Homemade Black Bean Burgers

Making burgers is usually pretty easy, but making your own black bean burgers is almost even easier - not to mention healthier. And when you're significant other is a vegetarian - or even a carnivore - knowing how to make homemade black bean burgers is a great skill to have, as it provides you with an easy, go-to dinner any night of the week.

The other night, I had a can of black beans and an onion on-hand, so I researched some black bean burger recipes. I was surprised at how simple all the recipes were, and used this one as a starting point for my own black bean burger creation. I ended up using only ingredients that I had in my kitchen, so making these burgers technically cost me $0.

Homemade Black Bean Burgers 
Yields: 4 burgers

-1 16 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
-1/2 yellow onion, minced
-1 tbsp. minced jalapenos (seeded, if fresh)
-3 tbsp. minced garlic
-1/2 tsp. cayenne
-1 tbsp. cumin
-1 egg
-1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
-Squirt lime juice
-Salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions:
1.) Preheat oven to 375 degrees, and lightly oil a baking sheet. In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty. Stir in minced onion, jalapenos and garlic.
2.) In a small bowl, stir together egg, cayenne and cumin.
3.) 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.
4.) Place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.

These nutritious burgers came out slightly spicy, full of flavor, and surprisingly hearty. I topped mine with slices of fresh avocado, Muenster cheese and Dijon mustard - a highly recommended combination of toppings. I also used some leftover, toasted Nature's Pride whole wheat bread to complete the sandwich. I froze the leftover loaf while Z and I were in Italy.

Have you ever made black bean burgers at home? Please share your recipe!

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