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Easy • Vegetarian

Simple Southwest Black Bean Burgers

Hearty, flavorful, homemade black bean burgers with a zesty Southwest kick, perfect for a meatless meal.

Prep
15 min
Cook
15 min
Servings
4
Level
Easy
Simple Southwest Black Bean Burgers

These Simple Southwest Black Bean Burgers are a game-changer for your meatless Mondays (or any day!). They're packed with flavor, hold together beautifully, and are so much better than store-bought. Plus, they come together with ingredients you probably already have!

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

For the Burgers

  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained well
  • 1/2 cup cooked brown rice (or quick oats, pulsed)
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped bell pepper (any color)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg (or flax egg for vegan: 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil, for cooking

For Serving (Optional)

  • Burger buns
  • Lettuce, tomato, avocado slices
  • Salsa, sour cream, or chipotle mayo

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large bowl, mash the drained black beans with a fork or potato masher until mostly mashed but still with some texture.

  2. Step 2

    Add the cooked brown rice (or oats), chopped red onion, bell pepper, minced garlic, egg (or flax egg), breadcrumbs, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined. The mixture should be firm enough to form patties.

  3. Step 3

    Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape them into patties, about 3/4-inch thick. If the mixture is too wet, add a little more breadcrumbs. If too dry, add a tiny splash of water.

  4. Step 4

    Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Carefully place the patties in the hot skillet (you may need to cook in batches).

  5. Step 5

    Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and heated through. Be gentle when flipping.

  6. Step 6

    Serve immediately on burger buns with your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomato, avocado, salsa, or a zesty chipotle mayo.

Tips

  • For a firmer patty, refrigerate the shaped burgers for 20-30 minutes before cooking.
  • To make these vegan, ensure you use a flax egg and check that your breadcrumbs are vegan.
  • Don't over-mash the black beans; leaving some texture helps with the burger's chewiness.

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