Black Bean Burgers

This nutritious recipe will make a spicy, delicious black bean burger that even ardent meat-lovers will cherish. You can play with this recipe and substitute or add additional vegetables (such as peppers, zucchini, celery, or beets) or even try different varies of beans to create different flavors or textures.

Entrees

Prep: 30 min to 1 hour
Cook: 15 min
Total: 1 hour 15 min
Serves 6

8 ounces dried black beans (2 cups cooked) OR
15 ounces canned black beans
If cooking black beans, rinse beans and place in a small pot. Fill with water until beans are completely submerged and have about 1 inch of water above them. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat low and let simmer until beans are soft and fully cooked, about 1 hour.
If using canned beans, drain can and rinse beans well.
½ cup quick-cooking rolled oats
½ cup panko breadcrumbs
½ cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
¼ cup very finely chopped onion (about 1 small)
¼ cup very finely chopped white mushrooms (about 4 or 5)
¼ cup finely shredded carrot (about 1 small)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
While beans cook, combine oats, breadcrumbs, vegetables, and spices in a large bowl.
Using a potato masher or fork, finely mash beans and add to bowl with other ingredients. Mix well with a spatula to combine. The mixture should be thick and sticky. If it won't stick together, add additional salsa and mix to combine. If too moist, add additional breadcrumbs and/or rolled oats.
Form into 6 patties using your hands and place on a plate lined with wax paper.
2 tablespoons canola oil
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat until hot. Cook patties on the skillet, taking care not to overcrowd, until bottom side has lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Flip patties over once and cook on other side until lightly browned, about 5 additional minutes.
Serve on homemade hamburger buns with your favorite toppings. (I recommend a dollop of salsa in place of ketchup.)