When you think of classic food combinations, there are a few that likely come to mind: peanut butter and jelly, bacon and eggs, spaghetti and meatballs, or if you live in the South like me, biscuits and gravy.
These delicious food duos are classics for a reason: they just taste better together.
But if we really want to start talking about foods that go together, forget peanut butter and jelly. There are two foods that really go hand in hand: it’s got to be jalapeños and black beans.
I have to admit that we go through an obscene amount of black beans in my house. From tacos to soups, this kitchen staple gets a lot of play around here. But my favorite way to dish up black beans? In a burger patty, of course.
Black bean burgers are incredibly easy, plus they’re nutritious to boot.
However, if you really want to take it up a notch, these Southwest-inspired burgers are where its at. They’re packing a slightly spicy kick thanks to the jalapeño peppers, but there’s also plenty of cheese to help cool off and balance the heat.
If you don’t like your food quite as spicy, you can use less jalapeño peppers to take it down a notch. But if you are a fan of heat, leave some of the jalapeño seeds in — I dare you.
Ingredients
- 2 15 oz cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup of seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 red or orange bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
- 4 jalapeño peppers, seeded and cut in half lengthwise
- 1/2 of an onion, finely diced or grated
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 6 oz cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup of oil
- 6-8 burger buns
Instructions
- Heat broiler to high. Place jalapeños cut side down on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, and broil until blackened, about 10-15 minutes.
- After removing from the oven, wrap up in the foil and let sit for 5 minutes. Remove the skin, and finely dice. Set aside.
- Place the black beans in a large bowl and mash with a potato masher or a fork until mostly smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, cumin, salt, and cayenne.
- Mix the bell pepper, onion, egg mixture, and half of the diced jalapeños into the mashed black beans. Then add the bread crumbs, mixing thoroughly. Let this mixture rest for at least 5 minutes.
- Divide the black bean mixture into 6 to 8 equal-sized patties. If you like thicker patties, you will make about 6. For slightly smaller patties, recipe will yield 8.
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook patties 4 to 5 minutes, until brown and crispy, on each side. Repeat for all of the patties.
- When removing patties from the oil, place them on top of paper towels in a plate to blot any extra oil.
- In a small bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese and the other half of the jalapeños.
- Serve warm on a bun, topped with the jalapeño cream cheese mixture on top! Salsa, guacamole, sliced tomatoes, or avocado also make great additional toppings.
