These vegan black bean burgers are made with pantry staples and are totally delicious! Garnish these easy veggie patties to taste for one satisfying meatless dinner. Sure to be the best black bean burger recipe you’ll try!
Hi everyone! How was your weekend? Doesn’t it always go a little too fast? We ordered a new exercise bike (a spin cycle) which is arriving today.
I plan on mixing up my exercise regime with a circuit kinda thing, some treadmill, rowing and then cycle. Maybe some squats in between. I’m actually looking pretty forward to it! What do you like to do?
I love to work out because I also love to eat (story of my freakin’ life, lol). Gotta have balance, am I right?
Did ya indulge too over the past couple of days? Tell me I’m not the only one.
Get yourself back on track with these easy vegan black bean burgers.
These black bean patties can be prepped in advance and fried up just before you want to enjoy ’em. That’s why they’re awesome for meal prep!
Fan of bean patties? Check out these pinto bean fritters!
Ingredients for Vegan Black Bean Burgers
I opted to keep these black bean burgers on the easy side. They are simply made with a few pantry staples, like:
- Black beans (of course)
- Lots of spices and some seasoning to amp up the flavour
- Hidden veggies, like green onion and bell pepper
- Lime juice to brighten
- Oats to bind these bean burgers together
Why We Love Black Beans
- Firstly, black beans taste delicious
- Black beans are loaded with fibre and protein.
- They are super versatile! They can be used for burgers (like this vegan black bean burger recipe), black bean sweet potato soup, black bean dip, and lettuce wraps.
- Like most beans, they are pretty inexpensive (woot woot).
How to Make Them
Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
- To food processor, add well-drained black beans (reserve some for later), lime juice, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, cayenne, oregano, salt and pepper.
- Process until combined, but still some visible beans left.
- Remove the mixture from the processor and add to a bowl along with reserved beans, green onion, oats and bell pepper. Stir to combine.
- Form into patties (use an ice cream scoop or grab some and form with your hands).
- Place patties on a wax paper lined sheet pan and freeze for a little (this makes them easier to handle when cooking).
- Fry in a greased skillet.
- Flip to cook other side.
- Place cooked black bean patties on a burger bun, garnish & Enjoy!
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How to Make Veggie Burgers That Won’t Fall Apart
Veggie Burger Mixture Too Wet
If your bean patty mixture is too wet, add a little more oats (about a tablespoon or so at a time) until they easily form into patties.
Veggie Burgers too Dry
If your veggie burgers are too dry, make a flax egg (mix 1 tablespoon of flax meal with 2 to 3 tablespoons of water and let sit 5 minutes before adding to the mix).
Alternatively, you can mix in a tablespoon or so of mayo (vegan, if that’s what you prefer) OR ketchup (vegan again, if that’s what you prefer) OR your favourite BBQ sauce.
Can I Make Without a Food Processor?
Don’t have a food processor? No worries!
Use a potato masher in conjunction with a spoon. You may have to use a little elbow grease to break them down, but it will work!
Burger Toppings
- Avocado or guacamole
- Tomato
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Lettuce
- Pickle slices
- Cheese (use vegan cheese if you want to keep this burger straight up vegan).
- BBQ Sauce
- Vegan mayo mixed with sriracha (yum) or adobo sauce (equally yum)
- Mustard
More Recipe Tips
Ensure that the black beans are well drained and even patted dry of excess moisture before using in this recipe.
Don’t overly process the beans. You don’t want ’em too ‘mushy’.
Want more texture? Stir in up to ½ cup of chopped walnuts when adding oats.
I always prefer to use a cast-iron pan when cooking these black bean burgers.
Fry these black bean burgers in batches (two at a time) and add a little oil for each batch.
If you like, you can add a little more seasoning (aka salt and pepper) before you fry these burgers.
Like it a little spicier? Add a little more heat cayenne to the mix! You do you!
Don’t want to enjoy these as a burger? They are delicious fried up with a poached egg on top for breakfast.
If you’re looking to round things out with sides, try pesto potatoes or corn and black bean quinoa salad.
Hope you get to try these vegan black bean burgers soon (we happen to think they’re the best black bean burger recipe) !
If you make these black bean patties, be sure to leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed!
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Vegan Black Bean Burger
Ingredients
- 2 (19 ounce) cans of unsalted (or no salt added) black beans , rinsed, drained and patted dry
- 2 to 3 tablespoons lime juice (from about 1 lime)
- 1.5 teaspoons smoked paprika (or chipotle powder)
- 1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 stalks green onion , chopped
- ¼ cup gluten-free oats
- ½ bell pepper , small dice (about ½ cup)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 burger buns (use vegan and gluten free, if needed)
Garnish Ideas (optional)
- Sliced Tomato
- Lettuce leaves
- Sliced red onion
- Sliced avocado or guacamole
Instructions
- Ensure beans are rinsed, drained well and patted dry. Reserve ½ cup black beans and set aside.Note: There are lots of tips in 'Notes' below for making these burgers.
- Add remaining beans to a food processor, along with lime juice, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, oregano, salt and black pepper. Process until mixture comes together, but there are still some visible beans left. Once done, transfer the mixture to a large bowl.
- To bean mixture, add reserved half cup of beans, green onion, oats and bell pepper (if you want more texture, also stir in up to ½ cup chopped walnuts). Stir until everything is well combined. (If needed, see text in body of post about troubleshooting if mixture is too wet or too dry).
- Using a round standard ice cream scoop, form into patties, with each patty being about a scoop and half (roughly).
- Place patties onto a wax paper lined baking tray and freeze for 45 minutes.
- Remove patties from freezer.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat.
- Season burgers with a little extra salt (if desired). Cooking two burgers at a time, cook about 3 minutes per side or until heated through. Remove. Cook remaining batches (replacing oil in the pan between batches).
- To assemble each black bean burger: spread your favourite condiment or sauce on the insides of the bottom and top bun. Place the patty on the bottom bun, then garnish to taste with any of the garnish ideas or your favourite burger toppings. Place the top bun over top to form the burger. Enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure that the black beans are well drained and even patted dry of excess moisture before using in this recipe.
- Don’t overly process the beans. You don’t want ’em too ‘mushy’.
- If your bean patty mixture is too wet, add a little more oats, about a tablespoon or so at a time until they are easy to form into patties.
- Want more texture? Stir in up to ½ cup of chopped walnuts when adding oats.
- I always prefer to use a cast iron pan when cooking these black bean burgers.
- Fry these black bean burgers in batches (two at a time) and add a little oil for each batch.
- If you like, you can add a little more seasoning (aka salt and pepper) before you fry these burgers.
- Like it a little spicier? Add a little more heat cayenne to the mix! You do you!
Nutrition (ESTIMATE ONLY)
Nutrition estimate (if provided) is based on 1 Serving.
Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are guidelines only.
faniy
A bit fragile when cooking but next time I would add some flour oatmeal. I put the burger set in the fridge instead. I added red quiona and add more or less some spices i also add nutrional yeast. It’s was very good burger with homemade McDonald’s sauce ! I did the sauce vegan or sometime vegetarian ! Next time in the burger mixture i will add sliced mushrooms.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
So happy to hear that you enjoyed them, Faniy! Thanks for letting me know 🙂 If you added quinoa you would definitely be adding to the moisture level of the burgers and would need to add a little more oats. Freezing also works best before cooking. Hope you have a wonderful week!!
Karen (Back Road Journal)
Wow, that is some exercise regime you’ve got…that is terrific. I like the idea of serving these without the bun and topping with a poached egg.
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Karen! Gotta work out if I want to enjoy alllll the good food 😉
Eileen Kelly
I am always looking for new black bean burgers. These are absolutely wonderful. You have made these so easy and delicious to make and I’m making a few to freeze.
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
I love black bean burgers!! But for some reason, I have never made them myself. I am drooling here!!
Girl Heart Food
You need to! Super easy and tasty! Thanks Cathleen 🙂
Heather
Beautiful burgers!! I love black bean burgers and these are seasoned perfectly. Such a great meal to sneak some healthy into your week. Also love that these freeze well so you can always have them on hand.
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Heather! It’s always nice to have meals prepped and ready to go for busy weeknights 🙂
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life
I love beans and I’m always looking for more ways to add vegetarian dishes to our menu. Can’t wait to give this a try. I’m sure it’ll be a huge hit in our household!
Girl Heart Food
I do too! Thanks Claire! Enjoy 🙂
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
I love me a good bean burger!! This looks amazing and so thick!! Pinning to try soon!
Girl Heart Food
Same here! Thanks Sam 🙂 Hope you like these!
Leslie
I’ve had some preeeeeeetty terrible black bean burgers in the past. I think it’s time I make my own so I KNOW it’s going to be good!
Girl Heart Food
Homemade is always the best 😉
Sara
I NEED black bean burgers in my life! Yours look absolutely awesome! We eat a lot of red meat around here, so I’m always looking for great alternatives. Can’t wait to try!
Girl Heart Food
You do!! Thank you Sara! They are a nice alternative to meat!
Marisa Franca
I love having a variety of sandwich fillings! And I agree black beans are sooo good for you. It’s a shame that sometimes they’re only an afterthought or just as a side. I can’t wait to try them in a sandwich.
Girl Heart Food
Totally! Thanks Marisa 🙂
Anne Murphy
I’ve never been that fond of burgers, but I have to break down and try some of these bean burgers! (I am fond of beans… LOL) The seasoning in these sounds so good.
Girl Heart Food
You do! They are pretty delicious! We have them often around here 🙂 Hope you like them too!
Kitty
Guurrrrllll!!!! Your burgers are killing me! I want to eat them all! I guess I can call this one healthy because it’s black bean and vegan? LOL! #needtoexcercise #noimpulsecontrol!
Girl Heart Food
Hahaha! Thanks Kitty!! I think you can 😉 I’ve definitely eaten more than one 🙂
Anne|Craving Something Healthy
Holy Moses! These look so amazingly delicious! I’ll admit I’m always too lazy to make my own veggie burgers but I’m definitely trying these soon. I love your idea about the egg on top 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Anne! They’re super easy to put together 🙂
David @ Spiced
I love black beans…they have so much flavor, and they’re one of my favorite ingredients in a good quesadilla. I’m pretty partial to beef burgers, but I can do a tasty black bean burger on occasion, and I’m thinking I need to get this one onto the grill soon! I love all of those seasonings in there! 🙂
Girl Heart Food
We love ’em around here too! So tasty and versatile! Hope you get a chance to try this one, David! Thanks 🙂
Kevin O'Leary
I LOVE black bean burgers! Such a healthy alternative. 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
I feel so much better enjoying a burger when it’s a black bean burger Dawn! And these look awesome! I love freezing them too so I’ve got them when the craving hits! Pinned!
Girl Heart Food
I hear ya!! Thank you Mary Ann! Enjoy, my friend 🙂
Gloria
You can never have too many burger recipes. Although we are “meat eaters”….we do have a few “meat free” days a week. This would be perfect for one of those days.
Girl Heart Food
I agree, Gloria!! Thanks so much – hope you enjoy these as much as we do 🙂
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
I’m on a huge black bean kick lately, and I was just saying to my husband the other day that I wanted to make black bean burgers! (I’ve also been on a burger kick lately!!). I guess I don’t need to look any further for the recipe! I’ll be bookmarking this one to make soon. Thanks Dawn! Happy Monday!
Girl Heart Food
We love black beans in our home and we go through them like crazy!! And you can never go wrong with a burger, especially thing time of year 🙂 Hope you enjoy this one, Leanne! Let me know if you try it out! Happy Monday to you too, my friend.
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
You’re killing it with the process shots! For real, they’re awesome :). Also awesome are these burgers. I loooove a veggie burger and these sound totally perfect. Have a great week, Dawn!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks a million, Kelsie!! Hope you have a wonderful week too 🙂
Denise
I have always wanted to try to make a burger like this. I had one at a picnic a few years ago and I was hooked. Definitely going to give this a try because it looks so good!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you so much, Denise! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do 🙂
[email protected]
I did indulge a little 😉 over the weekend, but Friday night I did have a black bean burger and it was so good, I said Dom, I really need to make these at home! And here you are!! It’s like you were sitting at the table with us! This looks magnificent, my friend! Love it with all those toppings!! Have a great day!! XOXO
Girl Heart Food
Haha! That’s so funny!! Aren’t black bean burgers delicious and you know I’m alllll about the garnish 🙂 Thanks Annie! Have a great day too! XOXO
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
These black bean burgers look absolutely delicious! I love that crust you get when using a cast iron skillet. It adds such great flavor!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Kathy!! The cast iron skillet really does wonders 🙂
Milena
I wouldn’t care one bit that these are vegan! Scrumptious eating here my friend! Looks way too inviting for me to resist biting into this burger! You do know how to do black beans! Pinned.
Girl Heart Food
Woo hoo!! Thank you so much, Milena!! You’re so kind 🙂
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Such a great healthy alternative to the classic burger. Will be sending this on to my daughter, as well. She will love it too!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Jennifer! It sure is 😉 Hope she does! Have a wonderful week!