If you are looking for a kidney bean burger recipe, you have come to the right place! Kidney beans are loaded with texture and flavor. The best part is that they are super easy to make and can be put in the fridge to be used later. These kidney bean burgers are a nice shift from white bean and black bean burgers. They are crisp and golden on the outside, while the patty has a wonderful texture on the inside. All you need are some staples you will find in your pantry, like ketchup, spices, and dried herbs.
What makes kidney bean burgers so popular is their protein content- they are loaded with protein, making them a perfect meal for someone looking to hit their macros. Moreover, you need to put in minimal effort and time to make them, even someone who does not have much experience in cooking will be able to nail this recipe. Don’t worry; your kids will love having these burgers as part of their lunchboxes at school!
Kidney Bean Burger Recipe- Ingredients You Need
- Kidney beans: 1 ½ cup (265 grams). You can use home-cooked beans as well as canned kidney beans.
- Onion: Medium-sized, ¼. These do not have to be sautéed first. Put them in raw- they will add lots of flavor to the recipe.
- Garlic: Medium-sized, 2 cloves
- Tomato Ketchup: 2 tablespoons. Ketchup adds some sweetness and stickiness. It also helps hold the burger together. You can use BBQ sauce if needed.
- Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon
- Smoked paprika or chili powder: 1 teaspoon
- Sea salt: Fine, ½ teaspoon
- Ground black pepper: ½ teaspoon
- Old fashioned oats or rolled oats: 1 cup. Oats are important to balance out the mushy texture of the beans. The oats in the recipe work well because they can be found easily and are budget-friendly. You can use gluten-free oats if necessary.
- Parsley: Fresh, one handful. You can use dried parsley in case fresh parsley is not available to you.
- Burger Buns
- Cucumber: 1, sliced
- Jalapenos: To taste
- Lettuce: 1 head
Equipment Needed
- Food processor
How to Make a Kidney Bean Burger- Method
Step 1
Thoroughly rinse the beans. Keep them aside and shake them to get rid of extra water.
Step 2
Separate half the beans into a container or bowl and keep them aside. The other half goes into the food processor.
Step 3
Throw ketchup, onion, smoked paprika/ chili powder, garlic salt, and pepper into the food processor and mix it into a paste. Keep scraping the sides down to ensure that everything gets blended equally.
Step 4
Pop the food processor open and throw in the remaining kidney beans, parsley, and oats. Pulse to mix everything up. It is important to pulse as this will break the oats and beans up into chunky but small pieces.
You will have to keep scraping the sides down so that everything mixes well. However, do not process the mixture too much as this may cause the original texture to get lost.
Step 5
Line a plate or baking tray with parchment paper while the mixture is in the food processor.
Step 6
When you are confident that the mixture is ready for use, stop pulsing and remove the blade from the food processor. Take out bits of the mixture and start shaping them into ½ to ¾ inch thick patties for your budget.
Before you shape the patties, form a ball from each mixture and squeeze everything together. Then, flatten them out for your patties. This will ensure that each patty holds its shape.
Step 7
In your lined tray or plate, lay out the shaped patties, leaving some distance between them. Pop them in the refrigerator for a minimum of 20 minutes, but you can also store them for up to 3 days.
If you are chilling them for 20 minutes, you don’t need to cover the plate. However, if you choose to store them for longer, make sure to cover the patties with a cling so that they do not dry out.
Step 8- If Pan-Frying
If you want to pan-fry the patties, take a big frying pan and brush it with some oil. Place the pan over medium to low heat. When the oil in the pan has heated up, slowly add the burger patties in without breaking them or distorting their shape.
Cook each side for 8 minutes or watch to see till the patty becomes brown and firm. Depending on your cookware, the cooking time may vary. Make sure to watch your burger patty closely and use your judgment.
Step 9- If Baking in an Oven
If you want to bake your kidney bean burger patties in an oven, set the oven temperature to 375 degrees and bake them for 20 to 25 minutes.
The patties need to stay in the oven till they are crusty on the outside and heated all the way through. After 15 minutes, flip them so that they can cook from the other side too.
Step 10- If Grilling
We personally do not recommend that you grill these burgers using grill grates. Instead, you can use oiled aluminum foil to put these patties on the grill for some additional support. You can also use a cast-iron skillet or oiled grill pain.
Each side of the patty needs to be cooked for 7 to 8 minutes over medium-low heat. Watch your patty closely and flip after it becomes brown and firm.
Step 11- Heat the Burger Buns
Lay down the burger buns on top of a skillet. Make sure to oil it first. Heat both sides of the bun and then start assembling.
Layer ketchup or BBQ sauce on both sides of the bun. Add some lettuce, jalapenos, cucumbers, and the patty you made.
Combine everything and serve hot!
Nutrition Information
- Calories: 185 kcal/ burger
- Carbohydrates: 34 grams
- Protein: 9 grams
- Fat: 2 grams
- Saturated fat: 1 gram
- Polyunsaturated fat: 1 gram
- Monounsaturated fat: 1 gram
- Sodium: 363 grams
- Potassium: 404 mg
- Fiber: 8 grams
- Sugar: 2 grams
Our Final Thoughts
People believe that vegan burgers cannot be compared to a big, juicy beef burger, but they will be proven wrong once they try this kidney bean burger recipe. Not only will your burger be juicier than a beef burger, but it will also have lower calories and will taste just as amazing.
