News & posts
Published 23/04/2026
0:20
Serves 3
Easy

Kimchi and bean veggie smash burger

A plant-based burger that does not skimp on umami. The fermented tang of kimchi is the perfect partner for a savoury bean patty.

Smashing the burgers in the pan creates more surface area for caramelization, giving you those crispy edges everyone loves. This burger pairs creamy beans with the signature savoury heat and tang of Korean gochujang and kimchi, smashed for extra texture - a satisfying vegetarian alternative to the classic cheeseburger.

What you'll need...

  • 1 tsp vegetable oil
  • 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 tbsp gochujang paste
  • 3 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 400g can adzuki beans (or similar red or black beans), drained and rinsed
  • 6 cheese slices
  • 6 tbsp kimchi (make sure it’s vegetarian if you need it to be)
  • 3 sesame burger buns, sliced open

Method

  1. Heat the oil in a small pan over a medium heat. Add the shallot and a good pinch of salt and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft. Stir in the gochujang and two thirds of the garlic and cook for another minute or two, then remove from the heat and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes.

  2. Meanwhile, stir the remaining garlic into the mayonnaise and season well.

  3. Put the drained beans in a bowl and crush lightly with a potato masher – you want them to break down enough that they become tacky and form a bit of a paste but you still want some of the bean texture. Stir through the shallot mixture then divide into 6 equal balls. Put each ball between 2 small sheets of baking paper then flatten out until 1cm thick with a rolling pin.

  1. Put a wide cast-iron or stainless steel frying pan over a medium heat and wait for it to heat up. Add a splash of oil to the pan. Peel away one side of the baking paper and add the patties to the frying pan, bean-side-down. Use 2 frying pans or work in batches if needed. Cook for 2 minutes, pressing down on the patties with a spatula regularly to ensure the whole patty is in contact with the hot metal. Use the spatula to scrape the patties off the pan, then peel away the top piece of baking paper and flip them (if any of the edges fall away just push them back together with your spatula). Season with a touch more salt and lots more pepper, then sit a cheese slice on top of each. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the cheese has melted.

  2. Spread the mayonnaise onto the base of the buns then top with 2 patties, cheese-side up. Spoon on the kimchi, put the lid on top and wrap the burgers in foil. Leave for a few minutes, then unwrap and enjoy.

Shop the tools you will need

Secondary image for image of Grill Spatula with Holes Main image for image of Grill Spatula with Holes

£5.00

Secondary image for image of Reversible Cast Iron Griddle 46cm x 26cm Main image for image of Reversible Cast Iron Griddle 46cm x 26cm

£39.00

Secondary image for image of Cast Iron Rectangular Griddle 24x36cm Matte Black Main image for image of Cast Iron Rectangular Griddle 24x36cm Matte Black

£39.00

Secondary image for image of Elite Tri-Ply Frying Pan Uncoated 30cm Main image for image of Elite Tri-Ply Frying Pan Uncoated 30cm

£80.00

Secondary image for image of Cast Iron Burger Press 17cm Main image for image of Cast Iron Burger Press 17cm

£13.00

    Other Recipes

    Iced latte

    Iced latte

    Cool off and get your caffeine kick with our refreshing iced latte recipe.

    Read More
    Air fryer stuffing

    Air fryer stuffing

    No roast dinner is complete without this air fryer stuffing recipe. Cook as a traybake or shape into balls depending on preference.

    Read More

    Building a sustainable future

    B Corporation Certified

    ProCook is proud to be certified as a B Corp™, joining a select but growing group of companies committed to using business as a force for good.

    Learn more

    ProCook is honoured to be recognised as a Which? Recommended Provider for Furniture and Homewares. When you purchase from us, you can rest assured that you're getting a truly exceptional product that has been carefully crafted to meet your every need.

    Life's A Beach

    ProCook is dedicated to supporting our long-term charity partner's mission to inspire action to reduce single use plastics. Together, we're striving to make a positive impact on the environment and create a sustainable future.

    Learn more