Black Bean Burgers

Spring is just flying by and summer will be here before I know it.  I don't know about you but I am SUPER excited about this summer.  Beach trip, family reunion, pool days and lots of family time is my summer agenda.  I'm hoping to fire up my Big Green Egg a little more often this summer too.  Grilled burgers, home grown watermelon and fresh corn on the cob - all the summer essentials.  

Just because I'm not a big fan of beef burgers, doesn't mean that I don't love a good burger.  I just prefer turkey or vegetable burgers over beef burgers.  It's not always easy to find tasty beef burgers alternatives.  I've tried some veggie burger recipes that are delicious but take HOURS to make.  Others are easy to put together but fall apart as soon as they hit the grill.  Finding the perfect combination of tasty, easy to put together and burgers that hold their shape when grilled is not easy.  That is exactly why I really like this black bean burger recipe.  As an added bonus - you can even toss a few uncooked patties into the freezer to cook at a later date.  

Black Bean Burgers
1 slice whole wheat bread
1/4 cup grated onion
1 Tablespoon garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
3/4 teaspoon cumin
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon grated lime zest
15 ounce can black beans, drained
1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
1 egg
​4 teaspoons olive oil

Place bread in a food processor.  Pulse until coarse crumbs.  Transfer to a bowl.

Combine onion, garlic, lime juice, cumin, salt, lime zest and beans in food processor.  Pulse 5 times. 

Add bean mixture, walnuts, hot sauce and egg to crumbs.  Stir well. 

Divide mixture into 4 equal portions.  Shape into a thick patty.

Heat oil in skillet.  Add patties and cook 4 minutes on each side. 

Place burgers on a bun.

Top with your favorite burger condiments. 

Top with a second bun. (If desired)

I don't feel like my pictures really did these burgers any justice.  They really were very good - even better than a beef burger if I do say so myself.  With summer grilling season right around the corner - you will want to keep this recipe handy.  

​Ciao!

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