Camellia Black Bean Burgers with Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
Hearty plant-forward burgers featuring Camellia black beans mixed with mushrooms and panko, served with golden roasted sweet potato fries. The patties get smoky depth from chipotle mayo and tangy pickled red onions, while melted pepper jack adds richness. Perfect for weekend dinners or casual entertaining when you want something satisfying but lighter than traditional beef burgers. The make-ahead patties and simple roasted fries make this an approachable weeknight option that feels special enough for guests.
Ingredients
- ½ cup red onion, sliced
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 8-ounce package baby portobello mushrooms
- ¼ cup red onion, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 cup panko Japanese bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 6 cups cooked Camellia Brand Black Beans, cooled, drained, and divided
- ½ cup green onions, sliced
- oil for cooking
- 8 slices Monterey Jack cheese with peppers
- toasted buns
- arugula
- 2 ½ pounds sweet potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch-thick sticks, peeled if desired
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
Instructions
- 1
Combine sliced red onion, red wine vinegar, sugar, and salt in small bowl, stirring until sugar dissolves and set aside
- 2
Mix mayonnaise, chipotle peppers, and lime juice in another small bowl until smooth and set aside
- 3
Pulse mushrooms, minced red onion, and garlic in food processor until finely chopped
- 4
Add panko, egg, chili powder, black pepper, and salt to processor and pulse until incorporated
- 5
Add 5 cups black beans and green onions to processor and pulse until combined
- 6
Transfer mixture to large bowl and stir in remaining black beans
- 7
Divide mixture into 8 patties and refrigerate for 30 minutes
- 8
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper
- 9
Toss sweet potato sticks with oil and salt in large bowl
- 10
Arrange sweet potatoes in single layer on prepared baking sheet and bake until golden brown and crisp
- 11
Heat oil on large griddle over medium-high heat
- 12
Add patties and cook until browned on both sides and heated through
- 13
Add cheese and cook until melted
- 14
Serve burgers on toasted buns with arugula, chipotle mayonnaise, and pickled red onions alongside sweet potato fries
Tips
Refrigerate patties for 30 minutes to help them hold together during cooking - this prevents crumbling on the griddle.
Pulse the food processor mixture carefully to maintain some texture - you want chunks of beans and mushrooms, not a smooth paste.
Salt the sweet potato fries immediately after baking while they're hot so the seasoning adheres better.
Good to Know
Cooked patties keep in refrigerator for 3 days. Store sweet potato fries in airtight container for 2 days - reheat in 400F oven.
Form patties up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate. Pickled onions can be made 2 days ahead.
Serve immediately while burgers are hot and cheese is melted. Sweet potato fries are best served warm and crispy.
Common Mistakes
Don't skip chilling the patties to avoid them falling apart during cooking.
Avoid overcrowding sweet potatoes on baking sheet to prevent steaming instead of crisping.
Don't overprocess the bean mixture to maintain texture and prevent mushy burgers.
Substitutions
Vegan Options
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I make these burgers ahead of time?
Yes, you can form the patties up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate them. The pickled onions can also be made 2 days in advance for better flavor development.
What if I don't have a food processor?
You can mash the beans by hand and finely chop the mushrooms, onion, and garlic with a knife. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
How long will leftover burgers keep?
Cooked patties will keep in the refrigerator for 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through before serving.