Jan 05
As you may know (or perhaps you don’t), I don’t eat beef. It’s actually a little weird to think about since growing up I was in love with cheeseburger happy meals from McDonald’s. My dad loved a good burger too, topped high with condiments and every fixin’ in the refrigerator. Burgers were essential year round in our house, yet during my high school years I converted to turkey burgers, and then throughout college veggie burgers filled my plate.
Now there is no question that the tastes and textures between the three of them are completely different—juicy beef burgers, moist turkey burgers, and unbelievable flavored hearty vegetarian burgers. I actually prefer the satisfying flavor from veggies burgers — beans, fresh herbs, spices, and a delicious texture just can’t be surpassed.
Yesterday I was craving one of those veggie burgers made with good-for-you ingredients. Since I’m an Alexia Tastemaker, and have the honor of developing delicious recipes using Alexia products, I wanted to incorporate their new sweet potato rolls. I knew they would be perfect with my veggie burgers, especially since they have sweet potatoes in them. Yum!
These burgers come together by pureeing chickpeas, a little garlic and onion, fresh herbs, spices, and sweet potatoes. Then the bean and sweet potato puree is mixed with cooked quinoa and formed into 8 patties. I placed them on parchment paper and stuck them in the fridge to help bind them a bit before cooking; however, do note that at this point the burgers are completely vegan and gluten-free!
If you aren’t sure how to properly cook quinoa, check out this tutorial on how to cook perfect, fluffy quinoa.
Now if you’d like a crispy exterior and a better binded burger, I suggest dipping them in a bit of egg and bread crumbs before frying (noted in the directions).
Again, these burgers are paired with the sweet potatoes rolls (not vegan or GF). However, they are definitely a new favorite of mine; I enjoyed their crisp exterior and soft interior. They’d be incredible with a cinnamon honey butter for breakfast.
There isn’t anything more comforting than these veggie burgers. Somehow they make me feel as though I’m back in California, eating things made with wholesome ingredients and soaking up the sunshine. In reality, I’m in Minnesota shivering my buns off and wearing mittens everywhere I go.
Oh well. I’ll savor the memories between every bite.
Lastly I can’t forget about the giveaway I’m hosting! I will be giving away: 1 Alexia apron, 1 potholder, 1 set of wine charms, and 1 coupon for a FREE Alexia product!
How To Enter: Leave a comment below and tell me what your favorite type of burger is and what you like topping it with.
For additional entries: Please make sure to leave a separate comment for each, letting me know that you did them, or they will not count.
- Like Ambitious Kitchen on Facebook
- Follow @AmbitiousKitch on Twitter
- Follow me on Instagram
Enjoy these delicious, healthy burgers! They’ll satisfy you with flavor.
*Disclaimer: I am being compensated for my partnership with Alexia Foods as an Alexia Tastemaker. All my opinions and recipes using their products are my own. I am sharing this giveaway on behalf of Alexia Foods.
- Serves: 8
- Serving size: 1 burger without bun or yogurt sauce
- Calories: 176
- Fat: 2.9g
- Carbohydrates: 31.3g
- Sugar: 2.1g
- Fiber: 5.2g
- Protein: 8.1g

- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced small
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1 medium to large sweet potato
- 1 -15 oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 2 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs, if desired
- 1 egg, slightly beaten, if desired
- olive oil, canola oil, or cooking spray for frying
- Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado -- for serving
- Alexia Sweet Potato Rolls
- For spiced yogurt sauce:
- 2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce or your favorite hot sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 cup plain nonfat greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave nectar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Heat olive oil over medium heat in a skillet. Add onions and garlic and saute until soft and onions are soft. Add garlic and continue to cook until garlic is fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat.
- Poke sweet potato several times with a fork and place in microwave for about 3-4 minutes or until it is soft and cooked thoroughly. Do not overcook or the sweet potato will harden.
- Place onion mixture, beans, cooked sweet potato, cilantro, parsley, salt, cumin, and chili powder and pulse until slightly chunky but smooth. Add mixture to bowl and combine with cooked quinoa. Season with salt and pepper again to taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Divide into 8 patties (about 1/2 cup each) and place on parchment paper on a baking sheet or large plate; refrigerate for 30 minutes to help bind together.
- Heat skillet again over medium-high heat. Spray pan with canola or olive oil cooking spray. If desired, dip patties in beaten egg then in bread crumbs, and place in skillet about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. If keeping vegan, omit the egg and simply brush with a bit of oil and dip in breadcrumbs then fry accordingly. Serve with buns of your choice and desired toppings.
- To make yogurt sauce: In medium bowl combine yogurt, honey, dijon mustard, and hot sauce until smooth. Keep yogurt sauce in fridge until ready to serve. Spoon on top of burgers for a spicy, yet cooling effect.
I would like to enter the giveaway. I love beef burgers with cheese, and bacon, toppped with raw onion and mustard. I only have one once or twice a year. These veggie burgers sound great and I look forward to trying them.
My favorite burger is one made with fresh ground chuck. Topped with my husband’s homemade crock pickles. Nothing is better in my book!
My favorite are turkey burgers with teriyaki, pineapple and red onion. Yum!
Black bean burgers are my fave.
That looks great! So far I’ve experimented with black bean burgers and chickpea burgers with brown rice. My favorite type of burger would have to be a veggie burger with ketchup, pickles, and spinach. I’m simple.
This recipe looks SO delicious. I’ve been wanting to make quinoa patties for awhile now but haven’t had the chance. I cannot wait to try this one out. My favorite type of burger is a fresh veggie patty topped with tomato slices, red onion, bean sprouts, pesto, and a light coating of seseme dressing!
That’s really funny because I don’t eat beef either but used to my whole life. I love the “fixins” more than I like the burger. So I make a “burger” with lettuce, tomato,onion,pickle, Mayo and ketchup on a fabulous toasted bun but no meat. I hope that counts!
This recipe sounds super! Can’t wait to try it. Love turkey burgers with onions, lettuce, cheese and ketchup!
Lori do u have a recipe for a good turkey burger. Everytime I make one they r dry and tasteless so I don’t even bother with it anymore.
I love spring greens and wasabi sliced beef steak tomatoes and avocado mmmmm good.
Also I followed you on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I love your blog you have me hooked on brown butter.
I love topping black bean burgers with avocado yogurt sauce!
I like Ambitious Kitchen on Facebook!
I follow Ambitious Kitchen on Twitter
I follow AmbitiousKitchen on Instagram
I like veggie burgers with mustard, ketchup, tomato slices, lettuce and whole wheat buns. Thanks for the recipes!
These burgers look fantastic! While my favorite type of burger is a simple chuck burger with lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo and cheddar cheese, I do love to enjoy a turkey burger or veggie burger as well. I have pinned your recipe and will be trying it one day! Thanks for sharing, Monique!
I am following via Facebook. My Facebook name is Julie Ann Murkerson.
I am following via Twitter. My Twitter handle is @thisgaljulie
I follow via Instagram. My Instagram username is @thisgaljulie
I enjoy a ‘good’ [ie. organic or good farm raised] beef burger now and then, with Dijon grain mustard or blue cheese, plus all the trappings [tomato, lettuce]
But I’m leaning more towards vegi burgers these days. They can be gooood.
I’ll try these!
I love turkey burgers (mixed with sundried tomatos, feta cheese and chopped fresh spinach ) on a whole wheat bun schmeared with a sundried tomato mayo. Yum!
I love what they call in New Zealand a Kiwi burger, I lived in New Zealand for 6 months and they serve their beef burgers with BEETS (which I love) and a fried egg! add a little garlic aioli lettuce and tomato. It's so good!
I also follow you on Instagram and liked your page on Facebook, I made your Nutella brown butter cookies over Christmas and my whole family couldn't stop talking about them! I put them on my own foodblog- I've given Ambitious Kitchens a lot of shout outs since I've started trying your recipes!
Veggie burgers with avocado, onion and bacon. Yes bacon!
I love a good beef burger, lots of toppings! Pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, sautéed mushrooms and onions, and of course ketchup! Although I don’t mind subbing the ketchup for some guacamole from time to time.
i love turkey burgers, topped with pesto, tomato, and fresh mozzarella!!!!
I like all kinds of burgers (veggie, chicken, and especially salmon), but I think nothing beats a good old classic juicy beef burger with sharp aged cheddar cheese and think slices of crispy bacon with tomato and lettuce.
These look SO good. So, so, so good.
I probably shouldn’t tell a non-beef eater this, but my favorite kind of burger is definitely beef, topped with caramelized onions, goat cheese, and avocado. Heavenly. I do love a good veggie burger though – these look fabulous!
I like ya on Facebook!
I follow you on Twitter
I follow you on Instagram! Speaking of which…more pics of that huge, fluffy, adorable cat please 🙂
These look awesome! Following you on Facebook!
Following you on twitter (@healthhumour)
Following you on instagram! (Healthhappinesshumour)
This looks great! I like grilled mushrooms with cheese and avocado on top!
These look awesome! I have to admit I’m a sucker for a beef patty but I’ll have to give these a shot sometime. My favorite burger is one with bleu cheese and bacon… and sweet potato fries on the side. Yum!
I follow Ambitious Kitchen on Instagram! (@leighannez)
I follow Ambitious Kitchen on Twitter! (@LeighAnneZin)
I like Ambitious Kitchen on Facebook!
Those burgers look crazy good! My favorite topping for a veggie burger is a yogurt sauce 🙂
My favorite burger is either with sharp cheddar cheese & grilled onions, or blue cheese – nothing else. I can’t decide!
I make these lentil walnut burgers that are delicious topped with yogurt dill sauce!
Can you send me the recipe Michele? Those sound delicious —> Ambitiouskitchen@gmail.com
I made these tonight…FANTASTIC!!!!! Thanks for another great recipe!
You are SO welcome! Thanks for reading. 🙂
I love a good juicy burger covered with sauteed onions and mushrooms and then melty swiss cheese to top it off! :]
I followed you on Instagram my name is @theotherkaitybugg.
I liked you on Facebook as well.
And I followed you on twitter @kaitybuggthe2nd.
My favorite burger: Eating Well, Living Thin’s Quinoa burger (http://eatingwelllivingthin.wordpress.com/2010/11/01/love-my-quinoa-burger/) topped with my Light Chipotle Cream Sauce (1/4 C light sour cream, 1 tsp Tabasco Chipotle Pepper sauce, pinch of salt)
Can’t wait to try your quinoa burger recipe!
My favorite burger is just a good ol fashioned cheeseburger topped with mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, fried onions, and A1 steak sauce!!!
I follow on instagram @http://instagram.com/shicasheek
I liked on facebook @http://www.facebook.com/sheeks.powell
My favorite burger is a turkey burger topped with pepperjack cheese!!
Favorite burger is my mom’s hand formed angus beef burger. They raise their own cattle. No cheese even needed!
I follow you on FB
I heart Alexa sweet potato fries!
I like lots of veggie burgs but my favorite are made with chickpeas and topped with a garlic lemon aioli!
PS I made your kale, quinoa, and edamame salad – HUGE HIT.
I love that kale salad from the bottom of my heart.
I don’t eat beef but I do love a juicy turkey burger on an onion bun topped with sharp white cheddar cheese, arugala, and whole-grain mustard!
UMMM that sounds amazing!!
Love veggie burgers with avocado, tomatoes and lettuce and sometimes fresh salsa!
I follow you on Instagram!!
I like Ambitious Kitchen on FB 🙂
Fave burger would be one of tofu or tempeh!
FB liking
IG following
Love all types of burgers but definitely love a good old fashion beef burger with all the fixings
Follow you on twitter!
Follow you on Instagram!
Oh my! These are beauties–I’m feeling especially swoony about the sweet potatoes in the food processor, though I can’t say why!
We’re celebrating a return to sane eating this month on the Shine Supper Club, and this recipe would be a fantastic contribution. I hope you’ll join us!
I love to make Greek black bean burgers with feta, cumin, and greek olives in the patty topped with a little tzatziki. They are always a hit even with our resident meat eaters.
Either beef with mushrooms or just plain black bean burgers!
This recipe looks amazing! I love turkey burgers with salsa verde and topped with red onions, chipotles, and a creamy avocado yogurt, lime and cilantro sauce!
Those look fantastic. I’m going to have to look for those sweet potato rolls.
hi..these look so good, and i want to freeze them so i can cook them up later on…would i just mold them and put them in the freezer or mold them and roll them in breadcrumbs and then freeze them
You should cook them first, then go ahead and freeze them. Once you are ready to eat them, simply take them out and microwave, or heat them in a pan with a bit of olive oil. 🙂
Give away or not I would have commented. These are definitely going to be cooked in my kitchen this weekend. I am so glad I found your blog!
I love a good hearty veggie burger, but not the soggy ones! I top it with all the veggies I can find in my fridge. This recipe looks delicious!
I’m also a fan on Facebook 🙂
Chicken burger, jalapeños, tobasco, lettuce, tomato, onion, and occasionally pepper jack cheese! So good! Bet the same toppings would be awesome on veggie quinoa burger!
I absolutely will be trying this recipe! I love quinoa. My favorite burger is probably a lamb burger with blue cheese! So tasty!
I love a good homemade black bean burger with cheddar cheese!
It’s what’s for dinner tonight! Looks delicious and I can’t wait to make it!
Amazing looking burgers — definitely going to try these for my veggie friends 🙂
My favourite, though, has to be ground angus beef burgers, basted with my father's secret steak sauce (he won't even tell me what goes into it!) and topped with caramelized onions and fried mushrooms. Maybe a bit of swiss cheese if I want it extra rich.
Amazing looking burgers — definitely going to try these for my veggie friends 🙂
My favourite, though, has to be ground angus beef burgers, basted with my father’s secret steak sauce (he won’t even tell me what goes into it!) and topped with caramelized onions and fried mushrooms. Maybe a bit of swiss cheese if I want it extra rich.
Also liked on facebook!
Also followed on Twitter 🙂
My favorite type of burgers are Ostrich. It is such a lean meat and has a good flavor. I like to top mine with unique toppings but a favorite it Swiss Cheese, Avocado, and a mango salsa.
I also followed on FB (Megz Arnow), twitter (@akasiaxalone), and instagram (@poisonmegz)
Woops…ddin’t remember the separate comment for each part…Followed on Facebook (Megz Arnow)
Followed on instagram @poisonmegz
Followed on twitter @akasiaxalone
Black bean burger mmmm yummy! With cost cheese
Oops *goat cheese
Liked on fb
Following on twitter 🙂
Best turkey burgers
Turkey
Seasoned bread crumbs
Worsteshire
Brown mustard
Dads seasoning (garlic powder, S&P, a little oregano, basil)
Barbecue sauce
Mix well, form patties and sauté in a little olive oil.
Cook 6 min each side. Add any cheese if desired , cover to melt
These were incredible! Thank you for posting this recipe!
Howdy! I had been a lacto/ovo vegetarian for 32 years before I became Vegan in August :o)
I really like a good, fresh artichoke salsa on my veggie burgers with spinach and maybe some cilantro hummus on the bun!
Following you on twitter ;o)
I LOVE black bean burgers, with sun dried tomatoes, goat cheese, avocado and spinach. It’s heavenly.
Thanks for the great recipe…was a huge Alexia fan until I found out they use GMO foods -pretty disappointing.
I like veggie burgers with olives, jalapeños and feta cheese. Yum! I have liked you on Facebook and follow you on twitter. Thanks for the great recipe!
your receipes are amazing! can't wait to try them! love your site.
I love the yogurt sauce! I adapted this recipe a little (changing around some of the proportions). Here is my version: http://www.thingsimadetoday.com/2013/01/15/sweet-potato-and-chickpea-burgers/
Last night my husband made me Black Bean Quinoa Burger – I topped them with slices of avacado and some baby spinach – on a spelt bun – yummy! I'm going to try your chickpea sweet potato recipe next!
Portabello mushroom burger topped with smoked mozzarella and smoked red peppers – YUMMMMM!
Fabulous recipe with common ingredients that most home cooks would have on hand. I can't wait to try these. Thank you!
Fabulous recipe with ingredients that most home cooks would have on hand. Thank you so much, I can't wait to try it!
Your non-meat eating auntie will give it a try.
Made them! We all liked them! And the yogurt dressing: delicious!
I was googling for quinoa burgers recipes, and yours a) was the 1st one w/o black beans (avoiding them) and b) has sweet potatoes! (since I found out they have much more Vit A than carrots, I’m a big fan!)
Only one thing: I got ‘lost in translation’ and used peas instead of chickpeas (I knew them only as garbanzo beans ;o) before.)
Has anyone made these before? I am looking for some reviews on the burgers! I am going to be making them tonight, wanted to know if anyone has had experience with them being too dry or too soft?
Turkey burger!