Whenever I think of summer, I think of fun get-togethers with family and friends where we enjoy swimming and delicious BBQ. One summer staple that always makes it to the menu is a juicy, delectable burger. While my favorite burgers are typically made of beef, I do enjoy switching it up once in a while with a black bean burger.

Black Bean Burgers: Why Make Them?

Black bean burgers are a great way to enjoy a healthier take on traditional burgers! Black beans are a great source of protein, provide a subtle flavor that allows you to easily customize it, and, most importantly, they are very hearty. I believe that one of the main reasons that many meat-eaters, myself included, do not eat as many vegetarian entrées is due to veggie-based dishes not being satisfying enough. That is not an issue with these black bean burgers. They are both very satisfying and yummy!

Making the Black Bean Burgers:

1. Most Important Step: Make sure that you do not skip the step of baking the black beans! This is an important step because you must remove moisture from the beans. You will be adding flavorful condiments and sauces which will provide the moisture. Forgetting to dry out the beans will result in water from the beans making the burgers soggy and bland.
2. Mashing and Mixing: You can either mash the beans with a manual utensil or food processor; however, I prefer the former, such as a potato masher or large fork. A food processor can quickly over-chop the black beans and you will be left with more of a black bean hummus, which is delicious, but not what we’re making. Mashing with a utensil will allow you to keep some bigger pieces in the mixture, which adds to the hearty texture of the finished product.
3. Cooking: Baking the black bean burgers in the oven results in a great crust on the outside that provides a texture contrast to the middle of the burger. A great way to add some additional flavor would be to bake the burgers in the oven for approximately 8-10 minutes, or until the burgers develop that outer crust, and finishing them on a grill.
4. Customize It: As I mentioned before, black beans are a great canvas on which to customize your favorite flavors. Do you prefer a Greek inspired burger as opposed to BBQ? Swap out the sharp cheddar cheese for Feta and replace the BBQ sauce with either Greek yogurt or a tzatziki sauce. Or what if you prefer a plain American-style burger? Use a combination of ketchup and mustard instead of BBQ sauce and use a mild cheddar instead of sharp cheddar. I am actually working on an Italian ingredient-oriented black bean burger recipe that I hope to share with you soon!
5. Toppings: The toppings add another level of customization in which the possibilities are endless. Personally, my favorite toppings so far include some romaine lettuce for freshness and a simple fried egg because the yolk acts as a velvety sauce that adds a lovely richness to the black bean burger.

BBQ Black Bean Burgers

Recipe by Carly PrestonCourse: Lunch, DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Ingredients

• 2 (15oz.) cans of black beans, strained, rinsed, and patted dry

• 2 large eggs

• 1/2 of a yellow bell pepper, finely diced

• 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated onion powder

• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder with parsley

• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

• 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons bread crumbs

• 3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese

• 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce

• 1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (omit if you are a vegetarian)

• 1 teaspoon gochujang sauce

• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

• pinch of salt

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and spread the black beans in one even layer onto a baking sheet lined with either parchment paper or aluminum foil. Bake the beans for approximately 12 minutes.
• Turn oven up to 400°F (204°C). Remove the beans from the baking sheet and place them into a large mixing bowl. Use a potato masher or large fork to break down the beans, making sure to leave some larger pieces of black bean still intact. Add the eggs, bell pepper, onion powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder (with parsley), minced garlic, bread crumbs, cheese, dried parsley, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, gochujang sauce, black pepper, and salt to the mixing bowl. Mix all ingredients until just combined.
• Use a half cup to measure out the mixture and then shape them into burger patties. If you have a little of the mixture left over, shape it into a burger and bake with the other burgers. Place the burgers on a baking sheet (I like to use the same one I used to bake the black beans), put the tray in the oven, and bake the burgers for approximately 10-12 minutes on each side, for a total of 20-24 minutes.
• Serve the burgers with your favorite burger buns and toppings. Enjoy!

Notes

• You can use any type of bread crumbs for the recipe. For the burger pictured, I used garlic and herb bread crumbs.

Thank you so much for checking out this recipe! I hope that you give it a try! Please leave a comment below regarding if you tried the recipe and how you liked it!