Black Bean Burger

Imagine a burger that’s so good, it’ll have you questioning why you ever bothered with the beef. It’s like a party on your plate, and everyone’s invited – even your carnivore pals will like our Black Bean Burgers.

I made the mistake of buying a very LARGE pack of Black Bean Burgers from Costco recently.

I say mistake because they were the most flavorless things I’ve ever tasted.  Not to mention they completely fell apart … and I mean COMPLETELY.  They were totally inedible.  I couldn’t even pick up the pieces with a fork.

I have made a decision to cut down on red meat and I’ll be honest, I got lazy and bought pre packaged veggie burgers. They were not worth the box they were packaged in. It was time to hit the cutting board.

Why are people eating more veggie burgers?

1. Health benefits: People are seeking more and more alternatives to traditional beef.
2. Environmental impact: We just had a conversation at the dinner table last night about the huge amount of emissions that cows produce. Black bean veggie burgers require fewer resources, such as water and land, compared to traditional beef burgers.
3. Flavor and variety: Black bean veggie burgers are delicious and so versatile. They can be seasoned with a variety of herbs, spices, and additional ingredients to enhance their flavor.

Will I Like a Black Bean Burger?

There are a lot of ‘plant based’ veggie burgers on the market today and each one has it’s own unique taste, texture and flavor profile. I will try and describe what our black bean burger tastes like:

• Appearance – it looks like a regular burger. It’s round and has a similar thickness but specks of the wonderful wholesome ingredients (black beans, oats, mushrooms and carrots) can be seen.
• Texture – the texture of a black bean burger is different than a regular meat burger. It is not as dense. It is softer and not as hard to chew.
• Taste – You may be able to taste the individual ingredients at times. Depending on the spices it can have a smoky flavor, spicy or tangy.
• Accompaniments – Black bean burgers are served on a bun just like traditional burgers. You can also top them with lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, red onions, etc.

4 Ways to Cook a Black Bean Burger

1. Stovetop: In a lightly oiled skillet or frying pan over medium heat, cook the black bean burgers for about 4-5 minutes per side. Flip the burgers gently using a spatula halfway through cooking. Adjust the time accordingly based on the thickness of the patties and desired level of browning or crispiness.
2. Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the burgers on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes, flipping once halfway through the cooking time. Again, adjust the time based on the thickness of the patties and desired level of browning.
3. Grill: Preheat the grill to medium heat. Place the black bean burgers directly on the grill grates and cook for approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Flip the burgers carefully to avoid them falling apart.
4. Air Fryer: Preheat to 375°F for about 2 minutes. Lightly oil the burgers and place them in the air fryer. Cook for approximately 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

The Perfect Toppings:

These are my personal top 3 go-tos for black bean burgers. I love the harmonious blend of flavors – the sweetness of caramelized onions, the smokiness of roasted red peppers, and the savory richness of garlic aioli.

1. Caramelized Onions: Sweet and savory caramelized onions add a delightful richness to the black bean burger. The onions will provide a sweet contrast to the smoky flavors of the black bean patty.
2. Roasted Red Peppers: Roasted red peppers bring a burst of sweetness and a subtle smoky flavor to your black bean burger. You can either use jarred roasted red peppers or make your own by roasting fresh red peppers under the broiler.
3. Garlic Mayo Aioli: You can make a simple garlic aioli by combining mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until combined. Spread the garlic aioli generously on the hamburger bun before assembling your burger.

MORE PLANT BASED DINNER IDEAS:

• Plant Based Lentil and Mushroom Stew
• Cheese Stuffed Black Bean Burger
• Falafel Bowls
• Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie

BLACK BEAN BURGER RECIPE
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