Wild Rice Burgers
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Wild rice burgers are flavorful, filling and such a fun vegetarian meal! Serve them on a bun with all the toppings. They’re good in a wrap or on a salad, too.
Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: Rice burgers are a delicious meatless alternative to regular burgers, whether you follow a vegetarian diet or not.
How long it takes: 20 minutes to prep, 5 minutes to fry; additional time required to make rice
Equipment you’ll need: mixing bowl, skillet
Servings: makes 4 burgers
About Wild Rice Burgers
If you’re looking for a vegetarian alternative to regular burgers, this may be the recipe for you. You’re going to love wild rice burgers. Whether you dress them up on a bun with all the toppings or eat ’em plain, these burgers are tasty and satisfying.
Black bean burgers will always have a special place in my heart but these rice burgers are a close contender. They fry up crisp on the outside with soft centers. With a hint of melty cheddar cheese and seasoned just right, rice burgers are certainly not bland or boring.
Rice burgers aren’t difficult to make either. Cooking the rice is the most time-consuming part but you can do that ahead of time. I like to keep cooked rice in the freezer ready to use for recipes like this.
You’ll find the full recipe card near the bottom of the post but I’ll run through the basics here.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cooked Rice: The burgers are made with both brown rice and wild rice. Choose whatever method you like to cook the rice. If you choose a blend (such as Uncle Ben’s), omit the seasoning packet, if there is one. Microwave pouches of plain rice will work too.
- Onion, Celery, Garlic: This trio of aromatics add flavor and nutrition. They should be very finely diced or minced.
- Bread Crumbs: Unseasoned bread crumbs will help hold the mixture together for burgers.
- Eggs: A couple of eggs bind the patties and add protein to the burgers. Beat them lightly to combine the yolks with the whites.
- Cheese: Shredded cheese adds flavor. We like sharp cheddar cheese but you can use what you like.
- Seasoning: Salt, pepper, dried oregano and thyme, and paprika are all pantry ingredients and provide lots of flavor.
- Olive Oil: For frying.
How To Make Rice Burgers
Cook the rice as directed; cool completely before starting on the burgers.
Sauté the onions, celery and garlic in a skillet until they soften.
Combine all the ingredients and form into four evenly sized patties, about a half inch thick.
Heat olive oil in a skillet and fry the patties a few minutes per side until lightly golden and cooked through.
How To Serve Rice Burgers
Serve the wild rice burgers plain, or on a bun with toppings. We like to slather a toasted whole grain bun with mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt, then add a slice of ripe juicy tomato and green leaf lettuce or alfalfa sprouts.
The burgers are pretty adaptable to any flavor you like. Top them with BBQ sauce and grilled onions. Try Thousand Island dressing; it’s similar to the “special sauce” at McDonalds. Caramelized onions and a drizzle of balsamic reduction are amazing on burgers too.
Rice burgers can be served in a wrap or on a salad, too. They are wonderful in a meal bowl or as a side for soups or salads instead of bread or crackers.
Make Ahead Ideas
Prep the rice ahead. The wild rice and brown rice can be made ahead and either refrigerated or frozen until ready to use. Make a large batch and freeze it in recipe amounts so it can be used for future meals. It thaws very quickly.
Prep the burgers ahead. Form the mixture into patties and refrigerate overnight. The uncooked patties can also be frozen. Arrange them on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze until firm; put into freezer containers and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw the frozen burgers in the fridge before frying them.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Refrigerate/Freeze: Cooked rice burgers will keep in the fridge for a day or two, and in the freezer for a month. Thaw frozen burgers before reheating.
Reheat: Cooked burgers can be reheated in the microwave, in a skillet on the stove, in the oven, or in an air fryer. Cooked rice burgers are somewhat delicate; handle with care so they don’t fall apart.
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Ingredients
- ½ cup uncooked wild rice (about 1 cup cooked)
- ½ cup uncooked brown rice (about 1 cup cooked)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- ⅓ cup finely diced onion (about 1 small onion)
- ⅓ cup finely diced celery (about 1 stalk)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- ¼ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Instructions
- Cook rice according to package instructions. Allow rice to cool completely before proceeding to next step. You should have 1 cup cooked wild rice and 1 cup cooked brown rice (see note).
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Sauté onions, celery, and garlic until translucent.
- In a large bowl, combine rice with onion mixture, breadcrumbs, cheddar cheese, salt, oregano, thyme, paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Add beaten eggs, stirring to combine.
- Divide into 4 balls and shape into burgers, about ½ inch thick.
- Heat remaining tablespoon of olive oil skillet over medium heat. Fry burgers 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until crisp and golden.
- Serve on whole grain buns, if desired, with toppings of your choice (see note below). The burgers can also be served without buns, if you prefer.
Notes
- Time saving tip: Prepare rice the night before and refrigerate it. Make extra rice, package it in recipe amounts, and freeze it for future meals.
- Topping suggestions: Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, alfalfa sprouts, leaf lettuce, spinach leaves, thinly sliced tomatoes or sweet onions.
- Nutrition information is for burgers only, and does not include buns or toppings.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
milkful says
awesome post
Diane (Created by Diane) says
What a great sandwich! Looks like it would be full of flavor. Cute kids :)
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
1) UM THIS IS ADORABLE. 2) Wild rice patties, yummm! 3) Chocolate delivered to your doorstep? I’m sold.
Catherine says
Dear Rachel. what a great way to the get the kids involved in cooking and healthy eating! Too cute! And these burgers look delish. xo, Catherine
Amy @Very Culinary says
So, I love these. I’m a meat eater, but was a fishetarian for many years, and there are many meatless meals that remain my favorite today. I would maybe even just eat this filling on its own, instead of shaping it into patties! Also? That last picture of you with the kiddos. OMG. CUTE.
Monique @ Ambitious Kitchen says
1. that chocolate looks amazing… because popcorn is everything.
2. I love wild rice and I’m so happy you used it in these patties! It was a staple for me growing up!
Patty K says
What a fun collaboration between Door to Door Organics and the Detroit Zoo! I also love the easy recipe-based ordering feature. How much easier can it get! How long does shipment usually take?
Katalina @ Peas and Peonies says
Rachel, your kids are adorable, and omg so cute all of you cooking together, can’t wait to cook with my son, he is 2 now! Those patties look delish by the way!
Jenny flake says
You guys could not be more adorable! Loving this recipe too!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
These photos are SO CUTE. They almost make me want to have kids ;)
BUT, these patties definitely make me want to get my dinner on. I’ve never thought to use rice to make patties, but it’s genius! Pinned!
Kristy @ Chocolate Slopes says
You guys are so adorable eating the patties! And yes, I understand the idea of having the kids help in the kitchen more often ;)