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.

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 possibly can swap it for brown rice in a pinch, although you may lose a few of that attribute chewiness.
• Cooked quinoa. Provides protein and helps bind the patties collectively. Any coloration of quinoa works – white, purple, or tri-color. If you happen to’re making this gluten-free, quinoa flakes are a fantastic substitute for the oats as effectively.
• Fast-cooking oats. Soaked in boiling water, they turn 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 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 delicate smokiness. Candy paprika is a wonderfully good substitute, or strive a pinch of chipotle powder for a spicier kick.
• Contemporary cilantro or parsley. Non-compulsory however advisable – recent 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

Prepare dinner the wild rice low and sluggish. Wild rice takes about 35 minutes at a mild simmer, and dashing it makes it powerful. The grains ought to simply begin to cut 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 take in totally. If you cowl the oats with boiling water, give them a full 5 minutes earlier than mixing. If you happen to rush this step, the oats will not totally hydrate and your patties will probably be crumbly relatively 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 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 provides either 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 fantastically. Bake them totally, 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 – just 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 rather than (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 additional moisture that melds fantastically with the wild rice.
• Herbed model. Use a full ¼ cup of combined recent 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. If you happen to desire a crispier exterior, pan-fry in a skinny layer of oil over medium warmth for about 5 minutes per aspect relatively than baking. The surface crisps up extra shortly, so watch the warmth fastidiously.

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 for the reason that slight sweetness contrasts properly with the earthy grains. You may as well 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. Additionally 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 in the event you can – it softens the outside and makes the patties a bit mushy.

These burgers freeze very effectively. As soon as totally 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 means of. The feel holds up remarkably effectively after freezing.

Extra Vegan Burger Recipes

If you happen to beloved this recipe, listed below are a number of extra you would possibly take pleasure in:

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Vegan Quinoa and Wild Rice Burgers

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