Vegan Beet And Bean Veggie Burgers In Time For Summer

With the temperature warming across much of the country and summer just around the corner, many Americans are preparing themselves for a season of outdoor food. Specifically, this usually means a good deal of picnicking, al fresco dining, and, of course, barbecues. These are just as much rites of summer as is going to the beach or watching a baseball game.

When it comes to barbecues, however, vegetarians often find themselves left out. They can’t eat hamburgers or hot dogs or sausages. They could buy packages of “fake” hamburger meat from the frozen section at their grocery store, but such items are usually lacking when it comes to taste. Not to mention, in light of the Actos lawsuits and new findings regarding processed food chemicals, we can never be too careful about what we put in our bodies.

What the vegetarian at the summer barbecue truly needs, then, is a freshly made, vegan, all-natural veggie burger that is both delicious and nutritious. You may have eaten such a delicacy at an upscale restaurant that caters to vegetarians. But it’s impossible to replicate a veggie burger of this quality at home, right? Wrong.  With the right ingredients, you can easily replicate the vegan burgers that you find in restaurants.  A few great veggie burger ideas include:

The Chipotle Black Bean Burger: Created from black beans, this high protein and fiber burger has a bit of a kick and is great plain or with pepper jack cheese.

The Quinoa Burger: Quinoa has become one of the most well known health foods in the past year, and it is has for a reason.  Packed with protein, this grain-like seed can make a mean burger loaded with flavor.

The Hummus Burger: Nearly everyone loves hummus, and with the right consistency, hummus can create a hearty, flavorful patty that has just the right amount of crunch.

And whether you be a vegetarian or not, there are plenty of health benefits associated with skipping meat.  Veggie burgers, like many other vegetarian dishes, come with a variety of health benefits that may have you reaching for one over its traditional burger counterpart including:

High Fiber

If you choose to consume a traditional veggie burger, there is a good chance that it will be loaded with fiber because of the beans used in creating the patty.  Fiber is needed to maintain a healthy digestion system, and with our often meat-centric diets, we don’t get enough of it in our diets. Not only does fiber keep your digestive track healthy, but it also keeps your heart healthy – something ground beef definitely does not do.

High Protein 

Believe it or not vegan burgers are often loaded with protein due to the use of quinoa and beans.  Protein is necessary for a healthy diet, yet most people believe that you can only get it from meat products.  Because veggie burgers can provide a healthy balance of fiber and protein, they give you an overall better and healthier meal.

Less Fillers

Unfortunately, in the US not all meat is created equal, and ground products in particular can be prone to including fillers that aren’t exactly edible items – or the parts of an animal you want to be consuming.  When you make your own veggie burgers, you are avoiding consuming unnecessary fillers, leaving you with the best burger possible.

Less Chemicals and Growth Hormones

Nearly all large feed lots use growth hormones and antibiotics in their feed which allows the cattle to produce more meat.  While this may be good for meat facilities, these hormones are often transferred from the animal to us.  When you choose to make veggie burgers made from organic produce you avoid harmful chemicals and hormones.

When it comes to the traditional summertime barbeque, it is almost out of habit that we reach for a traditional ground beef burger.  However, by choosing a veggie burger this summer, you will not only get an equally filling and tasty meal, but you will also be doing your body a favor.