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Best Black Bean Burgers That Don’t Fall Apart

Close-up of two perfectly cooked black bean burgers stacked on a white plate, showing their textured interior.
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Make delicious, hearty black bean burgers that hold their shape. This recipe focuses on texture and flavor, ensuring your burgers are satisfying and easy to cook on the skillet or grill.

Ingredients

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  • 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and thoroughly dried
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, for cooking

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 200°F (95°C). Spread the rinsed and dried black beans on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the beans are dried out but not browned. This step is crucial for preventing mushy burgers. Let them cool completely.
  2. In a large bowl, mash the dried black beans with a fork or potato masher until mostly broken down but still with some texture.
  3. Add the breadcrumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, beaten egg, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the bowl with the mashed beans.
  4. Mix everything together until well combined. The mixture should hold together when pressed. If it seems too wet, add a tablespoon more breadcrumbs.
  5. Divide the mixture into four equal portions and shape them into patties, about 3/4-inch thick.
  6. To cook on the skillet: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook the burgers for 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and heated through.
  7. To cook on the grill: Lightly oil the grill grates. Grill the burgers over medium heat for 5-7 minutes per side, until grill marks appear and they are heated through.
  8. Serve immediately on your favorite burger buns with your preferred toppings.

Notes

  • For burgers without a blender, mashing the beans by hand is effective.
  • You can freeze uncooked patties by placing them on a baking sheet in a single layer until firm, then transferring them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
  • If you don’t have an egg, you can use a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes) or 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce as a binder.
  • Seasoning is key. Adjust spices to your preference.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.unfoldrecipes.com/black-bean-burgers-that-dont-fall-apart/