Black Bean Burgers with Beets

I started making Black Bean Burgers about 10 years ago and we’ve been enjoying them ever since. I absolutely LOVE beans, so making them into a burger was not a stretch.

These are an easy 30-minute meal that’s vegan with a gluten-free option. They’re a meatless burger you WILL want to eat, and I added extra fiber and vitamins by adding Aunt Nellie’s Sliced Beets to the mixture. They sponsored this post and you’ll be glad they did because you’re going to love this recipe.

Believe me, I love meat – a lot – and burgers are one of my favorite things. But, years ago, before it was trendy, I made black bean burgers and fell in love. If you love beans, you’re not going to miss the meat in this burger recipe.

Black bean burgers are an easy 30-minute meal that’s vegan and can also be made gluten free. We love trying to go meatless at least once a week; it’s healthier and better for the planet, plus it opens our eyes to different types of foods.

These Black Bean Burgers are Healthier

There are so many reasons why a black bean burger is healthier. For one, they’re full of fiber-rich black beans, which are better for you than eating ground beef. But! These burgers also have a secret ingredient: BEETS.

Okay, I’m going to be 100% honest: I struggle with beets. I want to want to cook and order them, but I have trouble with the earthy taste sometimes, so in the past I’ve just avoided them. However, recently I’m trying to find ways to enjoy them because they are so good for you.

That’s how I came to add Aunt Nellie’s Sliced Beets into my black bean burger recipe: to treat myself like a toddler and hide food. And you know what? I LOVED them. Even if you think you don’t like beets, you WILL like this recipe, I promise. Now I can’t wait to try Aunt Nellie’s Beets in more ways.

Beets are good for you!

There are so many great things about beets:

• They are a great source of fiber, folate , manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C
• They have been associated with improved blood flow and lower blood pressure

Aunt Nellie’s offers six varieties of jarred beets. Sliced Beets are a great pantry staple and are ready to serve as a side dish, smoothie ingredient or when you want to add them to vegan burgers!

This recipe is part of Aunt Nellie’s third annual Beet Week, celebrating the versatility of beets in creative and innovative recipes. Each day a different blogger/food influencer will be featuring an exciting new recipe that fits many different healthy eating plans such as gluten-free, low -carb, vegan/vegetarian – and there’s even dessert!

I’m taking over Aunt Nellie’s Facebook and Instagram accounts all day today! Come join me.

What are Black Bean Burgers Made Of?

There are just a few ingredients in these burgers, and I’m pretty sure you have most, if not all of them, in your pantry.

• Black Beans
• Sliced Beets
• Onion
• Garlic
• Breadcrumbs
• Spices: red pepper flakes, salt and pepper

You can use any brand black beans, but I like to use low-sodium (either kind is fine).

These burgers are vegan and use the beets an breadcrumbs for binding, but if you’re looking for a gluten-free burger, you can make some easy swaps:

• Look for gluten-free breadcrumbs. They make regular and panko gluten-free; if you can’t find it in the baking aisle look in the specialty foods aisle. You can also use matzo meal (look in the international food section).
• Serve the burgers on gluten-free bread or with a lettuce bun.

How to make Vegan Burgers

It couldn’t be easier to make this recipe. The key to binding these together is blending some of the ingredients in the food processor, then adding whole beans for texture.

Mixing mashed beans and whole beans gives great texture to this burger!

PRO TIP

First, add the onion, garlic, half the beans and drained sliced beets into a food processor. You’re going to pulse it several times, or until it forms a slightly chunky paste. You don’t want it smooth like hummus, but more chunky like a tapenade.

Then, add the rest of the beans, the breadcrumbs, and spices to the mixture. Stir and form patties.

To cook your black bean burgers you simply fry them in some olive oil or nonstick cooking spray. They just need to heat through and get browned on both sides.

Freeze ahead for Meal Prep

This recipe makes a lot of burgers (about 18-20, depending on size). I love making a large batch like that because then I can freeze half and have dinner for another night.

You can freeze the burgers in two ways:

1. Freeze them “raw” after forming, or
2. Freeze them after cooking

To freeze, simply layer between sheets of wax or parchment paper and freeze in an airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator and then cook as directed.

Note: because this recipe makes a large portion, you may need to work in batches in your food processor. You can also easily cut the recipe in half.

How to serve Black Bean Burgers

You can serve these anyway you would serve a regular burger!

• Use any kind of condiments, sauces or guacamole
• Add vegetables like lettuce, tomato, avocado
• Don’t care about being vegan? Add cheese!
• Want some extra vitamins and fiber? Add sliced beets
• Serve on a bun (regular or gluten-free) or use lettuce wrappers, or just serve plain

I will note that these burgers can be soft, so I recommend adding some crunch to your topping (like lettuce).

This is fantastic easy and healthy 30 minute meal that can be changed up to your liking. Just don’t forget the beets!

Sweepstakes Giveaway!

Aunt Nellie’s will award seven (7) prizes consisting of a free case of your
favorite beets and a $50 digital gift card to your favorite store. Just follow
Aunt Nellie’s on Facebook and Instagram and click here to enter!

Connect with Aunt Nellie’s to get more recipes and hear more about the sweepstakes: Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram.

Want to get fancy? Make your own dinner rolls into hamburger buns and make roasted potatoes as a side dish!

Easy, Vegan with a GF option, these Black Bean Burgers are a healthier option to a traditional burger, especially because they’re made with Aunt Nellie’s Sliced Beets!