Quinoa Veggie Burgers

These delicious quinoa veggie burgers pack in the all the best flavors and are the perfect meal prep for busy weeks. They’re made with feel-good ingredients, and are filled with plant-based protein and fiber.

Homemade Quinoa Veggie Burgers

Most store-bought veggie burgers are packed with veggies, but not as much protein, which is why I love making my own. These quinoa veggie burgers truly have it all:

• protein from the beans and quinoa
• fiber from the veggies and beans
• and most importantly- good flavor

These homemade veggie burgers are so easy to make, and the perfect meal prep to stock your freezer with.

Quinoa veggie burgers are crispy on the outside, and have a sweet and smokey flavor. I love to brush them with BBQ sauce before grilling them for an added boost of flavor.

They’re plant-based and can be made gluten-free if needed. Plus they can be frozen and reheated for a quick dinner during the week!

The quinoa adds the most delicious texture to the burgers, while also being a powerhouse of nutrients.

Nutrition fun fact: did you know that quinoa is a complete protein?

Unlike other plant-based proteins, quinoa is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids. Essential aminos acids (which are the building blocks of proteins), are amino acids that our bodies cannot make on their own and therefore are essential in our diets.

Incorporating quinoa into your week is a nutritious way to eat more protein, especially in a plant-based diet.

What you’ll need to make Quinoa Veggie Burgers

Quinoa– the base of the burgers is made with cooked quinoa, which adds a delicious whole-grain and boost of protein. I used a tri-color quinoa mix, but you can use any variation of quinoa

Cannellini beans– also known as white kidney beans, cannellini beans add a subtle yet hearty texture to these burgers while also contributing protein and fiber

Veggies– these burgers are loaded with peppers, carrots and onions that are sauteed to truly bring out their flavor

Breadcrumbs– if needed, you can swap your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs to make these gluten-free!

Spices– the flavors of the burger come from the spices like cumin, smoked paprika, garlic and a touch of hot sauce

The burgers come together in just a few simple steps, and can be made ahead of time and frozen for up to 3 months.

I like to grill mine on a pan, and freeze them once they’ve cooled. To warm them, just pop them in the oven for 10 minutes, or let them defrost overnight.

I love serving these on a toasted bun or over a salad with my homemade chipotle sauce. They’re so flavorful, easy to make, and a delicious way to incorporate more plant-based protein into your week!

If you’re looking for more bean based recipe ideas, check out some of these recipes below:

Lentil Burgers

Crispy Walnut Lentil Tacos

Spinach & White Bean Burgers

Black Bean and Veggie Burritos

Quinoa Veggie Burgers

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Course: Gluten-Free, Main, Vegan

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Total time

40

minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa (should
  yield about 1 1/2 cups cooked)

• 1 can cannellini beans, 15.5 oz

• 1/2 cup bread crumbs, use
  gluten-free if needed

• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped

• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped

• 1/2 white onion, diced

• 2 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1 tsp cumin

• 1/2 tsp paprika

• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (or substitute 1 full tsp paprika)

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 1 tbsp hot sauce, optional

• 2-3 tbsp olive oil

• 2-3 tbsp of your favorite BBQ sauce

Directions

• Cook the quinoa
• Bring 1/2 cup of quinoa and 1 1/4 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Once boiling, reduce heat and let the quinoa simmer for about 15 minutes covered, or until all the water is absorbed. Once ready, set it aside for 10 minutes, then fluff it with a fork.
• Saute the veggies
• While the quinoa cooks, add 1 tbsp of oil to a large pan and saute the carrots, peppers and onion for 5 minutes until the veggies begin to soften. After 5 minutes, add in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Season lightly with salt & pepper
• Prepare the burger mixture
• Once the veggie and quinoa are ready, add the rinsed beans into a bowl and gently mash them into a paste while leaving some pieces whole.
• Next add in your quinoa, veggies, spices and hot sauce and mix well with a spoon or your hands.
• Pour in your bread crumbs and combine everything together until evenly incorporated. I suggest using your hands for this step to make sure everything sticks together.
• Form 6 large burgers with the mixture, or about 8 medium sized ones and layer them on a tray or cutting board while you heat your pan.
• Grill your burgers
• Brush each side of the burger with a light layer of your favorite BBQ sauce. This step is optional, but adds a delicious smokey flavor.
• Heat a large pan with 1 tbsp of olive oil on medium heat (I used the same pan that i cooked my veggies in). Place 3 burgers in at a time and cook on medium heat for about 4-5 minutes, then flip for an additional 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Add another tbsp of oil and repeat with remaining burgers.
• Serve with your favorite sides or on a bun.
• The burgers can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @somethingnutritious on Instagram- I’d love to see your creations!