It's getting to the time of year where veggie burgers run rampant. Ok, not rampant, but you will see them on an awful lot of plates during the summer. When I was asked to review a new kind of veggie burger, the Qrunch burger, I of course jumped at the chance.
Qrunch Foods has a line of veggie burgers that, rather than being soy, wheat, or bean based, are made from quinoa! According to their website, their burgers have "the subtle, nutty taste of quinoa, the crunchiness of millet, and the goodness of organic vegetables." Since they are quinoa based, they are completely suitable for all of my gluten-free friends out there.
Qrunch burgers are available in the freezer section at Whole Foods and a few other natural food stores. My local Whole Foods was only carrying the Green Chile version, made with the addition of pinto beans, when I went to get mine so that's the flavor I got. They also come in Original, Spicy Italian, and Sweet Curry.
I've prepared them two ways: in the toaster and pan-fried with a little salt and pepper. The toaster method, as described on the box, gave a crisper patty which I thought was a delicious addition to a salad. The pan-fry method made them a little softer, but I could taste the nuttiness of the quinoa much more strongly. I definitely preferred the second method, but both ways produced a tasty burger.
I really liked the subtle pinto bean flavor and I loved the way the green chiles were not too overpowering. For this burger, since I knew there were pinto beans and green chiles in the patties, I chose to keep the southwestern vibe going and serve it up with some mashed avocado mixed with salsa. I also topped the burgers with some red onions and a thin layer of BBQ sauce. We thoroughly enjoyed them.
Recently, the Qrunch burger came in third in Washington Post's veggie burger taste test, and VegNews Magazine recently named them a "must-have," so I'm not the only one who likes these burgers! I can't wait to try the Spicy Italian and Sweet Curry versions!
Qrunch Foods has been so generous as to give me 6 coupons so 6 of my awesome readers can try out Qrunch burgers for free! If you would like to enter to win one of these 6 coupons, use the box below to enter. There are several ways to enter so just follow the instructions.
Thank you so much to Qrunch Foods for providing me with Qrunch Burgers to try and for hosting this wonderful giveaway!
Photography by Chris Miller
Cindy
oh i would love to try these! since i am gluten free i can't have the usual meat substitutes.
Danielle
I'd serve them up on a toasted whole wheat bun with avocado slices, spicy mustard, tomato and lettuce.
Shannon C
Sounds like I would do the toaster method (I like them a little crispier).
Gaby
Oo these definately look like they need ketchup! served atop a big butter lettuce salad and sweet potato fries on the side 🙂
Lara
I think I've tried just about every veggie burger out there, except for these! I would probably pan fry with some onions then top with tons of fixings like I usually do! I love burgers and since going vegan 3 years ago feel that there are great choices out there. Thanks for being one of them! Thanks for the giveaway!!
fae
Mm, would love to have these on a homemade bun with some lovely fresh tomato!
Kiersten
I'd probably grill them with some veggies and then put them over a salad. Love the avocado/salsa idea!
Deanne O'Donnell
Would love to try these, I'd have them with carmalized onions and spinach on a toasted whole grain bun.
Pixie Vincent
I would serve them up similar to the way you did - only I'd add tomatoes.
Jennifer K
I'd have 2 Qrunch patties, my spin on "special sauce" lettuce, Daiya, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun 😉
Amanda
I love that these are quinoa-based! I'm thinking I would serve them in a collard wrap with some heirloom tomato slices from my CSA share, avocado, and nutritional yeast...and now I'm hungry for lunch. haha
Jessica L
I will serve them at my monthly summer BBQ's by grilling them lightly and topping them with fresh mozzarella, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, avocado, grilled corn, and black bean hummus : )
Beth
These look great! I'm always looking for some good veggie burgers to have on hand for those night where there is no time to cook or for a quick lunch. I'd probably put them on a whole wheat bun with fresh tomato, lettuce from my garden and spicy mustard. Still not doing well with avocados, unfortunately. 🙁
Cadry
I would serve them with avocado & seitan bacon! 🙂
Dianne
I'd serve these likely for lunch on a bed of mixed greens, topped with avocado and tomato slices, drizzled with a dressing blend of barbeque sauce and vegan mayo. Yum!
Heather
I would serve these traditionally with tomato, lettuce, onion, ketchup, & mustard.
Aimee Douglass
I would love these straight up as a burger on a bun piled high with fixin's, but I think the chile ones would also be great in a taco or burrito.
Dalores Lounds
I would cook them in an oven.
Ashley
In a romaine lettuce wrap with ketchup, mustard, and grilled onions!
April Deters
I think I would serve mine up with pickles, spinach, sauteed onions and mushrooms, tomato, and a delicious sauce made with yogurt/chili in adobo sauce. YUM!!
Lorena
I'd probably pan fry them or chance it on the grill for a quick dinner at home.
Courtney
I would put them on my salads!
Nik
I'd serve them up toasted on a big collars leaf with ketchup red onion pickle and ago! Oh and mango 🙂
Richa
I think we ate these just a few days back. Hubbs got some and i just made them without looking at the name 🙂 i topped ours with buffalo mayo and greens!
Connie Fletcher
I just had one today. I got the Spicy Italian and toasted it...it came out very nice texture. I schmeared a bit of vegan pesto on the bun, slices of freshly picked tomato, and some homemade vegan mayo....and yum!!!
Melissa
I love to eat veggie burgers on salads. The green chili flavor that you described here sounds like it'd be especially tasty on a salad with the spicy cilantro salsa that I just bought at the farmer's market this weekend.
Liz
I LOVE to eat burgers rolled up with sauteed greens and sauerkraut in nori sheets a la sushi.
Kristy
I would serve my Qrunch burger with a tahini sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado and pickles!! 🙂
Rachel H
I would serve mine with avocado and a tahini sauce!
Greg
I'd probably eat them without a bun, with some frozen sweet potato fries (like Alexia's), or baked sweet potato, lots of veggies or a salad.
Vik
I would love to toast these up and serve them with a side of over fries!
Amber
I would eat these with a layer of hummus and avocado along with some fresh veggies such as spinach, cucumber and bell pepper!
Produce on Parade
I would serve these up with an avocado aioli with fresh arugula and heirloom tomatoes!
Annie
These look like a great item to have in the freezer, ready for a quick and yummy lunch. I'm loving the guac on top, too. I might add a little cashew brie, just cuz ;-).
Christine
I've started to like crumbling burgers onto my salads.
Natalie Clem
these look awesome! i'd definitely throw on some avocado, spicy mustard and maybe some salsa verde for kick. now i'm hungry.
Ashley P
I would love to try these! I would add spinach, alfalfa sprouts, and avocado to mine.
Richgail @AstigVegan
Just entered! It's my first time hearing about a quinoa-based burger, so intriguing!
Hannah
I'd make a vegan version of the double down. Qrunch burger -> boca burger -> Qrunch burger! 😉
Jordan D
I think I'd toast one in the toaster oven and serve it over a greek salad!
Andrea
Thanks for the review. I'll look for them at Whole Foods. I find that when I make homemade burgers with quinoa, they hold together better and taste better, too.
Lisa
I picture these piled high with avocado, corn & black bean salsa, some vegan chipotle sauce and a big ol' mess of Daiya cheddar 😉
Courtney
I would love these crumbled over a salad!
saniel
We have tried the spicy Italian (husband likes) and regular (I like). They were very tasty and loved the fact contained no eggs or soy. Thanks
Yvonne
These burgers look great, I would love to try them!
rachel
I'd make a big salad, sweet potato fries and corn on the cob!
Dean
Toasted with a spicy chipotle avocado sauce. Let's toss big slabs of onion and tomato on there too.
charj
I'd serve these with sprouts, avocado, lettuce and tomato on a whole grain bun along with french fries.
Barb K
I would serve with mustard and catchup and chips.
Somer
I'd love to try them in my new cast iron grilling skillet!
Lizz
These patties are wonderful. I think they taste like onion rings. Okay, just a little, but still. If I had some, I would serve them up on a whole grain bun with baby spinach and some chunky salsa on top!
Billie Jean
I love them on top of steamed kale!
Claire
with avocado & swiss on a bun
Mara
In a bun! =]
Terri Cole
I would have one on a bun with tomato, onion, avocado and barbeque sauce.
Kathy
I would serve these up with a whole wheat bun, spinach, and avocado!
Kathy 🙂
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Bobbie {the vegan crew}
I'd serve them topped with lots of avocado -- a must on any veggie burger -- along with a side of crisp, broccoli slaw.
Heather
YUM- these sound so good, we don't have a whole foods around our area (I think the closest one is 3 states away!), I am on the lookout in case these come my way 🙂 The sweet curry sounds so good!
keepinitkind
If you track some down, definitely give them a try- they are so worth it! 🙂
icClearly
Found these in the specialty/organic section of mei***'s, large retailer locally, and they had original and spicy. Packaged in twos so easy to avoid freezer burn and taste great cooked in a skillet with coconut oil.
Ingrid
Oh they simply look yummy on their own but ketchup sprinkled with parmesan cheese looks like what the dr ordered.