black bean burgers

Original Recipe Yield 4 patties

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
1/2 onion, cut into wedges
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1 egg
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon Thai chili sauce or hot sauce
1/2 cup bread crumbs

Directions

If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and lightly oil a baking sheet.
In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.
In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans.
In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce.
Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.
If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.

OR

Black Bean Burgers
...also perfect as black bean cakes

(serves 4)

4 tablespoons canola oil
1 medium Portobello mushroom, diced
1/2 red onion, diced
1/2 green bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced
1 can (15 ounce) black beans( I prefer Goya), drained and rinsed
1/4 tsp paprika
2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
2 omega 3 eggs
1 Tbs honey
1 Tbs Dijon(country style best) mustard
1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
6 Tbs dried breadcrumbs(whole wheat best)
salt and pepper to taste
4 100% whole-wheat buns
Barbecue sauce
Assorted burger toppings


Heat half the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add beans, paprika, garlic and black pepper. Cook, smashing beans with the back of a spoon for a couple of minutes. Transfer bean mixture to a bowl. Mix in eggs, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and breadcrumbs and form into 4 patties. Wipe out skillet; heat remaining oil over medium heat and cook burgers until brown and firm to touch, 6 to 7 minutes each side. Place on buns; top with barbecue sauce, lettuce, tomato, onions and other toppings as desired.

I make my own sometimes. There really is no rule, but I have yet to taste any homemade ones that taste like the pre packaged stuff. What I put in mine:
black beans (either used canned, just rinse them well) or cook your own in a crock pot.
pre-cook; diced onions, carrot and a bit of green peppers, garlic
to bind you can use plain rolled oats or wild rice cooked
I dump half the black beans, the veg and oat/wild rice into the food processor and blitz.
add a bit of corn if you want a Southwest flavor
season to taste; salt, pepper, tiny bit of cumin, paprika, pepper flakes if you like a bit of spice
if it's not sticking together you can use a bit of mayo or even egg whites (or the vegan alternative)
dump into a mixing bowl and add the second half of the beans
some people add a bit of grated cheese or to keep it vegan daiya cheese.
form into patties or if you have hamburger molds shape into the molds.

I like making a large batch and freeze them.
form into patties