Meatless Mondays

No, we didn’t make it up! Meatless Mondays are a real thing, launched in 2003 with the goal of reducing meat consumption around the world. Locally, more individuals are choosing to go meat free as part of lifestyle changes, aimed at being healthier and more plant-based with their eating habits. 

While most of us can’t imagine life without a juicy cheeseburger, there are some very delicious alternatives to meat even when it comes to burgers! This black bean burger is full of flavor! The recipe also calls for avocado as a binding agent rather than a traditional egg, adding a healthy dose of fat, and also making the recipe vegan friendly.

Black Bean Burgers

Ingredients

• 2 (15-oz.) cans black beans, drained and rinsed 

• 1 (3.5-oz.) package shiitake mushrooms, roughly chopped

•  1/2 yellow onion, thinly sliced

• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

• Kosher salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 1/2 c. old-fashioned oats

• 1/2 avocado, chopped

• 1/4 c. loosely packed cilantro or parsley leaves

• 2 cloves garlic, chopped

• 2 tsp. smoked paprika

• 1 tsp. chili powder

• 1 tsp. ground cumin

• Vegetable oil, for cooking

FOR SERVING

Toasted hamburger buns, lettuce, sliced red onion,

sliced avocado, vegan or regular mayonnaise

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°. Place all dry ingredients in a medium-large mixing bowl and combine them very well.

2. Spread beans in an even layer on a large baking sheet. Place mushrooms and onion on another large baking sheet, and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and toss to coat, then spread in an even layer. Bake beans until they are dry and the skins are beginning to split, 7 to 9 minutes. Bake mushrooms and onions until tender, 18 to 20 minutes.

3. Add beans, mushrooms, and onion to the bowl of a food processor, along with oats, avocado, cilantro, garlic, paprika, chili powder, and cumin. Blend until smooth, scraping down sides of food processor as needed. Let mixture rest 10 minutes in refrigerator, then form into 4 patties.

4. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat enough vegetable oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Add veggie burgers to skillet and cook until outside is crisp and golden, and inside is heated through, about 4 minutes per side. 

5. Assemble burgers with preferred toppings.