12 Ways to Build Delicious Veggie Burgers

Start with this bean burger recipe and go from there

Photo: Burcu Avsar & Zach DeSart

These burgers are excellent served on a bun with the usual fixings, no matter which bean you use, but I will say that black beans give the best possible result. If you start with well-seasoned cooked-by-you beans, the results are even better. If you like, replace the oats with rolled rye or wheat. Like almost all veggie burgers, these hold together better if you refrigerate before cooking.

The Simplest Bean Burgers

Makes: 4–8 servings
Time: 30–40 minutes, plus chilling time

Ingredients

• 2 cups well-cooked black, white, or red beans, chickpeas, or lentils, or 1 14-oz. can, drained
• 1 onion, cut into chunks
• ½ cup rolled oats (not instant), more if necessary
• 1 tablespoon chile powder or spice mix of your choice
• Salt and pepper
• Bean-cooking liquid, stock, wine, cream, milk, water, etc. (optional)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, or more as needed

Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.