Quick and easy to make, these BBQ kidney bean burgers are perfect for your next summer backyard barbeque. They hold together on the grill! You can also pan-sear or bake them or toss them in the air fryer.
In a food processor, add oats and process to the consistency of coarse bread crumbs then transfer to large bowl. If using quick oats, no need to process them, skip this step and add quick oats to a large bowl.
Add beans, A1/BBQ sauce and all spices to food processor and process until well combined. It will look like thick refried beans.
Transfer bean puree to bowl with oats and add cold cooked rice. Mix well with a spoon to combine all ingredients.
This recipe will make 6 thick burgers or up to 12 thin or small slider burgers. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Using a large spoon, scoop a spoonful of batter into your hands. Roll into a ball with your hands, then flatten and shape into a burger patty. Lay patties on baking sheet in a single layer. Continue until all batter is gone.
Store shaped patties in refrigerator, covered in plastic wrap, until you are ready to cook them. Refrigerating them for at least 30 minutes prior to cooking will help them firm up. Chilling them first is essential if you choose to grill them. Chilling them first is optional if you are baking, air frying or pan-searing them.
Cooking burgers (several options!)
To GRILL: allow burger patties to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes first to firm up the patties. Then, add patties to a hot grill. Grill for 4 minutes, then flip and grill another 4 minutes. The patties are already cooked, we just want to get some nice sear marks, some smoky grilled flavor and to heat them up.
To BAKE: transfer shaped burgers on the lined baking sheet to a preheated 400°F degree oven and bake for 20 minutes.
To PAN SEAR: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. If not using a non-stick skillet, spray or brush pan or grill with oil. Cook burger patties for 4 minutes, then flip them and cook another 4 minutes.
To AIR FRY: Place burgers in one layer (do not overlap) in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes.
Serve with your favorite toppings (I love BBQ sauce on mine!) and homemade potato wedges.
Notes
This recipe makes 6 thick burgers or 10-12 thin burgers. This recipe will also make up to 12 small slider size burgers.Prepared, uncooked patties can be refrigerated for 3-5 days or frozen for 2-3 months.Substitutions:
kidney beans can be substituted with canellini beans, white kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans or similar bean
cooked rice can be any kind of cooked rice (white, brown, jasmine, basmati, etc.) I've even used leftover Mexican rice and it was delicious. Make sure it's cold, though, so it doesn't make the mixture too sticky and gummy.
A1 steak sauce/ BBQ sauce can be substituted with another sauce of similar consistency (like teriyaki sauce, marinade, etc.)
Smoked paprika can be substituted with regular paprika or chili powder