Seasoned Advice Asked by lemontwist on November 23, 2020
I like making veggie burgers, and one recipe that I use relies on vital wheat gluten (as well as egg replacer) to have a coherent burger. Here are the ingredients for one particular burger:
1 cup TVP
¾ cup Vegetable broth
2 tbsp. Tamari
2 tbsp. Teriyaki Sauce
1 egg Egg replacer
1 cup Crushed pineapple
2 tbsp. Brown sugar
½ cup Vital wheat gluten
½ cup Whole wheat flour
They are mixed together by hand and refrigerated to thicken up. Then the burgers are pan fried.
What I find is that the outer portion of the burger that makes contact with the pan on either side has an excellent texture, but the inside of the burger is very rubbery, being that it’s practically raw and the gluten has that rubbery texture to it. If I pan fry the burgers much longer, they turn brown and get too crispy before the interior is fully cooked, even when I have the burner turned low. Is there a solution to this texture issue?
The rubbery texture can be from over-kneading when combining the burgers. For some recipes, I have pre-baked at a low temperature then grilled to get the right texture on the outside. This would work with a recipe with a resting period as well as one that just dries.
Also, if the egg replacer is not binding correctly (I am assuming you are using Ener-G), try using a chia or flax egg (1 tbsp of either milled, then combined with 3 tbsp water and set to congeal). This will raise the moisture in your patty, which likely already has a good amount based on your recipe, so you can use other wet ingredients instead of adding water.
Correct answer by mfg on November 23, 2020
If the problem is that they're raw in the middle, try lowering the heat and covering the pan. In beef burgers and sausages, the lid helps them steam a little, getting the center done faster; you then uncover and raise the heat to get a good sear on the outside. I don't know any reason why this wouldn't work for vegatarian burgers.
Answered by Yamikuronue on November 23, 2020
If the patties are cooked all the way through and you find the texture too rubbery, I'd take out half of the gluten and replace it with either more flour or mashed cooked beans. This will still help to bind it, but won't contribute to a rubbery texture.
If the issue is getting the gluten to be fully cooked (which can sometimes take MUCH longer than you'd expect), I generally split the cooking method. I will sear them in a pan to get the exterior texture I want, then put them on a parchment lined sheet pan, lightly spray them with oil, and finish them by baking. The more even heat provided by baking can help get the middles cooked before the outside is burned.
Answered by SourDoh on November 23, 2020
I agree with the last commenter. Replace half the gluten with chickpea flour. That will help for sure. AND bake it after searing it.
Answered by R. M. Q. on November 23, 2020
once you have made the patties you have to wrap them in foil and steam them for 40 mins and then allow to cool before frying them. this will "cook" the VWG and bind it into a raw hamburger ready to cook. Here my recipe:
Ingredients
60 gm Textured Vegetable Protein
150 ml hot water
150 gm Vital wheat gluten
1 tbsp Sriracha sauce
1 tbsp Soy sauce
1 tbsp onion granules
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp massel beef stock powder
Method
Begin by rehydrating 60gm TVP with 150ml of hot water and let it sit to hydrate.
Mix 150gm Vital wheat gluten with all the spices Sriracha, Soy sauce, onion granules, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, no beef stock powder and oil.
Mix in the rehydrated TVP.
Now slowly add 100ml water (if the TVP is soggy may less) and stir and mix until the mixture is stiff not watery and then mix and stir for several minutes.
Form into patties and let them rest for 20 mins (it really helps).
Wrap the patties individually in silver foil and steam for 45 mins.
Allow them to cool and then use as raw burgers.
i.e. Fry both sides in a little oil for several minutes on each side and serve.
I have a photo recipe with no inline ads (or life stories) on my blog if you want to see who to cook them
Answered by the Plant based dad on November 23, 2020
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