Updated: by Veronica Noone · This post may contain affiliate links · 29 Comments
I originally posted these Turkey and Black Bean Burgers August 2011,
and totally forgot about them until someone requested the recipe. Boy, I'm glad they did now that it's grilling season!
I feel as if I have about three blog posts swimming in my head with new food (and cocktail) ideas, but I'm still having a hard time concentrating. So I decided to re-post an old recipe that was recently requested. I love it when I get an email asking for an old post of mine. It's like a trip down memory lane for me looking up the post and finding the old photos.
Below is my original Turkey and Black Bean Burger post from August 2011. I'll put they printable version of the recipe at the bottom of the post, but I wanted to see it old style with my photos in the steps.
Experimenting three times, I’ve finally settled on this combination of ingredients and techniques for my Turkey and Black Bean Burgers. The result is a tasty, meaty, light burger!
Of course, no one else in my family will ever know how good they are. I had the Little Guy MILDLY interested in them, but he decided on a hot dog instead as did The Husband.
*sigh*
Oh well. I loved them and now I have leftovers at my disposal. 🙂
Ingredients
1 15oz can of Black Beans drained and rinsed
8oz 99% lean ground turkey
½ cup old fashioned oats (40g)
1 small green bell pepper diced
1 batch of Taco Seasoning
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
Combine with your hands, working to squish some of the beans, but also keeping some whole.
Form into 5 patties. The mix will be sticky, spray the plate with non-stick cooking spray so they are easy to remove.
Grill about 5 minutes a side over a medium flame.
I served mine with a grilled slice of Vidalia onion, 2 slices of grilled zucchini, and tomato on a sandwich thin. It was awesome!
Not only is it fun to read my own words, but to see how tech has changed. The photos I used to post were so small! Back then, they weren't, but with resolutions, they are now they look tiny. Thankfully I can find most of my original, so I was able to upgrade the featured image.
Anyway, below is the printable recipe for the burgers, I just included the taco seasoning. I didn't think that one warranted its own post.
📖 Recipe
Turkey and Black Bean Burgers
Roni Noone
At less than 150 calories each, these Turkey and Black Bean Burgers are a tasty, light alternative to beef burgers when you are craving a taste of summer hot off the grill!
8 oz 99% lean ground turkey, ½ cup old fashioned oats, 1 small green bell pepper diced, 1 batch of Taco Seasoning, 1 ½ teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon dried cilantro, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, Ground red pepper flakes to taste, Salt & Pepper to taste
Combine with your hands, working to squish some of the beans, but also keeping some whole.
1 15 oz can of Black Beans drained and rinsed
Form into 5 patties. The mix will be sticky, spray the plate with non-stick cooking spray so they are easy to remove from the plate.
Grill about 5 minutes a side over medium flame. They will stick! Spray or wipe the grill with some oil to help prevent sticking.
My husband and I made these last night and loved them! We used ground chicken instead of turkey because that's what we had, but we plan to use turkey next time. Also, I'm not a bell pepper fan, so we used jalapenos instead. The weather was bad, so we cooked them in a little bit of olive oil in our cast iron skillet. We ate them on toasted sandwich thins with sliced avocado. I also added a piece of Aldi's jalapeno cheese wedges (the ones like Laughing Cow) to mine. They were great!!
I don't normally use breadcrumbs when working with grown turkey so i don't think so BUT I'm sure they would be fine if that's what your thinking. What's your concern with the oats?
Sadly, I planned to make these and then realized our taco seasoning packet had taken a hit and was unusable. I made a completely different version and topped it with chipotle/mayo sauce...still yummy. This is great in terms of the high protein in take we are currently striving for in our meals. Thanks for the idea!
Just stumbled across your site and this recipe a few days ago. I just made these tonight and they were absolutely fantastic!! Even my finicky husband enjoyed them! Thanks so much! 🙂
Also when it comes to ground turkey, if you don't buy gorund turkey BREAST, it is going to be high in fat because it will be a mixture of dark and white meat.
Just made these for lunch!! WOW..so much better than the prepackaged frozen ones!! I have always enjoyed the frozen ones, but no more! These are so much more flavorful and bigger for the same points value! Thanks Roni!
These were a hit!! Thanks for another great dinner!! I added the cilantro paste stuff you get in the refrigerated section and it was DELICIOUS!!! (I spread it on the bun in place of a condiment)
Roni you are right about reading the back of the packages, I just think some people may be like me at first and think that just because it says turkey it is lower in fat. I prefer the 90 percent for burgers and turkey for the taco meat.
deana - It all depends on the % fat in the meat. I only buy 90% lean or higher in both ground beef and ground turkey and their nutritional profiles are pretty similar. It really comes down to preference. I like both but for this I was going for the mix of turkey and beans.. I like those two together.
YUM! I just made these ( I added some shredded cheddar to the mixture) and they are so good! My daughter hates green peppers but she is eating hers up, no questions asked. Thanks for the great recipe!
Roni I used to buy the turkey meat also and then I read the back of the packages, the lean hamburger has less fat than the turkey meat. So maybe next time check your labels and see which you think would be better.
Ugh I have been pushing this bag of lentils, can of black beans and red beans and wanting to do something fun with them and not just do rice or mash them to make a tortilla.
This looks really yummy, you didn't add an egg to the burger, did it stay together well when eating?
These burgers look and sound really good. I'll have to try them this week. I couldn't help but laugh that your husband chose a hot dog (?!?!) instead, so funny.
Ashley
Would this still work if I left out the oats?
Heather K.
My husband and I made these last night and loved them! We used ground chicken instead of turkey because that's what we had, but we plan to use turkey next time. Also, I'm not a bell pepper fan, so we used jalapenos instead. The weather was bad, so we cooked them in a little bit of olive oil in our cast iron skillet. We ate them on toasted sandwich thins with sliced avocado. I also added a piece of Aldi's jalapeno cheese wedges (the ones like Laughing Cow) to mine. They were great!!
roni
I don't normally use breadcrumbs when working with grown turkey so i don't think so BUT I'm sure they would be fine if that's what your thinking. What's your concern with the oats?
Emily
Did one of your first two attempts use bread crumbs instead of the oats? I totally trust you when you say these were delicious, just curious! Thanks.
Susan
Sadly, I planned to make these and then realized our taco seasoning packet had taken a hit and was unusable. I made a completely different version and topped it with chipotle/mayo sauce...still yummy. This is great in terms of the high protein in take we are currently striving for in our meals. Thanks for the idea!
ThyInspiredBliss
Just stumbled across your site and this recipe a few days ago. I just made these tonight and they were absolutely fantastic!! Even my finicky husband enjoyed them! Thanks so much! 🙂
roni
I don't why not but spray it down. They may stick!
LB
This looks GREAT!! But, I don't have a bbq grill...will this work on a George Foreman grill?
lorraine
A winner and low in calories..thanks again for doing what you do so well.. your my inspiation.
KC
Also when it comes to ground turkey, if you don't buy gorund turkey BREAST, it is going to be high in fat because it will be a mixture of dark and white meat.
Barbara
Just made these for lunch!! WOW..so much better than the prepackaged frozen ones!! I have always enjoyed the frozen ones, but no more! These are so much more flavorful and bigger for the same points value! Thanks Roni!
Brandy Jo
These were a hit!! Thanks for another great dinner!! I added the cilantro paste stuff you get in the refrigerated section and it was DELICIOUS!!! (I spread it on the bun in place of a condiment)
roni
oh my! I forgot to say. I did drain and rinse but glad to it worked for you!
Terry
Roni- Do you drain the beans? I didn't and they were yummy but wanted to check. thanks!!
deana
Roni you are right about reading the back of the packages, I just think some people may be like me at first and think that just because it says turkey it is lower in fat. I prefer the 90 percent for burgers and turkey for the taco meat.
wendy
These sound delish. I have all the ingredients waiting for me to make them tonight.
roni
Nicole - Lean ground beef would be fine!
roni
Leila - I haven't done it but I'm pretty sure they will. Just squish more of the beans.
roni
deana - It all depends on the % fat in the meat. I only buy 90% lean or higher in both ground beef and ground turkey and their nutritional profiles are pretty similar. It really comes down to preference. I like both but for this I was going for the mix of turkey and beans.. I like those two together.
roni
Kelly - no egg required! They are solid without it!
Nicole
still paranoid from the whole ground turkey recall - If I want to skip the turkey - what could I add instead? ideas?
Leila
Would this hold together without the ground turkey?
Suzie
YUM! I just made these ( I added some shredded cheddar to the mixture) and they are so good! My daughter hates green peppers but she is eating hers up, no questions asked. Thanks for the great recipe!
deana
Roni I used to buy the turkey meat also and then I read the back of the packages, the lean hamburger has less fat than the turkey meat. So maybe next time check your labels and see which you think would be better.
Kelly Bolduc
Ugh I have been pushing this bag of lentils, can of black beans and red beans and wanting to do something fun with them and not just do rice or mash them to make a tortilla.
This looks really yummy, you didn't add an egg to the burger, did it stay together well when eating?
Anna-Lisa Finger
These look and sound delicious. What a great idea to add beans to the ground meat, more healthy protein. You inspired me to try an all bean burger.
Jessica
These burgers look and sound really good. I'll have to try them this week. I couldn't help but laugh that your husband chose a hot dog (?!?!) instead, so funny.
The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh
These look delish! A meal on a bun!
Jan
Oh yum! These look great.