Name: Vegan Beet Burgers
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 to 1¼ pounds beets (3–4 medium, scrubbed); ½ cup quick-cooking oats (divided); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 medium red onion (chopped); 2 cloves garlic (thinly sliced); 2 scallions (chopped); 15 ounce canned kidney beans (drained and rinsed); 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon sweet paprika; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or mesquite seasoning); salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)

These vegan beet burgers are impossibly vibrant, packed with cumin and smoked paprika, and hearty enough to satisfy even the most skeptical dinner guest at the table.

Vegan beet burger patties showing the vibrant red color

Key Ingredients & Substitutions

Fresh beets. The star of the show - cooked and then pulsed in the food processor to create that gorgeous deep-red base. You can microwave, boil, or roast the beets; all methods work, though roasting gives the most concentrated, sweet flavor. No need to peel before cooking - just scrub well and peel after.
Kidney or red beans. These provide the binding and protein. Red kidney beans blend into the beet color seamlessly. Chickpeas or black beans can be substituted; black beans will give a slightly earthier flavor, while chickpeas yield a firmer, drier texture.
Quick-cooking oats. Half are soaked in boiling water to act as a binder; the other half go in dry for extra texture. Certified gluten-free oats work for a GF version. Don't use rolled oats - they're too thick and won't blend properly.
Smoked paprika. This is what takes these burgers from good to memorable. It adds a subtle smokiness that pairs beautifully with the earthy beet. Mesquite seasoning is a direct substitute, or use sweet paprika if smoked isn't available (though you'll lose that depth).
Ground cumin. Adds warmth and a slightly nutty, savory quality. Don't skip it - it's part of what makes these taste like a real burger rather than just beet patties.
Scallions. Provide a mild, fresh onion note on top of the sautéed red onion. You can substitute a bit of extra red onion, though scallions give a brighter flavor.

Helpful Tips

Don't over-process in the food processor. Pulse the mixture until finely chopped and combined - you want it cohesive but still with some texture. If you run the machine too long, you'll end up with a smooth paste that makes the patties dense and gummy rather than holding a pleasant, slightly chunky texture.

Pack the measuring cup tightly. The key to a patty that holds its shape is packing the beet mixture firmly into the measuring cup before inverting it onto the baking sheet. Loose packing leads to crumbling. A firm tap to release it, then a gentle press to flatten to about half an inch, and you're set.

Let them get a real crust before flipping. At the 15-minute mark, look for the edges to be visibly browning before you flip. A fully formed bottom crust is what keeps the burger intact through the second side of baking. If it looks pale, give it another 2-3 minutes.

Adjust seasonings before shaping. After mixing everything together, taste the unbaked mixture and bump up the cumin, paprika, or salt as needed. The flavors mellow a bit during baking, so it should taste slightly bold raw.

Pan-fry for an even crispier exterior. These bake beautifully, but for an extra-crisp crust, cook them in a thin layer of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat for about 4-5 minutes per side instead. The contact with the hot pan gives a darker, crunchier exterior.

Also worth trying: our garlic mustard vinaigrette.

Variations

Add walnuts. Pulse ¼ cup of walnuts into the food processor along with the beets. They add healthy fat, a meaty richness, and help the patty hold together even better.
Make them spicy. Add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Serve with creamy vegan coleslaw to balance the heat.
Slider version. Use a ¼-cup measure instead of ½-cup to make about 12 slider-sized patties. Great for parties - stack them on small buns with a swipe of hummus and a pickle.
Mediterranean style. Add 2 tablespoons of chopped kalamata olives and swap the cumin for dried oregano. Serve in pita with tahini sauce and diced cucumber.
Add quinoa. Replace ¼ cup of the oats with cooked quinoa for extra protein and a slightly nuttier flavor. The patties will be a bit more delicate, so handle carefully.
Boost with sun-dried tomatoes. Add 2-3 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes to the food processor. They deepen the umami and add a concentrated, savory richness.

Serving Ideas

These are stunning on a whole-grain bun - the deep red against white vegan mayo and green lettuce looks almost too good to eat. Load them up with classic burger toppings like sliced red onion, pickles, and mustard, or keep it simple with just avocado and a drizzle of copycat vegan burger sauce. A tangy vegan tartar sauce is also a classic pairing that Nicole has always recommended for these.

They work just as well without a bun. Serve them on a bed of mixed greens with beets and walnuts and a light lemon vinaigrette for a complete, restaurant-worthy plate. Or go the grain bowl route - break one patty up over cooked farro or quinoa with roasted vegetables and tahini dressing. The earthy beet flavor ties everything together beautifully.

Storing & Freezing

Store cooled patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side, or in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. The skillet method gives the best results for reviving the exterior crust.

These freeze very well. Bake them fully and let them cool completely, then freeze on a lined baking sheet until solid before transferring to a zip-close bag. They'll keep for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in a 375°F oven for about 18 minutes, flipping once halfway through. No need to thaw first.

More Vegan Burger Recipes

If you loved this recipe, check out our full collection of the best vegan burger recipes or our vegan chickpea patties for a different style of vegan patty - or here are a few more individual favorites:

Also try: our Quinoa And Wild Rice Burgers.

Recipe

Vegan beet burger patty on a bun with toppings

Vegan Beet Burgers

4.79 from 19 votes

These vegan beet burgers are vibrant, hearty, and packed with flavor - with cumin, smoked paprika, and kidney beans rounding out that gorgeous deep-red beet base.

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Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 45

Servings: 8 burgers

Ingredients

1 to 1¼ pounds beets 3-4 medium, scrubbed
½ cup quick-cooking oats divided
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium red onion chopped
2 cloves garlic thinly sliced
2 scallions chopped
15 ounce canned kidney beans drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 teaspoon smoked paprika or mesquite seasoning
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the beets using any preferred method - microwave, boil, or roast whole - until tender but not overdone. Plunge into cold water to cool, then peel and cut into chunks.
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place half of the oats in a small bowl and cover with ¼ cup boiling water. Let stand until needed.
Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and scallions and continue to sauté until soft and beginning to turn golden.
In a food processor, combine the beets, onion mixture, both the soaked and dry oats, beans, cumin, and both kinds of paprika. Pulse until the mixture is evenly and finely chopped, scraping down the sides as needed.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Taste and adjust seasonings, then season with salt and pepper.
Lightly oil a ½-cup measuring cup and pack it firmly with the beet mixture. Invert onto the baking sheet with a sharp tap and flatten to about ½-inch thickness. Repeat with remaining mixture. (For smaller slider-sized burgers, use a ¼-cup measure.)
Bake for 15 minutes until the bottom is starting to brown. Carefully flip each burger and bake for another 15 minutes until lightly browned on both sides. Serve hot or warm.