Southwestern Pinto Bean and Veggie Burgers with Slaw

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Total: 1 hr 5 min (includes chilling and cooling times)
  • Active: 30 min
Whether you're vegetarian or looking for a meat-free meal packed with flavor, this is destined to be your new go-to veggie burger. It leans into pinto beans for protein and is studded with delicious bursts of super sweet corn. Dredged in a cornmeal crust and cooked until golden, each patty is the perfect balance of crispy, creamy and bright.
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Ingredients

Burgers:

3/4 cup frozen corn

1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons olive oil

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 medium shallot, finely chopped

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 teaspoons minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 large clove garlic, minced

One 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained, rinsed and patted dry

1 large egg

1/2 cup finely diced Cheddar (about 2 ounces)

6 tablespoons cornmeal

Slaw:

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

Juice of 1 lime

1 small serrano chile, seeded if desired and minced, optional

Kosher salt

2 cups packaged coleslaw mix

1 ripe avocado, cut into 8 to 12 slices, for serving

Directions

  1. For the burgers: Cook the corn according to the package directions; set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the bell pepper and shallot and sprinkle with salt. Cook, stirring, until the bell pepper is tender, about 4 minutes. Add the corn, chipotle, coriander, cumin and garlic and cook 1 minute more. Transfer to a large bowl to cool, about 15 minutes.
  3. Put the beans in a food processor with the egg and 1/4 cup of the cooled vegetables and pulse until the mixture is creamy but still a little chunky. Add the bean mixture to the remaining cooled vegetables along with the Cheddar, 3 tablespoons of the cornmeal, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of black pepper. Stir to combine. 
  4. Shape the bean mixture into 4 patties, each about 4 inches in diameter. Put the remaining 3 tablespoons cornmeal on a plate. Coat the patties in the cornmeal, put on a platter and chill until cooled through and firmer, about 20 minutes.
  5. For the slaw: Stir together the cilantro, mayonnaise, lime juice, serrano if using and salt to taste in a medium bowl. Add the coleslaw mix and toss; chill until ready to serve.
  6. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the patties and cook until golden brown on the first side, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook until golden brown on the second side and the cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes longer.
  7. To serve, put 2 or 3 slices of avocado on each serving plate. Add a burger and top with a spoonful of slaw.

Let's Get Cooking!

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R Romney

I know you may never have thought about trying a veggie burger, but this one is a must. I've always been a hamburger guy, but this recipe has so much flavor, spice and texture that will leave you asking for another burger. Very delicious!<br />I also, think the family will really like this recipe. It might convert you to veggie burgers.

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