I am 5 days into Codewe’s $2 A Day challenge, in which you are challenged to live on the same budget that 20 million Ugandans have to, and I have to say, I’m so glad I’ve done it. I’ve realised that not only can you eat on such a strict budget – albeit with a little planning and a bit more effort – the situation has pushed me into taking risks that I wouldn’t have taken and changing up some cooking habits that needed to be changed.
I’ve also realised that a little food can actually feed a lot. This recipe, with just 1/2 cup rice, 2 cups beans, 1 onion and not even a whole zucchini, makes enough to feed 4 as a main meal, with a little salad added in. I’ll be eating these for lunch for the rest of the week!
You’ll need:
(Makes 8 burgers)
1/2 cup brown rice
2 cups soaked and pre-cooked black beans
1 onion, diced
1/2 zucchini, diced
Place the rice in a pan with 1 cup water and bring to the boil
Bring it down to a simmer and place the lid on the pan
Cook until the water is all gone but before the rice burns to the bottom!
Drain the rice and set aside
Fry the onion and zucchini in a little oil until the onion is brown
Add in the black beans and cook for 5-7 minutes
Remove from the heat and place 2/3 of the mixture in a blender and blend for a few seconds – no more
Place this back into the pan with the other mixture, add in the rice, and mix thoroughly
Allow the mixture to sit and cool for 10 minutes
Divide into 8 portions and shape into patties
Heat a little oil in a pan, and when hot, place 2 burgers into it
Fry for about 4-5 minutes on both sides, then remove from the pan
Repeat with all the other burgers until they’re all cooked
Store any leftovers in the fridge until they’re needed – eat them within a week though!
These burgers are absolutely fantastic served on top of spinach leaves with tomato, and with lime juice and hot sauce drizzled on top!
The great thing about this recipe is that it actually provides a whole protein, and it’s not too hard to make. Beans and rice together are actually the best thing on the planet. Try them and let me know what you think!
Please don’t forget that you can donate to Codewe and directly help them reach for this year – to create a water source for our tree nursery and fund future agricultural training products – by donating here: http://codewe.org/how-you-can-help/donate/
100 Comments
Can’t wait to try these!
Hooray! What did you think of them, Kathie?
Made these tonight, and it was hard for them to stay together when cooking them into patties.
Suggestions? Adding egg perhaps?
These actually look pretty tasty, been meaning to try more brown rice rather than white rice for a while too.
These sound awesome! Can’t wait to try them. Thanks and gonna share it on fb.
Gordy, they’re a great introduction to brown rice as the way they’re cooked keeps the rice a little squishier than it normally is!
Lisa, thank you! I have never served these to someone who didn’t like them so I think you’ll have fun with them
Had them for lunch! OM NOM NOM.
This mixture was phenomenal, but I couldn’t get these patties to stick together! Do you have any recommendations?
Hi Julia!
Are you blending the mixture together a little? Is it too sticky or not sticky enough? A little flour can help to shape the patties, but the beans should really serve as the binder in this recipe. If you think the mixture is a little too dry, adding in some soy sauce or balsamic vinegar can help too.
Let me know how you get on, we’ll get to the bottom of this!
Heather
I just made these supper. My boyfriend and I really enjoyed them. I was very pleased to find a veggie burger recipe that didn’t have a million ingredients in it and tasted good too!
Thanks for your kind words, Ashley! I’m glad you both liked them.
I will try these ASAP. I applaud you for challenging yourself this way..
It would be a great exercise of us all.
Thanks Ruth! That’s really nice of you to say. We should all challenge ourselves sometimes, I think!
Ashley, it’s great to hear that you enjoyed them so much! You’re making me want to make them again tonight!
Would canned black beans work?
Of course! Just be sure to strain them well
These are superb. So simple yet nutritious. Can’t wait to try, thanks!
Thanks for the lovely comment Bridget! I hope you like them as much as everyone in my household does
has anyone tried freezing these? sounds like an awesome thing to make in a big batch and freeze for future meals
You know, even I haven’t tried freezing these! I think that it would work well though, and may even make them better!
I wonder if this would bake well, instead of frying them?
Hi Becky! I haven’t frozen these but I’m certain they’d freeze up perfectly. Just place them in between pieces of wax paper to make sure they don’t stick together
Hi Mike, I am pretty sure that they’ll bake really nicely, let me know how it goes!
Do you think these would work with quinoa instead of brown rice? they look delicious.
Hi I am in the process of making these… they smell fantastic so far… I have the same problem with them not sticking together well..
I think they are to wet (used canned beans) but I am sure they will taste fabulous..
Also. I host an online calendar of $5 and Free Things To Do… it is for Toronto On Canada (didn’t notice where you are) but I would love to put a link to your $2 a week meal plan or where ever you got the plan from… Let me know if this is okay with you (or we could put the whole planner on but I am sure you would rather the traffic)
Bye for Now
Andrea
Hi Lissy,
So sorry for my lack of reply until now; I’m sure these would work with quinoa too but you might need to use more than rice, and possibly a little flour to bind them together more. I do have a recipe for quiinoa and split pea burgers that I think you would like too
Heather
Hi Andrea! Thanks for your message; I would love for you to link to the plan! It’s an original plan so there’s no other source, it is only on this site
I used to live in Toronto and I love that city. There’s also a place called Manpuku which is in the Grange food court opposite OCAD. You might want to list them too as they do amazing Japanese food, some of which is $4 for a whole dish! Really great food and great service too.
Thanks for reaching out and please send me the link when you do post it up!
Have a great one,
Heather
I just made these burgers: FANTASTIC!!!
I’m so glad you like them, Sewwhat! They’re still in regular rotation in my house
This may have been answered, but Im too lazy to read all the comments!
How did you get the mixture to stick together while frying. I had no trouble forming patties, but once I tried to flip them, they fell apart. Ideas?? Love your recipes!
Hi Emily! So sorry for my tardy response, I was taking a vacation home for the holidays! Ground flax or breadcrumbs can help if the mixture is too sticky, if it’s too dry something as simple as a little water will help! Did you remember to blend 2/3 of the mixture for a few seconds?
Is there any way we can print your recipes or store them?
Hi Ruth! As of now I believe you can only bookmark the page, but this week I’ll be working on the RSS and making things printable
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I added the whole zucchini as it wasn’t huge and a handful of Cremini mushrooms for their earthy taste. I could definitely see adding different flavors to it, maybe peppers or spice. But it was a lovely burger to start with.
Cremini mushrooms! That sounds delicious. I’ll have to give that a try!
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these are a new favorite in our house! thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad you like them Tiffini! Aren’t they just so easy to make?
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So I’m trying this right now. But I reeaally don’t like zucchini. So instead I’m going to try to substitute it with hash brown cubes. I’m a potato addict so I hope it turns out okay, because I honestly have no idea what I’m doing.
Hi Alex!
I would perhaps recommend using eggplant or even shredded carrot if you have it; hash brown cubes might change the texture somewhat. But let me know how they go! And don’t worry, we all had no idea once
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Loved the flavor of these! I could not get them to stick together however but the tasted awesome!
I tried these the other night and they were delicious and I served them exactly the way you suggested with some raw spinach, tomatoes and hot sauce! So easy to make and very filling. I had an issue with them falling apart when frying so I am going to try them again but bake them in the oven–thanks for sharing!
Hi Heather! If you’re having trouble getting them to stick together I’d recommend putting the patties into the fridge for an hour before frying. That should help!
I tried these wrapped in bib lettuce instead of a bun with some ketchup and avocado. I think your suggestion of hot sauce would have really made them perfect but I loved them!
That sounds great, Shannon!
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I wanted to tell you – I made these for my family the other night (3 kids and a husband!). I didn’t feel great about how the big patties were sticking together prior to cooking them, so I re-rolled and patted them into slider-size and they were AMAZING. Cooked ‘em slowly in a little coconut oil and topped ‘em with lettuce, a little ketchup & mustard, and some greek yogurt and they were out of this world. We served ‘em with my favorite homemade potato wedges and the kids ate SO much. This recipe really fed us all and with the minimal cost, I was so impressed that we had a food that was healthy, filling, and a pretty good mimic of some other (not-so-good-for-you) foods!
Thanks!
Tia thanks for your kind words! I’m so glad you liked them. Being healthy on a budget can be hard so I’m glad I can help in any way
Do you just use regular brown rice or is it quick rice? Thanks
Hi Stacy, I always use regular brown rice. It takes longer, but it’s much better, I think!
These are awesome! I just made up a batch of them for lunches this week, and they are the best recipe for black bean burgers I have tasted. I appreciate the simple ingredients.
Thanks for your lovely comment, Misty!
Yum
is there any substitution for zucchini ?
Hi Esther!
You can switch zucchini out for any vegetable with a similar structure that won’t go too mushy. For instance, eggplant might cook too quickly and get mushy, so I wouldn’t recommend that, but you could use something like pre-cooked carrot!
I just made these for the first time tonight. They are AWESOME! …I did eat them with life juice, hot sauce and fresh tomato. It totally added to it. WOW!!!
So glad you liked them, Debbi!
I think the experiment on living under 2$ a day for food is an interesting and good one. It has gotten a lot of news time on yahoo and many commenters are balking about how these wealthy people have some nerve the way they talk about the experiment. they cite that they live on less everyday. but that is not the point of the experiment. the group initiating it is asking those who participate to then donate the remains of what is their normal food budget to charity to help the hungry. so if you normally spend 50$ a week the remaining 48 can now be donated to help those in need. you learn that you can live on less and you learn how you can help others.
Thanks for your thought-provoking comment, Rachel. I’ve heard some criticisms of the project, saying that it is little more than “poverty tourism”, but I think walking a few steps in someone else’s shoes can reset your way of thinking and help you to empathise with others. Thanks again for your support!
I made these with the trader Joe’s frozen rice and pre-cooked(heat and serve Cuban style)beans sinCE I didn’t have anything fresh. Topped with sour cream and cheese. Froze 4 of them.
Cuban style! That sounds awesome!
I just made these tonight! I added salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, but followed the rest of the recipe how you have it. These are super good and nutritious! I think the problem people are having with them falling apart when flipped can be resolved by using a Foreman Grill sprayed with a little non-stick spray or olive oil. Also I bet baking them would be a great alternative too. I had a little bit of the falling apart issue, but managed to kind of reshape them while cooking so it turned out okay. Thanks for this recipe
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I recently learned that the idea that vegans, or vegetarians need to combine foods to create a complete protein is a myth, beans on their own are enough! Not important to this recipe, but it is important to educate ourselves about nutrition.
Could you put these in the food processor instead of the blender? Thanks!
Of course, Jen! Make sure that you don’t overblend them though
I made these tonight (with a few tweaks here and there) and we LOVED them! Thanks for sharing!
You’re so welcome, Amber!
If i bake these what temperature and for how long?
Hi Ashley! I have never actually baked them, but I’d go for around 180 degrees Celsius and keep an eye on them
Is it 2 cups dried beans that you soak and cook or 2 cups cooked? (or is that even different – I’m not sure how black beans cook up)
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This sounds amazing to me too! I can’t wait to try them. A question for those who burgers fell aparfrying when it was being flipped. Was the pan/ oil nice and hot before the burger was added? If it wasn’t, the burger would stick to the pan & cause it to crumble when flipping.
I’m making these as soon as we get back into town!!
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Made these tonight. I added garlic and some season salt, and they were great.
That sounds great, Melissa!
Anyone tried to grill them? Would they fall apart?
Josephine I’d recommend putting the patties in the fridge for an hour before attempting to grill them. I hope that helps!
Why do I drain the rice if I cook it till the water is all gone?
Hi Carolyn!
Thanks for your question; this is just to get rid of any water or starch that may be left in there. It makes for better burgers in the end.
Thanks!
Heather
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Oh my god, I finally found this. I first used it back in July or August last year, but since had lost the original recipe. I use this as sort of a base, add in a variety of veggies (like corn that I cook with the onions and zucchini until roasted looking), and serve over portabellas with vegan cheese and sprouts on top on fresh potato rolls or Arnold’s sandwich thins. Also I only cook the ones I’m gonna eat, and individually wrap the remains – I usually come up with 4 patties, but I think that’s because I add so much to them? They end up kind of thick.
Last time I prepared them as instructed, plus my add-ons, then cooked the whole mixture in the frying pan with very little oil until I could clump them into patties. I was feeling lazy and didn’t want to shape them beforehand. Also with my larger frying pan I can cook up to 4 at a time. Thankfully I usually only need to do 2 – 1 for myself and the other for my mother or brother depending on who’s here.
It sounds like you’ve done a lot with this recipe, Nicole! Thanks for your kind comments!
They taste very good, but… I couldn’t get these guys to stick together, and since I was going to wrap them in lettuce leaves anyway, I just decided to cook them in the pan en masse. I added salt, pepper and cumin to mine. I’ll be eating them with avocado and salsa.
That sounds great, Lisa! I’d recommend shaping the patties then putting them into the fridge for an hour before frying, and be sure to oil the pan well first. I hope that helps!
Hi!
I also add canned carrots to mine and mash with a potato masher in the pan. I prefer canned black beans but realized I only had pinto beans after I started to make these and they worked just as well 
Love this recipe!! Just a little hint for those super busy moms or someone in a time crunch…grate the zucchini and onion together on a cheese grater. It avoids the whole blender step and less dishes
Hi! I tried them today and I liked them! However, I made my burgers non vegan by adding an egg. I also added about a cup of flour. After that the texture was perfect. Even my hubby enjoyed them and he is not a big fan of veggie burgers in general
I love veggie burgers, thank you for sharing this recipe!!!
You’re welcome, Shannon!
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Do you soak pre-cooked beans???
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