4 Ingredient Salsa Black Bean Burgers

Salsa Black Bean Burgers with just four ingredients you probably already have on hand - canned beans, oats, whole wheat flour, and salsa. You won't believe how easy they are to make and how much flavor they have.

As a food blogger, I usually feel the pressure to make everything homemade. However, to be honest with you, there are certain things I sometimes dread making at home and veggie burgers used to be one of them.

Normally they require lots of ingredients, chopping, blending or food processing, and waiting. Something I don't have time for most nights, especially when they don't end up tasting that much better than a frozen store-bought burger.

Luckily this veggie burger is different! With just a few ingredients you probably already have at home, you can make a killer vegetarian burger flavored with your favorite salsa.

The salsa is key here since it adds most of the flavor, so make sure to choose one you love. And if your salsa is lacking, just add your favorite spices or fresh herbs to kick things up a notch.

How to Make Salsa Black Bean Burgers and Easy Swaps

These are the easiest vegetarian burgers to make since they don't require any extra tools or steps. Grab a bowl and a wooden spoon or fork, and you are ready to start.

1. Start by rinsing and draining your canned black beans. Make sure to dry them well so that you don't end up with mushy burgers. Then grab a wooden spoon or fork and mash the beans. You can leave some chunks, but it should be mashed well enough that the burgers will stay together. Pantry swaps: You can use any homemade or canned beans in this recipe - chickpeas, white beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, or others.
2. Add the oats, flour, salsa, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until well combined. If you don't have oats, you could use breadcrumbs instead. Any type of flour would work - all-purpose, whole wheat, or white whole wheat. Pantry swaps: If you don't have any flour, throw some extra oats into the blender to make a quick oat flour and use a combination of whole oats and oat flour. Any type of salsa will work in this recipe. If you don't have salsa, you could use drained canned diced tomatoes. Just add some chili powder, taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or spices to kick up the flavor. 
3. Check the texture by grabbing a small bit with your hand and pushing it into a small ball or patty. If it is too dry, then add more salsa. If the mixture is too wet, then add a bit more flour. 
4. Divide the black bean mixture into four and shape into patties. Then place the patties on a plate and freeze them for 10 minutes. This helps the mixture stay together during cooking. If you are pressed for time, you can skip this step, but it helps create a better burger. 
5. Heat up some olive oil (or any other oil) and cook in a skillet for four to five minutes per side. They should brown and crisp up on the outside. 

Topping Ideas

There are so many ways you can top these black bean burgers from traditional to something much more creative. Here are some delicious topping ideas:

• Since this burger has salsa, stay with the theme and top the burger with avocado, sliced tomatoes, cilantro, and some pepper jack cheese.
• For extra spice, make a chipotle mayo by combining light mayonnaise or Greek yogurt with some canned chipotles in adobo. 
• Make a more classic burger with lettuce, tomato, red onion, and some whole grain mustard. 
• Grill some onions and melt a piece of Swiss or cheddar cheese on top.
• If you are some who loves the combination of salsa and ranch dressing, drizzle some ranch dressing on your burgers before serving. You could also add some ranch seasoning mix right into the burger patties. 

Make Ahead and Freeze

These burgers freeze well so consider making a big batch and storing them in the freezer for a quick meal. They can replace store-bought veggie burgers and are so much more affordable, especially you make your own black beans. 

To freeze, just form the burgers into patties. You do not need to cook them. Stack them with parchment paper in between and place them in a freezer safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Turn leftovers into bowls inspired by these Cuban Black Bean Bowls, swapping in the burgers for the seasoned black beans,

What to Serve with Black Bean Burgers

There are endless side dish options for veggie burgers but fries will always be at the top of the list. Here are some delicious options:

• Make some crispy parsnip fries to sneak in some veggies. You will be shocked at how much kids love these easy fries. 
• Another great veggie french fry option is zucchini fries.
• If you don't want to go the french fry route, consider making an avocado and tomato salad on the side or this Mexican Street Corn salad.
• For easy pantry options, consider making some roasted potatoes, canned corn, or veggies.

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• Chickpea Feta Burgers
• Italian Beef Burgers
• Portobello Burgers