Easy Veggie Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• 1 cup raw walnuts
• ½ tbsp olive oil (plus more for cooking)
• ½ medium white onion, finely diced (about 3/4 cup)
• 1 Tbsp each chili powder, cumin powder, and smoked paprika
• ½ tsp each sea salt and black pepper
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1½ cups cooked black beans (well-rinsed, drained and patted dry)
• ⅓ cup panko bread crumbs (if gluten-free, use gluten-free bread crumbs)
• 3-4 Tbsp BBQ sauce
• Optional: 5 whole-grain buns (or large lettuce leaves), lettuce or spinach, sliced tomato, sliced onion, cheese, sliced avocado, pickles, condiments

Directions:

1. If your brown rice isn’t cooked yet, start there by following this method for the best results. Otherwise, move onto the next step.
2. Heat skillet over medium heat. Add raw walnuts and toast for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and golden brown. Transfer to a plate or dish to cool.
3. Heat the same skillet over medium heat. Add oil and onion. Season with a bit of salt and pepper and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until onion is fragrant, soft, and translucent. Remove from heat and set aside.
4. Once walnuts are cooled, place in a blender or food processor with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper and sugar and blend to a fine meal. Set aside.
5. Place drained black beans in a large mixing bowl and mash well with a fork, leaving only a few whole beans. To the bowl, add cooked rice, spice-walnut mixture, sautéed onion, panko bread crumbs, BBQ sauce, and mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon for 1-2 minutes, or until a moldable dough forms. If dry, add an extra 1-2 Tbsp BBQ sauce. If too wet, add more panko bread crumbs. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
6. To make burgers, divide into 5 patties (use a 1/2 cup measure). To help form the patties, line the 1/2 measuring cup with plastic wrap and pack with burger mixture. Press down to pack firmly, then lift out by the plastic wrap’s edge, and slightly flatten with your hands to form a 3/4-inch thick patty. Set on a baking sheet or plate for grilling.
7. If grilling, heat the grill at this time and brush the grill surface with oil. Otherwise, heat the same skillet you used earlier to medium heat.
Add just enough oil to lightly coat the bottom of your skillet, then add your burgers. (Do not pack tightly in the skillet.) Otherwise, add burgers to the grill and close lid.
8. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until well-browned on the underside, then flip gently. They aren’t as firm as meat burgers, but will definitely hold their shape. Reduce heat if cooking/browning too quickly. Cook for 3-4 minutes on other side.
9. Remove burgers from heat to let cool slightly. Serve in buns (or lettuce wraps) with toppings.

Adapted from Minimalist Baker