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30-Minute Breakfast Taquitos

By: Richa
26 November 2025 at 08:25

Breakfast taquitos filled with a quick scramble along with veggies, cheese, and your favorite toppings is such a quick, easy, and satisfying meal! Make the super versatile scramble seasoning ahead, so you can whip up all kinds of eggy breakfasts in a flash.  (gluten-free, nut-free, with easy soy-free option)

close up of breakfast taquitos on a plate topped with pico de gallo and creamy hot sauce

These breakfast taquitos are super easy and super quick, if you have my scramble seasoning on hand. Even if you don’t, making the scramble seasoning is also easy. You just get all the spices, mix them in a jar, and it’s ready. You can use that scramble seasoning on scrambles, omelettes, frittatas, or to make a quick tofu egg salad in many different ways. It works well wherever you want any kind of eggy breakfast flavor.

Definitely make some and use that in this recipe, because then it’s super quick. You just crumble the tofu, add some chopped veggies, the scramble seasoning, and vegan cream cheese. Mix it all up in a bowl, and your scramble is ready to stuff into your breakfast taquitos.

Then, you roll that scramble up in warm tortillas and bake or pan fry. Serve with your favorite toppings, like pico de gallo, salsa, vegan sour cream, etc., and they are just fabulous!

breakfast taquitos on a plate topped with pico de gallo and creamy hot sauce

Why You’ll Love Breakfast Taquitos

  • quick and easy breakfast that’s super satisfying
  • cheesy, veggie-packed tofu scramble stuffed into soft tortillas, baked or pan fried until crisp
  • versatile! Customize mix-ins and flavors to taste.
  • easy to make gluten-free, nut-free, and even soy-free

Continue reading: 30-Minute Breakfast Taquitos

The post 30-Minute Breakfast Taquitos appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Holiday Vegan Cheese Log

By: Richa
19 November 2025 at 07:00

A creamy vegan cheese log coated in crunchy pecans and fresh herbs is perfect for holiday parties served with crackers and veggies. This recipe is super easy, delicious, and versatile! (gluten-free, soy-free and nut-free options)

holiday cheese log on a party platter with veggies, chips, pita, and apple slices

This is a wow-worthy, super easy vegan cheese log that you can whip up for any party, potluck, or holiday gathering. It’s delicious, cheesy, and creamy with a fantastic pecan-herb crumb which adds wonderful texture and flavor. 

The holiday cheese log pairs beautifully with all kinds of veggies, crudites, crackers, fruit, or even spicy jams and chutneys. It’s perfect on a charcuterie board served with mango chutney and paired with one of my cheese balls, like my Jalapeno popper cheese ball.

close-up of holiday cheese log after taking out some of the spread

You can also use this creamy cheese as a spread for baguettes or bagels or even to make grilled cheese, quesadillas, or mac and cheese. For mac and cheese, just add some stock to a pan, heat it up with the cheese log to make a sauce, and toss in your cooked pasta of choice. 

This vegan cheese log recipe is flexible and easy to adapt to your flavor profile. Try adding paprika and jerk seasoning, Cajun spices, or extra red pepper flakes for a spicy version.

pita spread with holiday cheese log

Why You’ll Love this Vegan Cheese Log

  • creamy vegan cheese log coated in crunchy toasted pecans and fresh herbs
  • perfect for parties, potlucks, cheese boards, and charcuterie boards
  • easy to make and versatile! Try different base and seasoning options.
  • easy to make gluten-free, soy-free, and/or, nut-free

Continue reading: Holiday Vegan Cheese Log

The post Holiday Vegan Cheese Log appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes 

By: Richa
12 November 2025 at 07:00

Creamy, rich, and deeply savory, these mashed potatoes get a flavor upgrade with caramelized onions and a secret boost of plant-based protein from pureed white beans. The result is velvety, buttery comfort in every bite. A side that’s perfect for holidays or weeknights alike. (Gluten-free, nut-free, with a soy-free option.)

placing a plate of caramelized onion mashed potatoes on the table

Everyone loves potatoes in every form, especially mashed potatoes around the holiday season. They’re a fixture at every meal, and we’re going to level them up times two.

This recipe levels up the flavor with caramelized onions, garlic, and herbs that add an amazing flavor to these mashed potatoes. And we’re going to add some pureed white beans for extra protein and heartiness. 

close-up of caramelized onion mashed potatoes on the plate topped with caramelized and green onions

You’ll get protein from the beans, nutritional yeast, and non-dairy milk. You can add even more protein by serving it with crispy lentils or tofu bacon bits.

No matter how you serve caramelized onion mashed potatoes they’re rich, hearty, and perfect for any holiday table or cozy dinner. Served here with my mushroom bourguignon.

caramelized onion mashed potatoes on the plate topped with gravy

Why You’ll Love Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes

  • creamy mashed potatoes
  • savory caramelized onion topping
  • sneaky protein
  • delicious holiday side dish
  • naturally gluten-free and nut-free with easy soy-free option

Continue reading: Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes 

The post Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes  appeared first on Vegan Richa.

1-Pot Lemon White Bean Soup

By: Richa
5 November 2025 at 07:00

Lemon white bean soup is a creamy, vibrant one pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. It’s hearty, filling, and uses simple, budget-friendly ingredients. (gluten-free with soy-free and nut-free options)

lemon white bean soup in the pan with garnishes

It’s soup season, and I am loving all the creamy, hearty, and budget-friendly soups — and this lemony white bean soup fits exactly into that category. It’s packed with tons of veggies, beans, and protein. 

The best part about this lemon white bean soup is that it’s flexible to your flavor profile. You can easily adjust the flavors and ingredients based on what you have on hand. It’s vibrant, lemony, and perfect for the whole family!

lemon white bean soup in a bowl with garlic bread

The soup gets its protein from beans, cashews or tofu, nutritional yeast, and the veggies. You also blend up some of the beans into a puree to create that creamy texture along with either cashews or tofu. You can even omit the cashews and tofu, if you need to, and use just the beans for the creamy base.

This creamy lemon white bean soup is wholesome, flexible, and easy to make. The perfect go-to for cozy soup season!!

spoon taking a bite of lemon white bean soup

Why You’ll Love Lemon White Bean Soup

  • creamy, vibrant soup with tons of veggies and protein
  • versatile recipe! Adjust seasoning and proteins to your taste.
  • 40-minute, 1-pot meal
  • naturally gluten-free with easy soy-free and nut-free options
lemon white bean soup in a bowl with garlic bread

Continue reading: 1-Pot Lemon White Bean Soup

The post 1-Pot Lemon White Bean Soup appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Chicken-Style Braised Tofu and Vegetables (1 pan!)

By: Richa
29 October 2025 at 07:00

Spice-Rubbed Braised Tofu with Vegetables in a Savory Umami Sauce. A unique delicious holiday entree that all cooks in one pan! (gluten-free and nut-free with soy-free options)

braised tofu and veggies in the pan

I wanted to make a vegan braised meat-style dish for the holidays, so I came up with this one-skillet meal that’s rich, hearty, and incredibly flavorful. It features an amazing, aromatic spice rub that smells so meaty you’ll be surprised it’s entirely plant-based. The spice rub coats tofu that’s been frozen, thawed, and pressed, giving it a dense, chewy texture perfect for braising.

The base for the braise starts with crisped-up potatoes and carrots. After searing the vegetables, we make a deeply flavorful sauce with caramelized onions, lots of aromatics, and fresh herbs, and flavor boosters. 

close-up of braised tofu and veggies in the pan

The tofu and vegetables braise together in this sauce, allowing the tofu to absorb all that flavor while developing a slightly crispy top and a tender, chicken-like interior.

We use an oven-safe pan to start the dish on the stovetop and finish it in the oven, where the vegetables become perfectly tender and the tofu gets a gorgeous golden top. 

braised tofu and veggies in a bowl with rice and herb sauce

It’s fantastic served with rice, couscous, mashed potatoes or other mashed vegetables, bean purée, some crusty bakery bread, or a side salad. 

A simple herb sauce adds a bright, fresh contrast, but you can enjoy it on its own, too. It’s full of amazing flavors with or without. The herb sauce just bumps up the flavor even more.

fork taking a bite of braised tofu and veggies with rice and herb sauce

Why You’ll Love Braised Tofu and Vegetables

  • 1-pan entree that’s perfect for the holiday table
  • flavorful braised vegetables in caramelized onion sauce
  • big pieces of crisp, herb-rubbed tofu
  • naturally gluten-free and nut-free with easy soy-free option

Continue reading: Chicken-Style Braised Tofu and Vegetables (1 pan!)

The post Chicken-Style Braised Tofu and Vegetables (1 pan!) appeared first on Vegan Richa.

1-Pan Mushroom Potato Casserole

By: Richa
22 October 2025 at 07:00

A cozy, hands-off, no sauté mushroom potato casserole that needs just 1 pan. Layers of rich mushroom gravy with beans and veggies, layered with crisp garlic herb potatoes that take only minutes to put together as the oven does all the work. (gluten-free with soy-free and nut-free options)

mushroom potato casserole in the pan after baking

It’s fall, and it’s time for some comfort food. And what’s more comforting than this casserole, which has a stewy mushroom gravy with beans and veggies, topped with potatoes smothered in garlic butter? There are lots of fall herbs, like fresh thyme and sage, and it all comes together really quickly. 

mushroom potato casserole in a bowl

This is a super easy one-pan casserole. No need to sauté or stand around the kitchen for long periods of time cooking the onions and mushrooms. Everything goes right into the baking dish, and the oven does all the work. 

Once the mushroom and onions are cooked, add the beans, herbs and stew ingredients and top them with some sliced potato and bake, and thats it. You get all the fall flavors and a dish that reminds of mashed potatoes and mushroom bourguignon w/o all the work.

It’s comforting, stewy, and perfect for a fall dinner with your family, served with a side salad, garlicky dinner rolls, or some crusty bakery bread. Or serve it however else you like!

mushroom potato casserole in the pan after baking

Why You’ll Love Mushroom Potato Casserole

  • cozy, hearty, stewy beans and veggies in a rich, mushroom gravy
  • 1-pan oven recipe, no standing at the stove!
  • very little active cooking time
  • No cooking the aromatics and potato separately
  • naturally nut-free with easy gluten-free and soy-free options
mushroom potato casserole in a bowl with garlic bread

Continue reading: 1-Pan Mushroom Potato Casserole

The post 1-Pan Mushroom Potato Casserole appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Restaurant-Style Dal Makhani

By: Richa
1 October 2025 at 07:00

Dal Makhani is one of the most ordered Indian dish in restaurants. You can make authentic, buttery, rich dal makhani at home. It’s just as good as the restaurant version! Black gram and kidney beans are simmered in a creamy spiced sauce and is perfect for special occasions or a great dinner. With Instant Pot and Sauce pan instructions. (gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, oil-free option).

dal makhani in the pan with tadka and toppings

Love ordering Dal Makhani at restaurants? You’ll love this homemade version even more! This is adapted from my home-style dal makhani that’s on the blog and in my books. The difference is that this version has more spices, including some whole spices, which create more layers of flavor. 

This version of dal makhani is a little bit more involved than my home-style version. It has both a base sauce and a spiced oil. This levels up the flavor and adds a smoky, creamy flavor, like restaurants usually serve.  There’s also a lot more Kashmiri chili powder in this version compared to the home-style one. 

The home-style recipe is quicker and still delicious, but this one takes it up another couple of notches, simmering the beans in a deeply-flavored sauce.

dal makhani in a bowl

Makhani means both “butter” and “like butter,” and the dish is called dal makhani, both because of the butter content and the creamy, buttery texture of the dal. The goal is to cook the beans long enough that they become soft and almost break down into the sauce, thickening it and creating a smooth consistency. For the right texture, I prefer to use a pressure cooker / instant pot, but you can also cook it in a saucepan. I included both methods in the recipe.

After cooking the beans, we make a delicious sauce with whole spices, aromatics, and ground spices, then add the cooked beans to it. Then, we prepare a spice oil with toasted fenugreek leaves, Kashmiri chili, smoked paprika, and a smoky burnt cinnamon stick. Burning the cinnamon stick for just half a second before adding it to give the dal its smoky restaurant-style flavor.

Traditionally, restaurants achieve this smoky flavor by using food-grade charcoal. They place a piece of hot charcoal in a bowl with oil, which immediately smokes. Then, they nestle the bowl inside the dal pot and cover the pan for 10 to 15 minutes. If you don’t want to use charcoal or burnt cinnamon, liquid smoke can also work.

spoon taking a bite of dal makhani

Why You’ll Love Dal Makhani

  • creamy, buttery dal with two kinds of beans
  • deep flavor from the sauce and the spice oil, no dairy needed!
  • flexible! Cook the beans in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop
  • naturally gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free with an oil-free option

More Authentic Dal Recipes

Continue reading: Restaurant-Style Dal Makhani

The post Restaurant-Style Dal Makhani appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Vegan Chicken 555 Appetizer

By: Richa
24 September 2025 at 07:00

Vegan Chicken 555 reimagines a beloved South Indian street-style appetizer. Crisp golden tofu is coated in a richly spiced sauce infused with fennel, ginger, garlic, coriander, and peppers,  and enough heat to make you reach for seconds (and maybe a cold drink).  gluten free, nut free. soy free option.

vegan chicken 555 on a plate with chutneys for dipping

This is another one in my series creating vegan versions of these amazing, meat-heavy, regional Indian appetizers. There’s just so much variety in all of these super delicious snacks and appetizers, and sometimes you don’t find those flavors and that spice in the vegetarian appetizers.

You can use this recipe with tofu, soy curls, chickpea tofu, chickpeas, or vegetables, like cauliflower. Basically, you coat your protein or vegetables of choice with this amazing, flavorful batter, and either pan fry or bake it. 

piece of tofu 555 dipped in cilantro mint chutney

Then, we make this easy, spicy, and delicious sauce mixture. It’s kind of a dry sauce, and you toss the crisped tofu “chicken” in it. Oh my god, it’s so incredibly delicious and also pretty spicy!

You can adjust the spice level to your preference. There are four kinds of chilies in this tofu 555: Kashmiri chili powder in the batter, and green chilies, cayenne, and red pepper flakes in the sauce. To get the flavor with less heat, reduce any or all of those. The combination of peppers adds a ton of flavor, so you definitely want to use some of each, even if you don’t use the full amounts. You can use a milder green chili to manage the heat, too,  if you prefer.

close-up of vegan chicken 555 on a plate

Basically, adjust the heat based on your preference, but definitely try this vegan chicken 555. It’s just so fabulously delicious!

Tofu 555 is great on its own or in crunchy salads with juicy fruits like apples, pears, or mangoes, or with roasted or fresh vegetables. A cucumber salad with a simple lime, salt, and pepper dressing also pairs wonderfully with this Indian appetizer. Or, you can make wraps with lettuce, creamy dressing, and fresh green chilis or pickled jalapeños. 

No matter how you serve it, you have got to try vegan chicken 555!

wrap made with veggies and vegan chicken 555

Why You’ll Love Chicken 555

  • crispy tofu in thick, spicy sauce with flavors of fennel, ginger, garlic, coriander, and 4 kinds of peppers
  • easily adjust the heat to your preference
  • use your plant based protein or use veggies of choice.
  • naturally gluten-free and nut-free with easy soy-free option

More Indian Appetizers and Snacks

Continue reading: Vegan Chicken 555 Appetizer

The post Vegan Chicken 555 Appetizer appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Creamy Tortellini Soup (30 Minutes!)

By: Richa
17 September 2025 at 07:11

Pillowy tortellini and a velvety tomato-cream broth, enriched with my easy homemade sausage spice mix. Bursting with bold Italian flavors and ready in just 30 minutes, it’s your new favorite irresistible soup.

bowl of tortellini soup with a spoon and a side of bakery bread

I got some almond ricotta–stuffed tortellini, so I decided to make an amazing soup with it. This is a hearty, delicious, and easy tortellini soup recipe. It uses the usual suspects of an Italian-flavored soup: aromatics, carrot, celery, Italian herbs, and vegan sausage. Those flavors pair up with the tortellini, tomato purée, and some non-dairy cream. 

It turns out absolutely delicious.

pan of tortellini soup with a ladle in it

I make this spice mix which adds all the flavor of sausage to whatever plant based protein you choose. This spice mix combines smoked paprika, fennel seeds, garlic powder, black pepper, oregano, and pepper flakes, and it’s just so versatile and flavorful!

First make the spice mix, and then decide which protein you want to use for the sausage. You can use vegan sausage, lentils, walnuts, pecans, chickpeas, crumbled tofu, chopped up soaked soy curls, seitan, or whatever else you like. 

spoon taking a bite of tortellini soup

Cook your protein of choice with some garlic and the spice mix, then add all the aromatics. Fold in the tomato sauce, tortellini, and some stock, then add non-dairy cream at the end. The tortellini cooks up in the same pan with the rest of the soup.

The soup comes together within 30 minutes in just 1 pan, and is creamy and satisfying!

bowls of creamy tortellini soup on a wooden table

Why You’ll Love Tortellini Soup

  • super easy 1-pot meal ready in 30 minutes
  • creamy, tomatoey broth with sausagey flavors and tender, cheesy tortellini
  • super versatile! Use whatever plant-based protein you like!
  • Easily made gluten-free, soy-free, and/or nut-free.

Continue reading: Creamy Tortellini Soup (30 Minutes!)

The post Creamy Tortellini Soup (30 Minutes!) appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball 

By: Richa
3 September 2025 at 07:03

This vegan jalapeño 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 jalapeño 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 jalapeño dip with non-dairy yogurt, some brine from pickled jalapeños, and some spices. Then, mix in some almond flour and fresh and pickled jalapeños 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 jalapeños. It just enhances the overall flavor and texture. The result is this fantastically delicious vegan cheese ball to serve with some crackers, veggies, crudités, or however else you like. 

hand serving some jalapeño 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 jalapeño popper cheese ball onto small tortillas with some grilled veggies, fold them over, and cook until crisp in the oven or on the stovetop.  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: Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball 

The post Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball  appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Indo-Chinese Crispy Tofu Manchurian (1-pan, 30 minutes)

By: Richa
13 August 2025 at 07:55

Sticky, crispy, ginger- and garlic-packed tofu Manchurian is an easy and delicious meal over rice, quinoa, noodles, or lettuce wraps. This popular Indo-chinese sauce has a sweet heat that is absolutely addictive! (nut-free with gluten-free and soy-free options)

tofu Manchurian in the pan after coating the tofu in the sauce

Manchurian sauce is one of the most popular Indo-Chinese sauces, and it’s one of my favorites. You can use it in many different ways to make a variety of dishes. You can find it on restaurant menus paired with crispy fried chicken, crispy cauliflower, or fried veggie balls coated in the thick, sticky sauce. 

This sauce is absolutely delicious, and it has tons of ginger and garlic, so be ready to chop up a lot of both.

close-up of tofu Manchurian in a bowl with rice

You can also make a thinner version of Manchurian sauce to pair with rice, very saucy veggie balls, crispy chicken, or noodles. I have a couple of different ways to use Manchurian sauce on the blog that use these variations.

Today, let’s make tofu Manchurian. We toss tofu in rice flour and cornstarch to make a really crispy coating, then pan-fry it until it gets an amazing crunch. We make the Manchurian sauce in the same pan, then toss the crispy tofu in it right before serving, so it keeps that satisfying crunch. 

Top your tofu Manchurian it with green onions, and serve it with rice, quinoa, noodles, or lettuce wraps. Or enjoy it as a starter on its own!

fork taking a bite of tofu Manchurian

Why You’ll Love Tofu Manchurian

  • crispy tofu in sticky-sweet ginger-garlic Manchurian sauce
  • 1-pan dish ready in about 30 minutes
  • flexible! Serve as a starter or over rice, grains, noodles, or in lettuce wraps.
  • naturally nut-free with easy gluten-free and soy-free options

Continue reading: Indo-Chinese Crispy Tofu Manchurian (1-pan, 30 minutes)

The post Indo-Chinese Crispy Tofu Manchurian (1-pan, 30 minutes) appeared first on Vegan Richa.

High Protein Lentil Trail Mix, 3 Ways Peanut gochujang, Indian Chivda, Nacho cheese flavors

By: Richa
6 August 2025 at 07:40

Lentil trail mix is a super delicious snack, and here I will show you three ways to make it! Peanut gochujang, Indian Chivda, Doritos Nacho flavor! This high protein, savory granola is easy and fun to make and a perfect breakfast or snack. (16 grams of protein and fiber per serving!)

Indian-spiced savory lentil granola in a bowl

When I shared my red lentil granola recipe, quite a few of you asked for a savory version, and today I’m sharing three different ways to make savory lentil granola/trail mix! Make all three flavors of this delicious lentil trail mix, or triple your favorite flavoring and make one big batch.

Why three ways? Because I just couldn’t decide between these amazing flavors: Indian-spiced, peanut gochujang, and nacho spice. So, I decided to let you choose for yourself!

nacho cheese lentil granola in the jar

This trail mix/savory granola recipe uses split red lentils (aka masoor dal) as the base. You cook the red lentils on the stovetop until they are just al dente, and they roast up to be light and crisp in the oven with your seasonings of choice. 

The result is a protein-packed snack that is absolutely full of flavor, no matter which seasoning mix you choose! A serving of this trail mix has around 16 grams of protein and 16 grams of fiber. You can amp up the protein even more by folding in hemp seeds into the granola once it has finished roasting.

peanut gochujang savory lentil granola on the baking pan after baking

The Indian-spiced lentils are inspired by Indian chivda, which usually uses rice flakes or other flaked or puffed grains. It is spicy savory with some balancing sweet from raisins or dates and is fantastically delicious! 

For the nacho spiced savory lentil trail mix, a took inspiration from my nacho cheese granola bars. It’s your favorite snacking chip in crisp trail mix form! you can adjust it to your flavor preference. Add more cayenne for more heat or more nutritional yeast for more cheesiness.

Indian-spiced savory lentil granola in a jar

If you love gochujang, definitely try the peanut gochujang lentil trail mix which has an amazing savory-spicy flavor with a hint of sweetness. It pairs so well with the crunchy peanuts! Comment below on which one will you try first!

Why You’ll Love Lentil Trail Mix

  • protein- and fiber-packed breakfast or snack with 16 grams each of protein and fiber per serving!
  • make all three flavors or choose from 3 amazing flavors: Indian-spiced, peanut gochujang, or nacho cheese
  • deep flavors and incredible textures
  • naturally gluten-free with soy-free and nut-free options included
spoon taking a bite of peanut gochujang savory lentil granola

Continue reading: High Protein Lentil Trail Mix, 3 Ways Peanut gochujang, Indian Chivda, Nacho cheese flavors

The post High Protein Lentil Trail Mix, 3 Ways Peanut gochujang, Indian Chivda, Nacho cheese flavors 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. 

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! 

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.
Print

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  uncooked for months. Grill directly from the freezer. Grill a minute or so longer 
 

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.

💡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. 
  • 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.

Tofu Majestic (Vegan Chicken Majestic)

By: Richa
16 July 2025 at 07:41

Tofu majestic is a vegan version of the popular South Indian starter, chicken majestic. Spicy, crispy tofu in a thick, spicy sauce is an absolutely delicious starter or side! You can easily control the heat, if you don’t like your food too spicy. (Options for gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free)

tofu majestic in a bowl with rice

Chicken majestic is pretty popular in restaurants in the state of Andhra Pradesh, and especially in the city of Hyderabad. It is a spicy, crispy chicken dish that is usually fried or pan-fried and tossed in a thick, delicious, spicy sauce. It has elements from indo Chinese cuisine and the combination with South Indian flavors makes it a finger licking can’t stop good appetizer!

It is served as-is as a starter with a side of chutneys or a side salad. You can also add it to wraps or serve with rice. It is absolutely mindblowingly delectable and delicious. The tofu is crisped with some cornstarch and rice flour and some spices. Then tossed in a thick sauce to coat. If you want to keep these crisp, toss and serve immediately!

tofu majestic in a bowl with laccha onions

Tofu majestic is definitely hot with 4 heat elements in it, there’s green chilies, Kashmiri chili powder, black pepper and sambal oelek! It can get hotter depending on the green chilies that you use. To manage the heat, use milder green chilies and use less of the black pepper and Kashmiri chili powder.

I like to serve this with a side salad of onion and cucumber. It’s kind of like quick pickled onion with Indian spices called laccha pyaza. See the recipe notes for instructions for making the crispy, vibrant laccha onions. You can also serve with chutneys of choice or a creamy dip on the side to mellow the heat.

tofu majestic in the pan after cooking in the sauce

Why You’ll Love Tofu Majestic

  • flavorful, crunchy, battered tofu in a thick, spicy sauce
  • bake or pan fry the tofu
  • versatile! Serve on its own, with chutney or creamy dipping sauce, with a fresh salad, or as wraps
  • easy to make gluten-free, nut-free, and even soy-free.

Continue reading: Tofu Majestic (Vegan Chicken Majestic)

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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

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Gochujang Tacos with Yum Sauce Slaw

By: Richa
29 June 2025 at 07:55

Super delicious gochujang tacos with creamy, crunchy yum sauce slaw are incredibly easy to make without a ton of ingredients. Crispy gochujang tofu, creamy gochujang slaw dressing, sweet spicy maple gochujang drizzle! Triple gochujang!

close-up of gochujang tacos

These tacos! They celebrate gochujang in a way you’ve never experienced! Crispy gochujang tofu! Creamy gochujang sauce for the slaw and for dressing! And a sweet spicy gochujang glaze to finish! Triple gochujang.

These tacos are super delicious and amazing! They come together fairly quickly and use many same ingredients in the different components of the taco. Despite that, there’s so much overall texture and flavor that they’re fabulous to whip up and enjoy on any weekday or on the weekend.

I love to make this tofu. It’s just super flavorful. You’ll want to double or triple the tofu recipe, so you’ll have leftover tofu handy to use in salads, wraps, sandwiches, bowls, etc. throughout the week.

bite shot of a gochujang taco

Gochujang tacos are very simple to make. We take some tofu and marinate it in a gochujang, ginger-garlic, soy, and maple mixture, and then bake it.

Meanwhile, make the crunchy, creamy slaw. We make a quick, creamy dressing using gochujang again along with some lime juice, maple syrup, and non-dairy yogurt or vegan mayo. You use that dressing to make the slaw and to dress the tacos later on, so you don’t have to make multiple dressings.

gochujang tacos on a piece of parchment paper

I usually like to finish it off with a gochujang-maple drizzle. You don’t have to do this, but it adds some extra heat and a flavor punch—so definitely try to make that one as well.

These tacos are fantastic when the slaw is fresh and crunchy, the tofu is spicy and chewy and crisp! The creamy dressing adds richness, and the gochujang drizzle adds sweet heat. The pickled jalapeños bring a tangy heat that ties it all together.

Why You’ll Love Gochujang Tacos

  • crispy gochujang tofu with creamy, spicy, crunchy slaw in warm tortillas
  • simple ingredients – slaw and tacos use the same sauce!
  • versatile! Use the tofu to make tacos or to top salads or bowl meals or in sandwiches or wraps!
  • naturally nut-free with gluten-free and soy-free options

Continue reading: Gochujang Tacos with Yum Sauce Slaw

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Marry Me Tofu Bake (Lasagna style)

By: Richa
22 June 2025 at 07:55

Marry me tofu bake is like a high protein plant-based lasagna style bake. Tofu, creamy smoky sauce, spinach sun-dried tomato tofu ricotta, and no pasta! Lasagna meets tofu parmigiana meets marry me tofu, minus pasta. Easy to make all in one baking dish. Over 20 gm protein! Options for gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free

serving a piece of the marry me tofu

My husband loves my tofu parmesan bake, and so did you guys, because lots of you have made that one and variations of it since I first posted it. It’s basically like a lasagna with this delicious spinach ricotta filling and some pasta sauce, all layered up but with tofu slices instead of lasagna noodles. It’s a hearty dish that’s easy to make and can be served in various ways.

marry me tofu casserole in the pan after baking

For this marry me tofu bake, I changed up the fillings. I used the flavors from my marry me pasta and made this creamy smoky sauce and the an umami filled ricotta filling to create something new and delicious. It has this incredible, smoky rose-style sauce. Then, we make the spinach ricotta filling, but we also add sun-dried tomato and some heat to it for a richer deeper umami flavor.

Together, all of these flavors create a sort of a marry me pasta flavor profile, but in a parmigiana kind of format. This bake is hearty, delicious, and everybody’s going to keep going in for seconds. And thirds!

close-up of marry me tofu casserole in the pan after baking

It is a high-protein dish, because we use tofu layers instead of lasagna noodles, add tofu to our spinach ricotta filling and even in the creamy pasta sauce. The pasta sauce gets its creaminess from protein-rich cashews and tofu. So, there’s protein in each element of this dish. If you don’t want to use cashews for the sauce, you can use hemp seeds or silken tofu as another source of protein. There’s also nutritional yeast in the sauce, which adds even more protein to each helping, making each serving super satisfying and delicious.

You can serve this with some sourdough or whole grain bread for even more protein, or over lentil spaghetti or lentil pasta for an extra protein boost.

fork taking a bite of marry me tofu

Why You’ll Love Marry Me Tofu

  • super simple, 1-pan, weeknight meal
  • Lasagna meets tofu parmigiana meets marry me tofu, minus pasta!
  • bakes in the oven, so very little active cooking time
  • tofu in creamy, smoky, marry me cream sauce
  • high protein dinner
  • easy gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free options

Continue reading: Marry Me Tofu Bake (Lasagna style)

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Tofu Koliwada (Indian Spicy Crispy Tofu) with Cilantro-Mint Chutney

By: Richa
18 June 2025 at 08:02

Tofu Koliwada is a plant-based version of the popular regional Indian appetizer. It’s like a tofu nugget with tons of fiery heat and so delicious served with green chutney or other of choice. It’s super delicious, crispy and packs flavor! (gluten free and nut-free with soy-free options)

dipping a piece of tofu Koliwada into the mint chutney

I’ve been veganizing a bunch of decadent, meat-based Indian curries on the blog for a while, and I decided to switch gears. I wanted to explore these regional Indian starters and appetizers, which are just so flavorful —especially some of the meat-based ones. They’re pretty wild, with a lot of different sauces, flavors, and spices.

So welcome to veganizing some amazing appetizers! Let’s start with this delectable koliwada.

Koliwada is a popular crispy appetizer in Indian restaurants, especially around Mumbai city. It’s usually made with prawns ,is fried, and has a signature flavor. It originated with influences from Mumbai coastal cuisine and Punjabi cuisine.

The story goes that a man had moved down to an area close to Mumbai near Koliwada and created this dish, which became super popular.

tofu Koliwada on a serving plate

Koliwada is usually made with prawns, shrimp, or chicken, but we’re using tofu. If you don’t want to use tofu, you can use an alternate protein of your choice.

It is usually served with a green chutney that is slightly different than the usual. It has onion tomato and tamarind and is vibrant and spicy sour with a hint of sweet!

bowl of mint chutney

Basically, all of the flavor is in the batter, the spices. It’s kind of like tofu nuggets or crispy fried chicken, but Indian, with tons and tons of heat. Serve it with the vibrant cilantro-mint chutney listed below or with Schezwan chutney, tamarind chutney, or mango chutney.

close-up tofu Koliwada with mint chutney on the side

Why You’ll Love Koliwada

  • crispy, super spicy tofu with adjustable heat
  • delicious as a side or make it a meal by adding to a wrap or salad
  • incredible mint chutney for dipping comes together in the blender
  • versatile recipe – use dry coating or a batter, bake or pan fry!
  • naturally gluten-free and nut-free with soy-free options

Continue reading: Tofu Koliwada (Indian Spicy Crispy Tofu) with Cilantro-Mint Chutney

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Vegan French Onion Dip

By: Richa
11 February 2023 at 07:17

Lovers of French Onion Soup will LOVE this Vegan French Onion Dip – aka the vegan dip to beat all vegan dips! Caramelized onions mixed with a tofu base make for delectable caramelized onion dip for parties and gameday! overhead shot of a bowl with vegan caramelized onion dip served with crackers and carrots

Here’s the vegan party snack to beat all party snacks! Vegan French Onion Dip – lovers of my vegan French Onion Soup will LOVE this dip made with homemade caramelized onions.

Now, caramelizing onions can be incredibly tedious and requires watching the pan for half an hour. In this Instant Pot French Onion Dip recipe, the caramelization part is completely hands-off! We let the onions slowly caramelize in your Instant Pot.  And the best thing – there’s zero risk of burnt onions in the end. You can make the caramelized onion on stove top or bake them. See recipe notes for instructions.

This restaurant-style dip pairs perfectly with fresh veggie sticks, breadsticks, or your favorite homemade or store-bought crackers for easy entertaining.

a bowl with vegan French Onion Dip served surrounded with vegetables and crackers

Using my fool-proof method, the onions will cook at low heat and caramelize and get perfectly jammy and delicious! If you love how these turn out and want to use these for more recipes than just French Onion Dip, you can use these over hummus/ avodado toast or cream cheese toasts, add them to top your favorite pasta, etc.

French onion dips usually require cream cheese and/or yogurt as a base. In this vegan version, we blitz silken tofy with dairy-free yogurt.

More vegan Dips and appetizers:

 Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe 30 Mins!

 Pizza Dip with Vegan Mozzarella Cream Herbed Mushrooms

Thai Layered Dip.

Jalapeno popper dip 

Firecracker Tofu wings 

Nashville baked cauliflower

Continue reading: Vegan French Onion Dip

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Sesame Crusted Tofu Bowls

By: Richa
5 February 2023 at 07:30

This Crispy Sesame crusted Tofu is Quick and super delicious! Tofu cubes are tossed in the peanut sauce then coated in sesame seeds and baked until crispy. Serve over greens dressed in peanut sauce, in a wrap or over noodles! Peanut-free  & soy-free version included.

a salad bowl topped with sesame crusted tofu and drizzled with peanut sauce

I’ve developed a full-blown obsession with these sesame-coated tofu bowls!

I don’t know whether it’s the nutty, crunchy sesame-crusted baked tofu that does it for me or the totally addictive peanut sauce…it’s most likely the combination of both because I would not want to do without any of these additions.

a salad bowl topped with sesame crusted tofu and drizzled with peanut sauce

I love that the sesame-crusted tofu is baked in the oven and turns out super crispy without having to add any flour or breadcrumbs the to coating.

Before coating the tofu in sesame, we toss the tofu cubes in some of our peanut sauce to allow the seeds to stick to them properly. This works way better than egg wash AND adds a bunch of flavor to our baked tofu.

These bowls are perfect for meal prep and the spicy peanut dressing keeps in the fridge for a whole week.

More bowl recipes:

Berbere Chickpea Bowl

Vietnamese Inspired Caramelized Pork Bowls with Lentils

Vegan Pizza Bowl

Spicy Maple Mustard Tofu Bowl with Sweet Potatoes

Cajun Roasted Vegetable Bowl with Garlic Sauce

26 Vegan Bowl Recipes

Continue reading: Sesame Crusted Tofu Bowls

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