Blue Cheese Burger Healthy Burger With Black Beans Wellplated Com

My healthy burger trick: make the patties with a mix of lean ground beef and black beans!

Black beans are inexpensive and full of healthy plant-based protein and fiber. Beef gives you savory flavor, protein, and zinc, but you don’t need as much of it when your patties are a mix.

I make a mean black bean Vegan Burger and stellar turkey burgers too (especially these Teriyaki Burgers), but combining beef AND beans didn’t occur to me, until I watched Rachel Ray do it on the Food Network years ago. Brilliant! Because these blue cheese burgers require less beef, they are less expensive, healthy, more budget friendly, and planet friendly. They are everything I want a burger to be (and more):

Classic, yet contemporary.A little fancy, but not fussy (like these Italian Turkey Burgers).Healthy, while still tasting indulgent (this Portobello Mushroom Burger follows this school of thought).Memorable (like these Salmon Burgers), and totally tasty!

How to Make a Blue Cheese Burger

With a combination of black beans, beef, blue cheese, and caramelized onion marmalade, these burgers are an irresistible flavor mash-up between two buns.

The Ingredients

Ground Beef. To keep things healthy I opt for 90% lean ground beef.Black Beans. These magic little beans lighten up this recipe, while still providing essential protein.Egg. Acts as a binding agent to help the patties stay together while cooking.Dijon Mustard. Adds a little zip and bite to the patties.Worcestershire Sauce. Compliments the beef and contributes a savory element to contrast the sweet onion marmalade.Blue Cheese. Pungent, tangy, and creamy. It gives these black and blue burgers richness.

Red Onions. Caramelize and reduce beautifully to make the sweet, colorful marmalade that gets piled high on these burgers.Balsamic Vinegar. Balances the sweetness of the onion marmalade by adding a little acidity.Brown Sugar. Helps the onions caramelize and gives the marmalade additional nuance.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Store leftover burger patties, in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. Onion marmalade may be kept in a separate airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.To Reheat. Gently warm marmalade in the microwave until heated through. Warm the patties in a skillet, covered, with a bit of water to keep them from drying out. Top with blue cheese, broil to melt and then serve topped with marmalade on buns.To Freeze. Cooked burger patties may be kept frozen for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator prior to reheating.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Reversible Cast Iron Grill Plate. Create a smokey grilled flavor indoors on your stovetop. Silicone Spatula. For flipping burgers, pancakes, and more without damaging your cookware.Large Skillet. This cast iron skillet is affordable and versatile.

Maytag Blue CheeseFrench RoquefortEnglish Stilton