📖 Instructions

1. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. This is crucial for nice grill marks and juicy burgers.
2. In a large bowl, mash the black beans with a fork. Don't over-mash; you want some texture remaining. It's okay if a few whole beans remain-- it adds character!
3. Finely dice the onion, bell pepper, and zucchini. Aim for roughly 1/4-inch pieces for even cooking. If your veggies are a different size, just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
4. Add the diced vegetables, breadcrumbs, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the bowl with the mashed black beans. Gently stir to combine. Don't overmix! Overmixing can make the burgers tough.
5. Form the mixture into 4 patties, about 3/4-inch thick. Make sure they are somewhat compact, but don't press them too firmly; they'll shrink a bit during grilling.
6. Lightly brush both sides of the veggie burgers with olive oil. This helps them from sticking and adds flavor.
7. Grill the burgers for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they are heated through and have nice grill marks. If they start to brown too quickly, reduce the heat slightly. Or, if they are sticking to the grill, try adding a little more oil to the surface.
8. Serve the veggie burgers on buns with your favorite toppings. Lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, or a flavorful sauce are all delicious choices. Honestly, get creative here-- there are so many options!
9. Optional: For extra flavor, you can brush the burgers with a little BBQ sauce or your favorite burger sauce during the last minute of grilling. But remember, don't over do it!