← Back to Menu
Mother Nature Burger
Community Rating6.7 · 1 vote
Slide to rate
About
Krusty created the Mother Nature Burger to clean up the image of Krusty Burger and attract health-conscious customers. The result was a vegan barley burger that famously sent Springfield to the hospital after contaminated barley made its way into the recipe. This version skips the rats and keeps everything else faithful to the cartoon: a barley and bean patty, ketchup, mustard, lettuce, and two tomato slices.
FOR THE PATTY:
• 1 cup cooked pearl barley
• 1 cup canned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil for cooking
FOR ASSEMBLY:
• 2 vegan burger buns
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 lettuce leaf
• 2 tomato slices
The finished burger should look simple and slightly underwhelming, just like it does in the movie. The patty should be thick and rustic with visible barley grains throughout. Serve immediately while warm.
Recipe
- 1Cook the pearl barley according to package directions until tender but still holding its shape. This usually takes about 40 minutes. Drain any excess water and let it cool slightly before using.
- 2Add the cooked barley, kidney beans, garlic, rolled oats, salt and black pepper to a food processor. Pulse until the mixture holds together but still has visible texture. Don't blend it completely smooth or the patty will feel dense and pasty.
- 3Form the mixture into 2 thick patties about 2 cm thick. If the mixture feels too wet, let it sit for 5 minutes so the oats can absorb moisture.
- 4Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the vegetable oil. Cook the patties for 4 minutes on the first side until a golden brown crust develops.
- 5Place the bun halves cut-side down over the patties for 30 seconds so they lightly steam. Flip the patties and cook for another 4 minutes until firm and heated through.
- 6Lightly toast the buns in the pan for about 30 seconds if desired. The buns should be warm and soft rather than crispy.
- 7Spread ketchup and yellow mustard on the bottom bun. Add the hot barley patty, one lettuce leaf and exactly two tomato slices.
- 8Finish with the top bun and serve immediately. Keep the build simple and cartoon-accurate with no cheese, onions or pickles.