The Non-Dairy Queen

Thursday, March 10, 2011

I Love Pickles...and Quinoa Red Bean Burgers!

I have to admit something...

I LOVE PICKLES!

I love them so much that the illustrator's mom actually gave me a huge jar for Christmas! Now that is love people! I can go through a jar like this in a week (or less), but I'm trying to watch my sodium. This is one of those super large, needs two hands to carry kind of jars. It's not really something I'm proud of, but yeah, my pickle consumption can be impressive. The last time we bought a jar like that, the cashier laughed and said, "that's a lot of pickles...that should last a long time". The illustrator immediately told her that she would be surprised at how fast I can eat them. I think he's impressed by this ability I have. I took that as a compliment!

So, I would not eat them too quickly (I eat them like most people eat chips), I decided to make some bean burgers to go with my Christmas present. I know, there are a million and one ways to make a bean burger. In fact, I think I have at least 6 recipes on here for them. However, they are so simple and tasty, I figured I would share this one too. Honestly, bean burgers are one of those recipes that I think really are just a guide for people to throw in what they have. This is exactly what I did this time...

I used red beans (which I love and I think they make some of the best bean burgers) and quinoa as the base. This recipe has a great texture and a great flavor for adding your favorite burger toppings!

(served with oven roasted rutabaga "fries")

I made mini burgers and regular size burgers just for fun. Max likes the mini burgers on a salad. They are perfect for snacking on too!

Quinoa Red Bean Burgers
(makes about 13 regular sized burgers)

2 cups cooked quinoa
4 cups cooked red beans
1 cup mung bean sprouts (or another cup of red beans)
1 cup salsa (I used a mild flavor. This adds the onion and moisture without all the chopping and cooking of vegetables.)
1 1/2 cups quick oats
2 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp ground pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Put the quinoa, beans and salsa in a food processor. Process just to the point where the beans still have some large pieces. Don't puree it. Now place everything in a bowl and stir well. Bake on a parchment lined baking sheet for 1 hour, turning them over at 30 minutes.

I am so guilty of eating bean burgers until they are gone instead of freezing them, but I was good this time and froze a good amount of them. They make for super quick meals!

Labels: beans, burgers, gluten free, main course, vegetables

posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 7:21 AM

32 Comments:

At March 10, 2011 at 7:26 AM, Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg said…

Lol...I love those big pickles too! They're so good when they're super crunchy!
At March 10, 2011 at 7:28 AM, Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun said…

I'm a HUGE pickle lover too. So good.
At March 10, 2011 at 7:41 AM, Lauren @ Spiced Plate said…

I was just thinking about making bean burgers, as I made some great northern beans in the crock pot yesterday. Yours look lovely.

I eat pickles the same way! If they're in the house, they're in danger of being consumed by me immediately. I have to pace myself!
At March 10, 2011 at 7:54 AM, Jess@HealthyExposures said…

I used to be a total pickle fiend, too! Now I go through phases, much like everything else :P
The burgers look awesome, too - and like you said, there can never be too many bean burger recipes. The options are endless!!
At March 10, 2011 at 8:05 AM, lee said…

I've been thinking about making bean burgers for dinner tonight - maybe I'll use this recipe.

I love pickles too but only dill or half-sour ones. I hate the sweet ones.
At March 10, 2011 at 8:31 AM, Heahter (Where's the Beach) said…

OMG I love love love pickles too. I have some packed and waiting on me to eat for lunch along with a wrap! You reminded me that I need to make some more veggie burgers. I love using the quinoa in them. I'm like you - not really an exact recipe so much as a method. Makes life easier ;-)
At March 10, 2011 at 8:36 AM, Estela @ Weekly Bite said…

Yum! I LOVE pickles!! I eat them every day :)
At March 10, 2011 at 8:38 AM, LifeasKristina said…

Ok, call this a crazy shocker but i've never eaten a pickle! I like the taste of them when they've soaked into my bread on sandwiches but I always pick them off or give them to someone else.
That burger looks delish!
At March 10, 2011 at 9:18 AM, Amy B @ Second City Randomness said…

he he he... it's funny because pickles are one thing I will not eat. Cucumbers just aren't my thing!

But that really is an awesome Christmas gift! She knows you well...
At March 10, 2011 at 9:34 AM, Holly @ couchpotatoathlete said…

Pickles are so good! I have a friend who makes her own -- I can't even describe the taste but they are so spicy in the best way. It is her Grandma's secret recipe so I'll never be able to make my own :(

The bean burgers look great -- I was looking for a recipe for tomorrow night and I think this is it!
At March 10, 2011 at 10:34 AM, Tine said…

I love pickles too!
Thanks for the original burger recipe. I like the combination of quinoa and red beans.
Yum!
At March 10, 2011 at 11:28 AM, MelissaNibbles said…

I love pickles in any shape or form. Especially fried!

I've never heard of red bean burgers. You're so creative!
At March 10, 2011 at 11:35 AM, VeggieAmanda said…

The quinoa burger and the pickles look delish! I'm a huge pickle fan. I eat at least one thing a day that is pickled. Yumm!
At March 10, 2011 at 12:39 PM, Heather said…

Pickles are fantastic. They don't last long in our house!!
At March 10, 2011 at 1:02 PM, Kelly said…

Score!!! I am making these this weekend! :)
At March 10, 2011 at 1:24 PM, Megan said…

I've never made my own bean burgers, but I'd like to give it a try. We do eat meat in my house, so even if it doesn't seem too "meat-like" I still like beans, so I think I would enjoy it. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
At March 10, 2011 at 1:46 PM, Katie @ Nourishing Flourishing said…

I totally just slobbered all over your photos... sorry about that ; ) I haven't been able to find really good pickles lately, that don't have weird chemicals in them. I'm on the hunt! This reminded me that I used to drink pickle juice straight from the jar when I was a kid! I know...my parents wondered where they went wrong...
At March 10, 2011 at 2:22 PM, Rose @ Eat, Drink, and Be Meiri said…

Have you ever tried Israeli pickles? OMG so good.
At March 10, 2011 at 5:33 PM, Kate (What Kate is Cooking) said…

I hate pickles- but I love quinoa :)
At March 10, 2011 at 5:44 PM, Kristina @ spabettie said…

okay... you know what would be a NEW bean burger recipe?? if you added CHOPPED PICKLES to the burgers!

I totally thought that was what you did... Mmm, sounds SO good!

:) I think I may have to do this now, I love pickles too!
At March 10, 2011 at 7:53 PM, jodye @ 'scend food said…

Nice call on the salsa in the burgers, that's a great shortcut that I'm definitely going to take a cue from. I make some sort of veggie burger multiple times a week and that could definitely cut down on my prep time. On another note, pickles are so awesome!
At March 10, 2011 at 8:09 PM, Christin@purplebirdblog said…

Can your family adopt me please? I need to receive pickles for Christmas gifts too! :D
At March 10, 2011 at 8:36 PM, Lisa said…

I'm making the bean burgers ASAP! I love all the ingredients.

I also love pickles, but have cut down due to the salt too...I did find a local brand of cultured pickles that is really good....but still has the sodium. I'm thinking of making a low sodium version, but then they probably wouldn't taste as good!
At March 10, 2011 at 9:39 PM, Stephanie said…

I love pickles...but they have to be crunchy dill pickles. When we were kids, my sister used to sneak the juice from the pickle jar and drink it out of a glass.
At March 10, 2011 at 11:00 PM, Julie D said…

Me too! I'm actually gonna buy a jar next week and drink the juices throughout the week to prep for my marathon!
At March 10, 2011 at 11:22 PM, Carpensm @ A Life Without Ice Cream said…

Those look amazing! Plus I love the idea of red burgers :P
At March 10, 2011 at 11:30 PM, Kelsey @ Clean Teen Kelsey said…

I totally know what you mean about bean burger recipes just being a guide, haha. It always ends up that way for me, too. These look great, though! I love the idea of adding salsa to get some flavor and veggies. That is genius. I was planning on making some bean burgers in the next few days, so I think I will have to do that.
At March 11, 2011 at 7:07 AM, Pure2raw twins said…

too cute, I love pickles too. I went years of eating them and than a few years I just stopped not sure why? But then this past few months I have been eating them again haha
At March 11, 2011 at 8:07 AM, Madeline - Greens and Jeans said…

I seriously love pickles. There is something about the summertime that makes me want to sit outside and drink tea and eat pickles. Now if I can only make the warm weather come quicker...
At March 12, 2011 at 3:01 PM, Heather @ kissmybroccoli said…

Are you more of a sour or sweet pickle lover? I love pickles, but my absolute fave is the sweet bread 'n butter ones!

I've never baked a bean burger before. What is the benefit of cooking them that way vs. in a skillet?
At March 21, 2011 at 12:02 PM, French country furniture said…

You jogged my memory that I need to make some more veggie burgers. I like using the quinoa in them. I am like you - not an exact recipe a lot as a system.
At June 9, 2011 at 1:20 PM, varicose veins said…

I could not find a really good pickles recently, do not have these weird chemicals. That reminds me, I used to drink juice directly from the kimchi jar, when I was a child!