Black Bean Burgers - Happy Herbivore
BLACK BEAN BURGERS
Recipe by Lindsay S. Nixon
Quick, gluten-free, and soy-free.
15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/3 cup instant oats*
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400F. Lightly oil a cookie sheet or line with parchment paper and set aside. In a mixing bowl, mash black beans with a fork until mostly puréed but still some half beans and bean parts are left. Stir in condiments and spices until well combined. Then mix in oats. Divide into 4 equal portions and shape into thin patties. Bake for 7 minutes, carefully flip over and bake for another 7 minutes, or until crusty on the outside. Slap into a bun with extra condiments and eat!
Editor’s Note:
*You can make your own instant oats by buzzing rolled or old-fashioned oats in the food processor.
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This was a Recipe Challenge recipe. I wrote:
I made Lindsay Nixon’s Black Bean Burgers. I modified the recipe somewhat. I had no cans of black beans on hand so cooked some from scratch—that does away with some of the convenience but shouldn’t affect the outcome and I don’t think it did. I also added some chopped fresh onion which I think only improved the recipe.
I baked at 375 degrees. I usually bake veggie burgers/balls at 350, and 400 seemed too high for me.
In all honesty, I was a little underwhelmed by the results. The burgers were kind of plain; all that was added to the beans was some ketchup and mustard and we usually add that at the table anyway. I liked them slightly better the next day (we had them two days in a row for lunch) and they truly are very easy to make and much more economical than any purchased veggie burgers.
I think I would look for a bean burger with a few more added ingredients to give it some layers of flavor. These were fine but just not stellar. Having said that, Lindsay Nixon/Happy Herbivore is an amazing resource: her recipes are easy, WFPB, and quite varied. Check out her website, https://happyherbivore.com, and I bet you can find one of her cookbooks on the shelf at the local library.
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The Happy Herbivore, or Lindsay S. Nixon, is a true plant-based hero. Her recipes are WFPB and oil-free, though they make moderate use of processed foods like condiments.
Happy Herbivore is an abundant website with recipes in every category. Nixon has a meal-planning service, Meal Mentor, by subscription, but you can get free 7-day trial. Nixon also has six cookbooks
Happy Herbivore
Everyday Happy Herbivore
Happy Herbivore Abroad
Happy Herbivore Holidays and Gatherings
Happy Herbivore Light & Lean
The Happy Herbivore Guide to Plant-Based Living
These books have been around for a while, and can be found in your library or can be purchased used for very little. They are classics with accessible recipes and a photos for just about every recipe, to inspire you.
The Happy Herbivore site has a header on weight loss: but remember, Nixon’s recipes will help you lose weight the gradual, effective and painless way—by eating lots of healthy food.
The cute elephant icon in Nixon’s logo has meaning for her: she loves animals, with a special place in her heart for elephants; and she donates some of her profits to elephants.
In 2024, Lindsay Nixon, along with another chef, provided the recipes for the groundbreaking new book by Neal Barnard, MD, The Power Foods Diet.
Have fun with her recipes!