Black Bean Burgers

As I mentioned before, one of my goals this semester was to eat healthier and live a healthier lifestyle by working out, cutting out refined sugar and bread, and sticking to mostly clean eating. That's not to say that I do not cheat every once in a while. I definitely do. I'm a firm believer that moderation is key, especially when dieting or watching what you eat.

My favorite though is when I discover a recipe that is healthy while also being so delicious that it feels like a "cheat". I have found several recipes like this lately. One of my favorites, though, is Black Bean Burgers. Like I mentioned in Jam-Packed Turkey Burgers, you should not go into this recipe thinking of a regular hamburger. These are nothing like hamburgers. They are, however, delicious. Have I mentioned that they are healthy?

This recipe is awesome because it is not only delicious, it is also healthy, gluten free, and vegan. There are a lot of delicious ways to get nutrients and protein without eating meat. here is an awesome resource for some other ways to incorporate meatless protein into your diet.

The original recipe for these burgers comes from Love The Leap blog. Of course, I modified it a little bit. Here is the original recipe for the burgers. Below is my version. Also, I forgot to mention that these are seriously the easiest thing to make. Ever. Prep time is, oh, about 10 minutes. Super simple.

Black Bean Burgers
1 can of black beans, rinsed (I always buy the plain kind. However, I'm sure that the seasoned kind would taste great in this.)
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 bell pepper, chopped (any color)
1 TBS minced garlic
1 TBS chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup brown rice, cooked
2 tbsp ground flax seed
1 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tbsp cumin
2 tsp hot sauce
Sliced onion and tomato, for dressing
Homemade guacamole (recipe coming soon)

Method:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mash the black beans with a potato masher or in a food processor. Then add everything else to it. Mix it up. Too easy, I know. Shape the mixture into good sized burgers (about 4 big ones). Pop them on a sprayed pan and put them in the oven for about 15 minutes. I also made them once and cooked them on my cast iron griddle on the stove. It gave them the nice lines like "real" burgers.

Once they are done, slather them down with some guac and top them with tomato and onion. Lettuce too, if you wish. And that's all there is to it!

Gluten free, vegan, fresh, healthy, and delicious!