Gluten-Free Black Bean Burgers

Making your own black bean burger at home is easy, rewarding, and fun--not to mention healthier and less costly! This recipe is protein packed with both black beans and the ancient seed quinoa. It has a little kick to it, too, so it's perfect for bringing on the heat!
NotesCooks' Note: You can make a bunch of these at once and store them in the refrigerator for 2 weeks or the freezer for up to 3 months. This will come in handy when you get stuck at work late, or have to run to an impromptu cookout.
An ice cream scoop helps keep the size consistent when making burger patties.
Yield:12 burgers
Cooking Methodbaking
CostInexpensive
Total Timeunder 2 hours
Make Ahead RecipeYes
Kid FriendlyYes
One Pot MealYes
OccasionFamily Get-together
Recipe Coursemain course
Dietary Considerationegg-free, gluten-free, halal, kosher, peanut free, soy free, tree nut free, vegan, vegetarian
Five Ingredients or LessYes
Mealdinner, lunch
Taste and Texturesavory
Type of Dishvegetable
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup (75 g) diced onion
- 1/2 cup (75 g) diced bell pepper (doesn't matter what color!)
- 1/3 cup (18 g) sundried tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 3 tablespoons (45 g) tomato paste
- 4 cups (688 g) rinsed and drained black beans, divided
- 2/3 cup (119 mL) water
- 1/3 cup (28 g) Ener-G Egg Replacer
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 1/2 cups (278 g) cooked quinoa, divided
- Vegan mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, and onion, for garnish
Instructions
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1.?In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the onion, bell pepper, and sundried tomatoes and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, until the onion and peppers start to soften. Add the garlic and sauté for 2 minutes more, until the onion is translucent and the garlic is browning.
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2.?Add the tomato paste to the skillet, using a whisk to thin it out.
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3.?Add 3 cups (516 g) of the black beans and the water, egg replacer, cumin, onion powder, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir or whisk vigorously until everything is combined. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed. Remove from the heat.
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4.?Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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5.?Transfer the mixture in the skillet, along with 1 1/4 cups (231 g) of the quinoa, to the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal "S" blade and process until the mixture has the consistency of a paste.
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6.?Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl. Using your clean hands, toss the remaining 1 cup (172 g) black beans and the 1/4 cup (46 g) quinoa with the paste.
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7.?Form the mixture into a series of 2-inch (5-cm) balls. Flatten them a bit into patties. Place the patties on the prepared baking sheet.
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8.?Bake the patties for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven. Assemble on a platter, garnished with the vegan mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, and onion. Serve warm.
2013 Jo A. Kaucher