Southwestern Pinto Bean Burgers

I would have to say that 98% of the time, Sean and I are vegetarians. This is for a variety of reasons. I grew up in an almost vegetarian home. There are some animal rights issues tangled in there. And with all the health problems I have, and that run on my husbands side of the family, it is a choice we make just to be healthier in general. It works out all around. But most people we meet are a little surprised that we successfully have followed this "diet", if you want to call it that, for so many years. Here's the thing. Being a vegetarian does not mean we eat nothing but salad. We also don't try to make other things seems like meat. It is totally possible to eat full flavored meals without meat! This is one of those meals that makes me remember how easy it is to not eat meat! We served these to friends of ours, one is vegetarian, the other definitely is not, and she said these were very good!

Southwestern Pinto Bean Burgers


1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 Tbs. minced jalapeno
1 tsp. hot pepper sauce
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. salt
1 egg
1 15oz can pinto beans - drain, rinse
1 cup frozen corn, thawed

Combine all ingredients except the corn, mix and mash beans with a fork or potato masher. Stir in corn, mix well. Divide into 4 equal portions, shaping into 3 1/2" patties. Place on foil cover, pam sprayed pan. Bake at 400 for 10 minutes. Turn over, bake another 10 minutes, until hot and temps at 165.

Serve on bun with tomato, lettuce, and cheese if desired (pepper jack is great!) and Chipotle mayo.....
1/4 cup mayo, 1 tsp. minced chipotle in adobo