Vegan Greek Quinoa Burger

This vegan Greek quinoa burger recipe is the “meatiest” plant based burger you’ll ever taste! A nutrient-rich powerhouse, these burgers are made with quinoa patties that are loaded with plant-based protein, healthy fats, vitamins, nutrients, and more! Rich in flavor and quick to make, they’re a great addition to any meal. Serve them on gluten free buns, in lettuce wraps, or on their own! 

Our Favorite Plant Powered Burger – the Quinoa Burger!

More than your average veggie burgers, these greek burger patties made with quinoa are so good for you they are basically a superfood! Okay, maybe not, but they are loaded with all kinds of nourishing ingredients that pack in lots of vitamins and nutrients. They’re also high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep you feeling full and satisfied. Even better, these quinoa burgers are gluten free, dairy free, nut free, and bean free, too! 

Gluten Free Ingredients – No Beans Required! 

Now that we’ve talked about how good these quinoa burger patties are for you, let’s take a minute to look at the individual ingredients you’ll need. Spoiler alert! Breadcrumbs and black beans (or beans of any kind) aren’t included. 😉

• Cooked Quinoa – The base of the patties, quinoa is full of protein, fiber, and nutrients. Any kind you have on hand works. Just make sure to cook it before forming your quinoa patties!
  
• Sunflower Seeds – Sunflower seeds add a rich flavor and healthy fats. In addition, when combined with the olives, they help create a “meaty” texture.
  
• Gluten Free Rolled Oats – The thick texture of rolled oats help to form a binder, holding these quinoa patties together.
  
• Flax Meal – Containing a slightly nutty flavor, flax meal is a great source of thiamin and B vitamins along with other vitamins and minerals. When combined with the oats, they help take the place of eggs in standard recipes, holding the patties together.
  
• Black Olives – A great source of healthy fats and vitamin E, olives are the key to creating an extremely meat-like texture.
  
• Red Onion – Red onions are high in nutrients like vitamin C, B vitamins, and potassium, but they’re even higher in flavor! Not only do they add a nice texture to these greek burgers, but they also help amp up the flavor with a little tang!
  
• Herbs & Spices – To create a Greek-inspired taste, we included garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Not only do they make any recipe tasty, but they also provide antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties! Read more here.
  
• Tomato Paste – Like whole tomatoes, tomato paste is a good source of iron, potassium, and B vitamins. Not only does it amplify the health benefits of these plant based burgers, but it also helps create a Mediterranean flavor unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before! 

How to Make a Greek Plant Based Burger with Quinoa

The process of making the perfect plant-based burgers takes several steps, but don’t worry! They couldn’t be easier to make. Plus, they’re a vegetarian recipe that’s so good, even the carnivores in your life won’t be able to get enough! We’ll break it all down for you below. 

Prepare the Quinoa Patties

1. Cook the quinoa according to package instructions. Or, keep reading here for cooking methods, tips, and tricks for the fluffiest quinoa every single time!
   
2. Combine the quinoa, sunflower seeds, oats, and flax meal in a food processor. Pulse until the ingredients are mixed but are not completely pulverized.
   
3. Next, add the olives, red onion, garlic, and parsley, and pulse again to incorporate.
   

4. Then, add the remaining ingredients, and pulse until they are well combined. Be careful not to overprocess the mixture! You want the batter to be thick and chunky, not flour-like. (See images above.)
   
5. Once combined, transfer the quinoa patties mixture to a large bowl, and let it chill for 20 minutes. This makes it easier to work with and shape.
   
6. Finally, divide the mixture into 4-6 sections, and form them into 1/2  inch thick quinoa patties. 

Time to Cook – 2 Ways!

Now that your quinoa patties are formed, it’s time to turn them into quinoa burgers. For this recipe, we tested both the oven and the air fryer, and they both work great! 

Oven Option

1. Add the formed patties to a lined baking sheet, and put them in the oven at 375° Fahrenheit. 
2. Let them cook for 15 minutes. Then, flip them over, and cook for another 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown. 

Air Fryer Option 

1. Preheat your air fryer to 380° Fahrenheit, and grease the basket. 
2. Add 4-5 quinoa patties, and let them cook for 12-14 minutes, flipping them over halfway through cooking. 

Stove Top Option

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
2. Cook the quinoa patties for 3-5 minutes on each side.

Building a Greek-Inspired Burger

Before you start assembling your burgers, it’s important to let the patties cool for at least 5 minutes. This will keep them from falling apart! Then, it’s time to load up your favorite gluten free buns or lettuce wraps with all the toppings and fixin’s.

Unlike traditional burgers that include ingredients like mustard, ketchup, and pickles, we like to use more Greek-inspired ingredients. Some of our favorites include: 

• Arugula 
• Sliced Tomatoes
• Cucumber Slices
• Feta Cheese
• Avocado
• Tzatziki or Hummus

Pro-Tips for Preparation

Panko-Less Perfection! The secret to creating a gluten free, plant-based binder is to include blended oats and flax. When combined, they expand and “hold onto” the other ingredients. Therefore, it’s crucial not to overprocess them. If you do, the particles won’t be large enough to bind the burgers! 

No More Mush. A common complaint we hear when it comes to plant based burgers is that they turn out too soft and mushy. To prevent this from happening, be sure to cook the quinoa completely, and fluff it well with a fork before adding it to the burgers. 

Keep it Together. The key to prevent your quinoa burgers from falling apart is to let the batter chill and nailing the texture. You want to keep a mealy, slightly chunky texture when processing. When in doubt, less is more! 

Meal Prep! If you prefer to form your patties ahead of time, store cooked leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Or, keep uncooked patties in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just be sure to place a piece of parchment paper between each patty to prevent them from sticking together.  

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