Although you can buy black bean patties in almost every supermarket nowadays, I’m a strong believer that you can make the best black bean burger at home. I’ve added some jalapeño peppers to the mix to make these vegan bean burgers a little spicy.

In line with the worldwide trend, the vegan movement is slowly spreading over the Caribbean. I got involved as a vendor of Caribbean streetfood at a local vegan market. It made me realize that with all the fresh fruits and veggies around us, the Caribbean is a perfect place for vegans. This is one of the dishes that I served at the market, which even the toughest guy, a staunch carnivore, couldn’t resist.

Serves 4

Black Bean Burger

Ingredients black bean patty:
¾ cup (200g) canned black beans, rinsed and drained
3 tablespoons (25g) red onion, roughly chopped
3 tablespoons (25g) mushrooms, roughly chopped
¼cup (5g) cilantro, roughly chopped
¼ cup (5g) parsley, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon (10g) jalapeño, roughly chopped
2 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped
¼ cup(25g) slivered almonds
¼ cup(35g) sunflower seeds
½ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½teaspoon salt
¼ cup (35g) carrot, shredded
3 tablespoons (40g) wheat germ

 

To serve:
1 cup (15g) mixed salad leaves
½ cup (50g) red onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons (20g) jalapeño, thinly sliced
4 tablespoons (vegan) mayonnaise
4 tablespoons papaya ketchup
4 small hamburger buns
salt and pepper

 

Preparation:

  1. In a bowl of a food processor, combine the beans, onion, mushrooms, cilantro, parsley, garlic, almonds, sunflower seeds, oil, water, cumin and salt. Process briefly until roughly chopped and just combined.
  2. Fold in the carrot and wheat germ. Let stand for 10 minutes. Divide the bean paste into 4 portions and form into burger patties.
  3. Heat a griddle pan or barbecue and sear the burgers until browned and cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
  4. Slice the hamburger buns in half and briefly grill them, cut-side down.
  5. Divide the salad over the bottom parts.
  6. Top the burgers with sauces, red onion and jalapeño. Top with the other half of the bun and secure with a skewer.

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black bean burger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can’t get enough of vegan recipes? Give this recipe for sweet potatoes falafel a try.