Black Bean Burgers

This meat alternative is a hit at any cookout or barbeque. We recommend stacking all your normal burger accompaniments on this gem. A Chipotle Mayonnaise pairs well but you can use any toppings you desire but don’t forget the lettuce, onions, and pickles.

• Yield: 6 to 8 patties
• Active time: 45 mins
• Total time:45 mins

Ingredients

• 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1 large poblano pepper, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
• 3 medium cloves garlic, minced
• 1 chipotle chili in adobo sauce, finely chopped, plus 1 teaspoon sauce
• 3/4 cup roasted cashews
• 1/2 cup finely crumbled feta or cotija cheese
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 whole egg
• 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Cheese as desired, such as pepper jack, cheddar, muenster, or Swiss (optional)
• 6 to 8 hearty hamburger buns, toasted

Directions

1. Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 350°F. Spread black beans in a single layer on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Place in oven and roast until beans are mostly split open and outer skins are beginning to get crunchy, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
2. While beans roast, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onion and poblano and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add chipotle chili and sauce and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Transfer mixture to a large bowl.
3. Place cashews in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until chopped into pieces no larger than 1/3-inch, about 12 short pulses. Add to bowl with onions and peppers.
4. When beans are slightly cooled, transfer to food processor. Add cheese. Pulse until beans are roughly chopped (the largest pieces should be about 1/3 of a full bean in size). Transfer to bowl with onion/pepper mixture. Add mayonnaise, egg, and bread crumbs and season with salt and pepper. Fold together gently but thoroughly with hands. Patty mixture can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days at this stage.
5. Light 2/3 chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and arrange the coals on one side of the charcoal grate. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Alternatively, set half the burners on a gas grill to the medium-high setting, cover, and preheat for 10 minutes. Clean and oil the grilling grate. Form bean mixture into 6 to 8 patties as wide as your burger buns and brush top sides with oil. Place on hot side of grill oiled-side down and cook without moving until first side is well browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Brush tops of burgers with oil. Carefully flip and continue cooking until second side is browned, 3 to 5 minutes longer, topping with cheese if desired.