Alright, veggie lovers and fellow advocates for taking it easy! 🌱 Tonight, we’re diving headfirst into the world of Speedy Bean Burgers. These are packed with plant-based protein, surprisingly flavorful, and require about as much effort as finding the next episode to binge-watch. Perfect for those nights when cooking feels like a Herculean task. Let’s get burger-ing, the lazy way! 🍔
Forget complicated veggie burger recipes that require a million ingredients and fancy food processors. We’re keeping it real, keeping it simple, and most importantly, keeping it affordable. These bean burgers are all about utilizing pantry staples and transforming them into a satisfying and guilt-free meal. Get ready to unleash your inner lazy chef! 😉
Lazy Girl Dinner Philosophy: Bean Burger Edition!
- Affordable AF? Canned beans are your wallet’s best friend. Oats or breadcrumbs? Probably already in your cupboard. We’re winning! 💸
- Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor? Mashing, mixing, and a quick pan-fry or bake. That’s it! 💪
- Delicious, Duh!? Earthy, savory, and surprisingly hearty. Top ’em right and you’ll be craving these again! 🤤
- Embrace the Imperfect? They don’t have to be perfectly round or photogenic. As long as they taste good, who cares? 🤷♀️
- Adaptable & Customizable? This is your bean burger canvas! Spice it up, add veggies, make it your own! 🎨
Lazy Girl Bean Burger Staples (Your New Go-To Ingredients):
- Canned Beans: The star of the show! Black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas – whatever you have on hand. Just rinse and drain them well.
- Binder: Helps everything stick together. Options include:
- Oats: Quick-cooking or rolled oats work great.
- Breadcrumbs: Regular or panko.
- Flour: All-purpose or even chickpea flour.
- Flavor Builders: Simple spices and aromatics are key!
- Garlic powder or minced garlic (if you’re feeling ambitious).
- Onion powder or chopped onion (again, optional effort).
- Cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika – whatever spices call to you!
- A squirt of your favorite sauce (BBQ, hot sauce, soy sauce for umami).
- Optional Veggie Boost (for extra goodness, minimal effort):
- Grated carrot or zucchini (adds moisture and nutrients).
- Chopped frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry).
Lazy Girl Speedy Bean Burger Recipe (Ready in under 20 minutes!):
Yields: 2-3 burgers Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10-15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 (15-ounce) can of beans (black beans or kidney beans recommended), rinsed and drained very well.
- ½ cup oats (quick-cooking or rolled) OR ½ cup breadcrumbs OR ¼ cup flour (start with less and add if needed).
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (or 1 small clove minced, optional).
- ½ teaspoon onion powder (or ¼ small onion finely chopped, optional).
- ½ teaspoon cumin.
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder (or more to taste).
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Optional additions: 1 tablespoon of your favorite BBQ sauce or hot sauce, ¼ cup grated carrot or zucchini, ¼ cup thawed and squeezed dry frozen spinach.
- Oil for cooking (olive oil or any cooking oil).
- Burger buns and your favorite toppings (lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, mustard, avocado – keep it simple!).
Equipment:
- Large bowl
- Fork or potato masher
- Skillet or baking sheet
Instructions (So easy, it’s almost automatic!):
- Mash the Beans: In your large bowl, mash the rinsed and drained beans with a fork or potato masher. You want a mixture that’s mostly mashed but still has some texture (a few whole beans are okay!).
- Add the Flavor: Add the garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper to the mashed beans. Stir everything together.
- Bind it Up: Add your chosen binder (oats, breadcrumbs, or flour) to the bean mixture. Start with the smaller amount of flour and add more if the mixture seems too wet to form patties. If using optional additions like grated veggies or sauce, stir them in now.
- Form the Patties: Using your hands, form the bean mixture into 2-3 burger patties. Don’t worry about making them perfectly round. Just make sure they are relatively even in thickness so they cook evenly.
- Cook ‘Em Up! (Your Choice of Lazy Method):
- Skillet: Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Carefully place the bean burgers in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until they are heated through and slightly browned and firm.
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet. Place the bean burgers on the baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until heated through and slightly firm.
- Toast the Buns (Optional, but elevates the lazy experience!): While the burgers are cooking, lightly toast your burger buns in a dry skillet or toaster.
- Assemble and Devour!: Place your cooked bean burgers on the toasted buns and top with your favorite lazy-approved toppings. Ketchup and mustard? Perfect! A slice of cheese? Even better! Lettuce and tomato if you have them? You’re practically a gourmet lazy chef!
Lazy Girl Notes & Swaps:
- Bean Variety: Experiment with different types of canned beans for different flavors and textures.
- Spice it Your Way: Adjust the spices to your liking. Add a pinch of cayenne for heat or some smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
- No Fresh Onions/Garlic? Don’t sweat it! The powders work just fine for a lazy meal.
- Make a Bigger Batch: These burgers freeze well! Make a larger batch and freeze individual patties for future lazy dinners. Just thaw them before cooking.
- Serve it Your Way: No buns? No problem! Serve your bean burger on top of a salad or alongside some roasted veggies.
There you have it! A satisfying and affordable bean burger recipe that proves you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to enjoy a delicious plant-based meal. Now go forth, be lazy, and enjoy your burger! You earned it! 😉
What are your favorite lazy burger toppings? Share your simple secrets in the comments below!