Classic Bean Burger

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Check this out. Yes, it’s a burger made entirely of beans and nuts. That’s not mushy. That holds up on a grill. That actually tastes like something when you eat it on a bun. Don’t expect it to taste like meat, but it actually tastes…surprisingly good! Perhaps a little less juicy than its meaty cousin, but that’s to be expected. AND it’s incredibly healthy, as well as easy to make (especially if you have a food processor).

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Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup red onion (about 1/2 onion)
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup almonds
  • 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon hot chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • Fresh ground pepper
  • 1/2 cup dried bread crumbs
  • 1 15-ounce can pinto beans

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat a grill to medium heat.

2. Peel the 5 garlic cloves. In the bowl of a food processor, add 1/2 red onion and garlic and process until finely chopped. (If no food processor, chop finely with a knife.)

3. Add 1/2 cup almonds, 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, 1 teaspoon hot chili powder, 1 teaspoon olive oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a good amount of fresh ground pepper. Pulse 10 to 15 times until the mixture is coarsely chopped. (If no food processor, coarsely chop the almonds, sunflower seeds, and cilantro, and combine with the other ingredients.)


4. Drain and rinse the beans. In a medium bowl, mash the beans with a potato masher. Stir in the ingredients from the steps above, and add 1/2 cup bread crumbs. Mix together with your hands; taste and add more salt if desired.

5. Form the mixture into four patties. Place on a grill and grill for 6 to 8 minutes per side, depending on the heat of the grill. Or, bake them in a 450°F oven for 30 minutes, flipping after 15 minutes.

Top with toppings of your choice, and enjoy!

Notes: We opted here for a classic recipe in terms of taste – we may try in the future to add some more smokiness, like a chipotle pepper or some pimentón. Feel free to mix up any spices or herbs that you prefer!

While the burger had a better texture than most we’ve tried, it’s still a tad dry on a bun, so toppings like cheese, ketchup, mustard, or pesto are helpful! However, if you’re looking for a meaty and juicy taste for your “burger”, a grilled portabella mushroom might be the way to go.

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