So first off, you're probably wondering why not just buy one of those pre-packaged boxes of veggie burgers rather than go to all the trouble of making your own.
The answer is simple - pre-packaged means 'processed' - and also means full of mysterious ingredients you probably shouldn't be eating - namely fat.
Let's look at the ingredients for two of the more popular 'Veggie Burger' brands out there in stores. The highlights in red are mine for emphasis.
They may just surprise you.
Boca Burgers:
- Serving Size: 1 Burger
- Calories per Serving: 120
- Calories from Fat:45
- Percent Fat: 37.5%
- Ingredients: WATER,SOY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE,REDUCED FAT CHEDDAR CHEESE (PASTEURIZED PART-SKIM MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES, ANNATTO (COLOR), VITAMIN A PALMITATE), WHEAT GLUTEN, CORN OIL, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF METHYLCELLULOSE, HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEIN, WHEAT GLUTEN AND SOY PROTEIN, SALT, CARAMEL COLOR, CHEESE POWDER (CHEDDAR CHEESE (MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES), CREAM, SALT, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, LACTIC ACID), DRIED ONIONS, YEAST EXTRACT, NATURAL FLAVOR (NON-MEAT), SESAME OIL, DISODIUM GUANYLATE, DISODIUM INOSINATE, BROWNED IN CORN OIL.
Morningstar Burgers:
- Serving Size: 1 Burger
- Calories per Serving: 130
- Calories from Fat: 50
- Percent Fat: 38.4%
- Ingredients: TEXTURED VEGETABLE PROTEIN (WHEAT GLUTEN, SOY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, WATER FOR HYDRATION), EGG WHITES, CORN OIL, CALCIUM CASEINATE, CONTAINS TWO PERCENT OR LESS OF MODIFIED TAPIOCA STARCH, ONION POWDER, CANOLA OIL, TRIGLYCERIDES FROM COCONUT OIL, HYDROLYZED VEGETABLE PROTEIN (CORN GLUTEN, WHEAT GLUTEN, SOY PROTEIN), DEXTROSE, SALT, SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, SUGAR, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS FROM NON-MEAT SOURCES, CARAMEL COLOR, CULTURED WHEY, MALTODEXTRIN, GARLIC POWDER, SPICE, CELLULOSE GUM, DISODIUM GUANYLATE, DISODIUM INOSINATE, SOY SAUCE (WATER, SOYBEANS, SALT, WHEAT), VITAMINS AND MINERALS (NIACINAMIDE, IRON [FERROUS SULFATE], THIAMIN MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE [VITAMIN B6], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], VITAMIN B12), SESAME SEED OIL, CELERY EXTRACT, SOY LECITHIN.
If you've ever had either of these burgers, you may have noticed how 'greasy' they are for a Veggie Burger. Well it's no wonder. Over ⅓ of their calories are from fat. And both brands contain Saturated Fat and Soy Protein Concentrates - what many medical experts today are telling us to stay away from.
See that Autolyzed Yeast Extract? That's just another name for MSG, and let's not forget they both contain dairy and/or eggs.
Not very Vegan after all are they - or healthy.
Jeff Novick Bean Burgers
Instead, you can make THESE homemade burgers using just FOUR ingredients. Yep, count 'em - FOUR. And you can pronounce every ingredient - imagine that. 🙂
No meat, no fat, no cholesterol, no dairy, no eggs, no weird science project chemicals - just whole foods - and they happen to be plant-based too.
Beans: Jeff recommends Kidney Beans to get the right texture. I know a lot of people on the net have used different kinds of beans - so all I can say is experiment. Be sure to rinse and drain thoroughly.
Rice: Cooked Brown Rice is what is called for in the recipe. I use Uncle Ben's Boil in Bag when I want quick and easy.
Oatmeal: Regular Old Fashioned Rolled Oats from Quaker. Don't use any of the instant oatmeal stuff, or steel-cut, just oats. And don't cook it - just add it in dry.
Tomato Sauce: Actually you can use any kind of tomato(y) sauce you have on hand, Ketchup, Salsa, whatever. I have also used leftover Marinara Sauce which turned out pretty well. Varying your sauce will change the flavors - so experiment!
Spices: For my mix I like to use Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, and Mrs Dash with maybe a little bit of black pepper. Again - experiment! Chipolte? Go for it!
Image Source: Brand New Vegan
Jeff Novick Bean Burgers
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 5 -6 1x
- Category: Burgers
- Cuisine: American
Description
Homemade vegan burgers using just four ingredients. No meat, no fat, no cholesterol, no dairy, no eggs, no weird science project chemicals – just whole foods – and they happen to be plant-based too. Recipe by Jeff Novick.
Ingredients
- 2 cans Kidney Beans, Low Sodium ((15oz))
- 1 cup Rolled Oats
- 1 cup Brown Rice ((cooked))
- ¼ cup Tomato Sauce
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Onion Powder
- ½ tsp Mrs Dash Seasoning
Instructions
- Rinse and drain the beans thoroughly and then place them in a large bowl.
- Mash them well until you almost got refried beans. It’s ok to leave some chunks in.
- Add the oatmeal, rice, sauce, and spices.
- Make sure your hands are clean and dig in – mix and squeeze. Just like mom used to make her meatloaf.
- Once mixed well – form and shape into patties.
- Important! Place the burgers on a plate in the fridge and forget about them for at least 20 minutes. This allows them to set up and get firm.
- Grill both sides (5 min or so) to get those lovely grill marks.... Remember the longer you grill them the harder and drier they become. We don't want any hockey pucks!
Notes
I like my burgers on a grill but they can also be baked or pan seared in a non-stick pan.
For grilling I baste mine with either a BBQ or Teriyaki Sauce for extra flavor. Be careful turning as these to have the tendency to break apart. Remember there’s not all that fat and gristle to hold them together.
Depending on your grill and distance from the heat - grill 10 minutes or so on each side or until done.
Now all that’s left is to dress them up with lots of veggies and the condiments of your choice.
Yum! Dig in.
Marilyn H Russell
We have been making these for years. My vegan son loves them! We have actually used this recipe for making a vegan meatloaf. It's great for a meatloaf!!!! I make this for him all the time. If you haven't tried making a meatloaf with this your missing out. Great comfort food. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy with peas. There is a great vegan gravy that we have made for years. McDougall recipes.
Jay
Love these burgers - I just add mushrooms
Lisa
Can these burgers be frozen? Before or after cooking?
Chuck Underwood
Yes to both
Karla
So happy that they stayed together while cooking and eating! But..the leftovers fell apart. Any ideas on how to prevent that?
Chuck Underwood
Try my other bean burgers - I've had better luck with them
Amanda
put it in a salad or wrap
Mitch billis
Because my wife has rheumatoid arthritis and can't eat fat, we use rye flakes in place of oat flakes which we like as well, if not better.
Melody
Are theses dry or mushy?
Linda Wright
These are the best bean burgers I have ever made! I used salsa, garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder but other than that followed the main ingredients exactly. They made up perfectly on the grill and no problems flipping them. Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. OMG these are seriously perfect,
Rebecca
THE BEST veggie/bean burger recipe I’ve tried (and believe me when I have tried many...none of which met with husband and son approval, until NOW!!)
Tweaking the recipe some, as we lle chewy burgers. I’m upping the rice and decreasing the beans. Had to press them onto waxed paper with a piece of waxed paper to cover my hand, but they are in the oven now.
Thanks so much for all of your amazing recipes, Chuck!!
You’re helping my family more than you know. ?
Susan
Made these tonight; only my second veggie burger ever, although I've been WFPB for a couple of years. They turned out great, and not a bit crumbly. I used home-cooked kidney beans.
Josh
The ones I checked that label on do.
Werdna
Boca Burgers don't have cheese in them.
mothersson2002
How long and at what temp would they be baked for?
Deena Nixon
I guess it's been awhile since anyone has posted here. I just wanted to say that I tried these burgers for dinner tonight. I used one cannelli and one can kidney beans. It came out great, my husband and I both really liked them! Lots of variations possible, will be making these again! THANK YOU for sharing the recipe!!!
barbara owens
Hi been vegan several years now and loving the lifestyle...Kinda lonely though....Tell a man you are a vegan and they head right to burger king....I have shared recipes and all...but they want to be able to cook a steak for you...take you to dinner....whatever...didn't want them and their attitude either...LOL...Made vegan navy bean soup with carrots, onions, spinach and vegan meatless sausage mushroom and rice sausage...Pretty darn good all in my pressure cooker...Love this dish and chili....and I do make it hot..I serve them both to my carnivore friends and they scarf it up...I am so healthy but I still struggle with my weight...have to watch those beans (carbs) all the time...Nice to be here...
kristi
New at this - Made the burgers tonight, Added cumin seed to mix. I also cooked some mushrooms and thinly sliced onions together with some tamari. for the top. Trying to cook for a spouse who loves meat. Thank you for the recipe.
Karen
Hey Chuck what if you add some flax egg (flax seed and water) to hold them together better, what do you think?
Jaroslaw99
Grind the flax seed in your coffee grinder and add dry. They are probably wet enough with the kidney beans
Deb
Do you cook the oats first?
Deena Nixon
No, just raw oats.
Donna Reeves
A teaspoon of smoke flavor adds a nice touch.
Jeff T
Jeff Novick does so much for the WFPB community and has dozens of great free resources, but I'm not sure that this is one of them. I got my bean burger recipe by purchasing one of his DVDs. I hope you checked with him before posting his recipe for free.
Chuck Underwood
I assure you it is ok. In fact, when I posted this last year on the McDougall Forum, Jeff made a comment on how famous he was becoming. As you said, many of his recipes are available for free on his Facebook Page. It's cool - but thanks for your concern.
Serenity
I know my comment is way past the date of this post, but I found it because I was recommending the burgers to someone and wanted to find a link. There was a time when it was hard to find. Glad to see that is no longer the case. I think she will find your site helpful in seeing how many old favorites can be adapted to this WOE.
I really appreciate people who are cognizant of copyright issues. But you are correct; Jeff shared the recipe for free on community message boards many times as well as numerous variations by switching up tomato product and seasoning.. He also said kidney beans were integral to the recipe to get the right texture (he experimented with many before coming to that conclusion) but as long as one can is kidney the second one can be whatever we like. For people who are finding it to be crumbly, IIRC he recommended a little more tomato sauce, which adds a little more liquid. I found that a longer chill time helps, too.
I like a Tex-Mex flavoring - black beans for one of the cans of beans, salsa for the tomato product, a little liquid smoke, and Tex-mex seasoning (e.g. Penzey's Arizona Dreamin' )and a little chili powder. Such a flexible recipe for any flavor profile. Thanks again for including it in your repertoire.
Kristina
Tried these with one can of cannelli and one can of butter beans. Then used salsa instead of tomato sauce. Throw it in a pita pocket with lettuce and tomato and your sauce of choice. Unbelievably delicious!
Chuck Underwood
That DOES sound good! Thanks Kristina!
karela
I'm thinking these might be pretty yummy with Chipotle Mustard instead of the tomato-y something. It boggles the mind with all the possibilities. What's your favorite gooey stuff? mmmmmm
Chuck Underwood
My cheese sauce is amazingly gooey! And I use it on everything!
Nicole Selah Destrampe
I've made these a couple times now! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe. Another great way to have them is like a Salisbury steak slathered in mushroom gravy side of greens! So good!!
dhnorton
How long and how hot do you cook them if you bake them in the oven?
Chuck Underwood
I have never baked them so you'll have to experiment. I just thawed some that I had frozen some time ago, and literally flopped one in a dry skillet and dry fried it for about a minute or two each side until it started to brown. Delicious.
Candace Green
You just answered my question on whether they could be frozen. 🙂
washbear
I saw your post and photo over on the McDougall forum. Your photos are so yummy looking that I couldn't help but want to try and make this. It turned out great! Thanks for posting! I look forward to trying more of your recipes!
Chuck Underwood
Awesome! Glad you liked them! These are also the base for my Hippie Loaf as well. Good stuff.
TONYA BURGESS
I tried the recipe today chuck and I couldnt get them to hold together, added more oatmeal, fridged again and still too crumby to cook. advice? thanks
Bella kaplan
I’m going to add some egg substitute for binding. 1 tbsp ground flax mixed with 3 tbsp water & let sit for 10 min then add to mix.
Norma
added a flax "egg" - it really helped~!
Myriah
These are GOOD!
Chuck Underwood
Aren't they? And so much better (and healthier) than any of the soy based Boca or Morningstars. Glad you liked them!
Lee Snarr
I stopped using Quaker products some time ago. Read about the connection between ROUND-UP and Quaker. Using it on the crop. Now using an organic Oats.
Debbie Bish
Chuck, since eggs were often used in meatloaf and some hamburger recipes, would a flax egg help to hold these burgers together? Or would that somehow compromise the burger?
Thanks!
Dwayne
Made this for the first time. Turned out pretty well. Little crumby, but I'll probably learn over time. Made sure to cook up some home fries too -- salt & oil free, of course. It all hit the spot. Badly needed right in the midst of BBQ season..
Chuck Underwood
Veggie Kabobs are also awesome on the grill. Big chunks of bell pepper, onion, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, potato, and pineapple with the BBQ sauce of your choice - good stuff.