Spicy Grilled Watermelon Burger
This easy to make spicy grilled watermelon burger is so fresh and tasty! If you love watermelon like I do, I encourage you to give it try. The burger itself has only 4 ingredients, it’s gluten free, nut free, dairy free, oil free, sweet, a bit spicy, and truly a delicious alternative when you want a lighter version of a burger.
I love creating veggie burgers from scratch, but this time I wanted something more simple. Years ago one of my dear friends from India brought a whole watermelon to my birthday party, and upon arrival she announced she was going to grill it. I had never had grilled watermelon before, and I loved it!
Does it have the texture of a burger? It does not. But when grilled sufficiently, it’s firm and juicy and it makes for a great burger replacement; especially during grill season!
Vegan Spicy Grilled Watermelon Burger
I’m absolutely addicted to watermelon, I can eat a whole one all by myself, especially after an intense weight lifting session at the gym. Growing up in the Chilean Patagonia, mom had to cut a whole watermelon into six equal pieces so we wouldn’t fight over it (I have three older siblings!). However, we never grilled watermelon until my friend from India showed up one day ready to grill a whole watermelon. From there I was hooked. I love it because it’s:
Healthy.
Super quick and easy to make, just some time on the grill.
Ingredients are whole foods, one main ingredient, watermelon.
It provides enough energy to use it as a pre-workout meal or before a run!
Only 4 Simple Ingredients
Watermelon
Smoked chili powder (or merken)
Salt
Pepper
Optionals: burger buns, kale, zucchini, parsley, vegan cheese, chili sauce, tomatoes.
Grilled watermelon is juicy and crunchy when eaten right off the grill, so this tastes amazing when you eat it fresh. Don’t let it sit too long though as the flavor profile and texture change if you don’t eat it immediately.
Burger assembly: I ate the whole burger after taking these pictures. I made two big double burgers. Hubby and I shared one but we left the other one on the table for too long, and it got runny (all the liquid seeped into the bun). This is how I learned that this is a recipe that needs to be eaten fresh.
Chili: I love spicy food, but if you don’t you can skip the smoked chili powder.
Bread: I didn’t bake the bread in these pics; I just got a couple of nice buns from the grocery store. However, this burger idea would pair great with a homemade bread or any GF bread.
How to Make Spicy Grilled Watermelon Burger?
I used an indoor electrical grill for this recipe, but I have used regular grills in the past, and they work too.
Turn on your grill
Cut 6 large watermelon slices.
Dry them as much as possible with a couple of clean kitchen towels or paper towels.
Grill them for 8 minutes on each side over high heat, add the spices and give them another 2 minutes (or so depending on the grill) on each side.
Assemble your burgers! This recipe is enough for 6 single burgers, or 3 double watermelon burgers.
Add your favorite toppings. I added steamed kale, grilled zucchini, parsley, green tomatoes and some vegan cheese.
Eat it immediately; it’s messy but so good!
This Vegan Watermelon Burger Is
Gluten free
Egg-free
Oil free
Dairy-free (without butter)
Nut free
Refined sugar-free
Easy to make
Amazing as brunch, lunch, or dinner!