Vegan Quinoa and Wild Rice Burgers


These vegan quinoa and wild rice burgers are hearty, healthful, and satisfying sufficient to win over anybody on the desk – no meat required.

Vegan quinoa and wild rice burger patty on a bun

Key Components & Substitutions

  • Wild rice. The chewy, nutty spine of those burgers. Wild rice holds its texture effectively after cooking and offers the patties a pleasant hearty chunk. You may swap it for brown rice in a pinch, although you will lose a few of that attribute chewiness.
  • Cooked quinoa. Provides protein and helps bind the patties collectively. Any shade of quinoa works – white, pink, or tri-color. In case you’re making this gluten-free, quinoa flakes are an awesome substitute for the oats as effectively.
  • Fast-cooking oats. Soaked in boiling water, they turn out to be the glue that holds the burgers collectively. For a gluten-free model, swap in licensed gluten-free oats or quinoa flakes as famous within the recipe.
  • Salt-free all-purpose seasoning mix. That is the workhorse taste builder – search for blends like Mrs. Sprint or make your personal. If you do not have one readily available, a mixture of garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and dried oregano works effectively.
  • Smoked paprika. Provides depth and a really refined smokiness. Candy paprika is a superbly good substitute, or attempt a pinch of chipotle powder for a spicier kick.
  • Recent cilantro or parsley. Non-compulsory however really helpful – recent herbs brighten the entire patty. Cilantro offers a extra vibrant, punchy end; parsley is milder. Both works, or you possibly can skip them completely.

Useful Suggestions

Prepare dinner the wild rice low and gradual. Wild rice takes about 35 minutes at a delicate simmer, and dashing it makes it powerful. The grains ought to simply begin to break up and curl earlier than you pull them off the warmth. Undercooked wild rice will not mix into the patty combination effectively.

Let the oat combination soak up absolutely. If you cowl the oats with boiling water, give them a full 5 minutes earlier than mixing. In case you rush this step, the oats will not absolutely hydrate and your patties can be crumbly quite than cohesive.

Pack the measuring cup firmly. Scooping loosely will provide you with fragile patties. Fill the ½-cup measuring cup with the burger combination and press it down firmly earlier than inverting onto the baking sheet. The extra compact the patty moving into, the higher it holds collectively popping out.

Do not skip the flip. On the 15-minute mark, flip every patty gently utilizing a skinny spatula. That is what offers each side that golden, barely crisp exterior. If a patty sticks or begins to crumble, let it bake one other 2 minutes earlier than making an attempt the flip.

Make forward and freeze. These patties freeze fantastically. Bake them absolutely, allow them to cool fully, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet earlier than transferring to a bag. Reheat from frozen in a 375°F oven for about quarter-hour, flipping as soon as.

Variations

  • Add lentils. Stir in ½ cup of cooked brown or inexperienced lentils for much more protein and a barely denser texture – much like the filling Vegan Quinoa Mushroom Burger.
  • Make them spicy. Add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a tablespoon of your favourite scorching sauce to the combination. A touch of chipotle powder instead of (or alongside) the smoked paprika works particularly effectively.
  • Tex-Mex model. Swap the cilantro for parsley, add ¼ cup of corn and ¼ cup of drained black beans. Serve with salsa, sliced avocado, and a squeeze of lime.
  • Mushroom enhance. Sauté ½ cup of finely diced cremini mushrooms with the onion and garlic. They add umami depth and further moisture that melds fantastically with the wild rice.
  • Herbed model. Use a full ¼ cup of combined recent herbs – parsley, chives, and a bit tarragon – and add 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the combination. Nice with a easy aioli or vegan burger sauce.
  • Pan-fried possibility. In case you favor a crispier exterior, pan-fry in a skinny layer of oil over medium warmth for about 5 minutes per aspect quite than baking. The surface crisps up extra rapidly, so watch the warmth rigorously.

Serving Concepts

These burgers are sturdy sufficient to carry up in a bun with all of the traditional toppings – lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and a beneficiant smear of vegan mayo or copycat vegan Big Mac sauce. A toasted brioche-style bun is very good right here because the slight sweetness contrasts properly with the earthy grains. You too can tuck them right into a pita pocket with shredded cabbage and tahini sauce for a extra Mediterranean really feel.

Serve them alongside a easy inexperienced salad, roasted candy potato wedges, or fresh tomato relish for an entire meal. In addition they work fantastically on prime of a grain bowl – break one aside over quinoa or farro, add a handful of greens and a drizzle of lemon tahini dressing, and you’ve got a satisfying lunch that holds you for hours.

Storing & Freezing

Let leftover patties cool fully, then retailer them in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. To reheat, heat them in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes or in a dry skillet over medium-low warmth for a pair minutes per aspect. Keep away from microwaving should you can – it softens the outside and makes the patties a bit mushy.

These burgers freeze very effectively. As soon as absolutely baked and cooled, freeze in a single layer on a lined baking sheet till stable, then switch to a zip-close freezer bag. They will hold for as much as 3 months. Reheat straight from frozen in a 375°F oven for quarter-hour, flipping midway by. The feel holds up remarkably effectively after freezing.

Extra Vegan Burger Recipes

In case you liked this recipe, listed here are just a few extra you may take pleasure in:

Recipe

Vegan quinoa and wild rice burger patty on a bunVegan quinoa and wild rice burger patty on a bun

Vegan Quinoa and Wild Rice Burgers