Ingredients
1 (15.5-ounce) can black beans
2/3 cup quick oats
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 red onion
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 to 4 slices cheese (optional)
Instructions
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Drain the beans and spread them out on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, giving them a shake about halfway through.
  3. While the beans are in the oven, put the quick oats into a small bowl and use your hands to break them down a bit further. Add the egg, Worcestershire, mayo, and hot sauce. Stir and set aside to let the oats soak up some of that moisture.
  4. Turn your attention to the onion: Finely dice about a quarter of the onion, or 2 tablespoons worth. If you wish, you can slice some of the remaining onion to use as a topping for your burger.
  5. Once the beans are out of the oven, transfer them to a large bowl. Sprinkle them with the chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt. Mash with a fork, making sure to leave the mixture a little chunky. Add the oat mixture to the beans, and stir to incorporate. Once everything is pretty well combined, gently stir in the diced onion.
  6. To form the patties, you can use a 1/3 cup measure to make four equal portions. These smaller, 3 ounce burgers are the perfect fit for an English muffin (my preferred lunch size portion). If you are craving a bigger burger, use a 1/2 cup measure for the standard quarter-pound patty. Either way, using wet hands to form the patties helps.
  7. While these black bean burgers were designed to hold up well on a grill, the skillet method is foolproof. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high. Cook the first side for about 4 minutes, or until the bottom is browned and has formed a nice crust. Flip the patties over, lay a slice of cheese on top (optional, though highly recommended) and cook for another 4 minutes. Remove from the skillet and rest on a towel-lined plate to blot any excess oil.
  8. Sandwich between your bun of choice, with any toppings you'd like.