Boring Burger Rescue: Craft the Perfect Black Bean Burger

It’s National Burger Day! This year leave those Average Joe cheeseburgers behind and check out this delish recipe for the perfect, anything-but-boring black bean burger!

Black Bean Burger from Hilton Head Health
Recipe makes 4 burgers, ~1/3 cup each

1/6^th piece firm tofu
½ cup black beans, cooked
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 each shallot, large, chopped
¼ cup zucchini, chopped
¼ cup carrots, minced can use food processor on these
1 egg
2 egg whites
¼ teaspoon cumin, ground
¼ cup sharp cheddar cheese, 2%, shredded
½ cup black beans, cooked
¼ teaspoon salt

1. Cook black beans as directed (need 1 cup of cooked black beans for recipe).
2. In food processor, puree tofu and ½ cup of black beans (need smooth texture, but doesn’t need to be completely pureed).
3. Heat a large saute pan to medium high heat.  Once heated, add ½ tsp. of olive oil and swirl. Add chopped shallots.  Cook 2-3 minutes until translucent.
4. Once shallots are done, add to black bean mixture and pulse.
5. Remove black bean mixture from food processor and add to a mixing bowl.  Set aside.
6. In separate bowl, crack eggs. Mix well with fork.
7. To the black bean mixture add zucchini, carrots, eggs, cumin, cheddar cheese, and the remaining ½ cup of cooked black beans. Mix well and season with salt as necessary.
8. Once burgers are formed, re-heat the large saute pan and add remaining ½ tsp. of olive oil.  Swirl.
9. Sear the burger on each side.  Could finish burger in oven if desired, but it should be done after cooking on each side for about 4 minutes (~8 minutes total).
10. Enjoy on ½ of whole wheat sandwich thin, lettuce, and sliced red or yellow tomatoes.

Without a bun or other toppings:
150 calories | 6g fat | 1.5g saturated fat | 50mg cholesterol | 14g carbohydrates | 4g fiber | 1g sugar | 12g protein