I love a good veggie burger. And a black bean burger might just be my favorite type. I worked on a black bean burger recipe for a long time before I was finally satisfied. This one is easy, healthy, and delicious.
It’s good to veggie-up even a veggie burger. This one is tasty with tomato, lettuce, avocado and some spicy French mustard.
How to dress up a veggie burger
A favorite way to eat a black bean burger or any type of veggie burger is on a hamburger bun with typical hamburger toppings: tomato, onion, lettuce, mustard and the like. Even though that’s how I show it here, it’s not my favorite way. More often you’ll find me eating my burgers sans the bun. Maybe you’ll like yours one of my preferred ways.
- Topped with tzatziki
- Served over a salad
- Covered in fruit salsa like strawberry salsa or mango salsa
- Placed atop a grilled portobello mushroom
- Covered with mashed avocado and sprinkled with everything-but-the-bagel spice
Just a quick reminder about why I favor a plant slant diet: Diets rich in legumes, fruits, vegetables, grains (mostly whole) and nuts are brimming with phytonutrients (also called phytochemicals) – natural plant compounds that act synergistically in the body with thousands of other phytonutrients and nutrients to shield us from disease. They might act as antioxidants, insulin sensitizers, anti-inflammatory compounds and more. And diets like this might be better for the earth too.
When we eat a wide array of plant foods, we also consume a variety of fibers. And each type behaves differently in the body. Some feed our gut bacteria. Others lower cholesterol levels. Still others help our bodies use insulin better. And on it goes. All that being said, I’m an omnivore all the way!
This tasty black bean burger is loaded with fiber and easy to make.
Easy Black Bean Burger Recipe: Healthy and Delicious
Ingredients
- 2 15-ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed
- 3 garlic cloves, roughly cut
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup fresh cilantro
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1½ teaspoons dried oregano leaves
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅓ cup chopped red onion
- Juice of ½ lime (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or canola oil (you may need more oil to cook your burgers in 2 batches)
Instructions
- Place roughly ⅔ of the black beans into a food processor with the garlic, oats and cilantro. Process for about 25 seconds or until the mixture is pasty and sticks together, but is not completely smooth. Transfer the black bean mixture to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the rest of the black beans and the remaining ingredients except the oil. Mix with a spatula. Shape into 6 patties, each about ¾-inch thick.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the oil and swirl to spread. Without crowding the pan, cook each patty for 4 to 5 minutes per side. If necessary, work in batches and add more oil between batches.