Quinoa Burgers, yes please!

First and foremost you need to understand, two growing boys, a husband born and raised in a small town in Missouri will not be screaming for vegetarian burgers. Or will they? No, they will not, but they still enjoy these quinoa burgers and will eat more than one. These are meat and potato boys and I’m so proud of them eating healthier yummy options without a fight.

I‘m going to tell you now, you need two specific kitchen items, well more, but for now these two will do. First, if you don’t own an air fryer, get one now. I did check around before I bought mine and decided on Cooks Essential from QVC.

Love it! If you are wanting to cook healthier, I truly believe an air fryer is a wise purchase. A family of 3 or more, no less than a 5.3 quart, single or couples you will be fine with smaller or go big if you have the space. Second, buy an oil mister. Whatever you do with your air fryer do not use an oil in a can, besides for health, can oils will build up on your air fryer.

My Cardiologist has recommended a Mediterranean Diet, which is more grains, fruits, vegetables and fish. Yes, I still eat red meat, but not as often and it is very lean when I do. When I want a burger, this is a great go to for us. The actual patty has zero mg of sodium. The only sodium you will get is your choice of bun and condiments which will vary.

Quinoa Burgers

1 cup dry Quinoa Red (3 cups cooked)

1 small carrot shredded & diced

1/2 tsp Season the Heart seasoning

1 large clove garlic, minced

1/4 cup yellow onion, diced

1/2 small bell pepper, diced

1/2 TBS fresh parsley, chopped

1/2 tsp ground cumin

2 TBS flour

2 eggs

While your quinoa is simmering shred and dice carrot and add to quinoa halfway through simmering time, do not stir at this time.

While quinoa is finishing on the stovetop go ahead and prepare onion, garlic, bell pepper and parsley.

Once quinoa is cooked remove from stovetop and stir carrots in and start adding all ingredients except flour and eggs.

I tend to wait a bit here to let the quinoa cool down, 5 minute should be good. Finally add eggs and flour, mix well.

I use foil sheets with certain foods due to the grates in the air fryer. I spray with olive oil and form a ball with the quinoa mixture and place on foil, pat down to form a patty. Place in air fryer 350* for 6 minutes. Pull out and flip patty over and remove foil, patty should be firming up, put back in air fryer for 5 more minutes at 350*.

This will make about 7 quinoa patties. You can make smaller for quinoa bites.

Many quinoa burgers/bites you will come across add Parmesan cheese. I leave this out, to me adding cheeses to the patty adds unneeded sodium. With a 1/4 cup of parmesan alone is over a 1,000 mg of sodium. When working on a low sodium diet you need to stay 1,500 mg a day. Remember to pay attention to your bread/buns, stick with whole grain If you can, you will normally have with condiments and bun the quinoa burger will be around 300 mg of sodium.

I’m telling you now, run, don’t walk and buy Mike‘s Hot Honey!! I’m so glad I found this, it has saved any cravings for sodium.

I make this honey mustard sauce for my quinoa burger, well for many things actually. Hot Honey Mustard

2 TBS miracle whip/mayonnaise

1 TBS Dijon mustard

1-2 TBS Mikes Hot Honey

Mix together and serve on EVERYTHING!

I can’t wait to hear from you on what you think of the Quinoa Burger. Please share your results and what you like to season burgers with.