Spicy Black Bean Burger

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 yellow onion roughly chopped
• 4-6 cloves garlic roughly chopped
• 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
• 1 cup quick cook oats
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs*
• 1-2 jalapenos diced
• 1/2 cup corn
• 2 tbsp spicy brown mustard
• 1 tbsp sriracha
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• pinch of salt and pepper plus more for topping
• 6 burger buns
• OPTIONAL TOPPINGS: lettuce tomato, onion, spinach, jalapeños, banana peppers, BBQ sauce, vegan ranch, etc.

DIRECTIONS

1. Add onion and garlic to a small pan over medium heat with 1 tbsp. of water. Saute until veggies start to soften.**
2. Scoop cooked veggies into a blender or food processor and pulse 2-3 times until combined, but not total mush.
3. Add beans to a large bowl and mash with a potato masher or fork until about half of the beans are mashed and the other half are still intact.
4. Add onion and garlic mixture to the bowl as well as remaining ingredients. Stir to combine.
5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Form mixture into 6 balls and flatten into patties.*** Place patties on baking sheet and put in the freezer for at least an hour.
7. If you are going to eat them right away, heat a pan over medium heat. Coat with non-stick spray and add frozen patties. Cook until browned and warmed through (about 6-8 minutes per side).
8. Serve on a burger bun, in a wrap or over a salad with your favorite toppings.
9. If you plan to store the patties for later: remove baking sheet from the freezer after an hour and cut parchment paper into squares. Stack patties on top of each other (with a piece of parchment paper between each patty) and place in freezer proof container. When ready to serve, follow cooking instructions above - no need to thaw patties.

NOTES

• *I used plain but you could try Italian or panko.
• **If veggies start to stick to the pan, add additional water - 1 tbsp. at a time.
• ***If mixture is too dry and patties aren't sticking, add 1 tbsp. of water at a time until they can easily form, but aren't too sticky or wet. You just want the patties to form, they will stick together completely once they are frozen.