Quinoa Veggie Burgers
These quinoa veggie burgers are what veggie burger dreams are made of. They hold together, have tons of flavor, and are full of good-for-you ingredients. This recipe is dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian.
Ingredients
- ½ cup dry quinoa
- 1 ½ cups water
- pinch of kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- ½ cup diced shallots about 1 large shallot
- 1 cup diced carrots
- ½ cup diced bell pepper any color
- ½ cup breadcrumbs gluten-free or regular
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce use vegan and/or GF if needed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil then add the quinoa and a pinch of salt. Cover the pot with a lid and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for 15 minutes, remove from the heat and let it sit with the lid on for an additional 5 minutes. Then remove the lid and fluff with a fork. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, add in the diced carrots and cook for 10 minutes until easily pierced with a fork, but still firm.
- Then add in the diced shallots and bell pepper and cook with the carrots for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the sautéed vegetables to the bowl of a food processor along with the cooked quinoa, breadcrumbs, egg, tomato paste, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and kosher salt.
- Pulse the mixture a few times until it's mixed but not blended. Scoop out the mixture and use your hands to form it into patties.
- Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat and cook the burgers on each side for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
- Makes 7 patties (though the quantity may vary depending on the size of your patties).
Notes
No quinoa? - another gluten-free grain that would work well is millet.
No shallot? – use yellow, white, or red onion instead.
No carrot? - use sweet potatoes, winter squash, beets, or potatoes.
No bell pepper? - other vegetables that would work well are celery, finely chopped broccoli, kale, peas, or mushrooms.
No smoked paprika? - use sweet paprika.
No tomato paste? - oil-packed sundried tomatoes are a great sub.
Variations - add in chopped fresh herbs, sriracha, jalapeños, or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick, mustard, a spice blend for a different flavor profile, liquid smoke for a deeper smoky flavor, etc.