Best Veggie Burger

Ingredients

Veggie Burger Patties

• 1/4 cup ground flax
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 cups cooked black beans (2 15-oz cans, drained and rinsed)
• 1 cup cashews or almonds, sunflower seeds
• 1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa, white rice
• 1/2 cup chopped parsely
• 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
• 1/3 cup chopped green onions
• 1 cup bread crumbs or gluten free
• 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, or more to taste

Easy Burger sauce

• 1/2 cup vegan mayo
• 4 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 teaspoons sweet pickle relish
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• few shakes black pepper

Serving

• burger buns of choice
• lettuce or arugula
• tomato slices
• red onion slices
• mayo, mustard, ketchup, pickles
• cheese slices I like Violife cheddar

Instruction

1. In a small bowl, combine the ground flax and water. Give it a little stir and set aside. This is your flax egg mixture.
2. In a large bowl, add the drained and rinsed black beans. Mash with a potato masher (or fork) until most of the beans are a paste. Leave about 1/4 of the beans whole.
3. Place the cashews in a food processor, and pulse until they are breadcrumb size, NOT a powder. It’s okay if a few larger pieces remain. You could instead chop them with a large knife. Add to the bowl with the beans.
4. Now add the flax/water mix to the bowl with the beans/nuts as well as all the remaining ingredients. Mix very well with a large wooden spoon. 
5. Using about 1/2 cup per burger, shape into burger patty shapes about 3/4 inch thick. 

To Cook on the Stovetop

1. Add 2-3 tablespoons of oil on the stove over medium heat. Add 4 patties at a time and cook until gold and crispy on one side, about 4 minutes.
2. Carefully flip the burgers and cook for 3-4 more minutes. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate.

To Bake

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet or two with parchment paper. Place the patties on the pan(s) and bake for 20 minutes. Flip, bake for 15 more minutes. Remove from oven.

On the Grill

1. For easier grilling, refrigerate the patties for at least 30 minutes. Heat the BBQ to medium high, brush the patties with oil and cook for about 4 minutes on each side.

Serve with all the Toppings

1. Make the optional burger sauce: Add all ingredients to a small bowl and whisk well to combine. Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
2. Serve on hamburger buns and any burger fixings you love! Go with the classic: burger sauce or vegan mayo, ketchup, mustard, pickle slices, lettuce, tomato and onion. Or get creative with barbecue sauce, Sriracha vegan mayo, avocado and arugula, etc. Enjoy!