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JalapeΓ±o Popper Cheese BallΒ 

By: Richa
3 September 2025 at 07:03

This vegan jalapeΓ±o popper cheese ball is super easy: no soaking or blending required! Just 10 minutes of prep time, and it’s ready in about 30 minutes. Perfect for parties with veggies or crackers. (Gluten free, soy free option)

jalapeno popper cheese ball with scoops taken out, so you can see the inside texture

Five reasons you should make this jalapeΓ±o popper cheese ball:

  1. No soaking the nuts overnight.
  2. No blending the nuts.
  3. No straining a blended mixture.
  4. Just 10 minutes of active time in the kitchen.
  5. Uses just a few everyday ingredients.
jalapeno popper cheese ball on a serving tray with crackers and veggies

It is just mind-blowingly delicious for the small amount of effort this recipe needs. You just make this flavor mixture that’s like a jalapeΓ±o dip with non-dairy yogurt, some brine from pickled jalapeΓ±os, and some spices. Then, mix in some almond flour and fresh and pickled jalapeΓ±os to create a dough. Shape it into a ball, and bake. That’s it!

Baking this vegan cheese ball helps the flavors meld together and takes a little bit of the bite out of the jalapeΓ±os. It just enhances the overall flavor and texture. The result is this fantastically delicious vegan cheese ball to serve with some crackers, veggies, cruditΓ©s, or however else you like.Β 

hand serving some jalapeΓ±o popper cheese ball onto a cracker

This is also such a versatile vegan cheese ball. There are lots of fun ways to serve it! You can make sandwiches with it by spreading it on some bread, and pairing it with some fresh tomatoes or other veggies or some crisp tofu. Or add dollops of this mixture to salads.

It also works great in mini quesadillas! Just spread some of the jalapeΓ±o popper cheese ball onto small tortillas with some grilled veggies, fold them over, and cook until crisp in the oven or on the stovetop.Β  If you’re going to use it to make quesadillas, you don’t even need to bake the cheese ball, because cooking the quesadillas will cook the cheese mixture then.

jalapeno popper cheese ball in the baking pan after baking

Continue reading: JalapeΓ±o Popper Cheese BallΒ 

The post JalapeΓ±o Popper Cheese BallΒ  appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Grillable Veggie Burger – Black Bean Sunflower Seed Burger

By: Richa
20 July 2025 at 07:01

This grillable veggie burger is packed with flavor, holds up beautifully on the grill, and is easy to make ahead. No mush, no crumble, just a hearty, smoky, satisfying bite every time. Nutfree Black Bean Sunflower seed burger. This post was originally published on june 6 2017

Black bean sunflower burger on a wooden cutting board.

It is time to fire up the grill and flip some veggie burgers. These hearty burgers are made up of black beans, brown rice, sunflower seeds and amazing seasoning. You can grill or pan fry the patties.

Veggie burgers can be overly squishy (too many beans, too much moisture, too much mashing), or too crumbly (not enough binding, big unmashed ingredients such as whole beans or large chunks of onions, peppers, veggies). Both these issues can be solved with vital wheat gluten in the patties, but I don’t always like the texture of the patty with vital wheat gluten. So instead, I use just the right balance of cooked grains, beans, and some breadcrumbs to make a sturdy grillable patty. Like with any other veggie burger, mash and pack the ingredients well for sturdier results.Β 

The veggie burgers on sesame buns on a wooden cutting board.

Black beans work really well in these burgers, but you can also use kidney beans. These patties are packed with flavor, paprika, Old Bay, coriander, and fennel seeds bring depth, while toasted sunflower seeds add a satisfying, hearty bite. These patties are a must make!

I think the first time I made a black bean burger version from a recipe on the internet, I found that it needed some, or wait a lot of flavor. So I set out to create my own. This version, takes the elements of a classic bean burger, but gets an upgrade with the spices and smoky caramelized onions to make a fantastically flavorful patty.

Do try this burger, and let me know in the comments if this replaced the usual black bean burger! You can find more 35+ Veggie Burger options here, no fake meats!Β 

Black bean sunflower seed burger cut in half.

Why You’ll Love Grillable Veggie Burgers

  • Easy to make.
  • You can actually grill them and they won’t fall apart.
  • Can be prepared ahead and frozen.
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Grillable Veggie Burger ( Black Bean Sunflower Seed Burger)

This grillable Black Bean veggie burger is packed with flavor, holds up beautifully on the grill, and is easy to make ahead. No mush, no crumble, just a hearty, smoky, satisfying bite every time. Gluten-free option. Nut-free. Soy-free option
Course Burger
Cuisine Vegan
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6 patties
Calories 269kcal
Author Vegan Richa

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup sunflower seeds or pepitas or heaping 1/2 cup nuts such as walnuts or pecans if you are ok with nuts.
  • 1 tsp coriander seeds
  • 1/4 tsp fennel seeds optional
  • 2 tsp oil
  • 1.5 cups chopped or sliced onion, white or red onion
  • 1 hot green chile such as Serrano, finely chopped or use 2 tbsp green bell pepper
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1.5 tsp old bay seasoning Or 2 tsp cajun/taco/chili powder blend of choice
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3/4 cup cooked brown or white rice I prefer white in these patties
  • 15 oz can black beans drained well or 1.5 cups cooked
  • 1/2 tsp salt more or less depending on if the beans and rice are salted
  • 2 to 3 tbsp bbq sauce
  • 1.5 tbsp flax seed meal
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs use gluten-free if needed

Toppings:

  • tomato slices onion slices
  • sprouts or baby greens
  • bbq sauce, mustard, mayo etc

Instructions

  • Toast the seeds : add sunflower seeds to a skillet over medium heat, toast for for 2 minutes. Stir occasionally to avoid burning. Remove from skillet annd let cool. Add the coriander seeds and fennel seeds and toast for a minute. Take off heat and set aside to cool.
  • Make the smoky caramelized onions: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion , green chile, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp sugar. Cook for 5 minutes. Stirring occasionally. Add the smoked paprika and mix. Add a splash of water if the pan is drying up. Cook for another 3 mins, stirring occasionally .
  • In a food processor, add the sunflower seeds, fennel and coriander seeds and spices. process until they become a coarse meal. Flavor variation: add some oregano if you like, add cayenne for heat.
  • Add the two thirds of the rice and 1 cup of black beans, salt, 3 – 4 tbsp of the smoky caramelized onions, flaxmeal, bbq sauce. Process until most of the beans have broke down.
  • Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Mix in the breadcrumbs, remaining black beans and rice, Taste and adjust salt, heat and seasoning. Add more seasoning and bbq sauce if needed and mix in. Add flour or breadcrumbs if the mixture is too moist.. Chill for 10 minutes in the fridge.
  • Shape into patties using a cookie cutter or by hand. (press mixture into a cookie cutter until packed. Tap to release. Even out the top). Heat up the grill over medium high heat. When hot, grill for 3 to 5 mins per side. Or pan fry in a skillet over medium heat with a little oil. Brush some bbq sauce or a mix of bbq sauce and hot sauce, on both sides and grill half a minute, then remove from grill.
  • Dress with the smoky caramelized onion, tomato slices, bbq sauce or ketchup and mustard, or vegan mayo/ranch between toasted burger buns or lettuce!

Video

Notes

To make the patties gluten-free use gluten-free breadcrumbs and rice flour or oat flour.
To make the patties soy-free, use soy-free bbq sauce
For variation: Add zest of half a lemon with the lemon juice.
Use ketchup + sriracha instead of bbq sauce.
Add more smoked paprika for smokier onions.
Storage: These burger patties uncooked or cooked can be stored in the fridge for upto 4 days. Reheat on the skillet or grill. they can be frozen Β uncooked for months. Grill directly from the freezer. Grill a minute or so longerΒ 
Β 

Nutrition

Calories: 269kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 486mg | Potassium: 447mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 110IU | Vitamin C: 5.3mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 3.4mg
Ingredients used to make black bean burger in glass bowls.

Ingredients

  • Sunflower seeds- add texture and volume
  • coriander, and fennel seeds: The seeds add flavor to the burger.
  • Black beans: Black beans work really well in these burgers, but you can also use kidney beans.
  • White Rice: You can use brown or white rice, but I prefer white rice for this.
  • Spices: Smoked paprika, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon add complex flavors.
  • BBQ Sauce: The bbq sauce adds a hint of sweetness and moisture
  • Breadcrumbs: The breadcrumbs help bind the burger patties.

πŸ’‘Tips

  • Toast the sunflower seeds to add a hearty umami flavor to your burger.
  • If the onions begin to stick to the pan when you’re caramelizing the onion, add a splash of water, and cook for another 3 mins.
  • Mash and pack the ingredients well while forming your pattie for sturdier results.Β 
  • After you’ve formed the patties, let them chill in the fridge for 10 minutes. This will help them keep together while cooking.

How to Make Black Bean Sunflower Seed Burgers

Toast the sunflower seeds for 2 minutes, add the coriander seeds, and fennel seeds and toast for 1 minute. Let cool. Add oil, onion, green chili, salt, and sugar to a skillet over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes.

Fennel and coriander seed toasting in a white skillet.
Sliced onions in a black skillet.

Add smoked paprika and cook for 3 minutes. Add a splash of water in between if needed

Spices added to the skillet with the onion.
Onions and green chili cooking in a skillet.

The onions should be a golden brown color.
Add the sunflower, fennel, and coriander, seeds to a food processor.

Caramelized onion in a skillet.
Sunflower, coriander, and fennel seeds, added to a food processor.

Grind them into a powder. Add two thirds of the rice and black beans to the food processor.

Sunflower, coriander, and fennel seeds ground into a powder.
Black beans being added to the food processor.

Add salt, 3 to 4 tbsp of the smoky caramelized onions, flaxmeal, bbq sauce, and process until most of the beans have broken down.

Spices added to the food processor with black beans, ground seeds, and bbq sauce.
Caramelized onions added to the veggie burger mix in a food processor.

Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Mix in the breadcrumbs, remaining black beans. Taste and adjust salt, heat, and seasoning. Add flour or breadcrumbs if the mixture is too moist. Chill for 10 minutes in the fridge.

Black beans and rice mixed with veggie patty mix in a white bowl.
Black bean mix to make veggie burger on a white plate.

Shape into patties using a cookie cutter or by hand. Heat up the grill over medium high heat, grill for 3 to 5 minutes on each side.

Two hands forming a veggie burger patty.
Five veggie burgers grilling in a red pan.

Brush some bbq sauce or a mix of bbq sauce and hot sauce, on both sides and grill for half a minute, then remove from grill.

Five veggie burgers grilling in a pan.
Buns, caramelized onions, and condiments on a wooden cutting board.

Dress with the smoky caramelized onions, tomato slices, bbq sauce or ketchup, and mustard, or vegan mayo/ranch between toasted burger buns or lettuce!

Grillable veggie burger, sunflower seed burger with caramelized onion.

What to Serve with

Serve with these baked sweet potato fries, cajun chickpea fries, or homemade jojo potatoes. Or with these chaat masala salad or this Mediterranean quinoa salad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this recipe allergy friendly?

Yes, this recipe is nut-free and can be made gluten-free with gluten-free breadcrumbs, and soy-free with soy-free bbq sauce.

Can the patties be made ahead?

Yes, the patties can be made ahead and placed in the fridge until ready to use, or they can be frozen. Shape, place between parchment. Place on grill directly from the freezer. Cook a minute or so longer for frozen patties.

The post Grillable Veggie Burger – Black Bean Sunflower Seed Burger appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Summer Spinach Salad with Chickpea Olive Crumble

By: Richa
9 July 2025 at 07:48

A fully loaded, flavor packed, protein rich summer spinach salad with an umami-packed crisp chickpea hemp seed olive crumble, nutrient dense greens, and creamy, vibrant tahini lemon dressing. A perfect hot weather dinner. (23g protein and 15g fiber per serving, (gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, high protein)

This is a fantastically hearty summer spinach salad. It has so many textures and flavors, and it has 80 grams of protein for the entire salad. That’s 20 grams of protein per serving. For a salad!

There is protein from the chickpeas, from the hemp seeds, and from the nutritional yeast in the chickpea crumble. There’s also protein from the tahini in the dressing, the non-dairy yogurt (depending on the brand), as well as a little protein from the greens that you use in the salad. You can amp up the protein even more by sprinkling it with some hemp seeds before serving or adding some of my tofu bacon bits, or other high protein toppings.

fork taking a bite of summer spinach salad with chickpea olive crumbles

The salad has this creamy texture from the dressing, the crunch from the fresh veggies, and crispiness from the chickpea crumbles, which we bake until they’re crispy-crunchy. The umami comes from the olives and the sun-dried tomato, and the refreshing, fresh flavor comes from lemon zest, the cucumbers, and any other crunchy veggies and greens.Β 

It’s just a fabulous combination of flavors and textures. The combination of tahini and yogurt helps mellow tahini’s strong flavor and makes for a rich, creamy dressing.

summer spinach salad in a serving bowl

Why You’ll Love this Summer Spinach Salad

  • incredible combination of flavors and textures! Crunchy veggies, creamy dressing, and savory, crisp chickpea-olive crumble.
  • easy to make in about 30 minutes
  • packed with veggies and protein
  • naturally gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free
plates of summer spinach salad with chickpea olive

Continue reading: Summer Spinach Salad with Chickpea Olive Crumble

The post Summer Spinach Salad with Chickpea Olive Crumble appeared first on Vegan Richa.

BBQ Lentil Burger

By: Richa
8 July 2025 at 13:58

A hearty BBQ lentil burger topped with quick and easy creamy coleslaw is a perfect summer meal! Serve in a bun or over a crisp salad. (nut-free with gluten-free and soy-free options). This post was originally published May 6, 2013

BBQ lentil burger in a bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, and slaw

Hello summer! It’s time for all things BBQ, and this BBQ lentil burger combines so many summer flavors in one delicious dish.

The patties have split red lentils, which cook really quickly, and they are loaded with BBQ sauce, inside and out! You can make them on the stovetop or in the oven.

close-up of BBQ lentil burger

These burgers are also absolutely loaded with veggies! Finely chopped cauliflower, carrots, garlic, ginger, and bell pepper give the patties bulk, texture, and flavor. These are veggie veggie burgers. Not trying to be meat anything. Just lentils and veggies and celebrating them. These veggie patties are delicious as is as well!

Serve these with a simple, creamy slaw or your favorite burger toppings on a bun, or use them to top a green salad for a lighter meal. I love adding fruit to the slaw. The original recipe was written with mango in the slaw. Mango add some juicy sweet to the creamy, tangy, crunchy slaw for amazing balance of flavor.

Why You’ll Love BBQ Lentil Burgers

  • veggie-packed!
  • easy to make in the oven or on the stovetop
  • loaded with so much amazing BBQ sauce flavor!
  • versatile – Serve on a bun with your favorite toppings or add the patties to a salad.
  • nut-free with easy soy-free and gluten-free options
BBQ lentil burger patties served on a salad

Continue reading: BBQ Lentil Burger

The post BBQ Lentil Burger appeared first on Vegan Richa.

15+ Flavor packed Vegan BBQ recipes!

By: Richa
2 July 2025 at 08:20

Summer is here that means cookouts, picnics and grilling. I have you covered with amazing bbq and grilling ideas, Grillable burgers, summer salads, sides!(corn fritters, tortilla roll ups), drinks(blizzard!), no bake desserts and more for your cookout or your July 4th party. These are a few of mine and your favorites. Look up many more options here for ideas for barbecue season!
What are you making this summer?!

πŸ” Burgers

Three black bean burgers on a wooden cutting board.

Grillable Veggie Burger – Black Bean Sunflower Seed Burger

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Spiced Lentil Walnut Burgers. Easy Flavorful Burger patties with avocado ranch. Vegan Burger Recipe. Soyfree Easily gluten-free | VeganRicha.com #glutenfree #veganricha #vegan

Lentil Walnut Burgers

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Spicy Crispy Breaded Tofu Strips. Marinated Tofu breaded and grilled or baked. Flavorful and easy. | VeganRicha.com #Vegan #Holiday #Side #glutenfree #veganricha

Spicy Crispy Breaded Tofu Strips

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Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches – Vegan Pulled β€œPork”

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πŸ₯— Salads and Sides

close-up of BBQ chickpea and potato salad in the serving bowl

BBQ Chickpea and Potato Salad

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Basil Jalapeno Corn Fritters. Easy Gluten-free Vegan Corn Fritters with jalapeno, basil and black pepper. Serve with ketchup, vegan ranch or chutneys of choice. Soy-free Recipe. | VeganRicha.com #glutenfree #veganricha #vegan

Basil Jalapeno Corn Fritters Gluten free

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Tortilla Rolls Ups with Tofu herb cream cheese and Sun-dried tomato. Easy No Bake sun dried tomato pinwheels. Vegan Nutfree Recipe, can be gluten-free soy-free #Vegan#veganricha #tortillarollups #sundriedtotmatopinwheels

Vegan Tortilla Roll Ups Recipe with Dairy free cream cheese

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overhead shot of blackened tofu tacos

Blackened Tofu Tacos with Caramelized BBQ Onion

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serving bowl of summer pasta salad with grilled vegetables with a spoon in it

Summer Pasta Salad with Grilled Vegetables

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Bbq Cauliflower Wings

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πŸ₯€ Drinks

Vegan Chocolate Chip cookie Dough Blizzard | Vegan Richa #glutenfree #veganricha #vegan

Vegan Cookie Dough Blizzard Milkshake. Glutenfree Recipe

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two glasses of vegan strawberry lemonade slushie with fresh mint leaves

Strawberry Lemonade Slushie

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Vegan mango Lassi - Indian Mango Yogurt smoothie with ripe mango, non dairy yogurt and cardamom or saffron. Dairy-free, gluten-free. #vegan #glutenfree #veganricha

Vegan Mango Lassi Glutenfree Recipe

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🍰 Desserts

Vegan Lemon Bars GF

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This Vegan Salted Caramel Pie has layers of Salted Date Caramel, Chocolate Mousse and Almond Hemp Chocolate Crust. No Bake Gluten-free palm oil free Makes 1 9 inch pie or tart pan #glutenfree #veganricha #vegan

Salted Date Caramel, Chocolate Pie with Almond Coconut Crust. Vegan Glutenfree No Bake

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Our Vegan Blueberry Cobbler in a Cast Iron skillet over metal board

Vegan Blueberry Cobbler No Oil

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Vegan Almond Butter Blondies | Vegan Richa #glutenfree #veganricha #vegan

Vegan Almond Butter Blondies with Chocolate Chips

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The post 15+ Flavor packed Vegan BBQ recipes! appeared first on Vegan Richa.

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