A really good bean burger recipe is hard to find. I have tried hundreds of them over the years and this Mediterranean Diet based bean burger recipe is one of my all time favorites.
There are a few things that make this bean burger recipe so good.
- Eggs – Many bean burgers fall apart, but the addition of eggs makes it so it stays together as a burger throughout the frying.
- Garbanzo Bean Flour – This also helps to bind the burger and adds flavor. It also makes the burger gluten free (you could use regular flour or bread crumbs, but I recommend the Garbanzo Bean Flour if you can find it.
- Fried in Olive Oil – Frying the bean burgers in a healthy olive oil adds flavor, but more importantly, it creates an almost crispy outer layer. As you probably know, you can safely fry with olive oil on a medium heat. You just don’t want the oil to smoke (it can steam, but not smoke).
- Garlic and Sage – Garlic and sage gives the bean burger a sausage like flavor that I love.
Bean burgers are super quick and great to make when you don’t know what you are making for lunch or dinner. Just grab the ingredients from the pantry, prepare (10 minutes), fry (10 minutes) and within 20 minutes your meal is ready.
Condiments are always vitally important for any burger, but I love them on bean burgers! Dijon mustard, catsup, mayo, relish, sauerkraut, lettuce, tomatoes, and onion slices are just a few possibilities for burger night.
If you are going super traditional burger night, you could make sweet potato fries and roasted cauliflower. Bean burgers also go well with a salad like our avocado, radish and cucumber salad or fried onion salad with black olives.
Check out some of the hidden health benefits of sage by clicking here!
Bean Burgers with Garlic and Sage (Vegetarian, Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- 1-29 ounces can pink beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 onion minced
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup parsley, chopped
- 3/4 cup chickpea flour
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried sage
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp oregano, dried
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 1/2 cup Olive oil to fry
Instructions
- In a bowl, mash beans with a fork. Mash well, but don’t puree. I usually stop mashing when beans can be easily formed into a ball without falling apart.
- Add all other ingredients (except olive oil). Blend well with a fork.
- Heat oil on medium heat. Form bean mixture into patties. Fry until golden brown on one side and then flip and fry the same on the other side. Drain on paper towels.
Nutrition
About the Author: Bill Bradley, R.D.
Absolutely delish!
So easy to prepare and cook. I’ll be making these again for sure. I followed the recipie exactly. But I did not use canned beans. I soaked dry pink beans with epazote for 24 hours and then pressure cooked them on High for 15 minutes.
Hi, made these today. Very good! Would it be ok to freeze after cooking? Thanks!
What can I replace the chickpea flour with? Thank you ,love your videos on youtub and receipes,keep it up
You could use almost any flour including white, whole wheat or even almond flour.
Are there any vegan alternatives you could recommend to bind the burgers?
Thanks
Hi Kristy,
You can use a “flax egg” which is 1 Tablespoon ground flax seeds to 2 and 1/2 tablespoons of water. Let that sit for a few minutes and then replace the egg with that.
I find cans labeled pink beans in the Mexican/Spanish section of the grocery store. This recipe is a keeper. The bean patties have a very satisfying taste and texture after being fried in the oil.
Hi Kathleen, Yes, the pink beans are often in the Spanish section. Glad you liked it!
I have made these a couple of times and we just love them, thank you!!! We use Kidney beans.
As I live in Australia, I am unsure what is meant by “pink” beans – Are you referring to “Pinto” bean, or maybe even “Refried beans” (These are like a mashed mixture of Pinto beans, which comes out of the can in a solid mass, I think you would be referring to this perhaps??)
Please advise, as I am keen to make this recipe!! Many thanks.
Hi Donna,
Thanks for the question. Pink beans are whole beans and pinto beans would make the perfect substitute. You could try refried beans, but I think the consistency would be different (although I think it might work).