Description
These delicious and easy black bean burgers are a perfect vegetarian alternative to traditional beef burgers. Made with mashed black beans, sautéed onions and garlic, and seasoned with cumin and chili powder, they are packed with flavor and texture. Ready in just 20 minutes, these burgers are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual cookout, and can be cooked in a skillet, grilled, or baked to suit your preference.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 large egg (or flax egg for vegan option)
- Olive oil, for cooking
Instructions
- Mash the Beans: In a large bowl, mash the black beans with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth, keeping some chunks for texture to give the patties a nice bite.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a bit of olive oil. Sauté the finely chopped onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the sautéed onion and garlic to the mashed beans. Stir in the breadcrumbs, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Crack in the egg and mix everything thoroughly until well combined to bind the ingredients together.
- Form Patties: Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each portion into a patty. If the mixture feels too sticky or difficult to form, wet your hands slightly to make shaping easier.
- Cook the Patties: In the same skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Cook each patty for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they turn golden brown and develop a crispy exterior. Alternatively, you can grill the patties or bake them in an oven preheated to 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking for even browning.
- Serve: Place the cooked black bean patties on burger buns and top with your favorite additions such as lettuce, tomato, avocado slices, or a spicy mayo sauce for extra flavor.
Notes
- For a vegan option, substitute the large egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water, set to thicken).
- You can use either plain or seasoned breadcrumbs depending on your preference for extra flavor.
- If the mixture is too wet, add a bit more breadcrumbs to achieve the right consistency for forming patties.
- Cook patties on medium heat to ensure they cook through without burning on the outside.
- Feel free to customize the seasoning by adding smoked paprika or chipotle powder for a smoky twist.
