Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
A Veggie Burger like the one you would get at the McDonald's in India. Anyone who has tasted the McDonald's McVeggie Burger in India would agree with me that it's one of the best veggie burgers you will ever eat.
When I used to live in India the McVeggie Burger was my go-to burger every time we went to McDonald's. Everything about it enticed me, right from the crunchy and tasty patty to the crisp lettuce, the oozing mayonnaise, and those soft buns with sesame seeds on top. The whole package was complete in itself and I never even thought of adding any ketchup or other condiments to enhance it.
After moving abroad this was one thing I missed whenever I visited any fast food joint including McDonald's. This McVeggie burger is very specific to the McDonalds in India. I tried various Veggie burgers at other fast food joints but they are all made from beans or mushrooms.
The craving to eat this scrumptious burger lead to multiple experiments. After a lot of trial and error and switching of ingredients to balance the flavors, I finally nailed it. The satisfaction of having a perfect McDonald's McVeggie burger was absolutely Devine.
Unlike the popular belief that fast food is something cooked in the shortest period of time this recipe does have multiple steps and does take time. However, believe me when I say that this recipe is a keeper.
There are certain tips and tricks as well as some key ingredients that make your regular veggie patty like the crispy and delicious McDonald's McVeggie Burger.
Why to use garlic powder in McDonald's McVeggie Burger?
Garlic is one of the most popular and commonly-used ingredients in the kitchen all over the world.
The best chef argues about what to use in the recipes, fresh garlic or garlic powder. But let me tell you each of them have their own unique place in the kitchen. There is a distinct flavor difference between them both.
Fresh or minced garlic has a strong pungent and more aggressive flavor. If cooked properly the flavor sweetens in the end losing the sharpness. If not cooked properly it could either remain raw or get overcooked and burnt.
Powdered garlic tends to be milder and if added in the right proportions it enhances the flavors of the dish. It's not overwhelming and still very tasty. It adds a wonderful complexity of flavor to the dish.
Garlic powder is also considered to be a good addition to a recipe that is low on moisture content. You will be able to get garlic flavor without affecting the texture of the dish. Thus it is widely used in patties, meatballs, breaded chicken, or fish.
It is however important to remember while using garlic powder that a little goes a long way.
In my earlier trials of this recipe, I used minced garlic. Having used fresh garlic for cooking all my life it never occurred to me that there could be another alternative to it or that it could impact the flavors of my dish.
However, I eventually figured that the fresh garlic was probably not something that the original recipe used. Out of pure luck, I stumbled upon the garlic powder while shopping at a supermarket. I decided to use that to my recipe and Voilà!! that was a game-changer. That was my Eureka moment.
Why do we soak chopped onion in hot water before cooking?
Soaking onion in warm or hot water before cooking de-flames the onion. Simply put soaking them in hot water mellows them down. It takes out the sulfur compounds from the onion thus reducing the pungent flavor.
We don't want the onion to overpower other flavors of the patty. If we skip this step and directly cook them in the pan then the pungent smell of onion will overpower other vegetables and also take longer to cook.
Why is unsalted butter used in this recipe?
Unsalted butter gives a good flavor and helps in binding the patty. When we make the roll and freeze it before cutting, the butter helps the binding process by freezing solid.
Do you need to refrigerate boiled potatoes?
Weather to refrigerate a boiled potato before using it for patty depends upon its cooking process.
Originally the potatoes were either boiled in water or cooked in a pressure cooker. Either of the process leaves the potato too moist to use for the patty.
So if you are using this process to boil your potatoes you need to refrigerate them overnight to get the right texture.
However, nowadays you can boil/steam/cook the potatoes in the microwave. In that case, you just need to let them cool off and not refrigerate them. Refrigerating them would make them too dry and the patty will fall apart while cooking.
Why is ice cold water used to make the McVeggie Burger batter?
The cold batter does not absorb much oil, instead of when fried the batter is shocked to crispiness. Also, cold water slows the development of gluten that in turn prohibits the batter from absorbing oil making the fried item light and crispy.
Why to use panko crumbs for coating the McDonald's McVeggie Burger patty?
Panko crumbs are light and airy and delicate in texture. This texture makes it a perfect combination for fried food. It absorbs less oil than bread crumbs and keeps the food crispy and crunchy.
Check out some other interesting recipes:
McDonald's McVeggie Burger
Equipment
- Big bowl
- Potato Masher
- Cling wrap
- Cooking Pan
- Spatula
- Chopping board
- Knife
- Paper towel
- Strainer
Ingredients
Patty
- 1 small Onion chopped
- ¼ cup Carrot chopped
- ¼ cup Green beans / French beans chopped
- ¼ cup Peas sweet peas preferably
- 4 Potatoes boiled
- 1 cup Poha soaked
- ½ teaspoon Amchur powder
- ¼ teaspoon Turmeric powder
- ¼ teaspoon Cumin powder
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic powder
- Salt as per taste
- ¼ teaspoon Dried parsley
- ¾ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
- 4 tablespoon Unsalted butter
Ingredients for Batter
- ½ cup All purpose flour / Maida
- ¼ cup Corn Starch
- ¼ cup Corn meal
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- salt as per taste
- 1 cup Ice cold water
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper powder
Other Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Panko bread crumbs/ regular bread crumbs
- Oil for frying
- 10 Burger buns
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 Iceberg Lettuce / Romaine Lettuce
Instructions
- Ingredients
- Boil the potatoes a day before and refrigerate them overnight or at least for 3 to 4 hrs. But remember only refrigerate them if you have boiled them over stove top or in pressure cooker.If you have cooked them in microwave then let then cool down on counter top for an hour.
- Pulse the panko crumbs in a mixed couple of times. Panko crumbs are larger in size and hence we need to grind it to make a finer crumbs.
- Chop all the vegetables and blanch the carrots, beans and peas in hot water for 2 to 3 minutes. then drain them.
- Chop the yellow onion and soak them in hot water for 10 mins.
- Soak the poha in water and drain them. Keep them aside for later.
- Peal and mash the potatoes.
- Heat up a pan and add unsalted butter to it.
- To the butter add the onions, sauté them for 3-4 minutes.
- Once they are translucent and cooked add the other blanched vegetables. Cook them for about 3-4 minutes.
- Now add the mashed potatoes to the veggies and mix it in. Add salt and mix again.
- Once all comes together add all the dry spices and mix everything together. Switch off the flame.
- To this mixture add the soaked and mashed poha and mix it all together with a potato masher. This will help in binding of the patty.
- Take a cling wrap, place the patty mixture on it and roll it into a tight log. Squeeze it tight and roll it well.
- Place this roll in a zip lock bag and freeze it for about 20 minutes. This will firm up the roll and make it easier to cut.
- Make the batter with all purpose flour, corn starch, corn meal, salt, black pepper powder, ice cold water and oil.
- Cut the roll into patties and press and shape them as per the burger bun size.
- Heat up the oil for frying. The ideal temperature for frying is 350F - 365F.
- Dip the patty in the batter, drain the excel liquid.
- Then coat it with bread crumbs.
- Fry this patty in oil till it turns golden brown from each side.
- Remove the patty on a paper towel. The patty will be crisp from outside.
- The the burger bun and split it in half. brush it with butter and toast it in the pan.
- Place the patty on burger bun, top it with shredded lettuce and mayonnaise and serve it hot.
Notes
- You can replace panko bread crumbs with any other bread crumbs available.
- You can replace cornmeal with powdered cornflakes in case you are not able to find corn meal.
- Unsalted butter can be replaced with any other good oil.
- Scrumptious Eggless Gajar Halwa Cake
- Gajar Halwa (Carrot Halwa)
- Easy Eggless Paan Cake | Paan Tres Leches Cake
- Healthy Delicious Aliv Ladoo| Halim Ladoo
- Soft and delicious condensed milk bread
Hi Gomathi, I will have to work out the measurements in grams. I can try but cannot confirm.
I'm glad they turned out well. Do try some of my other recipes!
is that possible for you to give the measurement in grams? instead of cup?
Made it today for Ganesh chaturthi. Came out well. Thanks for the recipe.
Wow, I am glad you enjoyed it. Keep exploring other recipes of mine too.
Keerti Bhatnagar
Wow! It seems delicious..😋
I love cooking and I will definitely try this😍
Thanks for sharing the minute things that can make taste much better like I didn’t even know that soaking onion on hot water can impact it’s taste.
This is really helpful!
Love from India!
Ramil Hinolan
I wish Mc Burger Veggie is available in the Philippines. To me, this is one complete meal.
Agnes
I would love to try this veggie burger! I will surely enjoy that crispy edges of the veggie patty.
Lyosha
Looks like a nice burger to enjoy. Seams nice. I haven't been or eaten McDonals food for ages
Krista
I didn't know mcdonalds did this burger! It sounds interesting to try out.
Michele
I am going to have to try this. I love their veggie burger.
Kevine
First, I’m not a burger fan since I’m pescatarian but the details in this post along with the vivid pictures are definitely making want to plan a trip to India to taste and see. Lol
Hannah
I just read this while I'm super hungry and now I'm craving one! I've actually never had a McVeggie Burger but now I would like to try one1
Archana Singh
WOW! I love McDonald’s burgers and this recipe is so good. Looks delicious
Pallavi chitre
I love this burger,you explain it in detail,I would like to try.
An Indian Traveler
This is such a detailed post with elaborate recipe. I will try it soon!
prajakta.palkar
Thank you. Do let me know how they turn out.
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
I wasn't aware they had the veggie burgers out yet. I think I'd prefer your homemade version. I do love to use panko too!!!
Marjie Mare
Nothing is better than a homemade veggie burger. I had one before and it was delicious. Now, I can try to make my own by following your recipe.
Steph
Yummm I love me a good veggie burger!
prajakta.palkar
thanks
Knycx Journeying
Thanks for sharing with us and it's great that we could recreate Mcdonald's burger at home! I would try to replace the lettuce with some other veggie, and also any other sauce is good with this except mayo? - Knycx Journeying
Seyi
Making this seems like the kind of challenge the Mrs. would love to take on... I'm def Sharing with her. Thanks.
prajakta.palkar
Do try it. Its worth the efforts.
Sarah M
I can say, I have never seen this detailed food recipe website before. I liked the way you write the recipe step by step with images. I would love to try it.
Kenneth
cant do it without the burger patties,,,so im gonna order them both and im gonna enjoy it for sure
Renata Green
This is such a clever and fun recipe for vegetarians. I'll try it out - my daughter will be delighted!
prajakta.palkar
thanks. Do give it a try.
Lyosha
looks pretty interesting! we don't have one in Russia so I just go for fries or something if I happen to be there with friends
Blair Villanueva
I'm not into burgers because they use beef patties. But since this is a veggie version, I am willing to try! The patties look yummy 🙂
prajakta.palkar
Do give it a try.
Michele
This looks so good. I have tried to make veggie burgers at home and they never taste right. I might have to try this recipe!
prajakta.palkar
Do try this recipe its very delicious.
Sandy N Vyjay
One of our favourites McDonald's dishes. This is a great recipe, will try over the weekend.
prajakta.palkar
Do let me know how it turned out.
Mila R
hahaha I wouldn't even trust a salad from McDonnalds, but to cook it yourself is a different story
prajakta.palkar
That is true, making it yourself is best way to eat it.
Jen @ JENRON DESIGNS
What a great veggie burger recipe this will be perfect for our meatless monday menu! Thanks!
Smiley
I feel that I learnt so much, not only the recipe, but all the interesting things I didn’t know, such as using ice cold water to make batter and many others…thanks for sharing!