Feeding a family and getting them to like everything that you like can be a challenge. As many mothers, wives, fathers, husbands and cooks know, that may be the understatement of the year. Pleasing everyone is impossible, yet getting them to eat what’s in front of them might not be. Often, as the family on a single income, we like to make cheaper meals a part of our weekly routine. I don’t compromise on flavour or nutrition though, ever. In this family, taste and health are number one. Sometimes we end up over budget on the weekly grocery shop, but most times we are under.
A great way to achieve your budgeting goals, is to make vegetarian meals a couple of times a week. Leaving out the expensive proteins and replacing them with cheaper (and just as or more nutritional) vegetarian alternatives will be good to your wallet. Often, you may already have the ingredients to make a vegetarian meal right there in your pantry, wallowing away in behind all the pasta noodles, rice bags and condiments.
I find a lot of people are at a loss to come up with something vegetarian that will appeal to all at the table. Burgers are a fantastic way to get everyone on board. Not only are they tasty and filling, but the act of making your own bun up and putting on the toppings you want, customizing to your own tastes, is what draws people in. These burgers are easy to prepare, good for you and fun for the whole family….they might not even notice the cilantro. If it is a problem though, just leave it out, up the other seasonings a bit and you’re good to go. Go save some money!
Black Bean Burgers
1 19oz can Black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro (tender shoots and leaves)
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 small red onion, diced
1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1 egg
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce **
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
Salt & pepper
Romaine lettuce leaves
1/2 avocado, sliced
Tomatoes, sliced
Slices of cheese (Cheddar, Mozzarella, Edam, Gouda, Brie, Havarti, etc)
Buns, halved
1. In bowl of food processor, add half of drained beans, cilantro, minced garlic, diced onion and egg.
2. Pulse until beans and remaining ingredients are mixed thoroughly.
3. Pour mixture out into medium sized bowl and add remaining beans, bread crumbs and seasonings.
4. Form patties and place on greased, aluminum foil lined baking sheet.
5. Bake in a 375°F oven for 25 minutes. Turn once halfway through and lay cheese over patties if desired, returning to oven for remaining time.
6. Serve on buns with condiments of choice and vegetables to garnish.
Now, sink your teeth into all that “hard” work and think about all the money, calories and carbon you just saved. Doesn’t that feel good? I know I feel better already.
**Note: As Trish has pointed out, traditional Worcestershire sauce is made with anchovies (always good in Caesar Dressing!) so adding it may not be for everyone if they are strict vegetarians. Feel free to omit it, or add in a vegetarian variety.
black beans, cumin, and cilantro create hands-down my favorite combination of flavors. i could eat it every day. your burgers are gorgeous and surely delicious–bravo. 🙂
.-= grace´s last blog ..the rest is just gravy =-.
I’ve made these before, loved them and then forgot to do them again! Thanks for the reminder. BTW, yours look perfectly formed and they held together beautifully in the cooking.
.-= Joan Nova´s last blog ..What Color is Your World? =-.
Love black bean burgers and these look terrific.
.-= My Man’s Belly´s last blog ..Almost Guilt Free Mac and Cheese =-.
I definitely will be making these this week, I’ll let you know how they turn out! Thanks for all the great recipes!
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Whole Wheat Blueberry Cranberry Muffins =-.
completely delicious! i love veggie burgers and almost always order one, unless the restaurant offers a good turkey burger (since i do not eat beef). i’ll have to make these for sure!
.-= Brie´s last blog ..Cromufini =-.
Looks delicious! Just a note that the standard Worcestershire Sauce is not vegetarian (anchovies), but there are veggie varieties available at health food stores.
Thanks for the Tip Trish! As some “vegetarians” eat seafood, I’ll keep it in the recipe, but I will make a note next to it.
I love the look of these burgers…I am definitely going to try these!
.-= HoneyB´s last blog ..Project 365: Jan 1 – 7, 2010 =-.
I love black bean burgers. We eat meat free at least once a week. I’ll give this a try. Thanks!
.-= Kristi Rimkus´s last blog ..Healthy Spinach and Potato Soup – Yes, It’s Good =-.
I am loving this – adore veggie burgers. And love black beans.
.-= Claudia´s last blog ..Epiphany =-.
I found your delicious photo of black bean burger on FoodGauker or one of those sites and had to come see the recipe. It looks so yummy and easy. Quick question, did you make those buns yourself? If you did can I have the recipe. Or if you bought them, are the a national brand name type thing I might find in my grocery?
.-= FoyUpdate (Garden. Cook. Write. Repeat.)´s last blog ..That’s a Big Egg =-.
Hello FoyUpdate,
thanks for popping by. The buns are a National Brand: D’Italiano 100% Whole Wheat Thintini Buns. Hope you can find them, they are great for avoiding too many bready calories.
Looks fantastic, I love preparing vegetarian dishes 2-3 times a week and it does help on the wallet.
Those look delicious! I want to try to make a black bean burger worthy of my meat-loving husband’s picky tastes. This does look inviting!
Looks fantastic–I just picked up some of the ingredients today and will be trying these out this week!
.-= Squeaky Gourmet´s last blog ..Simple Mexican Pasta =-.
I could survive off of black beans for the rest of my life.
This is awesome. I hope you realize this may become a staple for me!!! :o)
.-= Emily´s last blog ..A Boule Dough Recipe For Your Very Own Homemade Bread!!!! =-.
These look so delicious! I can’t wait to try them… Going in my favourites for sure! Thanks for sharing!
.-= Sanjana´s last blog ..A Flurry of Snowflakes and a Cup of Spiced Milk =-.
Yum! I’m thinking I’ll add some chipotle in adobo as well.
I tried you recipe – well with some adaptation. I can’t seem to just leave recipes alone. Check out how it turned out: http://foyupdate.blogspot.com/2010/01/black-bean-burgers-round-1-recipe.html
.-= FoyUpdate (Garden. Cook. Write. Repeat.)´s last blog ..Black Bean Burgers Round 1 – Recipe =-.
Yum! I love veggie/bean burgers, but have never made my own. I will definitely give these a try.
.-= Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction´s last blog ..Tomato Beef Soup =-.
Another great recipe, thanks for sharing all of these! This site has definitely beefed up my recipe book, no pun intended LoL
We made these last night to bring to a BBQ party and they put all the veggie burger bbq jokes to shame. The burgers were awesome but wish I had made some chipotle mayo to go with them.
Wow, awesome! I’m so glad you put all those veggie bashers to shame, I love it when that happens. Chipotle mayo sounds delish!
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Just found these via Google and am trying them tonight – chilling in the fridge now. Such a great recipe so far!
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Would these freeze well? Cheers
I think they would, but I admit I have not tested it.