Are you stuck in a dinner rut? I think we all get there sometimes. You want something delicious and satisfying, but the thought of a complicated meal after a long day is just too much. That’s where I come in! I am always on the lookout for Easy Dinner Recipes that deliver big flavor without a ton of fuss.
And let me tell you, these black bean burgers are a total winner. They are hearty, smoky, and have the most wonderful texture. Forget those sad, crumbly store bought veggie burgers. Once you make your own, you will never look back. This is one of those Easy Food Recipes that will become a staple in your home.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
So, what makes these burgers so special? First off, the flavor is incredible. We use chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to give them a smoky kick that is just so good. It’s a warm, gentle heat that builds flavor without being overwhelmingly spicy.
The texture is also spot on. Roasting the black beans before mixing them into the patties is a key step. It dries them out just enough so the burgers hold together beautifully. You get a nice crisp exterior and a tender, savory inside. No mushy burgers here!
Plus, this recipe is super flexible. You can cook the burgers on the stovetop or on the grill, making them great for any time of year. They are also a fantastic option if you are looking for Healthy Dinner Ideas that are still packed with protein and fiber. And honestly, they are just plain fun to make and eat.
Ingredients
- 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1 large poblano pepper, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 3 medium cloves garlic, minced
- 1 canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce, finely chopped, plus 1 teaspoon sauce
- 3/4 cup roasted cashews
- 1/2 cup finely crumbled feta or cotija cheese
- 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Cheese for topping, such as pepper jack, cheddar, muenster, or Swiss (optional)
- 6 to 8 hearty hamburger buns, toasted
- Condiments as desired, such as chipotle mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise
- Toppings as desired, such as shredded lettuce, sliced onions, and pickles
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Roast The Beans
First things first, let’s get the oven going. Adjust your oven rack to the center position and preheat it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the rinsed and drained black beans in a single layer on a foil lined rimmed baking sheet. Pop them in the oven to roast for about 20 minutes. You will know they are ready when they have mostly split open and the skins look a little crunchy. Take them out and let them cool down a bit.
Step 2: Sauté The Veggies
While those beans are roasting, heat two tablespoons of oil in a medium skillet over medium high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion and poblano pepper. Cook them, stirring often, for about five minutes until they have softened up. Next, add the minced garlic and cook for another two minutes, stirring constantly until it smells amazing. Finally, add the chipotle chile and sauce. Cook for about 30 seconds more. Transfer this wonderful mixture to a large bowl.
Step 3: Prepare The Cashews And Beans
Grab your food processor. Place the roasted cashews in the bowl and pulse about 12 times until they are chopped into small pieces, no larger than one third of an inch. Add the chopped cashews to the bowl with your onion and pepper mixture. Once the beans have cooled slightly, put them in the food processor along with the feta or cotija cheese. Pulse until the beans are roughly chopped. You still want some texture here!
Step 4: Combine Everything
Transfer the chopped bean mixture to the large bowl with everything else. Add the panko bread crumbs, egg, and mayonnaise. Season with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Now it is time to get your hands dirty! Gently fold everything together until it is just combined. You have just created the base for some amazing Easy Food Recipes!
Step 5: Cook The Patties On The Stove
This is my go to method for an Easy Healthy Dinner. Form the bean mixture into six to eight patties, making them about as wide as your hamburger buns. Heat one tablespoon of oil in a large non stick or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once it is shimmering, add four patties. Cook for about five minutes per side, until they are well browned and crisp. If you are adding cheese, place a slice on top during the last minute of cooking. This is one of those Easy Dinner Recipes you can rely on.
Step 6: Cook The Patties On The Grill
Feeling like a cookout? These burgers are great on the grill. For a charcoal grill, light the coals and arrange them on one side. For a gas grill, set half the burners to medium high. Once preheated, clean and oil the grate. Form your patties and brush the tops with oil. Place them oiled side down on the hot side of the grill. Cook for about three to five minutes without moving them. Brush the tops with more oil, flip carefully, and cook for another three to five minutes until the second side is browned.
Step 7: Assemble Your Burgers
The best part! Toast your buns and spread your favorite condiments on them. I love a good chipotle mayonnaise with these. Add toppings like lettuce, onion, and pickles. Place a hot patty on the bottom bun, close it up, and serve immediately. Enjoy your fantastic homemade meal, a true star among Easy Dinner Recipes.
How To Store Leftovers
One of the best things about this recipe is that it is great for meal prep. You can make the patty mixture and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. This makes for super fast Easy Dinner Recipes during a busy week.
Want to store them longer? You can freeze the patties! Form the patties and place them on a parchment lined baking sheet in the freezer for about an hour, or until solid. Once frozen, you can stack them with parchment paper in between each patty inside a zipper lock freezer bag. They will keep well for up to three months. To cook from frozen, just let them thaw at room temperature for an hour before cooking as directed.
Tips
Don’t over process the bean mixture. You want to keep some texture for the best bite. Pulsing a few times is all you need. A chunky mix is a good mix!
Feel free to customize your spices. A little cumin or smoked paprika would be a wonderful addition to the mix. It is one of those Easy Food Recipes you can truly make your own.
If your patty mixture feels a bit too wet, add another tablespoon or two of panko bread crumbs until it holds together easily. The consistency can vary depending on the moisture in your beans.
To make this an even more Easy Healthy Dinner, serve the burger on a bed of greens instead of a bun. A side salad or some roasted sweet potato wedges also makes a great pairing.
Conclusion
There you have it! A straightforward and delicious black bean burger that stands up to any beef burger. It is proof that Healthy Dinner Ideas can be exciting and incredibly satisfying. This recipe is more than just a meal; it is a fun kitchen project that yields amazing results.
I really hope you give these burgers a try. They are a wonderful way to add more plant based meals into your routine without sacrificing flavor. This is one of the most reliable Easy Dinner Recipes I know. Enjoy!
FAQ
Can I Make These Burgers Gluten Free?
Absolutely! To make this recipe gluten free, simply swap the panko bread crumbs for a gluten free variety. You will also want to serve them on gluten free buns. The core of the recipe is naturally gluten free.
Can I Make These Vegan?
Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe to be vegan. Use a vegan egg substitute like a flax egg, and choose a vegan mayonnaise. Omit the cheese or use your favorite brand of vegan cheese slices. It is a simple swap for a great vegan meal.
Why Do My Burgers Fall Apart?
This is a common issue with homemade veggie burgers. The most likely reason is too much moisture. Make sure you roast the beans as directed to dry them out. If the mix still feels wet, add more bread crumbs. Also, be gentle when flipping them on the skillet or grill.
What Can I Use Instead Of A Food Processor?
No food processor? No problem. You can use a potato masher to mash the beans in a large bowl. For the cashews and vegetables, a sharp knife and some careful chopping will work just fine. This makes the recipe accessible to everyone.
Hearty Black Bean Burgers
These homemade black bean burgers are hearty, smoky, and have a wonderful texture. Forget sad, crumbly store-bought veggie burgers—this recipe delivers big flavor without a ton of fuss, perfect for an easy, healthy dinner.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Adjust your oven rack to the center position and preheat it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the rinsed and drained black beans in a single layer on a foil lined rimmed baking sheet. Pop them in the oven to roast for about 20 minutes. You will know they are ready when they have mostly split open and the skins look a little crunchy. Take them out and let them cool down a bit.
- While those beans are roasting, heat two tablespoons of oil in a medium skillet over medium high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion and poblano pepper. Cook them, stirring often, for about five minutes until they have softened up. Next, add the minced garlic and cook for another two minutes, stirring constantly until it smells amazing. Finally, add the chipotle chile and sauce. Cook for about 30 seconds more. Transfer this wonderful mixture to a large bowl.
- Grab your food processor. Place the roasted cashews in the bowl and pulse about 12 times until they are chopped into small pieces, no larger than one third of an inch. Add the chopped cashews to the bowl with your onion and pepper mixture. Once the beans have cooled slightly, put them in the food processor along with the feta or cotija cheese. Pulse until the beans are roughly chopped. You still want some texture here!
- Transfer the chopped bean mixture to the large bowl with everything else. Add the panko bread crumbs, egg, and mayonnaise. Season with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Now it is time to get your hands dirty! Gently fold everything together until it is just combined. You have just created the base for some amazing Easy Food Recipes!
- Form the bean mixture into six to eight patties, making them about as wide as your hamburger buns. Heat one tablespoon of oil in a large non stick or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once it is shimmering, add four patties. Cook for about five minutes per side, until they are well browned and crisp. If you are adding cheese, place a slice on top during the last minute of cooking.
- Feeling like a cookout? These burgers are great on the grill. For a charcoal grill, light the coals and arrange them on one side. For a gas grill, set half the burners to medium high. Once preheated, clean and oil the grate. Form your patties and brush the tops with oil. Place them oiled side down on the hot side of the grill. Cook for about three to five minutes without moving them. Brush the tops with more oil, flip carefully, and cook for another three to five minutes until the second side is browned.
- Toast your buns and spread your favorite condiments on them. I love a good chipotle mayonnaise with these. Add toppings like lettuce, onion, and pickles. Place a hot patty on the bottom bun, close it up, and serve immediately. Enjoy your fantastic homemade meal, a true star among Easy Dinner Recipes.
Notes
Don’t over process the bean mixture. You want to keep some texture for the best bite. Pulsing a few times is all you need. A chunky mix is a good mix!
Feel free to customize your spices. A little cumin or smoked paprika would be a wonderful addition to the mix. It is one of those Easy Food Recipes you can truly make your own.
If your patty mixture feels a bit too wet, add another tablespoon or two of panko bread crumbs until it holds together easily. The consistency can vary depending on the moisture in your beans.
To make this an even more Easy Healthy Dinner, serve the burger on a bed of greens instead of a bun. A side salad or some roasted sweet potato wedges also makes a great pairing.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
