Favorite Veggie Burgers

Get setIngredients

• 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 medium sweet potato, finely diced or grated
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats (or quick oats briefly blended into smaller pieces)
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped (about 2 tablespoons total)
• 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from the canned peppers)
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Avocado oil or high-heat cooking oil for cooking (optional for baking, needed for stovetop or grilling)

Recipe yield: 8 patties. Shown for cooking scale, not as a health score.

Make itInstructions

1. Cook 3/4 cup dry quinoa according to package directions to yield 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa, then set aside to cool slightly.

2. Drain and rinse the canned black beans, then add them to a large mixing bowl.

3. Mash the black beans with a fork until mostly broken down but still with some texture remaining.

4. Add the cooked quinoa, diced sweet potato, oats, cilantro, lime juice, minced garlic, chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, cumin, salt, and black pepper to the bowl.

5. Mix all ingredients together thoroughly until well combined and the mixture holds together.

6. For best results with grilling or stovetop cooking, refrigerate the mixture for at least 2 hours (or overnight).

7. Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape each into a patty about 3/4 inch thick.

8. For oven-baking (recommended): Preheat oven to 375°F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, place patties on the sheet, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden and heated through, flipping halfway.

9. For grilling: Heat grill to medium-high, place patties on oiled grates, and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side until cooked through.

10. For stovetop: Heat 1 tablespoon avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat, cook patties 3 to 4 minutes per side until browned and heated through, adding 1 tablespoon oil for each batch as needed.

11. Serve on buns or lettuce leaves with your favorite toppings and accompaniments.

Adapted from cookieandkate.com