Hearty & Healthy Black Bean Burgers

Well, it's that time of year when we start thinking about how we're going to do things differently in the New Year like eating healthier. One way to do this is by occasionally going meatless, and here's a great alternative to a beef or turkey burger - check it out!

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked black beans drained & rinsed

1/3 cup grated yellow onion

2 garlic cloves minced

2 chipotle peppers (from a can of chipotles in adobo sauce) diced

2 tbsp. of the adobo sauce from the can

1 tbsp. tamari (or soy sauce)

1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

1 egg

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

Instructions:

In a large bowl combine the beans, onion, garlic, chipotles, adobo sauce, tamari (or soy), balsamic, cumin, salt, and pepper. Use a potato masher to mash until the mixture holds together but still has some chunks of black beans. Add the egg and use a spatula and fold until combined. Then fold in the breadcrumbs.

Next, use your hands to form the mixture into six patties. It should be moist enough to stick together, but not too wet. If it is too wet, chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 20 minutes until it firms up. You can also try mashing the beans a bit more.

Then, heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Brush the skillet with olive oil and cook the burgers for about 5 minutes until charred on each side. Adjust the heat as needed.

Note: These can also be done on a grill by brushing the patties with olive oil and spraying the grill with a nonstick cooking spray. Grill for 8 minutes, then turn them over and grill for 4 minutes on the other side.

Chipotles in adobe sauce (I use these: https://amzn.to/48xfMIP) have an amazing smokey flavor, but they are very spicy - you can always add more or less depending on how "zippy" you want your burgers to be.

After placing the burgers on a toasted bun of your choice, pile on your favorite toppings. Of course, there's lettuce, onion, tomato, pickles, and cheese, but how about some sliced avocado, sprouts, pickled red onion, pepperoncini's, or even jalapenos?

Whatever you choose to top these hearty and healthy burgers with - Enjoy!

And if you'd like to know how to make the pickled red onion, drop me a note on the "chat with link" - I'd be happy to share!

*I use my cast iron skillet for everything! Check them out at https://amzn.to/3RL7ln0

Published by Jennifer Tipton / This post may contain affiliate links.