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These Easy Black Bean Burgers have just the right amount of spice and a nice hint of lime. Switch up the menu for the BBQ and enjoy this simple delicious vegetarian burger recipe.
Summer time was made for grilling!
It has definitely felt like summertime for quite a bit now around here so it's kind of crazy to think that the official start to the season is still a few days away. I find it hard to believe since we have been sweating our tails off for well over a month now, but it's true.
Swimming pools, ice cold lemonade, ice cream cones, screaming children and more will fill the next several months. But the best part of all? The BBQs of course! Well, and the ice cream cones if you ask me!
My hubby, Anthony has never been a cook in any way, shape, or form. I always joke that he couldn't cook a peanut butter and jelly sandwich if he tried. But when it comes to grilling, he is positive he is the master. And I won't complain one bit about that!
We probably grill out at least 3 or 4 nights a week at our house. While Anthony is happy with a big piece of meat each and every night, that gets old to me sometimes.
I am not a vegetarian but I don't always want a steak or chicken and that can be an issue when it comes to the grill. We pack on the veggies grilling everything from asparagus to zucchini but I also want something else.
I found a recipe for a black bean burger a while back and was instantly hooked. I started making a batch at a time and freezing each individually. That way I could pull one out on nights that I wanted something besides a piece of salmon or whatever else was on the menu.
While I liked the recipe I was using, I wanted to add a bit more flavor and fun to a black bean burger. I threw this one together and now this Cilantro Lime Black Bean Burger is my new obsession.
They really are so very easy to make and are also fairly versatile. I have cut one up and tossed it in a salad, eaten it as a traditional burger, crumbled it up and used it as "taco meat" and also just eaten it plain as the patty itself.
If you have certain dietary needs, this burger can be made gluten free, dairy free and egg free. If you prefer a bit more kick to your burger, swap the chile out for a jalepeño instead.
So fire up the grill and get these burgers ready because summer is here!
Pro-Tips for making recipe:
- The biggest issue with any veggie burger is getting them to really hold together. I have found that sometimes the mixture seems a touch too thin so adding more bread crumbs is a great solve. But my FAVORITE thing to do is to pop the mixture in the freezer for 20 minutes or so and then form them into burgers. This has made a huge difference!
- Spice level--take it where you like it! I play around with the amount of heat in these based on who is joining us for dinner. I have added a bit of siracha or hot sauce, opted for a jalapeño, or even just upped the red pepper flakes. Choose your own adventure!
- Don't overcook these Cilantro Lime Black Bean Burgers--please! If you over cook them, then they will be dry. And no one wants a dry burger.
What to serve with your Cilantro Lime Black Bean Burgers:
- Guac, guac and more guac--because always be extra! This Spicy Mango Guacamole is perrrrfect with it!
- Sweet potato wedges or fries, my personal favorite!
- Pasta salad like this Simple Pasta Salad with Grilled Lemon Garlic Zucchini.
- This Roasted Sweet Potato Mexican Quinoa would be great, but skip the black beans or you may regret it later on.
- Grilled Corn of any kind!
- Chips--no shame in a good side of chips with your burger!
DID YOU MAKE ONE OF MY RECIPES? LEAVE A COMMENT AND LET ME KNOW! I ALSO LOVE TO SEE YOUR LEMONS + ZEST RECIPES ON SOCIAL MEDIA–TAG ME @LEMONSANDZEST ON INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK!
Easy Cilantro Lime Black Bean Burgers
Ingredients
- 2 cans black beans
- 1 green Chile pepper (or jalapeño for kick!) seeds removed
- ¼ of small red onion
- ½ cup corn kernels
- 2 garlic cloves
- ⅓ cup cilantro
- 1 - 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- Juice of ½ lime
- ⅔ cup bread crumbs (more if mixture is too thin) whole wheat or gluten free, panko crumbs will work as well
- 1 egg or flax egg
- Sea salt and ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a food processor, process the chile pepper, onion, and garlic until finely ground. (You can finely dice them instead if desired!)
- Add in one can or two cups of black beans, cilantro, lime juice and spices. Pulse until combined (there should still be chunks of black beans.)
- Transfer the mixture to a medium sized mixing bowl.
- Add in the rest of the black beans, egg or flax egg, bread crumbs, and corn and stir until combined.
- Form into burger sized patties. (Sometimes I freeze this for about 15 minutes or so to help them form better into burgers.)
- Grill over medium low heat for about 4 minutes on each side.
- You can also cook these in a frying pan over medium heat until browned on each side.
Notes
Depending on the size of the patties, this will make about 6-8 burgers.
Feel free to freeze these as well.
So I cooked these in a skillet. I made them much thinner than your picture but the insides were very mushy. Like refried beans. Are they supposed to feel firm? I nearly burned the outsides just trying to get them to firm up but nothing helped.
Hi! There is some level of mushiness for a lack of a better word, ha but there should still be a level of structure. Maybe the ingredients were processed slightly too much? I’m going back through posts and adding step by step guides so I will work on this one next to see other things that could be adjusted. As long as they aren’t soggy, you should be ok.
Don’t have any fresh herbs in the house.?..any thoughts on what could be substituted for the cilantro?
Hmmm good question. You could skip it all together and add some oregano or possibly even some smoked paprika or something fun like that??
I made these today and they are divine !. I just wish I had some plain yoghurt in the fridge to make a dipping sauce. Going to shop for more ingredients so that I can make them again and freeze them, they will make a lovely brunch item. Calling my step daughter to tell her even she can make these they are so easy. I had taken 2 cans of beans out the cupboard and didn't realize until I opened the first one that I had one black bean and one kidney bean. Still worked out great.
Oh my goodness--so great to hear!!!! Thanks so much for sharing and so glad you enjoyed them!
This is on my meal plan for the week. I think my husband will love them! Black bean burgers have such a great texture that I could eat them all the time!
Hope you love them Sara!!!
Homemade black bean burgers are sneak good! These ones are no exception. The corn is my favorite part - a little crunchy to go with the savory, satisfying black bean burger.
Oh my gosh thanks for sharing. So glad you love them!!
Freezing veggie burgers to get them to hold their shape better is such a great tip! I've never thought about this before.
It changed my life ??
I can't believe that they are made from black beans, they look amazing.
Thanks! You will be amazed—promise!