Vegan for Everyone: How to Make Vegan Pinto Bean-Beet Burgers and Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Test cook Becky Hays makes Julia the ultimate Vegan Pinto Bean-Beet Burger, tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Bridget to a tasting of vegan mayo, and gadget critic Lisa McManus reviews spiralizers. Finally, test cook Elle Simone makes perfect Buffalo Cauliflower Bites.
Make Our Vegan Pinto Bean-Beet Burgers: cooks.io/2MpvP3b
Make Our Buffalo Cauliflower Bites: cooks.io/2T7NsqR
Buy Our Winning Spiralizers: cooks.io/2Ds2Xo5
Buy Our Winning Vegan Mayo: cooks.io/2sG4jFx
ABOUT US: Located in Boston’s Seaport District in the historic Innovation and Design Building, America's Test Kitchen features 15,000 square feet of kitchen space including multiple photography and video studios. It is the home of Cook’s Illustrated magazine and Cook’s Country magazine and is the workday destination for more than 60 test cooks, editors, and cookware specialists. Our mission is to test recipes over and over again until we understand how and why they work and until we arrive at the best version.
If you like us, follow us:
americastestkit...
/ testkitchen
/ testkitchen
/ testkitchen

[@CampMelp]

I’ve been a fan of ATK for years, and never thought I’d see a fully plant-based episode! Amazing!!

[@2muchtv]

Co signing this comment.

[@name.terrie]

Please do more vegan and vegetarian recipes (soups, sauces, dressings, spreads). This was great. Thanks.

[@jaylynbrannon5026]

I have your Vegan Cookbook, and it is the ONLY one I feel like I can trust every recipe in it to be absolutely delicious... because so far every recipe I have tried is wonderful. I need MORE! I would buy EVERY Vegan Cookbook you publish! Here's the recipes I need: Broccoli Salad, Waldorf Salad, Potato Salad, Macaroni Salad, Pasta Salad, Meal prep ideas (my hubby drives a truck and has a fridge and microwave, but has trouble finding good food to eat... anything I can send with him that is make ahead and easy to microwave), recipes for Thanksgiving (that's the only holiday I really have issues being Vegan), ice cream substitutes, and more sandwich ideas. Anything where I can make some dip or spread ahead and make several meals out of it. If you want more ideas, I have plenty! (Like how about a gratable, meltable mozzarella?)

[@Infecti0nrock]

why is no one talking about that burger bun?! that thing is gorgeous!

[@wolters19811]

Loving the fact that you are doing a vegan episode. These recipes look excellent and I can't wait to try them myself.

[@emmaponymous]

I make vegan mayo at home using Post Punk Kitchen's recipe. It has simple ingredients: plant milk, flaxmeal, spices, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, oil-- whizzed together in the blender. Speaking of flaxmeal... it can be used as an egg sub, "flax egg" is 1 tbsp flaxmeal + 3 tbsp water. It works as a binder in all kinds of recipes, from muffins to burgers (no baby food required).

[@mcnorman5269]

I went vegan 2 years ago and have never felt happier or healthier!

[@TheHerjulia]

Just bought "Vegan for Everybody"--thank you so much for the book, the video, and the time you put in to teaching newbies like me how to cook plant based. Can't wait to dig into these recipes.

[@yvonnebruce9759]

Yes! I agree with the other comments: more veg and vegan recipes, please. You can keep demonstrating them in that snarky ATK meatcentric way we all love, but even including veg or vegan variations for meat-based dishes, when possible, would be welcome. Thanks for making all the quarantine content available, too!

[@tosht2515]

A local pub used to serve Buffalo cauliflower "wings" which I ordered occasionally. They didn't toss them in the sauce so the bites retained optimal crispiness. Delicious. Unfortunately they didn't catch on so were discontinued. 😐😂 Cauliflower is way underappreciated.

[@aadentrn6475]

They should have given out free samples so patron can decide if they liked it or not.

[@kurtcobain14580]

Think that's a better way to serve them, keeps the crunchy texture. If they were cheaper than the wings (cauliflowers cheap) I'd be surprised they didn't sell ok at least. Cheap good food while your drinking how's that not sellin'

[@tosht2515]

@23222222m The pub served awesome food (burgers, sandwiches, all day breakfast, etc.) but didn't have anything on the menu that included cauliflower (as a side) so I think it just wasn't worth stocking heads of cauliflower for the few orders. Too bad because they were great.

[@mariadelaluzzilinskas4165]

I need more episodes like this

[@katherinekelly5380]

Love getting vegan versions of classic recipes ! More, please :)

[@2muchtv]

Get veganomicon

[@montyollie]

More vegan/vegetarian episodes please!

[@crowing7]

Those cauliflower bites look tasty and easy enough that I might actually try them. It's fried and covered in buffalo sauce, but it still counts as a veg, right? RIGHT?

[@edyann]

Depends on the ingredients of the sauce. :)

[@AshesAshes44]

Absolutely counts. Then again, I count peanut butter as a veggie! 😁

[@Odothuigon]

ATK vegan episode? Did I wake up in an alternate world? Really, very good episode and recipes, folks.

[@tlsnana9539]

That was great. For the first time, I don’t have to tweak your great recipes to make vegan.

[@JonMeFree]

This is everything I've ever wanted. Thank you!

[@johndorlean1133]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS EPISODE!! ATK has helped me be far better home cook than I would have been without these great insights. I've vegan"ized" so many recipes, it's great to just sit back and learn. If you can, please do this more. Again thanks.

[@michaelwalker7961]

Vegan Burger....nawice! I am not vegan, but I might try these, thank you for sharing.

[@strll3048]

Incredible buffalo cauliflower recipe and fantastic presentation by both ladies... more please!

[@nealieanderson512]

Thank you thank you thank you! I am so happy you did a show for the vegans out here! Love your show!!!!

[@semco72057]

I remember seeing that episode on America's Test Kitchen show on PBS and I try to watch all the shows on there. I am not a vegan, but the food did look nice.

[@misterbadguy99]

more vegan/veg content please :)

[@jenniferlloyd7482]

Thank you all! Love the content!

[@rlrnyc]

LOVE the vegan content. Thank you!

[@jessejauregui]

I substituted the pinto burger with a marinated portobello mushroom, tasted way better! Still using all vegetarian items

[@ednamartins6352]

Can't wait to get my hands on your Vegan for everyone book 😍😇😊

[@bostonveganbean4928]

YES!! More vegan recipes please!

[@onedeathbyflame]

Love vegan food content please make more! Keep in mind that convenience is what many people look for, so the burger recipe saw to complicated. Maybe do a blind comfort foods test with vegan products like beyond meats, and impossible burger. Thanks!

[@Cynyr]

Agreed on the burger recipe. it's barely a weekend recipe let alone a weeknight one.

[@SuperReedScott]

Elle always cooks up the most amazing and interesting dishes! Love when she is on the show!

[@275carreira]

Great recipes! Give us more, please!!

[@edyann]

I just made this and had to share on FB. Oh. My. Goodness. Soooooooo GOOD. 😳😍😋

[@cuisined]

Anything Lisa McManus is great. Love ya Lisa!!

[@ivonna.tinkle]

YEAH! I love that ATK is moving into the modern era of meat substitutes and plant-based replacements! Thank you!

[@sr9000]

Lords those cauliflower bites looks so delicious so crunchy crispy and full of flavor my God I wish I could reached into the screen grab and tasted one.

[@idonthonestlyknow758]

mee tooo 😩

[@angieagentlesoul]

I just love Elle Simone! More Elle please!

[@strll3048]

Ms. Hays, you are an absolute star! I wish we could have more of your invaluable contributions. Ms. Julia is her usual awesome self and does have the most enviable workload! :-)

[@clbudd]

Delicious!! I am not vegan, but made these this morning. They DID NOT taste like beets, at all. I recommend following ingredient list as stated and make sure beets, beans, bulgur wheat have no excess water. I made a substitution because I did not have panko. They did not hold together. However, I would recommend making these and will make again.

[@Mikki220]

Awesome! I hate beets! I might try these on my Daniel Fast months.

[@korling99]

Great recipes for everyone!

[@zeedevil4409]

Love the buffalo cauliflower recipe will definitely try that

[@kojinshi]

This is great! Thanks for producing this and I look forward to seeing more!

[@MOMKAT1WV]

I have the Paderno, for 6--8 years. Works well. I have a total vegetarian gran daughter. We love to make noodles for bowls. So much fun and so much variety.

[@Luluita17]

I love the faucet when your rinsing the bulgur! So bad ass! Your kitchening designer has an excellent eye!

[@sherri.]

So happy to see vegan recipes! Please try some WFPB recipes as they’re a bit healthier. For instance, baking the cauliflower vs. deep frying would still be tasty but less artery-clogging.. Also, so nice there wasn’t any horrendous background music to actually listen in peace.

[@aneta5196]

How does the winning spiralizer compare to the kitchenaid attachment one? Can we please get an attachment series video? Many of the machines and gadgets you recommend have multi-use functions and I wonder if they’re just as good. So many people don’t have the kitchen space, the money, or are concerned about their carbon footprint and can’t/don’t want to buy something if they don’t need it. I rather use my kitchen shelves for the books you publish (my favourite is the “The Cook’s Bible” and “The Dessert Bible” box set) then to display plastic single functioned tools that work well, but will be used maybe once a year! 🙏🏻🥰🇨🇦

[@stephenveerasammy3074]

1 minute in to it and I’m hooked

[@EmmeStAnne]

I am not a vegetarian/vegan but when I eat as though, I fimd that I do eat more vegetables. I love subsititutes and this video is good.

[@royal1investments]

It doesn't have to be an all or nothing affair, just be sensible and well balanced about what one consumes and that person should be fine.

[@kawaiiheather5696]

Awesome! Love content like this. Canada just changed their food guide which reflects a more plant based diet.

[@NobleSteed00]

Another nail in Trudeau's coffin.

[@blankspace0000]

Of course we fucking did

[@usernameisusername]

Lol. Soy boy

[@Tyrone-Ward]

Why?

[@carab.8616]

That is why Canada is so great! Way beyond the USA in everything!! 😙🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@nutritionalyeast704]

YES.

[@lisaboban]

I am a huge Lisa McMannis fan. My favorite part of these episodes!

[@juansierralonche9864]

Lisa Boban She's been on for years and years.

[@loveablelipsseraphin2186]

Going to try these out yumm

[@HickoryDickory86]

I was sure Just Mayo was in the line-up and would win. I had tried it before when I was being adventurous, and was surprised at how good it was. Happy to see I wasn't the only one who thought so.

[@Mamaducksmeatballs]

Love this episode!!! I need more !!!

[@__seeker__]

Soy-free Vegenaise is the best vegan mayo imo. Surprised it wasn’t in the taste panel.

[@alfredoterrado1990]

more please

[@susanlombardo8444]

PLEASE do more Vegan shows!!! Thanks Happy New Year! 🎊🎈

[@plaitedlight]

Great! I will be trying out the pinto-beet burgers. However, I'll be subbing ground flax for the carrot baby food. Why would you put such an odd ingredient in when there are such better options? Ground flax or chia seed will give good structure (egg-like), or lighter binding with bread or ground up oatmeal soaked in nut/soy milk (like you do for meatballs), or even applesauce or a 1/2 cup of the beet blended to a paste in the blender.

[@wellivea1]

It'll be more dry and it may give too much structure

[@Cynyr]

hmm, there are chia seeds around my house for putting in oatmeal, so that would be a good sub, through i've generally found that you have to let chia seeds sit for a while for them to do their thing.

[@dbwun]

They really should have recreated the baby food if it worked so well rather than adding it in. I'm sure it would have been relatively easy too since they were just adding a bunch of stuff to a food processor at that point.

[@tomj4731]

why not try it with the carrots?

[@plaitedlight]

@@tomj4731 I don't want to buy a relatively high priced, specialized ingredient when I already have options that will work as well or better in my pantry.

[@mm-lb8hu]

Saw this recently and had to make it. Been making different veggie burgers often disappointed. So I made them today wow wow wow fantastic delicious. Will be making them again very soon. Thank you for this delicious burgers 🙏❤️

[@rudyvel]

Thanks so much for the review because I'm going to make them now!

[@FridaCalder]

Thanks! Can't wait to try these!!

[@elizabethshaw734]

My favorite used to be follow your heart vegenaise! I could eat that off a spoon it was so delicious. :-)

[@africa828]

Thank you so much

[@dwatkins3449]

I made your beet burgers and they were lovely, delicious and easy to make

[@mariavictorialucasanm]

I just super appreciate the knowledge that you impart about food science and those delicious recipes! It is very beneficial to home management, education, food and nutrition, and the list goes on and on.....

[@karlamarx5954]

You could always use vegan butter for the buffalo bites

[@idonthonestlyknow758]

they wanted a more common product ig

[@DebWHNP]

Wow! I can wait to try these recipes! I have been looking for a good Buffalo cauliflower bites for years, but none sounded like they would taste right or be crisp.

[@11chabs]

Love your vegan episodes!

[@johnjohnson3709]

I’m not a vegan and I would eat everything in this episode.

[@evelyndill5688]

Honestly red beets could trick me into eating anything

[@davidyoung8875]

I am so in love with Becky

[@mslaurateague]

Wow, if you could combine Vegan AND gluten-free, that would be tops! As in fluffy, vegan cakes that are light, moist, and Not tough as a hockey puck. I already own 4 of your cook books and use at least one of them weekly. Now I will have to buy the Vegan book as well, after seeing this bean burger. Y'all are amazing!

[@sillysallyceli]

I wanna try the burger I actually love Roasted beets on my burger lol

[@karlamarx5954]

Pls do more vegan/plant based episodes!! 😍🌿👍💪

[@aloras405]

Could I substitute quinoa for the bulgar wheat? I’m allergic to wheat.

[@C.L.Hinton]

Maybe? Or maybe TVP (textured vegetable protein) also called TSP (textured soy protein)?

[@fionajackson8002]

Lol. Apparently vegan mayos are a brand new thing. Also, where's the vegenaise!? 😏

[@morganbiddlecom]

Right? Vegenaise is THE brand of vegan mayo...

[@fionajackson8002]

@@morganbiddlecom exactly!

[@tomj4731]

Not a brand new thing.

[@Joseph1NJ]

Just mayo's been out a while. I recall the lawsuit.

[@fionajackson8002]

@@Joseph1NJ yeah I know. That's what I'm saying, contrary to what's said in the video - vegan mayos have been around for a long time. Vegenaise started in the 70s, I think.

[@proudchristian77]

Cook them in butter with brockley, delicious & less fattening! or olive oil ! But I need wt so it's butter 4 me , yum !

[@MeepMeep88]

BUUT... Which spiralizer can you connect to a drill?

[@BJo4230]

Make me hungry ugh

[@mollyricee]

YAAAAAY! Omg I was waiting for vegan recipes. Thank you so much!!!

[@sophuzzy]

Finally! Recipes that don't begin with bacon! I like the beet based recipe for a change from my usual boring beets.

[@upasakalee]

Thanks for the burger recipe. I just made them but replaced the bulgur with rice because I didn't have any. They were pretty good. Hopefully I'll have some bulgur soon so I can try it that way, I'm sure it's better.

[@jss302]

That looks good! I love beets

[@daakwala]

Looks super delicious and yes would love more vegan recipes. Wanted to address one of your comments early on. Well 60% of your viewers like non-vegan recipes is because you probably lost a 60% of viewer (like me) who stopped watching because there was very little for us previously.

[@lightdark00]

Amazing! Finally useful recipes!

[@sydneybristo22]

My favorite vegan mayo is with chickpeas ithink it is called veganase I like it more than regular mayo.

[@VarunSukesan]

I want the one person in the entire world that has all these ingredients on hand to comment

[@siddyjain]

I do. Just have to buy the beets and buns when I want to make this. It's not that hard.

[@jskrawz4611]

Of course! Everyone has bulgur, panko, jar of baby food carrots, vegan sauces, vegan mayo, fresh chives, fresh basil, walnuts, etc... Don't you? Shame on you... Meanwhile... I'm going to McDonald's for their 2 for $5 deal... Gonna chow on a Big Mac and Quarter Pounder with cheese and watch the rest of this video...

[@nora22000]

@@jskrawz4611 The bulghur was a dollar at Trader Joe's a while back, and I had bought out of curiosity. I also have beets, pinto beans, walnuts or cashews, dried chives, bread crumbs and coconut oil. So I could pull off the burgers except I'd be serving them with regular mayo. Really, beets plus any beans you like, any nuts you have and any filler--bulghur, grits, ground flaxseed, chia seeds or whatever--will work fine. My favorites are lentil or black bean, and these become addictive just like fast food burgers, but they are way cheaper and more convenient.

[@Cynyr]

Salt, pepper, bulgur, garlic, mustard, panko all on hand. Basil would be if it wasn't -10F (-23C) here right now. No pinto beans, but have kidney, garbonzo, great northern and black all on hand (all canned). Beets, walnuts, basil, and the baby food all very easy to get at the local run of the mill general grocery store just down the road. I could see some complaints if this were, say an indian or middle eastern dish as those tend to use a bunch of "strange" spices, but we have most of those as well.

[@nealieanderson512]

When you eat plant based food you keep a basic pantry of ingredients that allow for these types of recipes. It’s just a different list of “on hand” items. You do go to the store for fresh produce though. Good vegan burgers are pricey so this recipe gives is a way to cut cost.

[@scottbrutus]

Only reason I would eat vegan is during lent. I may have to try this one

[@TheJamesOPhillips]

I wonder if the burgers could be done a grill or if it is best for stove top only?

[@cakmacakma4213]

More vegan recipeeeeesssss

[@baluvideo]

This episode was fun but also so uncomfortable at the same time. :D Very cute. I would love to see more vegetarian dishes. I think one trick to make it even better would be to include dishes that don't want to look like meat based dishes.

[@dianastable5236]

Can quinoa or brown rice substitute for the bulger?

[@gothxx]

I would go for the quinoa for the better texture. Not sure what proportions to use for this exact recipe.

[@snowflakeceramics]

more veggie/vegan meal please!!!!!

[@savannarichard6059]

Yummy

[@2muchtv]

As a vegan I preferred vegenaise. I didnt care for just mayo.

[@5Russell5]

Can you grill the burger or do you have to fry them?

[@glassowaterful]

grilling should be fine, maybe spray down the grill to prevent sticking

[@nora22000]

Rhiannon Fish I grill mine or char in cast iron. And make sliders. Those huge ones are too much for me.

[@juansierralonche9864]

I miss Elle's blue hair. But I guess she can change it up when she's in the mood.

[@jeah8259]

You guys are my heros today, recently my thirty year old son, love of my life, betrayed me and declared himself a vegan 😩😩😩😩😩 I am definitely making this for him on his next visit while I have a side of beef on my weber.

[@idonthonestlyknow758]

well at least he didn't betray Mother Earth

[@gmscurto]

Love this series. Question: what is the price per vegan burger come out to be? Seems to be an expensive alternative.

[@MrChris20912]

I was trying to keep an running total in my head as they were adding ingredients. With 4 burgers from a pound of beef, seems like the bean/beet burger would come out about the same. Certainly less than the cost of specialty burgers in the meat section, which is what I would compare these to - not the frozen cheaper prepressed burgers, which would definitely be cheaper than fresh ground beef anyway.

[@kevinmitchell3133]

Can you guys start doing Calories

[@kurtcobain14580]

Meat eater but eating vegaterian doesn't threaten me....but I have yet to find a veg burger recipe that just beats the simplicity/delicious ratio that a portabellio burger has. Vegan burger just has way too much work for eh flavor. I've tried Cooks illustrated (ATK magazine) black bean burger and another veg burger and both are fairly lengthy recipes for a 'burger' and were decent, but not as good or as remotely easy/quick/simple as grilled portabellio burger. Or beef burger :)

[@76monikaW]

Yes!!!! More yummy vegan recipes please!!!