Chipotle Black Bean Burgers (Vegan!)

Submitted by Just Garlic

"These were just an experiment made quickly with what was on-hand in the food processor--but a great success served on whole wheat buns with guacamole! You can easily modify to suit your own preferences. I added one chipotle from a can of chipotles-in-adobo sauce. In case you're wondering what to do with the rest of that can: I separate a few chiles with some sauce into tiny plastic containers (you know those ones you never use?) and keep them in the freezer until needed. Just a minute in the microwave dethaws! Note that the cornmeal is the main binder/thickener for this recipe--add it a bit at a time, and don't be afraid to add a few tablespoons more if your burger mix is still a bit runny. I've found that leaving a bean burger mix alone to absorb moisture for a few minutes can also be helpful before trying to form patties."

 

• Ready In: 40mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Yields: 4 patties
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 1 -2 chipotle chile, from a can of chipotle in adobo sauce
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1⁄2 cup onion, roughly chopped
• 1⁄2 cup bell pepper, roughly chopped
• 1⁄2 cup cooked rice
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained well
• 1⁄4 cup cornmeal
• salt
• pepper

directions

1. Preheat your oven to 400 F and spray a baking pan lightly with oil.
2. Add the first five ingredients (chili through rice) to your food processor and pulse to chop. Then add the drained, rinsed black beans and process until beans are mostly broken down.
3. Now begin adding the corn meal in small amounts, pulsing as you go. The mixture will likely remain somewhat "sticky"--that's fine. But you do want it to be "dry" enough to handle without it sticking to your hands. As you add the final bit of cornmeal, add salt and pepper and give the mix a taste for seasoning and make adjustments if necessary.
4. Once you've incorporated the cornmeal and seasoned, pour into a separate bowl and allow to sit in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes.
5. Remove the chilled mix from the refrigerator, and portion by hand into four separate, burger-shaped patties. (I like to add a sprinkle of steak seasoning to the exterior at this point.) Place your shaped patties onto your prepped baking tray and slide them into the preheated oven. You will want to cook them about 8-10 minutes on this side, then take them out and flip before cooking an additional 5 minutes.