Smoky Black Bean Burgers
In short: Black beans, brown rice, sweet corn and smoked paprika shaped into thick patties, fried until crisp and served in buns with avocado and tomato. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Resting
- 20 min
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 450 kcal
Black bean burgers have a soft, savory center and a crisp outside when they are made with the right ratio of beans to binder. Here, half the beans are mashed and half left whole, and cooked brown rice and oats soak up the moisture. Smoked paprika, cumin and a bit of tomato paste give a barbecue-like flavor. The patties fry in three batches of about 9 minutes each and freeze well, so make a double batch.
Instructions
- Stir the flaxseed and water together and leave for 5 minutes. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a skillet and cook the onion for 5 minutes, then add the garlic for 1 minute.
- Put half of the beans in a large bowl and mash with a fork until mostly smooth. Add the remaining beans, rice, corn, oats, cooked onion, tomato paste, soy sauce, spices, salt, coriander and the flax mixture.
- Stir well, crushing a few more beans as you mix. The mixture should hold when squeezed. If sticky, add a spoonful of oats.
- Chill the mixture for 20 minutes, then shape it into 6 patties about 2 cm (3/4 inch) thick.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Fry 2 patties for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until deeply browned and crisp, then move them to a plate. Repeat with the remaining oil and patties.
- Serve in toasted buns with avocado, lettuce and tomato.
Tips
- Pat the beans dry after rinsing. Surface moisture is the biggest cause of mushy burgers.
- Bake the patties at 200°C (400°F) for 12 minutes per side if you prefer less oil. The texture is a bit softer than pan-fried ones.
Questions and answers
Why do black bean burgers fall apart?
The mixture is usually too wet or was not chilled. Dry the beans well, mash half of them, add enough oats and let the mix rest before shaping.
Can I freeze these burgers?
Yes. Freeze cooked, cooled patties with parchment between them for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in the oven at 200°C (400°F) for about 15 minutes.
Can I grill them?
Use a well-oiled grill and a sturdy patty, and chill the patties for at least 30 minutes first. A grill basket or a sheet of foil prevents them from breaking.
How long does it take to make Smoky Black Bean Burgers?
About 1 h in total: 25 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Smoky Black Bean Burgers?
About 450 kcal per serving, with 13 g of protein, 66 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 450 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 13 g |
| Carbohydrates | 66 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 13 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
