Quick and easy to make, these BBQ kidney bean burgers are perfect for a barbecue this summer in the backyard. They will actually hold together on the grill! You can also pan-sear them or brown them in the air fryer.
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These are delicious paired with grilled whole Murasaki sweet potatoes or oil-free potato wedges.
Vegan beet burgers are also a great veggie burger option.
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🧄 Ingredient notes
You'll need this for these quick and easy homemade vegan burgers:
- kidney beans
- A1 steak sauce or your favorite BBQ sauce
- cooked rice
- rolled oats
- liquid smoke (optional, but recommended)
- spices (garlic powder, smoked paprika and pepper)
🔪 Instructions
First, if you're using old-fashioned rolled oats, process them into a smaller pieces (like coarse panko breadcrumb texture). Then, remove from processor.
If you're using quick oats, you can skip this step.
Then, add your beans, A1 steak sauce or BBQ sauce and spices to food processor. Blend together until smooth.
Transfer to a bowl, then add your cooked rice and oats.
Mix everything together well, then form six burger patties.
You can cook them by:
- pan-searing them
- air frying them
- or grilling them
If you plan to grill them, chill the patties in the refrigerator first so they firm up and hold together better on the grill.
You can skip that step if you're pan-searing them or putting them in the air fryer.
💭 Tips
- Use day-old cold rice so the patty mixture doesn't become too sticky and gummy while forming them.
- Use quick oats to skip the step of processing the rolled, old-fashioned oats into smaller pieces.
- Chill the patties before putting them on the grill, so they hold together better.
- Make a double batch and keep half in the fridge or freezer for another burger night!
👨👩👦👦 Serving suggestions
These would be delicious with fries of any kind.
Oil-free roasted potato wedges are easy to make and go great with burgers.
Also, sweet potato fries, roasted potatoes, salad, cole slaw, potato salad and baked beans would all be delicious with these burgers!
You could also serve these in lettuce cups as an alternative to the burger bun.
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📖 Recipe
BBQ Kidney Bean Burgers (vegan)
Equipment
- BBQ grill or bake them in the oven
- Air Fryer or bake them in the oven
Ingredients
Burger Patties
- 30 ounces canned kidney beans (or 3 cups cooked kidney beans), drained and rinsed
- ½ cup BBQ sauce or A1 steak sauce
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup cooked rice cold
- 1 cup rolled oats old fashioned or quick oats
Toppings
- 6 whole wheat burger buns
- 12 leaves lettuce
- 6 slices tomato
- ½ cup sliced pickles
- 6 rings sliced onion
Instructions
Making burger patties
- In a food processor, add oats and process to the consistency of coarse bread crumbs then transfer to large bowl. If using quick oats, no need to process them, skip this step and add quick oats to a large bowl.
- Add beans, A1/BBQ sauce and all spices to food processor and process until well combined. It will look like thick refried beans.
- Transfer bean puree to bowl with oats and add cold cooked rice. Mix well with a spoon to combine all ingredients.
- This recipe will make 6 thick burgers or up to 12 thin or small slider burgers. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Using a large spoon, scoop a spoonful of batter into your hands. Roll into a ball with your hands, then flatten and shape into a burger patty. Lay patties on baking sheet in a single layer. Continue until all batter is gone.
- Store shaped patties in refrigerator, covered in plastic wrap, until you are ready to cook them. Refrigerating them for at least 30 minutes prior to cooking will help them firm up. Chilling them first is essential if you choose to grill them. Chilling them first is optional if you are baking, air frying or pan-searing them.
Cooking burgers (several options!)
- To GRILL: allow burger patties to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes first to firm up the patties. Then, add patties to a hot grill. Grill for 4 minutes, then flip and grill another 4 minutes. The patties are already cooked, we just want to get some nice sear marks, some smoky grilled flavor and to heat them up.
- To BAKE: transfer shaped burgers on the lined baking sheet to a preheated 400°F degree oven and bake for 20 minutes.
- To PAN SEAR: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. If not using a non-stick skillet, spray or brush pan or grill with oil. Cook burger patties for 4 minutes, then flip them and cook another 4 minutes.
- To AIR FRY: Place burgers in one layer (do not overlap) in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes.
- Serve with your favorite toppings (I love BBQ sauce on mine!) and homemade potato wedges.
Notes
- kidney beans can be substituted with canellini beans, white kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans or similar bean
- cooked rice can be any kind of cooked rice (white, brown, jasmine, basmati, etc.) I've even used leftover Mexican rice and it was delicious. Make sure it's cold, though, so it doesn't make the mixture too sticky and gummy.
- A1 steak sauce/ BBQ sauce can be substituted with another sauce of similar consistency (like teriyaki sauce, marinade, etc.)
- Smoked paprika can be substituted with regular paprika or chili powder
Brittany Seiden says
Thank you for sharing!!
Abi Cowell says
You're welcome, Brittany!