Before I went vegan, I don't think I even knew what a beet was let alone all the amazing things you can make with beets! When you transition to becoming vegan, you start experimenting with all types of new fruits and vegetables and beets is certainly one you have to experiment with. 

I say experiment because some people either love the taste of beets or they loathe it. Some people may think beets taste too "earthy" and avoid beets. That is because they contain a substance called geosmin which is responsible for the earthy flavor and scent of beets and even in very low doses people can be sensitive to this so if you don't like beets after you give them a few tries that may be why. But if you do love them like me, you are in luck because beets may have amazing health benefits like: 

• help to lower blood pressure

• lower risk of heart disease

• improve your stamina

• improve digestion

• build immunity

• improve blood circulation

• aid in skincare

• prevent cancer

When I first went vegan the only thing I thought I could do with beets was to juice them or put them in a smoothie, I had no idea I could cook with them too! I first saw a beet burger on the menu at a local restaurant and thought to myself "I know I'm vegan but that just sounds weird" but it was the only vegan option on the menu so I decided to order it. To my surprise, it was one of the best burgers I had ever eaten! So the other day I was craving one of these burgers and sought out to find a recipe that I could easily make at home. This recipe not only makes a great beet burger but it's also super cost effective! Here's what you'll need: 

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

• 1 1/4 cups rolled or quick oats

• 1 can black beans (Make sure you drain and rinse them)

• 1 beet

• 1 small diced onion, diced

• 3 minced garlic cloves

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp pepper

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp dill

• 1-2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil

Instructions: 

• On a saucepan on medium heat, stir in balsamic vinegar and brown sugar on the stove top until the liquid is thick. (This should take about 5-8 minutes)

• While your balsamic and brown sugar is cooking, in a food processor, combine your beet (it's important you chop up your beet into smaller pieces so it can be broken down in your food processor if you have a tiny processor like me), your oats, black beans, minced garlic, diced onion, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dill.

• When your balsamic glaze has thickened pour a tablespoon of it into your mixture in the food processor and pulse.

• Note: if your mixture is too thin-add in a few more oats. If your mixture is too thick, add some more balsamic glaze. Your mixture should be thick enough to mold into a patty and stay in the shape of a patty without any issues.

• Warm some oil in a pan and place beet patties in the pan on medium-high heat. *Note: this isn't meat so it won't take that long to cook. You'll only need to cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side until lightly browned.

Now grab the fixings of your choice to dress up your slider. My personal favorite way to make my sliders is with some vegan mayonnaise, Daiya Ranch, Chao tomato cayenne cheese, tomato, and spinach along with a side of homemade fries and Thug Kitchen's Peach Mint Sun Tea! 

*Note: these beet burgers are best made via stovetop, they will not hold up on a grill, but feel free to bring them to your next backyard bbq and wow your non-vegan friends and family!