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When I became a vegetarian, one thing I missed was eating hamburgers. There’s nothing quite the same as biting into a hearty burger to satisfy your hunger. That’s why I was thrilled to learn how to make my own bean burgers. Rich in protein and fibre as well as iron, black beans are extremely valuable in a vegetarian diet. Not only are these burgers extremely simple and quick to make, but they’ve even been known to win over the most dedicated carnivore.

Ingredients: (makes at least four burgers):

1 can black beans

½ cup bread crumbs

Salsa (I recommend medium to spicy as that adds more flavour)

Salt and pepper to taste

Hamburger buns

Your favourite burger condiments and toppings

Directions

Rinse the black beans in a colander and put them into a large bowl.With a potato masher (a fork can work as a substitute), mash the black beans to break them up. Don’t mash them into a paste however; you want make sure to leave some texture so that the burger holds together.  

Next, add the bread crumbs, salt and pepper, and a tablespoon of salsa. Mash some more. Test the mixture by taking a small handful to see how well it holds together. You don’t want it to be too wet or too dry, so adjust by adding more salsa or bread crumbs until you are able to form a patty.

Once your mixture is done, heat some oil in a frying pan. Form the mixture into patties, and fry in the pan. 

Once cooked, assemble your burger and enjoy. My favourite toppings include cheese, red onion, avocado, and some more salsa for a Tex-Mex flavour. 

Left-over cooked patties also make excellent sandwiches. Use toasted bread, mayo, mustard, and your favourite sandwich toppings, and you have an easy and filling lunch to bring to school the next day.