Black Bean Burgers

I am happy to post with all the other foodies in behalf of Cooking to Combat Cancer III. This is my first year doing this particular recipe blitz. I love being apart of things like this. We all post a recipe with a certain subject in mind. The current subject celebrates cancer remission and awareness.
What do black beans burgers have to do with cancer? Well, black beans include a big cancer preventing ingredient- flavonoids. Flavonoids are a chemical compound found in a lot of fruits and vegetables and black beans are especially rich in flavonoids. Research is still emerging on the benefits of flavonoids and their cancer preventing abilities. Wikipedia says, "Flavonoids could also induce mechanisms that help kill cancer cells and inhibit tumor invasion". Even if it isn't proven, if something COULD help kill cancer cells, I will partake often.

Here's to cancer remission and especially prevention. And Chris, here's to many more years of health and happiness.


I made these regular hamburger-style. Kaiser roll, ketchup, mustard, avocado, lettuce and tomato. I loved the flavor combination of the hamburger fixings and the smokiness of the black beans. Next time I make these, I am thinking guacamole, chipotle mayo and salsa.

When I was initially developing the recipe, I was doing a little research on how to cook them. Some recipes said to grill, others said to broil. I tried grilling and it just didn't work. The burger fell apart and didn't get any of those grill marks you would suspect. I then did pan searing and I liked that the best. The burger stayed together nicely and developed a yummy crust.



2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 red onion, diced
1 1/2 tsp oregano
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp kosher salt
A few grinds ground pepper
1/2 tsp lime juice
1 tsp Tabasco
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup plain bread crumbs
A few extra tablespoons olive oil

For serving:
Hamburger buns
Ketchup
Mustard
Tomatoes
Avocados
Lettuce

Add the beans to a large bowl and mash with a masher or your hands. Set aside.

In a small skillet, heat 2 Tbsp olive oil over medium high heat. Add onions and saute until softened, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. Add to black beans. Add oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, lime juice, Tabasco, garlic and bread crumbs. Stir well to combine.

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add a few tablespoons olive oil, enough to coat the bottom of the pan. Shape black bean mixture into patties and cook on each side for 3-5 minutes.

Serve on hamburger buns with whatever condiments you like.

Yields 6 burgers.

Rookie's Notes: Instead of shaping the patties as big as a regular hamburger, I would make them small and thick. Once you bite into your black bean burger, the burger is going to spread and flatten. So making them smaller will leave room for spreading on the bun.