bbq black bean burgers

i've had the idea for these burgers kicking around in my head for quite some time now and a few days ago i decided it was finally time to get it out of my head and onto a plate. the wonderful thing about making your own beany burgers is you can really take the flavor in any direction by switching out different beans or spices or liquids. i decided to go with a smokey bbq burger. i tend to enjoy bean burgers and veggie burgers that incorporate a grain as well so for a little more nutrition and a little more oomph i mixed in some quinoa. i got seven hefty burgers out of this recipe but i think if you plan in the beginning you could get eight good sized patties.

now since you've made your own burgers why not take an extra minute to whip up some buns and really make your dinner fabulous? i used this recipe from one frugal foodie and found them to be super quick and simple to make and got wonderful results (i replaced the egg with a cornstarch egg and cut the sugar down to two tablespoons).

we had these for dinner twice and froze the remaining burgers and buns. we haven't tried reheating them yet but i love knowing that these guys are only minutes away next time a burger craving strikes.

bbq black bean burgers
ingredients:
1 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 cup cooked quinoa
1/2 cup onion, very finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, pressed
2 tablespoons bbq sauce
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
2 teaspoons cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne (or to taste)
1 teaspoon chili powder
3/4 cup bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste

mash the beans in a medium sized bowl until no whole ones are left. add the rest of the ingredients and mix together really well, i recommend using your hands. form the mixture into patties and cook in a lightly oiled pan for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned. serve on a fresh bun loaded with toppings!

-d