Vegan Holiday Burger (With Crispy Smash Patties!)
by Greg Bellefontaine
on Jan 2, 2025 (updated Sep 15, 2025)
Go big this holiday season with this Vegan Holiday Smash Burger! Two herb-infused smashed vegan burger patties with crispy edges are topped with tofu ricotta cheese, cranberry jelly, and golden crisp roasted potatoes for a festive and fun meal you’ll want to make on repeat.
This Holiday Smash Burger puts a holly jolly twist on your everyday veggie burger. I’ve made hundreds of burgers preparing for something as delicious as this. With years of experience creating a platform dedicated to vegan comfort food and burgers, you can trust when I say: make this if you want to try a unique burger this year!
It took some time to figure out exactly how the mock meat cooks in comparison to real beef. Most vegan beefs are slightly firmer, and shrink in the pan when fried a little bit quicker. But rest assured the perfect vegan smash burger CAN be done!
Tips for the crispiest potatoes
After parboiling and draining the water, shake the potatoes in the strainer. This roughs up the edges and gives them more surface area to crisp up in the oven.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Not your average veggie burger – It’s safe to say we’re obsessed with vegan smash burgers in our house. Flattening and frying burger patties is the key to giving them mouthwatering crispy edges without losing the delicious “meaty” juices in the middle.
- Loaded with festive toppings – I topped this festive holiday veggie burger with almost everything you would find on your plate around the holidays, and there’s plenty of room for more, too! Add stuffing, gravy, and any other holiday leftovers you want to use up.
- Easy to make in bigger batches – simply double, triple or even quadruple the recipe if you’re feeling festive enough! This burger is a great alternative to typical holiday dinners, but with all the same flavours!
Perfecting the buns
When it comes to a smash burger, the buns can’t be an afterthought. As I was testing this recipe, I quickly realized how crucial a soft, sturdy bun is for holding all the delicious layers together. My go-to vegan burger bun recipe is simple but effective, and the key to making them shine is the glaze. A quick brush of baking soda, water, and maple syrup before baking gives them that perfect golden-brown finish. After they’re baked, a touch of melted vegan butter and a sprinkle of sesame seeds makes them glossy and irresistible. Trust me, these buns take the whole burger to the next level.
This recipe doesn’t exactly call for making your own buns, but try making these soft yet sturdy burger buns to really take things up a notch!
Additional toppings to elevate your vegan holiday smash burger
Looking to give your vegan holiday smash burger even more festive flair? These toppings will not only enhance the flavor profile, but also add a visual pop to your burger, making it the perfect showstopper for any holiday gathering. Here are three additional topping ideas that maintain the seasonal theme while bringing a burst of complimentary flavors and textures:
- keep it simple – A hearty stuffing made from caramelized onions, savory herbs, and sweet apples will bring a comforting, holiday-inspired twist to the burger, adding depth and a rich, satisfying texture.
- Maple-Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts – A caramelized bite of Brussels sprouts drizzled with a sweet and tangy maple-balsamic glaze will add a savory crunch with a touch of seasonal sweetness.
- Caramelized Onions with Fresh Thyme – Sweet, tender caramelized onions combined with aromatic fresh thyme will bring an earthy depth and rich flavor to balance the other toppings.
Holidays, served in style
Personally, I adore the toppings on this burger just as they are. The tart and sweet cranberry jelly cuts through the rich and creamy vegan ricotta, while the roasted potatoes add just the right amount of crunch. Yum!
However, this what I’d be doing if I’m craving this meal in different scenarios:
- Holiday dinner alternative – Skip the roast this year and build a stacked burger bar with all the fixings. Let everyone customize theirs own with a deconstructed version of this recipe!
- Casual party main – Serve sliders instead of full burgers for a crowd-friendly option. everybody loves a mini burger at a gathering.
- Cozy night-in meal – No guests? Plate it with roasted Brussels sprouts and garlicky mashed potatoes for a comforting solo (or date night) dinner with holiday vibes.
Best Vegan Ground Beef for Smash Burgers
After testing several options, I’ve found Beyond Meat and Impossible vegan ground beef to be the best for these smash burgers. They have a juicy, meaty texture that mimics real beef, making them perfect for creating those crispy, flavorful patties. You can also use Beyond Meat vegan burger patties—just thaw, roll into tennis-ball-sized portions, and smash for a slightly wider patty.
Print
Vegan Holiday Burger (With Crispy Smash Patties!)
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 45
- Total Time: 55
- Yield: 1 burger
- Category: burgers
- Cuisine: american
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Go big this holiday season with this Vegan Holiday Smash Burger! Two herb-infused smashed vegan burger patties are topped with tofu ricotta cheese, cranberry jelly, and crispy roasted potatoes for a festive takeout-style meal you’ll want to make on repeat all winter long.
Ingredients
For the Burger:
- 1 package Beyond Meat ground beef (340g)
- 2 tbsp cranberry jelly
- 2 tbsp vegan butter
- 1 large hamburger bun (or make your own)!
- 2 leaves of sage
- 2 sprigs rosemary
- 2 slices of onion rounds
- 2 tbsp vegan butter, melted
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp white sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp Tofu Ricotta
For the Potatoes:
- 10 small-medium sized yellow potatoes
- 3 tbsp olive oil or cooking oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm a stainless steel or nonstick pan over medium-high heat and add in the oil, sage and rosemary.
- Meanwhile, roll the vegan ground beef into two equal portions.
- When pan is heated, add the ground beef balls and a round of sliced onion to each. Cover with a small square piece of parchment paper and press the patties down flat. Cover the pan and let cook for 3-4 minutes or until browned on the bottom.
- Remove lid and flip each burger patty. Cook for another 3-4 minutes or until browned on both sides and onions are translucent. Remove patties from heat and set aside.
- In the same pan, add both halves of the bun face down. Be sure to butter each inside with 1/2 tbsp butter before frying. When golden brown, remove from heat and set aside.
- Begin to build the burger by placing both smash patties on top of the bottom bun, a dollop of vegan tofu ricotta, and cranberry jelly. After adding the top bun, douse in remainder of vegan butter before sprinkling on the white sesame seeds.
- Serve hot and with any additional optional toppings!
Notes
To make more burgers, simply add more buns and vegan patties by doubling the amounts. You should already have enough potatoes and tofu ricotta in the amounts listed above for 2-3 more burgers!
