Enhanced Black Bean Veggie Burger

Ingredients

Black beans

2 cups, cooked and drained

Red bell pepper

1, finely chopped

Onion

1 small, finely chopped

Garlic

2 cloves, minced

Egg

1, beaten

Bread crumbs

1/2 cup

Ground cumin

1 teaspoon

Chili powder

1 teaspoon

Olive oil

2 tablespoons (for frying)

Salt

1/2 teaspoon

Black pepper

1/4 teaspoon

Burger buns

4, whole grain preferred

Lettuce

4 leaves

Tomato

1, sliced

Avocado

1, sliced

Salsa

1/2 cup, for serving

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, mash the black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.
2. In a food processor, finely chop the red bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Add the vegetable mixture to the mashed beans in the bowl.
3. Stir in the beaten egg, bread crumbs, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until fully combined, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
4. Divide the mixture into four equal portions and gently shape them into patties with your hands, about 1/2 inch thick.
5. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the patties and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until they are browned and heated through.
6. To serve, place the cooked burgers on the burger buns and top with lettuce, tomato, avocado, and salsa as desired.