the almost burger
July 18, 2011 My level of excitement for this latest kitchen creation is high. Very high. And it’s not even finished yet. Well, it’s not perfected yet. Believe me, every single last crumb was finished.
The idea started the day I made Mama Pea’s Yukon Gold White Bean Basil Burgers. I would have never thought to put beans + potatoes together in a veggie burger. It actually sounded kind of odd to me. However, I knew to trust MP and per usual, the recipe was a major success. The texture was my favorite part and it was thanks to the potato.
While chowing down on her potato bean burger, my next thought was to combine sweet taters + black beans. It’s a combination that I love, but never would have thought to make a veggie burger from.
For spices, I used: salt, pepper, cumin, coriander, oregano, chili powder + cayenne
The spice ratios will not be changing. They were spot on!
The burger patties actually seemed to pack + hold together really well. It was upon cooking, that I realized they were fairly fragile. They didn’t completely fall apart, but they didn’t completely hold together.
I was trying to get away with not using any flour, but using cooked quinoa and the potato for binding. It worked, but needs some improvement. Flour will have to be added. I’m thinking of using millet or oat flour and maybe even adding 1T ground flax.
A few things I’m digging about this burger:
- texture: I left 1/2 of the beans whole, kept the skins on the potatoes, and added whole corn. Between all of that and the quinoa, the texture was unbelievable. It wasn’t a pile of veggie burger mush mush.
- No food processor involved! Just chopping + mashing!
- Extremely flavorful.
- Pretty!! I love the color from the sweet tater and the whole pieces of corn. Even a veggie burger needs to look good!
The recipe made 8 patties and they were gobbled up in under 24 hours, with the help of Chris + Kelsey.
Dare I say this is my favorite veggie burger??
Ever!?
I think so!! The burg was topped with ketchup, roasted red pepper, avocado and an Udi’s whole grain GF bun. I love Udi’s GF products. They’re my favorite in taste, texture + nutrition.
Another trial run or 2 and hopefully this recipe will be good to go! Sorry for the Monday recipe tease. ;)
Stay tuned…
Ashley
Recipes, black beans, burger, corn, quinoa, sweet potatoes 
Reader Comments (50)
That recipe looks pretty darn good to me as is!
I'm dying to make homemade veggie burgers and I think I've just found the one :) Flour or no flour this had my mouth watering at 10am so I think that's a good sign!
I love black bean & sweet potatoes together I make a burger with both and wild rice its amazing and has the best texture!!
Yum, I love veggie burgers! Just made the Perfect Veggie Burgers from Oh She Glows on the weekend. Sweet potatoes and black beans are an excellent combo for sure :)
just use oats! looks amazingg
Mmm I love a good veggie burger! Must. Try. This.
Those look amazing! Eek I want the recipe! :)
This looks like a good one, can't wait for the real recipe!
After making so many veggie burgers trials, I'm convinced that some type of flour (I love processed oats) is key for it to stick together without cracking. I'm sure you will have a better outcome with your next one! You should try the 'our perfect veggie burgers' I posted last week...they are incredible and have a crunchy texture from the almonds and sunflower seeds.
My mouth is watering! I need that burger in my belly!
Ohh how beautiful these look! I can't wait for the recipe, consider my mouth sufficiently watered!
I was JUST thinking about trying to make some kind sweet potato black bean burger. I'll definitely be trying this out.
Yes!!! I definitely will be trying those. You are a veggie burger master!! I was thinking about using processed oats as well. I think I'll split up the mixture and do 2 trials. Seeds in veggie burgs are the best!!
Yes...I was thinking that!
Ooooh, I bet rice in the burger is amazing!
Woohoo!!
I love sweet potato + black bean so I bet these tasted incredible! I love the gobs of ketchup and avocado you put on top too. Perfect.
These look amazing!!!!!!!!!!!
You just put all of my favorite spices and sweet potatoes into a burger, soooo I need this recipe STAT! Thank you :)
Recipe looks great as is! :)
I'm okay with the recipe tease...I like looking at your gorgeous photos.
Looks incredible, Ashley. I'd say this first take is probably super good. But can't wait to see trial #2.
Aw, thanks. :)
i'm dying to see this recipe! looks so good.
That looks amazing. It makes me want to get out of work and head to the kitchen to try and fix one up myself. lol. I can't wait to see the recipe.
I. CANNOT. WAIT. THESE LOOK DELICIOUS!!!
It sounds Soooo amazing and looks so pretty! Such a tease :)
Oo I'm always looking for new veggie burger recipes. Never thought of using sweet potato and black beans. Can't wait to see the final product!
Holy yum. Thanks so much for sending this idea. Brilliant. Although, I always love having sweet potato fries w/ my black bean burgers. WOuld it be too much to have them inside and out of the burger? I think not. :)
That veggie burger looks amazing! I love it! And I 100% agree about Udi's bread products! They totally rock and my husband and I don't even HAVE to be GF. Although I will say that Glutino's bagels are the top in that category for me.
It looks like it should be call a southwestern trail mix burger!! LIke an unconventional trail mix. :)
I'll keep my eye out for those bagels!
I love black beans, sweet potatoes and all those southwest spices! Yum, I can't wait for the recipe as it looks super tasty :) Well done, my friend- as always!
Ha, tease indeeeed. I haven't ever added a potato either, but I have a few mini red ones left over from a dinner last week and might have to see what I can do with them in this veggie burger realm!
There's a new cafe in Denver that uses cooked rice in their burgers - it was AMAZING. Something I'll be experimenting with soon :)
YUMMMM. oh my goodness this looks like the perfect end of summer/autumn burger!! Can't wait for the recipe!
Those look really delicious. I'm excited to see the recipe!
Yum!! I've heard of that but haven't tried it. I bet the texture is awesome!
I love sweet potatoes and black beans together. What a great idea to put them in a burger! I can't wait for the recipe!
oh my goodness, I am a veggie burger hound and those look simply amazing! :)
The burger looks delicious! I am dying to make more bean burgers, but sadly that's not going to happen today. I discovered that lentil burgers are my favorite!
I can't wait to see the recipe for these! They look awesome!
"Between all of that and the quinoa, the texture was unbelievable. It wasn’t a pile of veggie burger mush mush.
No food processor involved! Just chopping + mashing!"--
That is awesome and that's what I am all about!
Can't wait to see the big recipe reveal!
Those burgers look amazing just the way they are!!
I love the spice combo here...sounds awesome!
yes! these looks fantastic! cant wait for trial number 2 :)
They look pretty tasty already! Can't wait to see the recipe... What a food tease!
I made an awesome veggie burger yesterday that was gluten-free (not intentional, but just realized it) if you are interested! It was so simple I can tell it to you here:
1 can black beans
1 egg
1/3 cup salsa
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup frozen, thawed spinach
1. Blend all ingredients in a food processor until combined, but still slightly chunky.
2. Form into 4 patties (recipe easily doubles, triples, etc.)
3. Grease a skillet with mild oil and cook burgers over medium heat about 5 minutes/side, or until browned.
Let me know if you try it! It's Mark Bittman's Basic Bean Burger recipe and this was a yummy, spicy spin on it.
Oooh, I have yet to try a lentil burg!
They were pretty fragile when flipping and eating! :)
Wow, that is a super simple burger!!! Awesome!
Yumage - can't wait to see the recipe. I don't really dig corn on its own but I think it becomes oh-so-tasty in a veggie burger situation.