Quick & Easy Vegan Black Bean Burgers:

Veggie burgers are surprisingly easy to make. Because I was starving and impatient while I was making these, I decided to make them in one of their most basic forms. They turned out delicious. I may have to triple this recipe and freeze them so that they're ready to pop in the oven every time I'm craving one (which I'm sure will be very often). 

 

The black beans are delicious, and the green onions and spinach lend a nice, fresh flavor. The chili powder and paprika also lend a smoked flavor that every burger should have, and I included ideas for optional add-ins and toppings so that you can customize your burgers.

Don't be afraid to get creative! Given that beans are such versatile ingredients, veggie burgers are the perfect canvas for any ingenious ingredient combos that you've been dreaming up. I baked these burgers, but I'm sure that frying or grilling would also work. You may want to add a few extra breadcrumbs to prevent them from falling apart while doing so, though.

Ingredients:

1 can (26.5 oz.) black beans, drained, but reserving about a teaspoon of liquid

1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped

3/4 cup breadcrumbs

1/2 cup spinach

1 tbsp. green onions, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

2 tsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. chili pepper, chopped (optional)

1/4 tsp. Kosher salt

1/4 tsp. paprika

Olive oil (for greasing your baking sheet).

Optional Add-ins:

1 to 2 tsp. hot sauce (or more, if you're a hot sauce fiend)

1 tsp. lime juice + 2 tsp. chopped fresh cilantro

1 to 2 tsp. Cajun seasoning + 1 tsp. lime juice

2 tsp. fresh parsley

1 tsp. jalapeno peppers 

Optional Toppings:

Tomato Slices

Onion Slices

Lettuce

Pineapple Slices

Mild pepper rings

Roasted bell peppers

Vegan cheddar cheese slices/ Daiya Cheddar Cheese

Ketchup 

Mustard/ Dijon

Veganaise

Total Cook Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes (about 10 minutes of active cooking time)

Make about 6 burgers.

Instructions:

1. Add all of the ingredients (minus the beans and breadcrumbs) to your food processor, and process the mixture until the onions and garlic are fine.

2. Add the black beans to the processor, and process for another 30 seconds. Next, mix in the breadcrumbs and process for another 30 seconds. Make sure that the beans are not completely mush. You want them to still be a little clumpy so that they do not fall apart while  cooking.

3. Let the mixture sit in the fridge for at least thirty minutes. Once that time is up, preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

4. Grease your baking sheet and form the bean mixture into 6 burger patties, placing each patty on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with a little extra salt, and bake for about 15 minutes on each side, checking to make sure that they aren't drying out. Serve with fries, vegetarian baked beans, or cucumbers.