Black Bean Smash Burger

Ingredients:

Black bean patties:

  400 g canned black beans, rinsed and drained
  100 g breadcrumbs
  80 g onion, finely chopped
  60 g red bell pepper, finely chopped
  2 cloves garlic, minced
  1 tsp ground cumin
  1 tsp smoked paprika
  ½ tsp chili powder (optional, for a bit of heat)
  1 tsp salt
  ½ tsp black pepper
  1 tbsp olive oil
  30 g fresh parsley or cilantro, finely chopped
  30 g all-purpose flour (or as needed to bind)

For assembly:

  4 burger buns
  120 g lettuce leaves
  2 large tomatoes, sliced
  80 g red onion, thinly sliced
  4 slices of cheese (optional)
  Condiments of your choice (e.g., ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, or barbecue sauce)

Instructions:

Prepare the black bean mixture:

In a large mixing bowl, mash the black beans using a fork or potato masher until most are broken down, but leave a few chunks for texture.

Add vegetables and seasonings:

Stir in the onion, bell pepper, garlic, parsley/cilantro, breadcrumbs, and spices (cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper).

Bind the mixture:

Add the olive oil and mix well. Gradually add the flour, a little at a time, until the mixture holds together when formed into a patty.

Shape the patties:

Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions (about 150 g each). Shape each portion into a patty about 1.5 cm thick. Place the patties on a plate or tray, cover, and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes to firm up.

Prepare the barbecue:

Preheat your grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.

Grill the patties:

Place the patties on the grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side. Be gentle when flipping, as they are more delicate than meat-based burgers. If using cheese, add a slice on top of each patty during the last minute of cooking to let it melt.

Toast the buns:

Place the burger buns on the grill for 1-2 minutes, cut-side down, until lightly toasted.

Assemble the burgers:

Spread your preferred condiments on the bottom half of each bun. Layer with lettuce, a patty, tomato slices, and onion rings. Add any additional toppings you like and cover with the top half of the bun.

Serve and enjoy:

Serve the burgers immediately with a side of your choice, such as grilled vegetables, fries, or a salad.

Enjoy your homemade barbecue black bean smash burgers!