Savory and delicious, these Black Bean Burgers are really good for you!
Have you ever heard people say that frog legs taste just like chicken? Is it true? I don’t know, but what I’m really curious about is why do people say that? Is it because they think no one will eat frog legs unless they think it will taste like something they already like? But why eat frog legs if we want them to taste like chicken? Shouldn’t we just eat chicken? You’re probably wondering where I’m going with this…well, here’s your answer: I’m not going to tell you that these Black Bean Burgers taste like hamburgers. No, I’m going to tell you that they taste exactly like what they are: really delicious patties starring rich, earthy, savory black beans!
While Black Bean Burgers come pretty darn close to tasting like a classic beef burger, let’s not eat them because they resemble something else. Let’s eat them because they have a deep, umami flavor and a moist, tender texture that just so happens to fit perfectly into a bun and go beautifully with all the classic burger toppings.
This Black Bean Burger gets its unique taste from a fusion of culinary cultures—there’s some Latin influences with the cilantro and cumin, and some Asian flavors from the sriracha and soy sauce. And then there are the universal ingredients—onion, garlic, and mayo—that enhance pretty much anything you put them in. Finish them off by frying these Black Bean Burgers up in some vegetable oil to get that browned crispy crust. Yum!
Black Bean Burgers do pair wonderfully with all the sides we traditionally eat with burgers, like French Fries or Sweet Potato Fries or Coleslaw. I also love to serve Black Bean Burgers with this zesty Pesto Pasta Salad or creamy Macaroni and Cheese. These burgers are vegetarian and can easily be made vegan by using a plant-based mayonnaise and a flax egg, but they can also be paired with dishes that contain meat, like Spinach, Sausage and Tomato Strata. A very versatile burger!
The Beauty of Black Beans
In addition to black beans being so delicious and having the kind of great texture that produces the most luxurious mouthfeel, there are lots of other reasons why we should all eat more black beans. And they all have to do with good health.
Black beans are high in fiber, something I think we can all use more of in our diet. And they are a superb source of highly digestible plant-based protein, and iron, an essential mineral for healthy blood. They also belong to the “good carb” category (i.e., they are complex carbs, which release energy over time and come with them a variety of nutrients) and are low in calories. They are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which makes them very good for heart health. Black beans are good for people with diabetes because they have a low glycemic index. Plus, they are naturally gluten-free. I’m sure by now it’s no surprise that black beans are classified as a superfood!
Ingredients
- 2 (15 oz.) cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 red onion, roughly chopped
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
How to Make Black Bean Burgers
Step 1: In a food processor, combine black beans, red onion, garlic, cilantro, sriracha, mayonnaise, cumin, soy sauce, and black pepper. Pulse until mixed but still chunky.
Step 2: Transfer the mixture to a bowl, add the egg and breadcrumbs, and stir until combined. Let sit for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Divide the mixture into six portions and shape each into a 3 1/2-inch diameter, ½-inch thick patty.
Step 4: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for 4-5 minutes on each side until browned and heated through. Repeat with remaining oil and patties.
Step 5: Serve the patties on buns with your choice of toppings.
FAQs & Tips
How do I prep and store these burgers?
Uncooked Black Bean Burger patties can be stored on a covered baking sheet or with pieces of parchment between them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before cooking. Once cooked, store them in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Pulse, don’t puree!
When your ingredients are in the food processor, make sure to pulse them until just combined; you want a chunky texture and not a puree—that will make it impossible to form your patties.
Chill out!
If you have time, chill your formed black bean patties in the fridge for 15-30 minutes; although they will fry just fine without this step, chilling them before frying will solidify the fat and help them hold their shape.
Serving Suggestions
So, you have your standard burger toppings—cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles. Don’t get me wrong, these things are truly great on Black Bean Burgers, but there are so many other things you can top these burgers with, which will take them to a whole new level. Why not make a black bean breakfast burger by topping them with a Sunny-Side Up Egg and spreading the inside of the buns with this amazing Bacon Jam. Or do an Italian version by placing Black Bean Burgers on top of Arugula Caprese Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing. Or try this Mexican-inspired treat: top Black Bean Burgers with Mexican Pulled Chicken and either Queso or homemade Salsa.
You can also use these Black Bean patties as the basis for more upscale burgers, which are all the rage now. You can top Black Bean Burgers with Boursin-Stuffed Mushrooms and serve them with these elegant Fondant Potatoes or top them with a Crab Cake and some Grilled Asparagus for your own version of “Black Bean Burger Oscar”!!
Black Bean Burgers
Ingredients
- 2 15 oz. cans black beans drained and rinsed
- 1/4 red onion roughly chopped
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped (optional)
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine black beans, red onion, garlic, cilantro, sriracha, mayonnaise, cumin, soy sauce, and black pepper. Pulse until mixed but still chunky.
- Transfer mixture to a bowl, add the egg and breadcrumbs, and stir until combined. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Divide the mixture into six portions and shape each into a 3 1/2-inch diameter, ½-inch thick patty.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for 4-5 minutes on each side until browned and heated through. Repeat with remaining oil and patties.
- Serve the patties on buns with your choice of toppings.
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