Description
This Best Black Bean Burger recipe features hearty and flavorful patties made from mashed black beans, chipotle peppers, and aromatic spices. Cooked to a perfect char on a skillet or grill, these burgers offer a delicious plant-based alternative that pairs wonderfully with classic burger fixings or spicy chipotle mayo and creamy guacamole.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked black beans, drained and rinsed
- ⅓ cup grated yellow onion (about ½ medium)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 chipotle peppers from a can of chipotles in adobo, diced
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce
- 1 tablespoon tamari
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
For Cooking
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
- Cooking spray, if grilling
For Serving
- Hamburger buns
- Desired fixings such as lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard, chipotle mayo, or guacamole
Instructions
- Prepare the bean mixture: In a large bowl, combine the cooked black beans, grated yellow onion, minced garlic, diced chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, tamari, balsamic vinegar, ground cumin, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Use a potato masher to mash the mixture until it holds together but still has some chunks of beans visible for texture.
- Add egg and breadcrumbs: Fold in the large egg using a spatula until combined. Then add the panko bread crumbs and fold gently to incorporate evenly into the mixture.
- Form patties: Using your hands, shape the mixture into 6 evenly sized patties. The mixture should be cohesive and slightly wet. If the mixture is too wet to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to firm up, or mash the beans a bit more to reduce moisture.
- Cook on skillet: Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat and brush lightly with extra-virgin olive oil. Cook the patties for about 5 minutes on each side, until a char forms and they are heated through. Adjust heat as needed to avoid burning.
- Alternative grilling method: Preheat an outdoor grill to 400°F. Lightly brush the patties with olive oil and spray the grill grates with cooking spray. Grill patties for 8 minutes on the first side and then 4 minutes on the second side until charred and cooked through.
- Serve: Place the cooked patties on hamburger buns and add your preferred fixings such as lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard, chipotle mayo, or guacamole. Serve immediately for best taste.
Notes
- If the patties fall apart during cooking, adding a bit more panko or cooking them on lower heat for longer can help them hold together.
- Chipotle peppers add smoky heat; adjust quantity to taste if you prefer milder burgers.
- Can be made gluten-free by substituting panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Egg can be replaced with a flax egg for a vegan version, though texture may vary.
- Store leftovers wrapped tightly in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to a month.
