Spicy Black Bean Burgers

Do you guys ever go to the grocery store with the best of intentions of only buying the stuff on your list? And then you see some of the sales you missed the first time you looked through the circular – beans 3/$2, pasta 10/$10, chicken broth 2/$2!

Which would explain why I recently looked in my pantry (or more accurately, large cabinet that works as cleaning supple storage place and overflow dry goods storage) and found I had 5 cans of black beans.

I love black beans, but didn’t anticipate eating that many servings of rice and beans so it was time to google recipes that would use up my excess, allow me to see the bottom of the drawer, and if they could be vaguely healthy it would be a bonus.

Enter these black bean burgers. They’re easy to make, pretty healthy, store for a while in the freezer, and best of us are delicious. Hope you all enjoy!

Spicy Black Bean Burgers

From Skinny Taste

These are perfect “make now, eat later” foods, especially since you are freezing them anyway before cooking. I’ve had a couple patties in my freezer for weeks now and each time I pull one out, it still tastes great!

Ingredients

1 can black beans, rinsed and dried

1/2 red bell pepper, cut into 2-inch pieces

1/2 cup chopped green onions

3 tablespoons chopped cilantro

3 cloves garlic, peeled

1 jumbo egg

1 tablespoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon hot sauce

1/2 cup quick oats

Equipment

Food processor, wax paper, baking sheet

First dry the beans well after washing (extra moisture will keep the burgers from holding together). In a medium bowl, mash the beans with a fork until thick and pasty.

Add bell pepper, cilantro, green onion, and garlic and pulse until finely chopped. Add oats and pulse again for 5 seconds. Add eggs and spices and pulse again. Finally add the mashed beans and pulse until combined.

Divide mixture into four patties on the baking sheet covered with waxed paper. Use slightly oiled hands to shape into the shape you prefer. Freeze on the baking sheet at least 2 hours before cooking or keep frozen until ready to cook.

Heat a lightly oiled skilled to medium heat and cook frozen burgers about 7 minutes on each side.

Serve with buns and you favorite burger toppings.

Makes 4 patties.