This spicy bean burger is delicious! These are so hearty and even meat lovers (i.e ME) love them!

Earlier this year, around mid COVID times, my friend told me she lost a lot of weight and felt more energized by decreasing the amount of meat she ate. I decided to try her “eat less meat diet” for a month. I was in need for more energy! (I mean who isn’t?) While decreasing my meat intake I had to find substitutions to eating meat to keep me full. Here is where the spicy black bean burger was invented in my house! Guys, these are seriously delicious.

Top these bad boys on a bun with whatever ingredients you like (ie lettuce, tomato, etc) and enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 16 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 4 sweet peppers (red, orange, or yellow), chopped 
  • ½ cup of chopped cilantro
  • 3 tablespoons of chopped green onion
  • 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ tsp of cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • ½ cup quick oats 

Instructions

  1. Dry beans well after rinsing. Note: Too much moisture does not allow burgers to form well.
  2. Mash beans with fork until it becomes thick and paste like.
  3. In a food processor, add all other ingredients – add chopped sweet peppers, cilantro, green onions, garlic, egg, cumin, salt, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, and quick oats. Remove from food processor when well mixed.
  4. Add mixture to mashed beans.
  5. Divide the mixture into 4 patties and placing them on wax paper. Note: You may add more oats if mixture appears too wet.
  6. Freeze for at least 3 hours. Keep patties frozen until ready to be cooked.
  7. If grilling, heat grill to medium heat on aluminum foil about 7-8 minutes on each side.
  8. If baking, preheat at 375 on a greased baking sheet for 7-8 minutes on each side.