I'm teaming up with California Avocados to bring you these vegetarian black bean sliders, topped with a creamy avocado sauce.
So, you know that awkward moment when you are grilling up hamburgers and hot dogs for all of your summer barbecue guests, and you realize that one of your friends is a vegetarian, but you have absolutely nothing to feed them, except for a potato salad and a cob of grilled corn? We've all been there.
Well, these vegetarian burgers are so good that all of your meat-loving friends might start begging for their own black bean slider. And what about the kids? Well, my two boys asked me to make a double batch next time. I'd say that's a rave review.
If you have leftover brown rice on hand (as we often do) and cans of black beans in the pantry (as we ALWAYS do), these burgers come together really quickly. Throw the black beans and brown rice in the food processor, along with a few other ingredients, such as sauteed onions and chipotle peppers.
If you're watching your carb intake and prefer to go bun-free, you could serve these patties tucked inside of lettuce wraps. But whatever you do, don't miss out on the avocado sauce.
As part of my ambassadorship for the California Avocado Commission, I am lucky enough to receive regular shipments of beautiful, creamy avocados. However, you may have noticed that avocados are appearing in abundance in every supermarket right now. We are entering the height of the growing season, and the avocados are begging to be chopped, pureed and eaten straight up.
If you prefer a vegan sauce, replace the Greek yogurt with an equal amount of olive oil. And you might consider making a double batch so that you can spread this sauce on every piece of food that crosses your plate.
How to make black bean sliders:
The black bean burgers:
Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a medium skillet set over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft. Add garlic, chipotle pepper, cumin, salt and pepper. Saute for additional 2 minutes.
Scrape the mixture into the food processor. Add black beans, brown rice and lime juice. Pulse until the beans are chopped, but not pureed.
Scrape the black bean mixture into a large bowl. Add the breadcrumbs and the cilantro. Stir the mixture until combined.
Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions (about ¼ cup each) and form into patties. If the mixture is too moist to form patties, add more breadcrumbs.
Place the patties on a baking sheet lined with plastic wrap and cover with additional plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a large skillet (preferably not nonstick, so a good crust can form) set over medium heat. Add the patties and cook for 3 minutes per side. If the skillet is not large enough to fit all of the patties, cook them in two batches.
The avocado sauce:
In the bowl of a food processor, combine the chopped California avocado, cilantro, yogurt, lime juice, olive oil, chipotle pepper and salt. Puree until smooth.
Assembling the black bean burgers:
Divide the avocado sauce between the rolls.
Top each with one black bean patty and one slice of tomato. Serve.
Other avocado recipes:
Shrimp Avocado Egg Rolls (Air Fryer or Oven)
Vegan Hummus Avocado Sandwich
Shrimp, Avocado & Spring Noodle Spring Rolls
Kicked-Up Avocado Margaritas
Printable Recipe
Black Bean Sliders Recipe with Creamy Avocado Sauce
Ingredients
The Burgers:
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon canola oil divided
- ½ medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium chipotle pepper seeded & minced
- ¾ tablespoon ground cumin
- ¼ tablespoon kosher salt
- ¼ tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup canned black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 3 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoons minced cilantro
The Sauce:
- 1 California avocado chopped
- ¼ cup minced cilantro
- 2 tablespoons nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ small chipotle pepper seeded & minced
- â…› teaspoon salt
- 8 whole wheat dinner rolls but in half
- 2 Roma tomatoes sliced
Instructions
The Burgers:
- Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a medium skillet set over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft. Add garlic, chipotle pepper, cumin, salt and pepper. Saute for additional 2 minutes.
- Scrape the mixture into the food processor. Add black beans, brown rice and lime juice. Pulse until the beans are chopped, but not pureed.
- Scrape the black bean mixture into a large bowl. Add the breadcrumbs and the cilantro. Stir the mixture until combined.
- Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions (about ¼ cup each) and form into patties. If the mixture is too moist to form patties, add more breadcrumbs.
- Place the patties on a baking sheet lined with plastic wrap and cover with additional plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a large skillet (preferably not nonstick, so a good crust can form) set over medium heat. Add the patties and cook for 3 minutes per side. If the skillet is not large enough to fit all of the patties, cook them in two batches.
The Sauce:
- While the patties are resting in the fridge, make the sauce.
- In the bowl of a food processor, combine the avocado, cilantro, yogurt, lime juice, olive oil, chipotle pepper and salt. Puree until smooth.
Assembling:
- Divide the avocado sauce between the rolls (about 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sauce per roll). Top each with one black bean patty and one slice of tomato. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This recipe was created as part of my partnership and ambassadorship with the California Avocado Commission (CAC). All opinions expressed are my own. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
MyKitchenStove
Black bean sliders recipe look incredible!!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious
I was one of those peoples who would never go near a black bean burger with a ten feet pole but I've recently fallen in love with them, and I just can't wait to try your version. Plus, with that avocado sauce, how could I resist?!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
Doesn't a black bean slider sound so much better than a veggie patty? Maybe it's just me. It looks wonderful!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
I love black beans, great idea for the vegetarians!
nessa
These look incredible!
The Café Sucre Farine
Looks fantastic, I'd be the envy of all my co-workers if I brought these for lunch!
sippitysup
"Slide" on my way it's "bean" a long time since I've seen something so delicious. GREG
Carla @ Carlas Confections
I would go vegetarian for these! 😉 They look incredible!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
This sounds and looks fabulous, Dara!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie
I really need to try black bean burgers.
Heather
I could just eat that sauce with a spoon! I love black bean burgers - they're so hearty and the flavor is always so good 🙂
Mr. & Mrs. P
These sound so delicious!! They look so hearty that no one will miss the meat! Great job!
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite
These sliders look great! Love the addition of the avocado sauce.
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective
These look great, Dara!
Traci
I love this delicious recipe! I love that you went with a vegetarian version. I love to take a break from grilled meat during the summer to have a veggie dinner a couple of nights a week. This looks great!
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc.
love this one Dara!
carrian
LOOOOVE this recipe Dara! Can't wait to try it!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
Love that you added yogurt to the avocado!! Yum!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
That sauce looks SO GOOD! These little sliders are sure to be a hit in our house. Yum!
Tieghan
So cute! I love these slider and that avocado sauce! Oh my gosh, I think is was made for me! YUM!