Flavor-Packed Spicy Mexican Black Bean Burger
These Flavor-Packed Spicy Mexican Black Bean Burgers are a fantastic, budget-friendly vegetarian meal choice that even the most devoted meat-eaters will love. Crafted with high-quality refried beans and a medley of sautéed vegetables, these burgers are not only satisfying but bursting with vibrant flavors. Unlike typical veggie burgers, these patties hold their shape beautifully, making them perfect for grilling or pan-frying. The addition of spices and optional black olives enhances the taste, providing a unique twist. Serve them up on toasted buns with salsa, fresh onions, and cheese, and you'll have a homemade feast that is better than anything store-bought. Enjoy these burgers at your next BBQ, family dinner, or casual lunch—everyone will be asking for seconds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
fat-free refried beans
1 (16 ounce) can (canned)
oil
1 teaspoon (for sautéing)
small onion
1/2 cup (coarsely chopped)
green pepper
1/2 (coarsely chopped)
frozen corn
1/4-1/2 cup (thawed)
carrot
1 (peeled and shredded)
picante sauce or salsa
1/8 cup (spicy or mild to taste)
breadcrumbs
1 cup (plain)
flour
1/2 cup (as needed for consistency)
black pepper
1 teaspoon (to taste)
salt
to taste
chili powder
1 dash
cumin
1 dash
sliced black olives
1/2 cup (optional)
hot sauce
a few drops per burger (optional)
Instructions
1
In a skillet, heat the oil over medium heat.
2
Add the coarsely chopped onion, green pepper, shredded carrot, and frozen corn to the skillet.
3
Sauté the vegetables until they are tender and vibrant in color, about 5 minutes.
4
Meanwhile, place the refried beans in a large mixing bowl.
5
Once the vegetables are ready, add them to the bowl with the beans and blend together using a hand mixer until combined but still slightly chunky.
6
Mix in the breadcrumbs, flour, black pepper, salt, chili powder, and cumin. Adjust the mixture's firmness by adding more flour if too wet, or more salsa if too dry.
7
Form the mixture into balls and flatten them into patties, about ½ inch thick.
8
Place the patties on waxed paper and stack them in a Tupperware container for easy storage.
9
To add a special surprise, place about 5 sliced olives in the center of each patty and press to seal them inside.
10
When ready to eat, spray each burger lightly with cooking spray.
11
Heat the skillet over medium heat and cook the patties until golden brown on one side, about 4-5 minutes.
12
Flip the burgers, adding a few drops of hot sauce on top if desired, and continue cooking until browned and heated through, about another 4-5 minutes.
13
Serve the burgers on toasted buns with toppings of salsa, chopped onions, and a slice of cheese.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary ingredients in these Spicy Mexican Black Bean Burgers?
The main ingredients include a 16-ounce can of fat-free refried beans, onion, green pepper, shredded carrot, frozen corn, breadcrumbs, and flour.
Is this black bean burger recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is 100% vegetarian and uses refried beans and vegetables as the base.
How long does it take to cook the patties in a skillet?
The patties should be cooked for about 4-5 minutes per side over medium heat until golden brown.
Can I make these burgers vegan?
Yes, ensure your refried beans are lard-free and your breadcrumbs are vegan. Omit the cheese topping or use a vegan cheese alternative.
What can I do if the burger mixture is too wet?
If the mixture is too wet to form into patties, simply add a bit more flour until you reach the desired consistency.
What should I do if the burger mixture is too dry?
If the mixture is too crumbly or dry, mix in a small amount of extra salsa or picante sauce.
How do I store the uncooked patties?
Place the formed patties on waxed paper and stack them in a Tupperware container for easy storage.
What is the 'special surprise' mentioned in the instructions?
The recipe suggests placing about 5 sliced black olives in the center of each patty and pressing to seal them inside before cooking.
Can I grill these burgers?
Yes, these patties are designed to hold their shape beautifully, making them suitable for both pan-frying and grilling.
What seasonings give these burgers their Mexican flavor?
The recipe uses a combination of chili powder, cumin, and picante sauce to achieve its signature Mexican profile.
Do I need to cook the vegetables before mixing them with the beans?
Yes, you should sauté the onion, green pepper, carrot, and corn in a skillet until they are tender and vibrant.
What type of beans are used in this recipe?
This recipe specifically uses canned fat-free refried beans as the base.
How should I serve these burgers?
Serve them on toasted buns topped with salsa, fresh chopped onions, and a slice of cheese.
Can I make these burgers less spicy?
To reduce the heat, use a mild picante sauce and omit the optional hot sauce and chili powder.
Is a hand mixer necessary for this recipe?
A hand mixer is used to blend the sautéed vegetables and beans together, though you can also mix them by hand if you prefer a chunkier texture.
Can I use fresh corn instead of frozen?
Yes, fresh corn can be substituted for frozen corn; just ensure it is cooked through during the sautéing step.
What are the best toppings for these burgers?
Recommended toppings include salsa, chopped onions, cheese, and a few drops of hot sauce.
How thick should the patties be?
The mixture should be formed into patties that are approximately 1/2 inch thick.
Is this recipe budget-friendly?
Yes, it uses inexpensive staples like canned beans, frozen corn, and common vegetables, making it a great budget meal.
Can I freeze these black bean burgers?
Yes, these patties freeze well. Stack them with parchment or waxed paper in between and store in an airtight container.
What type of breadcrumbs are best?
The recipe calls for plain breadcrumbs to allow the Mexican spices to stand out.
Do these burgers fall apart easily?
No, thanks to the combination of refried beans, breadcrumbs, and flour, these patties hold their shape very well.
Can I add more vegetables to the mix?
Yes, but be careful with high-moisture vegetables; you may need to increase the amount of flour or breadcrumbs to keep the patties firm.
Are these burgers healthy?
Yes, they are high in fiber and protein from the beans and vegetables, especially if using fat-free refried beans.
Can I use whole wheat flour as a binder?
Absolutely, whole wheat flour works just as well as all-purpose flour for binding the mixture.
What kind of oil should I use for sautéing?
Any neutral oil like vegetable, canola, or light olive oil works well.
Should the corn be thawed before cooking?
Yes, the instructions recommend using thawed frozen corn for the best texture.
Is the carrot supposed to be shredded?
Yes, one peeled and shredded carrot is used to add texture and sweetness to the burger.
What is the purpose of the cooking spray?
Lightly spraying the burgers before cooking helps them achieve a golden-brown, crispy exterior without using excessive oil.
How many burgers does one can of refried beans make?
While it depends on the size of the patties, one 16-ounce can typically yields about 4 to 6 hearty 1/2-inch thick burgers.