#1,994: Spicy Black Bean Burgers with Chipotle Mayo

I'll be honest, I wasn't sure I was going to like this recipe. I'm not a fan of spicy and I don't love adobe peppers.  So I thought adding the peppers and the sauce to the burger would make it too hot, and I never thought I'd eat the mayo at all.  This recipe totally proved me wrong!  The burgers were very easy to make and it is definitely even better with the melted cheese AND the chipotle mayo on it!  The original recipe says to serve immediately, but we had these a second time as leftovers, and they were just as good (obviously best fresh, but reheated works too).  

1/2 cup mayonnaise (I used vegan mayo)

2 teaspoons finely chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce 

1 teaspoon adobo sauce (from the can of chipotles)

1 small clove garlic, minced (about 1/2 teaspoon)

Pinch kosher salt

FOR THE BLACK BEAN PATTIES:

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 egg

1/2 small yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)

1 small clove garlic, finely minced (about 1 teaspoon)

1 cup bread crumbs

2 teaspoons adobo sauce (from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce)

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

FOR THE SLIDERS:

16 slider buns or dinner rolls, sliced in half

8 ounces pepper jack cheese, sliced thin

1/2 red onion, sliced

Sliced sweet pickles

Chipotle Mayo:

Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use.

Black Bean Burgers:Place beans in a small bow and mash with a fork or potato masher. Add egg, bread crumbs, adobo sauce, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne (if using), salt and pepper. Mix well.  Form into one-ounce patties – about 2 tablespoons per patty – by rolling mixture into a ball, packing together firmly, then flattening slightly.

Add the olive oil to a large saute pan over medium heat. Working in batches so that the burgers aren’t too crowded, cook one one side until browned – about 5 minutes, then carefully flip and cook until browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes total.

Remove patties to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain and cool slightly.

Put slider buns sliced-side up on a cookie sheet. Add black bean patties to the bottom halves of the buns and top with cheese. Place under oven broiler until cheese has melted and buns are golden brown, about one minute (depending on your broiler – just watch carefully!)

Remove from oven and slather chipotle mayo on the inside of the bun tops. Top burgers with red onions and pickles, sandwich with the bun top, and secure with a toothpick or skewer. Serve immediately.