How to Make Quinoa Patties (vegetarian recipe) (2024)

Shared on
This post may contain affiliate links which means I make a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. See the disclosure policy for more information.

How to Make Quinoa Patties (vegetarian recipe) (1)

Quinoa Patties

When we first startedexperimenting with a more vegetable-based diet a few years ago, my husband was committed but skeptical. He braced himself for a long, hungry month.

I reassured him that he was in good hands. I only forgot one small detail: I actually had no clue what I was doing.

Up to this point, all of my meal planning started with a simple decision: beef, pork, or chicken? Then I would build side dishes around the meat. Take the meat out, and it washard for me to get motivated in the dinnerdepartment. Pancakes for a month, anyone?

Thankfully, I started to experiment with different beans and grains and vegetables and it ended up being a delicious month.

RELATED: Vegetarian Beans and Greens recipe

How to Make Quinoa Patties (vegetarian recipe) (2)

In many of our favorite, vegetable-based meals, quinoa was the star of the show. Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is an ancient whole grain that is a complete protein. At 6 grams of protein per serving,it is a filling, versatilegluten-free option for avegetable-basedmeal. It can be used as a breakfast cereal, in baked goods, in salads, or as the main dish.

How to Make Quinoa Patties (vegetarian recipe) (3)

In the Portland area, Costco carries four pound bags of organic quinoa for around $9.79 ($2.45/lb.). This price is hard to beat (Wincobulk is $3.62/lb and Fred Meyer or Trader Joe’sis$3.99/lb). Healthworks Organic Quinoa is currently sitting at around $2.99 per pound on Amazon! I would easily spend twice that per pound on good meat.

Remember, I’m not trying to start a Vegetarian Revolution here. I’m just encouraging you toincorporate meatless meals if it works for your family, both for the variety and savings.

How to Make Quinoa Patties (vegetarian recipe) (4)

This recipe for quinoa patties is easily one of ournew favorite main dishes. The recipe is simple and quick to create, especially if you already have cooked quinoa on hand. If you cook a big batch of quinoa ahead of time, it will keep in the refrigerator for several days or the freezer for several months.

This quinoarecipe also keeps well in the fridge or freezer for a smaller,ready-to-cook meal option. We like these served simply, with avocado slices on top.

How to Make Quinoa Patties (vegetarian recipe) (5)

Quinoa Patties

Adapted from Super Natural Every Day: Well-loved Recipes from My Natural Foods Kitchen (Amazon)
Feel free to play around with this basic recipe; the cheese and vegetables can be changed to fit your preferences.

Ingredients

2 1/2 c. cooked quinoa at room temperature
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 t. salt
1/3 c. finely chopped chives or green onions
1/3 c. finely chopped yellow or white onion
1/3 c. Parmesancheese (goat orfeta cheeseis good, too)
2-3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 c. bread crumbs
1 T. olive oil, for cooking

  1. To cook quinoa: Combine 2 cups of well-rinsed uncooked quinoa with 3 cups of water and 1/2 t. of salt in a medium pot. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, until the quinoa is tender. (This will make more than you need for this recipe. Cool and refrigerate or freeze the rest for later!)
  2. To make quinoa patties: Combine2 1/2 cupscooked quinoa, eggs, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in the chives, onion, cheese, and garlic. Add the bread crumbs and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. When hot, shape 12 1″-thick quinoa patties. They don’t have to be perfect. I’ve found the easiest wayis toscoop 1/4 cup (use a measuring cup) ofthe mixture intowet hands, quickly press it into small patties, andslide it into the hot oil with a spatula.
  4. Cover and cookfor 4-6 minutes until the underside is golden brown, flip, and repeat until the other side is also a golden brown and the quinoa patty is firm (cooked in the middle). Serve hot or cold with your choice of toppings, if any.

*****************************************************

How to Make Quinoa Patties (vegetarian recipe) (6)

If you make quinoa or rice or any grain that you need to rinse first, you need thisOXO Good Grips Small Grains Washing Colander. It washes and drains everything without it ending up in your sink. Seriously, it’s transforming.

Looking for more vegetarian recipes?

You might also like:

How to Make Quinoa Patties (vegetarian recipe) (11)Follow Frugal Living NW on Pinterest!

Fantastic range of boards from best recipes andtips for frugal livingtogardening andbudgeting help.

This post may contain affiliate links. See the disclosure policy for more information.

How to Make Quinoa Patties (vegetarian recipe) (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep quinoa burgers from falling apart? ›

Add cooked quinoa, cooled onion-garlic mixture, flour, spices, salt and egg. Stir or mash until well combined and place mixture in fridge to chill for 30 minutes (or up to overnight) – this will help the burger patties hold together better while cooking.

What to add to quinoa to make it taste better? ›

Lemon Herb Quinoa: This is one of my go-to side dishes to serve with meat. It is made by cooking quinoa with onion and garlic and then mixing it with lemon juice, lemon zest, and fresh parsley. Quinoa Lentil recipe: Cooking quinoa and green lentils together is a great way to flavor otherwise tasteless quinoa.

How to make veggie patties stick together? ›

Eggs are the most common and effective binder, and egg replacers are an excellent alternative for vegan burgers. Other common binders include wheat germ, bread crumbs, oats, and ground flaxseeds. These are dry ingredients, though the recipe's other ingredients often add just enough moisture to make a sufficient binder.

Is quinoa healthier than rice? ›

Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice. A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice. Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice.

Why do I feel good after eating quinoa? ›

Because quinoa is high in fiber and protein, which are nutrients that help promote satiety, choosing quinoa over grains lower in fiber and protein, such as white rice, may help you feel more satisfied after meals. That said, quinoa is a good source of protein and can help you meet your daily protein needs.

What makes quinoa better? ›

The fiber in quinoa can also help with cholesterol and blood sugar levels, lowering your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Quinoa is rich in antioxidants, which can prevent damage to your heart and other organs. A diet high in antioxidants has been linked with a decreased risk of heart disease.

How much does 1 cup of quinoa make? ›

Now that your quinoa is rinsed or toasted, it's time to cook it. For 1 cup of uncooked quinoa, you'll want to use 2 cups of water—this will yield 3 cups of cooked quinoa.

How much quinoa for 2 people? ›

How to cook quinoa perfectly every time. You'll need about 50g of quinoa per person (make sure to rinse it first) and chicken or vegetable stock. We can't emphasise using stock enough. It really makes a difference to the flavour, yet is subtle enough not to distract from your final dish.

Is it really necessary to rinse quinoa before cooking? ›

Most commercially sold quinoa has already undergone a process to remove the coating, and this information is usually indicated on the package. If it's not mentioned, or if you buy quinoa in bulk without packaging, you'll definitely want to rinse it.

What happens if you don't rinse quinoa enough? ›

Why rinse quinoa? Rinsing removes quinoa's natural coating, called saponin, which can make it taste bitter or soapy. Although boxed quinoa is often pre-rinsed, it doesn't hurt to give the seeds an additional rinse at home.

Why do you soak quinoa in vinegar? ›

For people who still find quinoa difficult to digest, soaking your quinoa can help release the phytic acid (which binds to certain vitamins and minerals and keeps us from absorbing them) and activating phytase, the enzyme that helps us digest them. What you'll need: Quinoa. Lemon juice or white or apple cider vinegar.

How to give quinoa flavor? ›

Quinoa is a neutral flavor, so it can go sweet or savory. Boil it with a combination of water and milk, and add honey or maple syrup, warm spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cardomom, or your favorite blend. A pat of butter will make it richer.

What is a good binding agent for vegan burgers? ›

Common binding agents include flax eggs (a mixture of ground flaxseed and water), chia seeds, mashed potatoes, tapioca flour, or even your favorite nut butter. These ingredients help hold everything together and prevent your burger from crumbling.

How do you make quinoa not stick together? ›

Rinse your quinoa in cool water.

Place your quinoa into a fine-mesh strainer and run it under cool water for about 2 minutes. This will wash away the coating on the outside of the grain that can make quinoa stick together when it's cooked.

How to stop burgers falling apart? ›

Chill or freeze your burgers

"Chill your burgers for at least an hour before you cook them," says senior food editor, Barney. "This will help them keep their shape when they're cooking and stop them falling apart." You can also freeze them before cooking.

How to bind a vegan burger? ›

Beans. Perhaps the most common way to bind a vegan burger is by using good old beans. Beans are starchy, and become thick and sticky when mashed. While black bean burgers are quite common, we encourage you to expand your horizons and experiment with the variety that nature has to offer.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rubie Ullrich

Last Updated:

Views: 5872

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rubie Ullrich

Birthday: 1998-02-02

Address: 743 Stoltenberg Center, Genovevaville, NJ 59925-3119

Phone: +2202978377583

Job: Administration Engineer

Hobby: Surfing, Sailing, Listening to music, Web surfing, Kitesurfing, Geocaching, Backpacking

Introduction: My name is Rubie Ullrich, I am a enthusiastic, perfect, tender, vivacious, talented, famous, delightful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.