Rhythm & Blues Black Bean Burgers

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Plant-powered burgers with a smoky blue corn crust and zesty avocado slaw, turning weeknight dinner into a musical delight. This vegetarian-inspired vegetarian (gluten-free) ready in about 40 minutes pairs (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans, blue cornmeal, finely diced red onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.3 (12 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Vegetarian cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a food processor, pulse 1 can drained black beans until mostly smooth but still slightly textured, about 1 minute.
  2. Step 2: Transfer to a bowl and mix in 1/2 cup blue cornmeal, 1/4 cup diced red onion, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 1 mashed avocado until well combined and holds its shape when pressed.
  3. Step 3: Form into 4 equal patties (about 3/4 inch thick) and refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm.
  4. Step 4: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and cook patties for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp at the edges.
  5. Step 5: While burgers cook, mix 3 tbsp dairy-free mayonnaise with 1 tbsp lime juice for the sauce.
  6. Step 6: Assemble burgers on toasted buns with mixed greens, a dollop of sauce, and the blue corn-crusted black bean patty.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Rhythm & Blues Black Bean Burgers take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (30 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Rhythm & Blues Black Bean Burgers?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep blue cornmeal from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Rhythm & Blues Black Bean Burgers?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Rhythm & Blues Black Bean Burgers for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Rhythm & Blues Black Bean Burgers gluten-free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying

Related recipes