Black Bean Burgers

Ingredients

• 15 oz canned black beans, rinsed and drained
• ½ cup red onion, finely diced
• ½ cup bell pepper, finely diced
• 2 clove garlic, minced
• ¾ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 hamburger buns
• 4 lettuce leaves (optional)
• 4 tomato slices (optional)
• 4 red onion slices (optional)
• 4 pickles (optional)
• 4 tbsp mayonnaise (optional)

Steps

1. In a large bowl, mash the black beans with a fork until mostly broken down but still chunky.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced red onion, bell pepper, and garlic, and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Let cool slightly.
3. Add the cooked vegetables to the mashed black beans. Stir in the breadcrumbs, egg, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
4. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and form them into patties, about 1-inch thick.
5. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and heated through.
6. Toast the hamburger buns if desired.
7. Assemble the burgers with patties, buns, and your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and mayonnaise.