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 Substances & Substitutions

  • Wild rice. The chewy, nutty spine of those burgers. Wild rice holds its texture properly 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, crimson, or tri-color. In the event you’re making this gluten-free, quinoa flakes are an important substitute for the oats as properly.
  • Fast-cooking oats. Soaked in boiling water, they change into 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 individual. If you do not have one readily available, a mixture of garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and dried oregano works properly.
  • Smoked paprika. Provides depth and a really delicate smokiness. Candy paprika is a wonderfully good substitute, or strive a pinch of chipotle powder for a spicier kick.
  • Recent cilantro or parsley. Non-compulsory however really useful – contemporary herbs brighten the entire patty. Cilantro provides a extra vibrant, punchy end; parsley is milder. Both works, or you’ll be able to skip them solely.

Useful Ideas

Cook dinner the wild rice low and sluggish. Wild rice takes about 35 minutes at a delicate simmer, and speeding it makes it robust. 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 properly.

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

Pack the measuring cup firmly. Scooping loosely provides 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 entering 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 provides each side that golden, barely crisp exterior. If a patty sticks or begins to crumble, let it bake one other 2 minutes earlier than trying the flip.

Make forward and freeze. These patties freeze superbly. Bake them absolutely, allow them to cool utterly, 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 sizzling sauce to the combination. A splash of chipotle powder instead of (or alongside) the smoked paprika works particularly properly.
  • 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 additional moisture that melds superbly with the wild rice.
  • Herbed model. Use a full ¼ cup of blended contemporary herbs – parsley, chives, and a bit of tarragon – and add 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the combo. Nice with a easy aioli or vegan burger sauce.
  • Pan-fried choice. In the event you choose a crispier exterior, pan-fry in a skinny layer of oil over medium warmth for about 5 minutes per facet somewhat than baking. The skin crisps up extra shortly, 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 particularly 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 superbly on high 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 utterly, 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 facet. Keep away from microwaving in the event you can – it softens the outside and makes the patties a bit mushy.

These burgers freeze very properly. 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’re going to 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 properly after freezing.

Extra Vegan Burger Recipes

In the event you liked this recipe, listed here are a number of extra you may get pleasure from:

Recipe

Vegan quinoa and wild rice burger patty on a bun

Vegan Quinoa and Wild Rice Burgers