Black Bean Burgers

One of my favorite, and coincidentally simplest, veggie burgers to make is black bean burgers. Mexican week is something we celebrate frequently in our family, and black bean burgers are almost always on the menu at least once.

Tips and Tricks

This recipe is almost fully vegan except for the cheese. If the cheese doesn’t bother you, feel free to use whatever kind you like most. (It makes up very little of the flavor, so it doesn’t matter too much what you use). To make this fully vegan, opt for a vegan cheese.

You can add any topics you think would go well here. Guacamole is one of my favorites always and the recipe here gives you a simple version. Pickled red onion or jalapeño would go great here! You could also add more cheese on top if you so desire.

This recipe could also be used with canned pinto beans if that’s your preference, or the only thing you have in your cupboard.

You can also play around with your spices and spice level if you aren’t satisfied with what’s recommended here.

Ingredients:

Simple Guacamole:

  • 2 ripe avocados

  • juice of one lime (approx. 2 tbsp)

  • 1 tsp kosher salt

  • 1/2 tsp cumin

  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Black Bean Burgers:

  • 1 15 oz. can black beans, thoroughly rinsed and drained

  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

  • 1/4 cup cheese (pepperjack, Monterey, cheddar, vegan cheese, or a mixture)

  • 1/4 cup red onion, chopped

  • 2 tbsp cilantro

  • 1 tbsp ketchup

  • 1 chipotle pepper from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

  • 1 tsp kosher salt

  • 1/2 tsp cumin

  • 1/2 tsp chile powder

  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

  • 1/8 tsp coriander

  • 4 hamburger buns, toasted

Directions:

Make the guacamole first. Start by pitting your avocados and placing in a bowl. Mash a little with a spoon or fork. Then add the lime juice, salt, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Stir until everything is mixed evenly and the guacamole is the consistency you desire. Adjust salt to taste and set aside.

Place your rinsed beans in a large bowl. Add the panko breadcrumbs, cheese, red onion, cilantro, ketchup, chipotle pepper, salt, cumin, chile powder, cayenne pepper, and coriander. Stir briefly just so everything is incorporated.

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Using an immersion blender, blend the mixture until it becomes the consistency of a thick paste. By the end, it will look a little like chocolate cookie dough.

Heat a griddle, cast-iron skillet, or non-stick pan until hot. (Sprinkle some water on top. If it sizzles, it’s hot enough).

While your waiting for the griddle to warm up, you can toast your hamburger buns.

Take a fourth of the dough and create a small, flat patty with your hands. (Your mixture should be able to make four large-sized patties, but you can make them whatever size you like).

Take the hamburger buns off the griddle and set aside. Place the bean burgers on the griddle. Cook on one side for 4 - 5 minutes, or until a crust is beginning to form on one side. Flip the patties over and cook for another 4 - 5 minutes.

Take off the griddle and serve on the toasted buns.

Place some guacamole on one side of the toasted bun. Add any other condiments you feel would go well here, whether pickled jalapeños or red onion, salsa, or just some hot sauce. Once you have everything you want on there, put the top bun on top, and feast!