In these tasty beet and brown rice burgers, red wine vinegar is the secret ingredient, bringing a slightly floral and acidic note to the burger. Searing this delicate burger on high heat at the beginning of the cooking process is important; the crust that forms is what helps the burger keep its shape. Recipe from Veggie Burgers Every Which Way: Fresh, Flavorful and Healthy Vegan and Vegetarian Burgers—Plus Toppings, Sides, Buns and More, copyright © Lukas Volger, 2010. Photo by Christina Heaston. Reprinted by permission of the publisher, The Experiment, LLC.
Beet and Brown Rice Burgers
In these tasty beet and brown rice burgers, red wine vinegar is the secret ingredient, bringing a slightly floral and acidic note to the burger.
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Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 3 medium beets scrubbed clean, ends trimmed
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 red onion diced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 ½ cups cooked black or red beans 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Using the large holes of a box grater or the grater blade of your food processor, grate the beets.
- (It’s not necessary to peel them first.)
- In a large, lidded sauté́ pan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it softens and begins to look translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the beets and salt and toss to combine. Cover and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, until the beets are completely softened. Add the vinegar, toss to combine, and scrape up the browned bits from the pan with a wooden spoon. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a mixing bowl, coarsely mash the beans with a potato masher or fork. Fold in the beet mixture, the rice, parsley, and black pepper to taste. Adjust seasonings. Shape into six patties, flattening to a ½-inch thickness.
- In a sauté́ pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil over high heat. Add the patties, in batches if necessary to avoid crowding. They should sizzle—this creates a nice crust. Cook for 1 minute. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 2 or 3 minutes. Carefully flip the burgers and cook until browned and firm, 4 to 5 minutes longer.
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Miriam Rudnick says
I've heard that these are very good. Do you think there is anything that could be substituted for the beans and the rice so these could be made for Passover? Maybe quinoa for the rice, but I have no idea about the beans. I always use a beet in place of the shankbone on the seder plate and then never know what to do with the beets. Making these would be a good use of them if I can figure out what to do instead. Thanks!
Nava says
Hi Miriam — I'm afraid that if both the beans and rice are substituted, it would be a completely different recipe. As for the beet on your seder plate, you can roast or cook it ahead of time, and then just dice it and put it into a green salad. Other vegan options for Passover can be found on our Vegan Passover Seder page: http://www.vegkitchen.com/tips/holidays-and-special-occasions/passover-pleasures/