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Black Bean Smash Burger, In-N-Out Style

Servings 4 double-patty burgers

Ingredients

Thousand Island Dressing

  • ¼ 60g mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
  • ½ teaspoon yellow mustard
  • ½ teaspoon rice vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Black Bean Patties

  • 1 ½ cups 280g cooked and drained black beans
  • 6 tablespoons 24g Japanese-style panko
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons red miso
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Griddled Onions

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced

To Serve

  • Avocado or other neutral high-heat oil for frying
  • 8 thin slices cheddar cheese
  • 8 lettuce leaves
  • 4 thick slices tomato
  • 4 sesame buns
  • Pickle slices for serving (optional)

Instructions

  • Make the dressing: Combine the mayo, ketchup, pickle relish, mustard, vinegar, and salt in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until it is needed, at least for 30 minutes.
  • Make the black bean patties: Pulse the black beans in a food processor until the beans have a mashed texture. Transfer to a bowl and add the panko, egg, miso, salt, paprika, and garlic powder. Stir until well combined, then set aside for 20 minutes.
  • Cook the onions: Heat the oil in a well-seasoned griddle or cast-iron pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion pieces are tender and starting to brown, 14 to 16 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
  • Cook the patties and serve: Return the griddle to medium heat and drizzle liberally with avocado oil. Lightly wet your hands and form the black bean mixture into eight balls that are slightly larger than golf balls.
  • Place the black bean ball on the hot griddle. Lay a piece of parchment paper on top, and using the back of a spatula, and your hand, press until the patty is flat and only ¼ inch (6 mm) in thickness. Repeat with as many patties as you can fit on your griddle, working in batches as needed. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, adding oil to the pan as needed to maintain a thin layer for frying. Once the bottom of each patty is quite brown and crisp, flip and add a slice of cheddar cheese. Cook until the second side is brown and crisp. Transfer the patties to a plate and repeat until all patties are cooked, adding more oil if needed.
  • Lightly toast the buns on the griddle. Spread a small bit of sauce on the bottom bun, then layer with two patties, lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles if desired. Spread a bit more sauce on the top bun and add to the burger.

Video

Notes

These burgers showcase a technique I use for burgers and when making fritters: flattening them in the pan. There’s just no use getting your hands messy only for the thing to fall apart once it hits the pan. By flattening in the pan, the burger (or fritter) begins cooking, holding together right away, which helps the patty stay together as it flattens. This is also not a time to skimp on oil. The charm of these burgers is their crispy, slightly greasy bits.
Be patient. As long as you have a decent understanding of the heat on your stovetop, you’ll be okay. There’s a higher probability you’ll flip it too soon than there is that you’ll burn it.
Make Ahead: The patties can be frozen and kept for up to 3 months. To do this, sandwich each ball in between pieces of parchment and press down to form the patty. Freeze like this and when you ready to use it, peel off the parchment and place the patty in a hot skillet. The dressing will last up to a week in the refrigerator.
*Recipe republished from my cookbook, The Yearlong Pantry.