Vegan Black Bean Burgers

Name: Vegan Black Bean Burger
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 73 min
Ingredients: 2 (19-ounce) cans 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 ground cayenne pepper; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 2 stalks green onion (chopped); 1/4 cup gluten-free rolled oats (or gluten-free quick oats); 1/2 bell pepper (small dice (about 1/2 cup)); 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional); 3 tablespoons olive oil; 6 burger buns (use vegan and gluten free if needed (also, cut buns in half horizontally if not already precut))

Published: June 11, 2018 Updated: June 30, 2020 / By: Dawn | Girl Heart Food 46 Comments

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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. They always hit the spot (especially paired with homemade baked fries).

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 seasonings to amp up the flavour
Hidden veggies, like green onion and bell pepper
Lime juice to brighten
Oats to bind these bean burgers together

Ingredients for a vegan black bean burger recipe.

Why We Love Black Beans

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), and in 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 pepper, 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 onto 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 each cooked black bean patty on a burger bun and garnish to taste.

Collage of steps to make black bean burgers.

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 burger mixture 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), ketchup (vegan again, if that’s what you prefer) or your favourite BBQ sauce.

Can I Make the Burgers Without a Food Processor?

Yep! The food processor is ideal and makes preparing the burger patties extra easy. However, if you don’t have a food processor, no worries!

Place the burger patty ingredients into a large mixing bowl and use a potato masher in conjunction with a spoon to combine everything. You may have to use a little elbow grease to break everything down, but it will work!

Burger Topping Ideas

Sliced avocado or guacamole
Sliced tomato
Thinly sliced red onion
Lettuce (leaves or shredded)
Pickle slices
Cheese slices (whatever variety you like best)
BBQ Sauce
Vegan mayo mixed with sriracha (yum) or adobo sauce (equally yum)
Mustard

Tips for Making This Recipe

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 them too mushy.
Want more texture? Stir in up to ½ cup of chopped walnuts when adding oats.
Like it a little spicier? Add a little more heat cayenne pepper 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.

Two hands holding one half of black bean burger with toppings.

If you’re looking to round things out with sides, try pesto potatoes or quinoa salad.

If you make these vegan black bean burgers, be sure to leave a comment below!