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The Best Healthy Black Bean Burgers Recipe

The Best Healthy Black Bean Burgers

These healthy black bean burgers combine partly mashed black beans, fresh vegetables, oats or breadcrumbs, and savory spices for a sturdy, flavorful vegetarian dinner. Cook them in a skillet for browned edges or bake them for an easy hands-off option.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Black Bean Burger Patties
  • 2 15-ounce cans (425 g each) Black beans, rinsed, drained, and patted dry
  • 1/2 cup Red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup Red bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 Large egg
  • 1 cup Quick-cooking oats or fine breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon Chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Fine salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
Optional Serving Ingredients
  • 4 Hamburger buns
  • As desired Lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado, pickles, or sprouts
  • As desired Salsa, mayonnaise, chipotle mayo, or Greek yogurt sauce

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C), or prepare a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat.
  2. Pat the rinsed and drained black beans very dry. Mash them in a large bowl with a fork, leaving some beans partly intact for a hearty texture.
  3. Stir in the red onion, red bell pepper, cilantro, egg, oats or breadcrumbs, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and olive oil.
  4. Let the mixture rest for about 5 minutes so the oats or breadcrumbs can absorb moisture. If the mixture feels loose, chill the shaped patties for 20–30 minutes before cooking.
  5. Form the mixture into 4 firmly packed patties, approximately 3 1/2 to 4 inches wide.
  6. For skillet cooking, add a little more oil to the pan and cook the patties for about 4–5 minutes per side, until browned and heated through.
  7. For oven cooking, place the patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes, turning halfway through.
  8. Serve immediately on buns with your desired toppings and sauce.

Notes

Dry the beans thoroughly, avoid over-processing, and chill loose patties for 20–30 minutes before cooking. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in a skillet or oven until hot.