Mexican style refried bean burgers & Mexican salad
If you can't afford beef, or don't like meat in general, here are a couple of meatless alternatives for you. The Mexican style refried bean burgers are pretty simple to make and they're also delicious when used in a Mexican salad. Plus, there are alternative ways to use bean burgers as well. I will be listing those alternative options at the end of my article.
Ingredients:
16 ounces of refried beans (homemade or canned)
1 cup of pinto beans, or black beans, drained well
1 cup of uncooked old-fashioned oats, or bread crumbs (add extra if you're having trouble shaping the burgers)
1 onion, diced
1 teaspoon of seasoning salt
1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
½ teaspoon of cumin powder
1-2 jalapeno peppers, or chili peppers, banana peppers; diced
½ teaspoon of sriracha powder
½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
Enough potato flakes or cornmeal to coat the bean burgers in well
Cooking oil, enough to cook the bean burgers in
Cheese singles, your preferred choice, or cheese rotel dip
Buns (optional)
Instructions:
First, dice the onion and peppers; set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the refried beans, pinto (or black beans), oats, or bread crumbs, diced onions, peppers, and all the seasonings; mix well.
Now, shape the bean mixture into six large patties, then coat each bean burger in potato flakes, or cornmeal (I used potato flakes). Make sure that you coat both sides well. Allow the bean burgers to set for at least ten minutes before cooking.
Note: You can add a little flour to the bean mixture to make the patties hold together better and be less sticky.
In a large skillet, cook the bean burgers in oil over medium-high heat for eight to ten minutes on each side, or until browned well. (I cooked four at a time, but it's easier to cook two at a time, so that the skillet isn't overcrowded.)
You can also bake the bean burgers in the oven at 350 degrees F on a baking tray, lightly sprayed with cooking oil. Bake for about twenty minutes, or until they're browned well on both sides. Baking the bean burgers is the easiest way to cook them, because then you will not need to flip them over.
When done, place the refried bean burgers on a bun, or on tortilla chips, add cheese, and any additional toppings, such as lettuce, tomatoes, or any other add-ons that you prefer, then top with a spoonful of cheese rotel (dip), salsa, or guacamole if you wish.
Note:
The oats or bread crumbs are needed to help keep the bean burgers from falling apart.
Make sure to drain all the liquid out of the beans before mixing them in with the rest of the ingredients.
Mexican salad
Follow the ingredients and instructions from above for the bean burgers. When the bean burgers have cooked and are browned on the outside, take them out of the skillet, or oven and transfer them to a platter.
You'll also need these ingredients per salad:
1-½ cups of shredded lettuce
1-2 diced tomatoes (depending on their size)
1 small onion, diced
1-2 peppers (any kind), diced
¼-½ cup of shredded cheese
1 small bag of tortilla chips, plain, or spicy
Optional add-ons:
Sliced black olives
Cilantro
Green onions, diced
Sour cream, or French onion dip, or plain Greek yogurt, cheese rotel (dip), salsa, or guacamole
Instructions:
Shred the lettuce, dice the onions, and tomato, etc..
Now, add the chips on a plate, or in a bowl. Then add the shredded lettuce, diced tomato, and diced onion over the chips.
Take one of the bean burgers and mash it up a little, then use a spoon to add it over the top of the chips.
Next, add the sour cream, or whatever other toppings you prefer. Then sprinkle on the cheese.
Alternative ways to serve the Mexican style refried bean burgers
You can also make this salad inside your chip bag if you'd like to make it as an easy eat-to-go meal.
This recipe can also be made as a filling for flour, or corn tortillas, or tortilla bowls. Just mash the bean burgers and add the other ingredients into the tortilla shell.
If you prefer, skip the vegetables and serve the mashed bean burgers on top of the chips, then spoon cheese dip, or salsa, etc. over the top, then serve.
Another option to serve the bean burgers: place a bean burger in the center of each plate, add the chips around the bean burger. Serve as an alternative pâté.