Spicy Jackfruit and Red Kidney Bean Burgers
These spicy jackfruit and red kidney bean burgers are quick, easy, and packed with flavor. Jackfruit, known for its “meaty” texture, pairs perfectly with protein-rich kidney beans to create a satisfying, hearty burger. The best part? Ready in 20 minutes and you can customize the spice level to your liking!
I love making all kinds of veggie burgers. So many varieties can be made with all sorts of legumes fruits and veggies.
I have a few favorites that I return to often, mostly bean burgers with lots of spice but I love experimenting with different flavors and textures. I have found, however, that I generally prefer red bean burgers or chickpea burgers.
Bean burgers go back a long way for me. I remember when I was a teenager living in the UK. I would go out with my friends around the town and stop off at Burger King for a bean burger. They are not as healthy as homemade burgers and are undoubtedly full of additives.
So whether you’re whipping them up for a quick weeknight dinner, or comfort snack, or making them ahead for the freezer, these burgers are a delicious way to eat more plant-based meals. If you love the idea of jackfruit in a burger, you must try our Easy Thai Jackfruit Curry Recipe.
What You’ll Love About This Veggie Burger Recipe
- Fresh: The ingredients are fresh and you know exactly what they are made of compared to bought veggie burgers.
- 100% vegan: Perfect for those looking for a plant-based alternative.
- Gluten-free: Thanks to the chickpea and buckwheat flour blend. You will need to purchase gluten-free buns.
- Freezer-friendly: Make a batch, freeze them, and you’ve got a quick meal ready for busy days.
- Versatile: Serve in a bun, over a salad, or with some roasted veggies for a full meal.
- Oil-free: Made without the need for oil.
- Quick and Easy: Straight forward to make and in less than 30 minutes.
- Nutritious burger:
Key ingredients
Be sure to check the full ingredient list and printable recipe in the recipe card below.
Ingredients needed for 8 burgers:
- Yong jackfruit – Often found in a tin or a jar.
- Red kidney beans – Use bought organic cooked beans or dry beans that have been previously cooked.
- Spices – In this recipe, I used turmeric, cayenne pepper, and spicy paprika.
- Fresh herbs – A handful of cilantro and parsley.
- Flour – I wanted to make these burgers gluten-free therefore I used chickpea and buckwheat flour.
Step-by-Step Visual Cooking Instructions
Let`s batch-cook these burgers! These steps will help you create perfectly cooked Jackfruit Red Bean Burgers with clear, easy-to-follow instructions!
- Start by rinsing the jackfruit to remove any salt, then drain it well.
- Cut the triangular jackfruit chunks lengthwise into smaller pieces.
- Chop the onion into medium-sized pieces.
- Peel and chop the garlic.
- Add the jackfruit, onion, and garlic to a large pan without oil and toss for two minutes.
- Stir occasionally for an additional 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer the cooled jackfruit, onion, garlic, and spices to a food processor. Drain the jar of kidney beans (you don’t need to remove all the liquid) and add a couple of spoonfuls of beans to the blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Drain the beans.
- In a bowl mash the remaining beans with the back of a fork.
- Add the jackfruit mixture from the food processor to the bowl with the mashed beans.
- Stir well to combine all of the ingredients.
- Gradually fold in the chickpea and buckwheat flour.
- Stir continuously until the mixture reaches a cookie dough-like consistency.
- Wet your hands to prevent the mixture from sticking. Scoop out a golf ball-sized portion of the mixture, roll it into a ball, and flatten it into a patty shape.
- Place a piece of parchment paper between each burger, stacking them carefully.
- Freeze the burgers for at least 2 hours before cooking. This helps them retain their shape during cooking.
- Preheat a top and bottom grill plate.
- Grill the burgers for about 4 minutes on each side until heated through.
- Add the burger to your desired gluten-free bun and salad toppings.
How to Cook Kidney Beans from Scratch
Cooking kidney beans from scratch is so easy and all is needed is one big cast iron pot and a stovetop. This is the simplest method and allows you to check the beans regularly and remove them from the heat as soon as they reach the desired tenderness.
To start, place well-rinsed beans in a large pot, cover them with water, and add a pinch of salt. Bring the pot to a boil and let the beans cook for 10-20 minutes to ensure they are safe to eat. After that, reduce the heat and let the beans simmer uncovered for 40-60 minutes.
The cooking duration can vary based on factors such as whether the beans were pre-soaked.
Drain the beans, and let them cool if they are going to be frozen or added to salads, if not add them directly to your desired soup or stew.
Substitutions and Variations
- Jackfruit: You can swap jackfruit for another meat substitute like mushrooms or shredded carrots. However, jackfruit’s unique texture is hard to beat!
- Kidney Beans: While kidney beans add a great texture and flavor, feel free to use black beans, white beans, or chickpeas if that’s what you have on hand.
- Chickpea Flour: If you’re not gluten-free, whole wheat flour or breadcrumbs will work well to bind the patties.
- Spice Level: Don’t like too much heat? Cut down the cayenne or leave it out altogether for a milder flavor.
Pro Tips
To ensure your patties hold together well during cooking, chill them in the freezer for about two hours before grilling or baking.
There is no need to make sure the onion and garlic are cut into small pieces. The reason is, that they will be tossed into the food processor after frying.
Freezing the Burgers
These burgers freeze well. Form the patties and layer them between parchment paper to prevent sticking. Transfer them to an airtight container or a freezer bag and freeze them for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to cook, let them thaw in the fridge or cook them straight from frozen – add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
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Best toppings for Jackfruit Red Bean Burgers
Here you have some great topping ideas that would complement the burgers perfectly:
- Avocado or Guacamole: These add creaminess and a rich flavor that balances the spiciness of the burgers.
- Avocado Hummus: With its creamy texture hummus provides a smooth, creamy layer that adds moisture to the burger, preventing it from feeling dry.
- Black Garlic Pesto: The deep, umami flavor adds a rich, sweet, and earthy taste, which pairs perfectly with the hearty flavors of the jackfruit and red beans.
- Pickled Red Onions: Offers a tangy crunch that cuts through the savory flavors of the burger. This is another yummy option!
- Spinach and Pistachio Hummus: Fresh, Nutty Flavor: The spinach adds a fresh, slightly earthy taste, while the pistachios contribute a mild nuttiness, complementing the savory burger without overwhelming it.
- Raw spinach leaves or lettuce leaves: Both spinach and lettuce add a crisp and have a fresh texture that contrasts nicely with the softer burger patty and a freshly baked bun.
- Grilled Pineapple: For a tropical twist, grilled pineapple adds sweetness and a slight smokiness.
- Beetroot Hummus: Adds extra protein and fiber and it makes a perfect vibrant spread that keeps all the other toppings in place.
- Caramelized Onions: My favorite, adds a sweet and savory depth to the burger.
- Fresh Herbs (Cilantro, Basil, or Parsley): Adds a burst of fresh flavor and a pop of color.
- Microgreens or Sprouts: Light and crunchy, adding a fresh, slightly peppery taste.
- Roasted Red Pepper Hummus: Roasted red peppers add a smoky, slightly sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with the savory burger patty, enhancing its taste without overpowering it
What to serve with these Burgers
Tikka Masala Deluxe Sweet Potato Chips: Baked or fried, crunchy sweet potato fries with a touch of sweetness.
Lupini Bean and Caper Salad: A high-protein and low-carb salad with fresh lettuce leaves.
Grilled Vegetables: A mix of grilled bell peppers, zucchini, and asparagus adds a healthy, colorful side that complements the burger’s flavors.
Roasted Vegetable Salad: A mix of roasted seasonal vegetables like squash, and sweet potato. and carrots previously marinated with Za’atar and crunchy chickpeas and walnuts for a burst of flavor, texture, and color.
Fluffy Couscous: Light and fluffy couscous, perhaps tossed with fresh herbs, lemon juice, raw spinach, or fried vegetables, pairs nicely.
Quinoa Salad: A light quinoa salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, and a lemon vinaigrette adds freshness and a healthy grain to the meal.
Roasted Potatoes: Crispy roasted potatoes with herbs like rosemary or thyme are a classic, hearty side that pairs perfectly.
Cooking Methods
Electric Grill Plate
Place them on the bottom plate. Gently close the top plate to cook both sides simultaneously. Cook for 4 minutes on each side, depending on thickness, to ensure the plant-based burgers are heated through.
Oven -Baked
Preheat the oven to 356°F (180ºC). Place the patties on a piece of parchment paper on a baking tray. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for about 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden and crisp.
Stove-Top Grill Plate
Similar to the electric grill plate, but they will need an extra 2 minutes of cooking time on either side. You may need to use an oil to prevent sticking.
Air-fried:
Place parchment paper in the air fryer basket and place the patties in a single layer with space in between. Cook for 15 minutes, turn them over after 7 minutes.
FrequentlyAsked Questions
Jackfruit is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia that’s often used in savory dishes when unripe. Its texture is similar to pulled meat, making it a popular meat substitute in vegan recipes. Be sure to use canned young jackfruit in brine for this recipe.
These burgers will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days, making them a great option for meal prep.
Pulled jackfruit is a plant-based meat alternative made from young, unripe jackfruit that is shredded and cooked to resemble the texture of pulled pork or chicken. It’s often seasoned and used in dishes like tacos, sandwiches, and burgers due to its neutral flavor and ability to absorb spices and sauces.
Patties and burgers are related but not exactly the same. A patty is the ground mixture (like vegetables, or beans) shaped into a flat, round form that serves as the main component of a burger. A burger refers to the complete dish, including the patty served inside a bun with toppings, sauces, and other condiments. So, the patty is an essential part of the burger, but the burger includes the entire assembled meal.
Jackfruit has a mild, slightly sweet taste. When unripe, it has a neutral flavor that easily absorbs spices, making it perfect for savory dishes.
No, they are different beans. Red beans are smaller and oblong, they are also a brighter shade of pinky red. Kidney beans are darker red, crimson in color, and kidney-shaped, hence the name.
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Recipe
Spicy Jackfruit and Red Kidney Bean Burgers
Watch me Make it (Video)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup young jackfruit about 250g
- 1 cup red kidney beans about 250g
- 1 white onion chopped
- 5 garlic cloves chopped
- ½ teaspoon spicy paprika powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
- ½ teaspoon himalayan salt
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 ½ cups flour use a mix of chickpea flour and buckwheat flour (160 grams, 80 grams of each flour)
- 1 bunch of fresh herbs cilantro and parsley mixed
Instructions
- Prepare the Parchment Papers:
- Start by cutting out 8 square pieces of parchment paper, each 6 cm by 6 cm. These will be used to separate the burgers for freezing.
- Prepare the Jackfruit:1 cup young jackfruit
- Thoroughly rinse the jackfruit to remove any salt, then drain it well. Cut the triangular jackfruit chunks lengthwise into smaller pieces.
- Chop the onion1 white onion and garlic cloves into medium-sized pieces.5 garlic cloves
- Heat a large pan on medium heat without oil. Add the jackfruit and toss for two minutes. Then add the chopped onion and garlic, tossing occasionally for an additional 3 minutes, making it 5 minutes in total. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer the cooled jackfruit, onion, and garlic to a food processor. Add the turmeric, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt, parsley, and cilantro to the blender. Drain the jar of kidney beans (you don’t need to remove all the liquid) and add a couple of spoonfuls of beans to the blender. This will provide enough moisture for blending.
- Meanwhile, place the remaining kidney beans in a bowl and mash about three-quarters of them with the back of a fork.
- Add the jackfruit mixture from the blender to the bowl with the mashed beans and stir well to combine. Gradually fold in the chickpea and buckwheat flour, stirring continuously until the mixture reaches a cookie dough-like consistency.
- Form the Burgers: Wet your hands to prevent the mixture from sticking. Scoop out a golf ball-sized portion of the mixture, roll it into a ball, and flatten it into a patty shape.
- Prepare for Freezing: Place a piece of parchment paper between each burger, stacking them carefully. Freeze the burgers for at least 2 hours before cooking. This helps them retain their shape during cooking.
- Cooking Instructions:
- Grilling: Preheat a top and bottom grill plate. Grill the burgers for about 4 minutes on each side until heated through.
- Oven-Baking: Preheat the oven and bake the burgers for approximately 20 minutes, turning once halfway through.
- Air Frying or Roasting: Follow the appropriate cooking time for your device, ensuring the burgers are cooked evenly.
- Cooking from Frozen: If cooking from frozen, it’s best to thaw the burgers for at least an hour beforehand if grilling to ensure thorough cooking. Thawing is unnecessary if baking in the oven.
Notes & Suggestions
Nutrition Profile
The Nutritional information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically per serving, The amount of sodium depends on the salt used.
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