Gluten Free Smoky Black Bean Burgers

I love veggie burgers. They're my new go-to food. High in fiber, protein, phytonutrients and, not to mention, so inexpensive and versatile, veggie burgers can be made ahead of time and cooked to order as needed. One thing missing from most of my veggie burgers is that charbroiled flavor an outdoor grill or a restaurant can impart on burgers. This burger recipe solves that problem with one secret ingredient, liquid smoke!

I always cook my burgers from dried beans by soaking over night and cooking in the pressure cooker.  Dried beans are about 1/3 the price of canned beans. To save time you can always use canned beans. This recipe is so easy and can be made gluten free. Just 4 simple ingredients, black beans, garbanzo flour, chia seed flour and chopped red onions. Just combine all the ingredients into a bowl and mix with your hands. I squish the mixture through my fingers. Not all of the beans will get mashed up but that's ok. It adds texture and mouth feel.

I like to season all of my burgers with curry powder and cinnamon. What makes this burger is the liquid smoke. Just a tablespoon of liquid smoke is enough for 12 burgers. I added organic soy sauce. For gluten free, add liquid aminos.

The mixture should be thick. Divide the mixture into 12 equal sized balls and shape into patties. You can bake them in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through. Or, you can cook them my favorite method, in the air fryer. Just take them out as needed and cook on high for 10 minutes on each side. The burgers should keep in the refrigerator for 7 days.

Here, I served the burger with a sprouted bread, avocados and barbeque sauce. At around 200 calories, these burgers are smoky, filling and better than the real thing.

GLUTEN FREE SMOKY BLACK BEAN BURGERS:

Prep time: 10 min

Cook time: 20 min

Total time: 30 min

Servings: 12

Calories: 205 per burger

Ingredients:

• 9 cups cooked black beans
• 1 cup chick pea flour
• 1/4 cup chia seed flour
• 1 cup diced red onion
• 3 tbsp liquid aminos
• 3 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp liquid smoke
• 1/2 avocado
• 2 tbsp bbq sauce

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients into a large bowl.
2. Mix thoroughly, running mixture through fingers until a thick paste is formed.
3. Divide mixture into 12 equal balls and shape them into patties.
4. Place them onto a lined sheet pan. 
5. Cook in air fryer on high for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. 
6. Alternately, you can cook them in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
7. Serve with your favorite bread, sliced avocados and bbq sauce.

What do you think of this recipe? I'd love to hear your comments and questions!

Peace, love and abundance!