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Black bean burger with smashed avocado, pickled red onion and sauce served on a whole wheat bun

Cumin Lime Black Bean Burgers

Nielsen has all sorts of opinions, particularly when it comes to veggie burgers. If she’s making one from scratch, it’s going to be the soft and squishy kind. No dry veggie burgers here! She’s also firmly committed to the kind that are weeknight doable. No additional cooking—just blend, pat and fry.

Equipment

  • food processor
  • large non-stick skillet

Ingredients

  • 1 cup packed cilantro leaves and tender stems
  • ½ yellow onion roughly chopped
  • ½ cup gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 2 cans black beans each 398 mL, drained and rinsed
  • ¼ cup ground flaxseed
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp ground coriander
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive or avocado oil plus more for cooking

To Serve

  • hamburger buns whole grain or gluten-free
  • vegan mayonnaise
  • sliced or smashed avocado
  • prepared pickled red onions

Instructions
 

  • In food processor, combine cilantro, onion, oats and garlic. Pulse until finely chopped. Add black beans, flaxseed, cumin, onion powder, salt, garlic powder, coriander, lime juice and olive oil. Pulse 6 to 8 times, until about half the mixture resembles a paste but you can still see texture. (Be careful not to purée the mixture or the burgers will not stick together.)
  • Heat large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Scoop a generous 1⁄3 cup of the bean mixture and press into a 3- to 4-in (8- to 10-cm) circle.
  • Cook, in batches as needed, until a brown crust forms on the bottom, 4 to 5 minutes, reducing heat as necessary for burgers to cook through. Carefully flip and cook until browned, 4 to 5 more minutes.
  • To serve, spread some vegan mayonnaise onto bottom halves of buns; top with patties, avocado and pickled red onions. Spread condiment of your choice on the top buns; sandwich over onions.

Notes

Tip: You can freeze uncooked patties, stored between layers of parchment paper in a resealable plastic freezer bag, for up to 1 month. Cook from frozen until cooked through and golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes per side.
Nielsen says: “If you want a firmer burger, you can add breadcrumbs to this recipe—they’ll absorb some of the moisture and give your patties more structure. And don’t skip the mayonnaise!”
 
Keyword burger, Gluten-free, Plant Based, vegan, vegetarian