RECIPE: A 3-Ingredient Detox-Friendly Veggie Burger

Written By Emilie Wilson
 
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If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that a successful detox plan shouldn’t leave you feeling like you’re on a detox plan. No, you should still look forward to your meals, you should love the look of your plate and the taste of your food, and you should feel satisfied and belly-happy when you’re all done.


And yet, if you’re like me, you probably don’t have all day to spend in the kitchen perfecting each meal. You probably need to have things ready to go quickly.


The key to a successful detox? Meal-prepping delicious food that will actually make you look forward to sitting down at the table to enjoy a meal that will leave you healthy and happy.


That’s why I love veggie burgers, and why I love these veggies burgers. As a 3 ingredient recipe, you won’t be in the kitchen chopping and prepping all day, just long enough to get your burgers shaped, cooked, and stored up in the fridge or freezer for a quick and easy meal later. 


This recipe originally appeared on Food52, created by the talented Emma Laperruque as part of her Big Little Recipes series. I’ve expanded on her brilliant recipe to highlight why these 3-ingredient veggie burgers are not just delicious but also a delicious and super-satisfying addition to a detox plan tailored for women’s health.


Packed with fiber and plant-based protein from chickpeas, detoxifying liver and gallbladder support from artichokes, and antioxidant power from sun-dried tomatoes, this recipe is a powerhouse for hormonal balance and postpartum recovery. 


By supporting key detoxification pathways, these burgers help the body eliminate toxins, rebalance hormones, and boost energy. Make sure you purchase items stored in BPA-free cans.


Nuts and Seeds: Plant-Based Power for Women’s Health

To customize this recipe even further, consider mixing in a handful of sunflower seeds, walnuts, or ground flaxseeds for added omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. Each of these ingredients enhances the burger’s health benefits:


  • Sunflower seeds provide vitamin E, which supports skin health and hormone production. They’re also rich in other vitamins and minerals that promote thyroid health.


  • Walnuts deliver omega-3s, which combat inflammation and support brain health, which is especially important postpartum. They’re also great for heart health. If you’ll use these, grind or crush them before adding them to your burgers. 


  • Flaxseeds are rich in lignans that promote healthy estrogen metabolism and hormone balance throughout a woman’s lifespan. Plus, they’re great for cardiometabolic and digestive health. However, breast-feeding or lactating women may want to opt for chia seeds, as some research has shown decreases in prolactin levels (the hormone necessary for breast milk production) with increasing flaxseed intake.


A Detox Boost For Your Burgers

If the sundried tomatoes just aren’t your thing, you can swap those out for steamed greens like kale and/or broccoli and sauteed onions along with a bit of tahini (1-2 Tbsp should do it) for additional nutritional benefit tailored to your health as a woman.


Here’s how these ingredients support your wellness, no matter where you are in life:


Kale


  • High in calcium and vitamin K, which support bone health and may reduce the risk of osteoporosis.



  • Contains glucosinolates that convert to indole-3-carbinol (I3C), which supports healthy estrogen metabolism.


Broccoli

Broccoli and kale share many similar and overlapping health benefits.




  • Contains fiber to support gut health and regulate blood sugar.


Onions


  • Contain quercetin, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and heart-protective properties.



  • Onions are also significant sources of dietary carbohydrates, fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and small amounts of selenium.



Tahini


  • Tahini, made from sesame seeds, is a great source of calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron, supporting bone health, energy, and immune function. It’s also a great source of vitamin E, an important antioxidant for overall health. 


  • Contains healthy fats that support skin elasticity, proper inflammatory response, and hormone balance.



Superfood Toppings for Women’s Wellness

Half the fun of eating a burger is all the toppings you get to put on it. Elevate these veggie burgers while keeping them detox-friendly with nutrient-packed toppings that complement their detox-friendly benefits:


Pesto

Bursting with basil’s anti-inflammatory properties and healthy fats.


Chimichurri

A zesty herb sauce that’s absolutely loaded with health-supportive plant-based compounds from parsley, oregano, lemon, garlic, and others.


Mustard

Low-calorie and rich in hormone health-supportive compounds like glucosinolates and essential fatty acids, mustard provides many health benefits. It also has natural antimicrobial actions which may support a healthy gut microbiome and estrobolome.


I love a good Dijon (doesn’t have to break the bank, either; Trader Joe’s has a great Dijon as well as a whole grain mustard; both are excellent). 


Sliced Tomato and Onion

These BBQ classics are high in vitamins, minerals and lycopene (tomato) and sulfur compounds (onion) to promote heart, eye, and general health and liver detoxification.


Wilted Kale or Chard

These leafy greens are rich in calcium and vitamin K, essential for bone and hormone health.


Pickled Onions

Packed with plant-based flavonoid antioxidants and totally delicious. Red onions add color and extra plant-based power to your plate. 


Green Chilis

My heart and soul resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico; the smell of roasting green chilis in September and October makes me feel like I’ve come home. IYKYK. Anyway, add a nutrient kick to your plate with whole or diced roasted green chilis (which may also support metabolism like their counterparts, red chilis).


Garlic Aioli

Offers immune-boosting and heart-healthy allicin from garlic plus the satisfaction that can only come from mayonnaise. You don’t have to make your own mayo (I don’t, but I’d like to try someday). 


Instead, look for an organic mayo with an olive, safflower, or avocado oil base and organic eggs. Finely dice your garlic and mix with mayo and a squeeze of fresh lemon. 


This also makes a great sauce for baked sweet potato fries, which rounds out a super-satisfying and detox friendly meal (use a lettuce-based wrap instead of a bread to reduce carb intake if you’re going for a potato-based side).


Spinach

A dense source of nutrients for postpartum recovery and overall wellness.


Grilled Peppers and Onions

Peppers are packed with vitamin C for skin health and immune support, in addition to being otherwise nutrient-dense while also low in carbohydrates.


To serve your detox-friendly burger, you can use a slice of whole wheat or gluten-free bread for an open-faced option, or wrap the burger in a sturdy green like romaine, Swiss chard, or lightly steamed collard greens for a low-carb, nutrient-rich alternative.


OK, now that we’ve covered the What, let’s talk about the How.


3-Ingredient Detox-Friendly Veggie Burgers

Here’s our short and sweet ingredient list:


Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight and drained (or use canned, BPA-free organic chickpeas)


  • 1 (12-ounce) jar marinated artichokes, drained


  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained (or switch this out for some of the ingredients we discussed above)


Steps

Add the soaked chickpeas, marinated artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes to a food processor. 


Blend until the mixture is well-combined but still slightly textured. Scrape down the sides as needed to ensure even processing.


Shape the mixture into six equal-sized patties.


Heat a nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add a drizzle of oil and pan-fry the patties for about 4 minutes per side, until golden-brown and cooked through.


Serve immediately with your choice of toppings and bread or greens. If you’re going to save some, let them cool to room temperature and store in the fridge or freezer.


This recipe is proof that detox foods can be simple, satisfying, and nourishing. Whether you’re looking for hormone-friendly meals, postpartum support, or a new favorite burger, this dish ticks all the boxes!


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Emilie Wilson
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