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Loaded with veggies and tons of flavor, this BBQ Kidney Bean Kale Burger recipe is so easy and holds up perfectly! They stay crispy on the outside and moist and flavorful on the inside. They are baked, not fried, and need NO oil! Make a double batch and freeze leftovers for another night!
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It is warming up outside and we are heading towards BBQ season. Who’s excited for backyard parties and cookouts? If you think you can’t enjoy some delicious BBQ eats on a plant based diet, you are so wrong!
These Kidney Bean Kale Burgers are super easy to make and BAKED, not fried. That means you can throw them in the oven and go join the party while they cook.
I have a feeling they would work on the grill as well, although I have admittedly never tried that. You can, and should, enjoy these hearty burgers all year round.
Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a veggie burger that fell apart or smooshed out the sides of the bun the second you took a bite. Yeah, I hate that too! I’m happy to report that this BBQ Kale Burger holds together perfectly! Baking it keeps the outside nice and crispy and the inside moist and flavorful.
BBQ Tahini Sauce
This hearty handheld was inspired by my friend Sophia’s Barbecue Tahini Sauce over at Veggies Don’t Bite. This sauce is seriously one of the best things I have ever eaten! I make it all the time! And I pretty much eat the whole batch myself! It is THAT good! (Try using it as a dip for tortilla chips – might sound weird, but it’s so yummy!)
I used most of the ingredients in Sophia’s BBQ Tahini sauce to flavor these burgers and it worked out so well! And, of course, to serve these burgers, I slathered them in even more of her sauce. Mmmmmm.
Besides being super delicious, here are a few other reasons you should go make these now:
-There is NO oil in these burgers and you don’t need oil to cook them either!
-They are loaded with healthy veggies.
-They are quick and easy!
-They are gluten free if you use certified gluten free oats.
-You could easily make a double batch and feed a crowd.
-They can be made ahead and frozen until you need them.
Alright, now that we got that out of the way, wanna know how to make this veggie burger recipe?
More vegan burger recipes
Be sure to check out these Vegan Side Dishes that are perfect with BBQ!
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you tried it, please use the star rating system in the recipe card and leave a comment with your feedback. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For even more easy family recipes, be sure to check out my cookbook, The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook!
BBQ Kidney Bean Kale Burger
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp flaxmeal
- 3 tbsp water
- 1 15 oz can red kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 15 oz can white kidney beans (cannellini beans) (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup chopped kale
- 1 cup shredded carrot
- 2 garlic cloves
- 4 tbsp tahini
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp molasses
- 1 tsp liquid smoke (I like the hickory flavor)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp oregano
- salt/pepper to taste
- ½ cup Panko bread crumbs or cornmeal (use gluten free Panko if desired)
- ½ cup oats (use certified gluten free oats if desired)
For Serving:
- 8 burger buns (gluten free, if desired)
- BBQ Tahini Sauce (optional)
- pickles
- kale, spinach, or lettuce
- tomato slices
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flax meal and water and set aside.
- In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the kale, carrots, and garlic a few times to start to break them down, but don’t puree them!
- Add the beans, tahini, tomato paste, vinegar, molasses, liquid smoke, smoked paprika, and oregano to the veggies in the food processor and pulse until combined, but still a little chunky.
- Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and add the panko (or cornmeal), oats, flax egg, and salt/pepper. Stir until fully incorporated. Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary.
- The mixture should come together easily and hold together well. (If it is too wet, add a tbsp more panko or oats. If it is too dry and crumbly, add another tbsp of tomato paste or tahini. Mix again.)
- Using your hands, divide mixture into 8 sections and form each one into a patty. Place the burger onto the parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Bake the burgers for 35-40 minutes, flipping them over after 20 minutes. (After 20 minutes, the bottoms of the burgers should be nicely browned and they should flip easily, holding together well.) The burgers are done when they are nicely browned on both sides and crispy on the outside.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are calculated using online calculators and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data.
Jessica - Nutritioulicious
These looks so full of flavor! Can’t wait to give them a try!
Jenn S.
Thanks, Jessica. Hope you love them!
Dianne
These look so good! So perfect for Memorial Day!
Jenn S.
Yes! Now if only the weather would cooperate!
amanda -runtothefinish
wohoo with summer coming I am all about finding some ways to make a healthier burger and slip in extra protein/fiber!
Jenn S.
Any time I can sneak in extra leafy greens and the kids don’t even know it – it’s a win! Thanks, Amanda!
Sarah
Looks delicious and just in time for National Burger Day and the holiday this weekend! I love everything you have packed in, such a flavor and nutrition packed combo!
Jenn S.
Oh, when is National Burger Day? Perfect! Thank you, Sarah!
Becky Striepe
These look so good! I love a good bean burger, and love that these have kale in them.
Jenn S.
Love when I can sneak the kale in and my kids don’t even suspect a thing! 🙂
ruralreverend
That looks super yummy!! Must try! 🙂
Jenn S.
Thank you! Please let me know if you do!
Janet S
These are sooo yummy! The smokey flavor and molasses combination is wonderful and perfect for summer. I made a double batch and froze half for summer visitors! Another winner from Jen!
Jenn S.
Aww, you are so sweet, Janet! Thank you! So glad you liked them. I have them on our menu this week again too!
Kelly F
These look delicious!! I am allergic to oats, so would you have another recommendation as a replacement because I want to make these!!??
Jenn S.
Hi, Kelly! I haven’t tried this yet, so just know that it MIGHT alter the texture slightly, but you could add regular bread crumbs instead of the oats or even flour. If you use flour, I would start with 1/4 cup and work up from there…the flour will absorb more liquid than the oats so you don’t want too much. Please let me know how they turn out for you if you try them and which substitution you used. Have a great weekend!
Mercedes Aspland
I have been seeing so many burger recipes around lately and this looks like an amazing one which I am going to have to try. Just need to wait for some liquid smoke to arrive from amazon and I will be off.
Jenn S.
Thank you, Mercedes! Please do come back and leave me a comment after you’ve made them. I would love to hear how they turned out for you! Hurry up, Amazon!!! 🙂 Have a great weekend!
veggiesdontbite
So, you know how you think you’ve commented on something (or emailed, texted, etc) and then you realize that you only did it in your head? Yeah, well that’s what happened here. LOL. I totally thought I left you a comment on this amazing looking burger but nope. Ha. So first, thank you so much for the link and super nice words! I’m so happy you are as obsessed as I am about the BBQ tahini! Your burger looks amazing!! Wishing we all lived closer for a burger party!
Jenn S.
Oh, trust me, I know that all too well! Particularly with e-mails and FB messages. 🙂 You are so very welcome….well deserved praise, Sophia! A burger tasting party would be AH-MA-ZING!
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit
So many good things between two buns!! And that last shot with the perfect sauce coating is seriously mouthwatering <3
Jenn S.
Thanks, Natalie! That sauce is so amazing!
Regina
Just made this for dinner and it is the best bean burger I’ve tried so far, and I’ve been making a different bean burger every friday for the last 6 weeks. My husband loved it too! Thanks for this great recipe.
Jenn S.
Wow! Thank you so much, Regina!! You totally just made my day! 🙂 I’m so glad you guys loved it! Did you make the BBQ Tahini Sauce too? That stuff is sooooo good!
Regina
Yes, I did! SOOOO good! <3
Jenn S.
I could almost drink that stuff it is so good!
Linda @ Veganosity
This looks ridiculously good Jenn. I saw that BBQ tahini recicpe and I really need to try it. I think I might have to make this for dinner tonight. 🙂
Jenn S.
Oh, yes, Linda….you definitely need to try that sauce. I started out eating it on my Roasted Veggie Brown Rice Bowls and then switched it up to just dunking tortilla chips in it! It is soooo good! And, thanks…these burgers are super good! The texture with the crispy outside makes it a winner!
The vegan 8
Thanks so much for the shout out and kind words Jennifer!! Your burger looks amazing and yummy!! I love BBQ and can’t wait to try this!!! Beautiful burger and I agree, Sophia’s BBQ tahini is amazing!!
Jenn S.
You are very welcome, Brandi! When I was reading your post yesterday, I was nodding my head in agreement! Veggie burgers for the win!
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen
This burger serious looks out of this WORLD amazing!! I can’t wait to make these 🙂
Jenn S.
Thanks, Ceara! Let me know what you think if you try them!