Full of veggies, garlic, Worcestershire, and spices, these black bean burgers have a fresh savory flavor that’s so satisfying. But we like it best for its texture: It sears up crispy on the outside, dense and very moist on the inside. So moist, you could skip the condiments. But why would you do that? Like all burgers, it tastes even more amazing piled high with creamy mayonnaise, ketchup, onions, lettuce, and — our favorite touch — sweet bread and butter pickles. You won’t be daydreaming of beef when you eat it, we promise.

Our tips: We like to make up a big batch of these burgers on the weekend and freeze a bunch of the patties for nights when we need a quick and unfussy dinner on the fly. Not into the bun? They taste fabulous wrapped up in lettuce with some spicy aioli, cilantro, and chopped radishes.

Servings: 4

Ingredients

4 Tbsp olive oil, divided
¼ cup onion, diced small
¼ cup bell pepper, diced small
½ cup mushrooms, diced small
2 cloves garlic, grated
2 15-oz cans black beans, rinsed well
¼ cup green onion, minced
1 Tbsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp coriander
1 ½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
¼ cup grated carrot
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
1 egg
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1 Tbsp hot sauce
Buns and condiments for serving

Directions

1. In a medium sauté pan, warm 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, and garlic until soft and fragrant.

2. Transfer the mixture to the bowl of a food processor and pulse two or three times. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse until incorporated.

3. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, and then use a ⅓ cup measuring cup to form a patty, packing the cup tightly. Remove the patty to a baking sheet or plate, flatten it gently, and repeat until you’ve used up all the mixture. Note: To freeze the uncooked patties, separate them with 4x4” sheets of parchment paper and freeze them in a sealed plastic bag or container. When you’re ready to cook the frozen patties, transfer them to the fridge, let them defrost overnight, and then cook according to the directions below.

4. In a large sauté pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat and gently place the patties in the pan. Cook until crisp and browned, about 3 to 4 minutes, and then flip and cook the second side.

5. Remove from the pan and serve hot with your favorite burger buns and condiments.