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Dinner recipe · from the recipe book

Smoky Pinto-Walnut Burgers in Lettuce Cups

Hearty pinto and toasted walnut patties with smoky paprika and cumin, baked crisp at the edges and piled with balsamic-glazed mushrooms and onions in cool, crunchy romaine.

Smoky Pinto-Walnut Burgers in Lettuce Cups

Ingredients

  • 1½ cans, drained480 gPinto beans, canned, drainedpatted dry
  • ½ cup chopped60 gWalnutsfinely chopped
  • ¾ cup60 gOld-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 large50 gEggsbeaten
  • 3 cloves9 gGarlicminced
  • 1¾ tsp4 gPaprika (sweet or smoked)
  • 1½ tsp3 gGround cumin
  • ½ tsp3 gSalt
  • ½ tsp1 gBlack pepper
  • 2 tbsp25 gOlive oil
  • 4 cups sliced280 gWhite mushroomssliced
  • 2 medium220 gYellow onionthinly sliced
  • 1 tsp1 gDried thyme
  • 2¾ tsp15 gBalsamic vinegar
  • 4¼ cups chopped200 gRomaine lettucelarge leaves separated
  • 2 medium240 gTomatoessliced

Steps

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a sheet pan with parchment.
  2. Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes until fragrant, then tip into a large bowl.
  3. Add the pinto beans to the bowl and mash with a fork until mostly smooth with some pieces left.
  4. Stir in the oats, egg, garlic, paprika, cumin, half the salt and the black pepper; let rest 5 minutes so the oats absorb moisture.
  5. Shape into 4 patties about 3/4 inch thick, set on the sheet pan and brush the tops with half the olive oil.
  6. Bake 12 minutes, flip, and bake 10 to 12 minutes more until crisp outside and 160°F (71°C) in the center.
  7. While the patties bake, heat the remaining olive oil in the skillet over medium heat, add the onion and cook 8 minutes until soft and golden.
  8. Add the mushrooms, thyme and the remaining salt and cook 8 minutes until browned, then stir in the balsamic and cook 1 minute until glazy.
  9. Stack two or three romaine leaves per serving, add a patty and the tomato, and top with the mushrooms and onions.

Check labels: Gluten-free when you buy old-fashioned rolled oats labeled gluten-free.

Contains: Egg, Tree nuts. Some brands contain gluten.

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Saved in the Every Helping recipe book on October 24, 2026.

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