Just in time for Halloween, these monster burgers are sooo….scary, they’ll get you shaking in your boots!
Look at them! Eyes blazing, fangs snarling, tongues lolling, aaand…they’re 100% vegan! So scary!
C’mon now, is there anything scarier than a burger that’s 100% vegan?! My carnivore husband didn’t think so.
He couldn’t wait to dive into these burgers…until I told him they’re veggie burgers. He actually stopped himself from biting into it! It was too funny to see his suspicious face!
That man has a natural distrust of anything vegetables, which I find amusing. I may need to talk to my mother-in-law about it. What could have happened in his childhood, I wonder?!
I, on the other hand, was raised with a great deal of respect for fruits and vegetables. My mother insisted that they were part of every single meal we had. There were definitely lots and lots of fruits for snacking and desserts. Yes, fruits for desserts!
Anyway, in the end, my husband decided these veggie burgers weren’t so scary after all. He confessed that they would be something he would want to eat again.
That’s the only endorsement you need. These are exceptional vegan burgers.
In my quest to make the best vegan burgers, I’ve gone the routes of mushrooms and eggplants as well as tofu and tempeh. You know, the usual suspects.
I’ve come to a conclusion that the best-tasting vegan burgers must involve the following ingredients:
- Grains (rice, barley, wheat, etc.)
- Beans (black, navy, pinto, chickpea, etc.)
- Nuts (almond, cashew, walnut, etc.)
- Vegetables of choice (preferably several kinds)
- Spices and herbs
The making of the best vegan burger patties
You can vary any of those ingredients and you will probably still get tasty burgers. But how do you get exceptional-tasting meatless burgers? In my opinion, the key is texture.
And that’s why you want to cook your own beans. Canned beans are a little too mushy. And while at it, pick yourself a variety of beans that keeps its shapes well after cooking, not one that will disintegrate into mush.
Or better yet, try a mixture of beans. Like the one that comes from a package of 16-bean soup mix.
This way you’ll get a variety of flavors and textures all in one. Plus, the look pretty. Like jewels.
Make sure you cook them until they’re just cooked and you can still recognize all the individual varieties.
The next thing to consider is how to make the patties hold together, and not fall apart while they’re being cooked. There are many good recipes out there on the internet that use eggs or cheese as the binding agents. They do work. And the cheese, especially, adds so much to the tastiness.
But I wanted to make 100% vegan burgers. So, no cheating allowed! This is what I did instead.
You see all the ingredients here, on the plate?
Looks good enough to eat as is, doesn’t it?
Well, don’t eat it if you want burger patties. What you want to do, instead, is mash it, but not all of it. Maybe about 3/4 of it. That’s how you’re going to keep the patties intact. Your ingredients will act as the binding agent!
Doesn’t look so good anymore now, but hey, we want burger patties that keep their shapes!
See?! They hold their shapes, they don’t fall apart! Yay!
You can make the patties as big or as small as you like. Small ones make great appetizer! But big ones are perfect for your “scary” monster burger. If you’re as suspicious of vegetables as my husband, you’ll find it plenty scary!
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 cup cooked mixed beans
- 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 cup (packed) chopped kale
- 1 cup shredded carrot
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ½ cup chopped sweet/bell pepper
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- ½ teaspoon chili garlic sauce or sambal oelek (optional)
- ¼ cup crushed roasted almonds
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon minced parsley
- Saute onion and garlic in 1 tablespoon of oil, until translucent.
- Add the rest of the vegetables (kale, carrot, bell pepper). Cook until vegetables are cooked and soft. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Using a food processor, mash part of the rice, beans, and cooked vegetables (not more than ¾ of the whole amount). Scrape into a big bowl.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and half of the panko breadcrumbs into the bowl. Mix/knead it with your hands, until everything is well blended. You should get something that feels like a soft but stiff dough.
- Form into patties. Dip them into the rest of the panko breadcrumbs. You may need to pat the crumbs firmly into the patties to help them adhere.
- Fry patties in 1-2 tablespoons of oil, until brown in color. The panko will get nice and crispy.
- Serve with your usual toppings in a burger sandwich. Or as appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce.
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These are most excellent – how creative!! And I love all the different colors that go into the veggie patties. Yum!
Thanks, Mara! The monster burgers were so much fun to put together. Lots of laughter involved! ??
What a cute idea for burgers. Thanks for sharing.
No problem. I had fun making them. I’m glad you like them ?
I love beans and pulses and will try your vegan burgers! They look amazing, such cute horror burgers! 🙂 x
I can vouch for these, Petra! As you know, vegan burgers can be a hit or a miss, mostly a miss for me with the ones I get from the grocery stores. Just make sure you don’t overcook the beans, and drain them well. Thanks, girlfriend! ?
I will absolutely give them a go! 🙂 you inspire me x
Absolutely amazing for Halloween! Thanks for sharing this healthy and tasty idea 🙂
No problem, Kreso. I’m glad you like it!
These are adorable! And look so delicious for any time of year..
Thanks! They are indeed delicious, and so much fun to make! Happy Halloween! ?
Ugh! My comment didn’t get through yesterday.?
Anyway, I am so very much impressed, Angie! You made vegan burgers for Halloween! I am not sure if I am afraid of the look of the burger or coz it is vegan!? I think we both know the answer! Good job, Angie! I could almost imagine your husband’s reaction, but I know why he wants to eat this again coz they are insanely vegan scary and delicious!? Thanks for sharing, Angie. Enjoy your Halloween!?
There was a little technical issue; my slippery fingers and tired and sleepy brain acting on their own and hit publish when I wasn’t ready. I tried to put it back into draft, but it didn’t work. You probably tried to comment exactly around the time I was fudging with the post. Anyway, here you are ? Thanks, Jhuls! This one is a keeper. My daughter really likes it!
Hmm, that’s why. I don’t see any reason why this should be loved – so good!
Fabulous post Angie! I love making veggie burgers like these with different flavor combinations. You have taken it one step further and made them vegan too!
I have used cooked quinoa in my burgers. What has been your experience with quinoa instead of say brown rice?
Because quinoa is actually a seed, and not a grain, I find that it doesn’t bind as well as rice. It lacks the gumminess/stickiness, so when I use quinoa I usually have to add flour or oatmeal and eggs to prevent the patties from falling apart. In meat burgers, though, quinoa would absolutely work! Thanks, Sandhya, I’m glad you like the vegan burgers ?
Wow Angie – very impressive and lovely photos too. Who needs hamburgers when veggie burgers can look and taste this good!
I admit I still want hamburgers every now and then, but at least I can balance it out with the vegan burgers. Right? Thanks, Laura!
Of course spot on – it’s all about balance Angie ?
Oh my gosh, Angie! These are almost too cute to eat! They sound delicious, and as always, your photos are fabulous! 😀
Aaw…thanks, Julianna! I’ve been trying to do better on my photos, still not there but I’m happy you’ve noticed an improvement ?
OMG! What did these little monsters devour. ?
I love how you creatively you put them together. They must easily be the healthiest monsters(burgers) around. Lovely post Angie?
Oh hi, skd! Thanks so much! They’re THE healthiest burgers the hubster has ever eaten, that’s for sure ?That’s why he was so scared ?