Y’all know by now that I am a burger girl through and through. I just can’t help myself, I love a good burger and it was the #1 thing I craved when I was pregnant with my son. We make burgers almost weekly at our house and while usually I always opt for a meat burger, I like the option of a vegetarian burger also from time to time. I am the first to admit that I have rarely eaten a black bean burger that holds a candle to a regular burger, but I may have just made a recipe that was just as satisfying to me! My BBQ black bean burgers are easy to make, healthy, and gosh darn delicious too!

And yeah I said gosh darn…moving on.

One of the things I have always disliked about most veggie burgers in general is that they have a hard time staying together and the texture can be mushy. That’s why I created this recipe that has enough texture and bite to be served up on a bun traditionally or served with a knife and fork! I added a little steak seasoning in there to give it a bit of a beefy flavor too, which really takes it up a notch!

The sautéed veggies plus the egg and BBQ sauce really keep these burgers from drying out and give it so much flavor too! These burgers would be great to serve up at any game day party for a meatless option for your guests! I promise even your meat eating family and friends will enjoy these BBQ black bean burgers so much!

A few tips:

• You can pan pan fry these burgers in a pan or bake them, but I like to bake them so they are a bit healthier, not to mention way easier with less mess!

• Start with 1/4 cup of oats and only add more if you need it because the burger mixture is too wet. You want the mixture to remain moist, but you will know its the right consistency when you form a burger and it will stay together.

• Forming patties will be a bit messy, and I like to use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to get just the right portion which makes forming the burger a bit easier.

Ingredients:

• 1 28 oz. Can of Black Beans (drained and rinsed)

• 1 Tsp. Avocado Oil

• 1/4 Cup Chopped Onion

• 2 Minced Garlic Cloves

• 1 Tsp. Steak Seasoning

• 1 Tsp. Salt

• 1/2 Tsp. Black Pepper

• 2 Eggs

• 1/4-1/2 Cup Rolled Oats (can sub GF here)

• 1 Tbsp. BBQ Sauce + more for topping

• Optional Toppings: Avocado, jalapeños, and green onion

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

• Dry rinsed and drained black beans as much as possible and place onto a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes to slightly dry the black beans out.

• Remove black beans from the oven and let cool slightly.

• Meanwhile heat a skillet over medium heat and add oil, onions, garlic, and steak seasoning. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until onions become translucent and then remove from the heat and let cool slightly.

• Add black beans, cooked onions and garlic, eggs, oats (start with 1/4 cup and add more if needed), salt, pepper, and BBQ sauce to a food processor and pulse until just combined careful not to process until smooth. Add more oats if needed.

• Turn heat up on oven to 375 degrees.

• Using about 1/4 cup of the black bean mixture, form burger and place onto a parchment lined baking sheet. (use the same one as you cooked your black beans on)

• Repeat until you have made all the burgers. (recipe makes 6-8 burgers)

• Bake for 10 minutes and then flip over and bake another 10 minutes until burgers are cooked through.

• Serve on a bun or top with extra BBQ sauce, jalapeños, and avocado in a lettuce wrap for a low carb option!

I am telling you, if you have been struggling to find a black bean burger that you like, this recipe is for you!