Vegan Quinoa Bean Burger

Quinoa

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water

Burger Base

• ½ cup sunflower seeds (toasted)
• ½ cup walnuts (toasted, finely chopped)
• 5 cloves garlic (minced, sautéed)
• 2 shallots (minced, sautéed)
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 2 cups pinto beans (cooked)

Seasonings

• 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
• 1½ teaspoons coriander (ground)
• 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
• ½ cup nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon black pepper (coarse, freshly ground)
• 1 teaspoon cumin (ground)

Binder

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. Toast the Quinoa: Preheat the oven to 500°F. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the quinoa until lightly golden and fragrant, about 4–5 minutes. Transfer it to a saucepan, add the water, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes until tender. Allow it to cool slightly.1 cup quinoa, 2 cups water
2. Blend the Burger Base: In a food processor combine the toasted sunflower seeds, toasted walnuts, sautéed garlic, sautéed shallots, chipotle peppers, and half of the cooked pinto beans. Blend until mostly smooth.½ cup sunflower seeds, ½ cup walnuts, 5 cloves garlic, 2 shallots, 2 chipotle peppers, 1 cup pinto beans
3. Build the Burger Mixture: Transfer the blended mixture to a large bowl. Stir in the cooked quinoa and the remaining pinto beans. Gently mash the remaining beans as you mix to leave a little texture.prepared quinoa, 1 cup pinto beans
4. Add the Seasonings: Fold in the kosher salt, coriander, smoked paprika, nutritional yeast, black pepper, cumin, and flour until the mixture holds together. If needed, let it rest for 10 minutes so the flour can hydrate.1½ tsp kosher salt, 1½ tsp coriander, 1½ tsp smoked paprika, ½ cup nutritional yeast, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp cumin, 1 cup flour
5. Form the Patties: Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and gently shape into patties about ¾ inch thick.prepared burger mixture
6. Bake the Burgers: Arrange the patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, carefully flip, then bake for another 5–7 minutes until lightly browned and firm.prepared patties
7. Serve: Serve immediately on toasted buns with your favorite toppings.