Hearty Flavorful Veggie Burgers (Printer-friendly)
Satisfying bean-based patties loaded with vegetables and smoky spices for a wholesome meatless meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
02 - 1 medium carrot, grated
03 - 1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
→ Beans and Grains
06 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1/2 cup rolled oats
08 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if desired)
→ Binders and Seasonings
09 - 2 tbsp ground flaxseed (or 1 egg for non-vegan option)
10 - 3 tbsp water (only if using flaxseed)
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
14 - 1/2 tsp salt
15 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ For Cooking
16 - 2 tbsp olive oil
# How To Make It:
01 - If using flaxseed, combine ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons water in a small bowl. Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes until it thickens into a gel-like consistency.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, grated carrot, diced bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Fold in the chopped spinach and continue cooking until wilted. Remove the skillet from heat and set aside.
03 - Transfer the drained black beans to a large mixing bowl. Using a fork or potato masher, partially mash the beans while leaving some texture intact for a hearty bite.
04 - Add the sautéed vegetables, rolled oats, breadcrumbs, tomato paste, smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, and the prepared flax egg (or regular egg) to the mashed beans. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
05 - Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a firm patty approximately 3/4 inch thick, pressing firmly to ensure they hold together during cooking.
06 - Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in the skillet over medium heat. Carefully place the patties in the pan and cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown and heated through.
07 - Serve the patties on toasted buns with your preferred toppings such as crisp lettuce, sliced tomato, avocado, and pickles.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The smoky paprika and cumin combination makes these taste like they came off a real grill, even from a skillet.
- They hold together beautifully without being dense, which is the veggie burger promise so many recipes break.
02 -
- If your patties feel too wet to hold shape, refrigerate the mixture for fifteen minutes before forming them.
- Flipping too early is the number one cause of broken patties. Wait until the edges look set and the bottom is deeply browned.
03 -
- Do not skip the resting time for the flax egg because an under-set binder means crumbly burgers every time.
- A squeeze of tomato paste straight from the tube is easier to control than opening a whole can for two tablespoons.