If you love a juicy burger but want a lighter option without going fully vegetarian, these Turkey Black Bean Burgers hit the perfect middle ground. I turn to this recipe again and again …and my kids are always so happy to see it on the table when they visit.

Lean ground turkey and fiber-rich black beans swap in for traditional beef, creating a high-protein, better-for-you burger that’s still seriously satisfying. If you’re a red meat lover, you can also use ground sirloin.

The mixture comes together easily and forms into patties without fuss, but if yours feels a little soft, simply stir in a few tablespoons of rolled oats to help bind everything. Another trick: cover and refrigerate the mixture for about 30 minutes before shaping—it will fim up slightly and make handling easier.

You’re the boss of your burger

Full-size patties on whole-grain buns, mini sliders for game day, lettuce wraps for a low-carb spin, or straight over a salad for a burger bowl situation — these work every way!

I love topping sliders with avocado or creamy guac, caramelized onions (how to make ’em here!), roasted red pepper, and a little feta or cheddar for an elevated bite. And when it comes to sauces… Spicy or Creamy Ketchup, BBQ Mustard, or Honey Mustard Sauce.

See my Greek Burger Bowl and Cheeseburger Meatball Bowl for inspo!

More better-for-you burgers:

Enjoy with a side of coleslaw— Creamy Coleslaw, Tex Mex Coleslaw, or Green Goddess Coleslaw! Or try my Street Corn Salad, Mediterranean Grilled Romaine, Summer Cucumber Salad, or Avocado Caprese Salad!

This recipe’s a hit!

Delicious!! Never thought to put beans in my burger (chili, yes), but not a turkey burger. Another winner Joy!!! Thanks!

Morgan
(5 stars) 1 rating
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Turkey and Black Bean Burgers

If you love a juicy burger but want a lighter option without going fully vegetarian, these Turkey Black Bean Burgers hit the perfect middle ground.
Yield: 6 burgers
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Ingredients
 

  • 1 can, 15 ounces black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 pound ground turkey, 90 to 93 percent lean
  • Kosher salt for sprinkling

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, mash the beans by hand using a potato masher or the back of a large fork (mash them as much as you can, but it’s okay to leave chunks throughout). Add the egg, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder and mix to combine. Add the ground turkey and gently combine using your hands or a spatula. Form the mixture into 6 large patties.
  • Liberally coat a large skillet with nonstick oil spray and warm over medium-high heat. Place 3 or 4 patties in the skillet. Mist the tops with oil spray and sprinkle them with salt. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, then carefully flip, scraping the bottom to keep them intact. Next, lightly sprinkle the browned tops with salt and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165˚.
  • Reapply oil spray to the skillet and repeat with the remaining burgers.
  • Serve the burgers on toasted whole grain hamburger buns with your choice of toppings.

Notes

• If your mixture is too wet or fussy to form into patties, add a few tablespoons of rolled oats to help the batter firm up. Another option: Place the entire meat mixture bowl (covered) in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This will also make it a little easier to handle.
Author: Joy Bauer, MS, RDN, CDN

Nutrition Information per serving

Serving Size: 1 burgerCalories: 180Carbohydrates: 14gProtein: 21gTotal Fat: 6g— Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g— Saturated Fat: 1.5gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 290mgPotassium: 345mgFiber: 5gTotal Sugar: 1g— Natural Sugar: 1g— Added Sugar: 0gIron: 1.2mg
Nutrition information is calculated using a leading industry software. That being said, brands can vary, and there may be slight fluctuations in the numbers.
I’m hoping you loved this recipe! If you made it and want to share feedback, I’d be so grateful to hear from you. Please leave a review below or tag @joybauer on Instagram!