If Leonardo DiCaprio taught us anything in Before the Flood, it's that beef burgers require a substantial amount of water. Want to try a more sustainable option? These beet burgers may look intimidating, but they are delicious and a much healthier, and more environmentally friendly substitute for beef.

Beet Burgers

  • Prep Time:20 mins
  • Cook Time:13 mins
  • Total Time:33 mins
  • Servings:4
  • Medium

    Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon ground flax seed
  • 3 tablespoon water
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 1 cup roasted beet about 1 medium
  • 1 cup cooked and cooled brown rice
  • 1/2 cup brown rice flour
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 tablespoon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Toppings
  • Avocado
  • Tomato
  • Arugula
avocado
Alexis Clark
  • Step 1

    Combine flax and water in a small bowl, set aside.

    GIF by Alexis Clark
  • Step 2

    Chop onions.

    GIF by Alexis Clark
  • Step 3

    Sauté onions on medium heat, until translucent.

    GIF by Alexis Clark
  • Step 4

    Throw walnuts into a blender or food processor, and process just a few seconds until they become like a powder. Remove and place in a large bowl.

    GIF by Alexis Clark
  • Step 5

    Pulse beets in blender, just a few seconds, until it is puréed. Pour into that same bowl.

    GIF by Alexis Clark
  • Step 6

    Add chopped walnuts, puréed beets, onions, brown rice, brown rice flower, parsley, and spices. Stir until all ingredients are well combined. Next, stir the mustard into the flax mixture, and then add that to the beet/brown rice mixture. Mix until combined.

    GIF by Alexis Clark
  • Step 7

    Using your hands, roll a scoop of the mixture into a ball between your hands, then press into a patty, and 2 ½ inches across and 1 cm or so high. Repeat 7 times, to make 8 patties. Use gloves if you have them, to avoid getting beet juice on your hands.

    Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Carefully add 4 patties to pan and cook 2 minutes. Flip and cook other side for 2 minutes. Transfer patties to baking sheet. Repeat procedure with remaining 4 patties. Place baking sheet in oven; bake patties at 400° for 5 minutes.

    Alexis Clark
  • Step 8

    Place bottoms of bun on a flat surface. Top each with arugula, a beet burger, avocado, sprouts, and the top of the bun.

    GIF by Alexis Clark