Black Bean Burger with Cheese Ghosts
Halloween food doesn’t always have to be heavy or meat-based—it can be both u003cstrongu003ewholesome and funu003c/strongu003e. Enter the u003cstrongu003eBlack Bean Burger with Cheese Ghostsu003c/strongu003e, a spooky twist on the classic veggie burger. Made with hearty black beans, breadcrumbs, and bold spices, these patties are packed with flavor, protein, and fiber.
Ingredients
For the Black Bean Patties:
- 2 (15 oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (or oats for gluten-free option)
- 1 egg (or flax egg for vegan option)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce for vegetarian option)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Cheese Ghosts u0026 Assembly:
- 4 slices mozzarella or provolone cheese
- 4 burger buns (toasted)
- Lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, onions (optional toppings)
- Ketchup, mustard, or spooky sauces for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Black Bean Mixture In a large bowl, mash black beans with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth but slightly chunky. Stir in onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings. Mix until combined and able to hold shape. If mixture is too wet, add more breadcrumbs.
- Shape the Patties Divide mixture into 4 equal portions. Form each portion into a round patty, about ½–¾ inch thick.
- Cook the Patties Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium heat with a little oil. Cook patties for 4–5 minutes per side until crispy on the outside and heated through.
- Make the Cheese Ghosts Use a small knife or ghost-shaped cookie cutter to carve “ghosts” from cheese slices. Cut out two little “eyes” and a “mouth” to complete the spooky look.
- Assemble the Burgers Place each patty on the bottom half of a toasted bun. Add the ghost-shaped cheese on top while the patty is still hot so it melts slightly. Add lettuce, tomato, or any toppings of choice. Finish with the top bun and serve!