Black Bean Burger

By Maria Lichty

Published on January 20, 2025

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Why You’ll Love These Black Bean Burgers

I love a good veggie burger, especially a good black bean burger.

When it comes to making the best black bean burgers, a few key factors make all the difference—texture, flavor, versatility, and ease. Whether you’re a seasoned vegetarian or just looking to add a few more plant-based meals to your routine, these black bean burgers check all the boxes.

• Quick & Easy to Make: With just a few pantry staples like canned black beans, breadcrumbs, and basic spices, you can create delicious homemade burgers. You can cook the burgers in a skillet, in the air fryer, bake them in the oven, or on the grill!
• Perfect Balance of Texture: The secret to a great black bean burger is the right texture. These burgers achieve the ideal balance: crispy on the outside with a soft, hearty interior that’s full of flavor.
• Nutritious & Filling: Packed with protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals, to help you stay satisfied!
• Endless Toppings & Serving Possibilities: Whether you’re going classic with lettuce, tomato, and ketchup, or getting creative with avocado (or guacamole), or pickled red onions, the possibilities are endless. Serve on a toasted bun, in a lettuce wrap, or top your favorite salad with a patty. These burgers are so versatile!

Key Ingredients

You’ll find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below, but here are some ingredient notes before you get started.

• Black Beans: I like to use canned beans because they are convenient. Make sure you drain and rinse the beans before using. Of course, you can use dry black beans. Soak overnight and cook according to package instructions.
• Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce: Buy a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Finely chop up 1 chile and use 1 tablespoon of the sauce. The chile and sauce will add a slightly smoky flavor and a little bit of heat. If you want a spicier burger, you can add more sauce. You can freeze the remaining chipotle chiles in adobo sauce.
• Breadcrumbs: Used to bind the burger mixture together, breadcrumbs help create the ideal texture. You can use gluten-free breadcrumbs if preferred.
• Spices & Herbs: Customize the seasonings according to your preferences. I like a mix of cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. I also add cilantro for a zesty kick.
• Vegan Option: The burger is naturally vegetarian. If you want a vegan version, replace the egg with a flax or chia egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water = 1 egg).

How to Make Black Bean Burgers

• Cook the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. In a large cast iron skillet, sautè the onion and red bell pepper until tender. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Transfer to a plate and let cool to room temperature. Use a paper towel or clean towel to blot the excess moisture.

• Mash the black beans. Start by draining and rinsing your canned black beans. Mash them using a potato masher or fork, leaving a few chunks for texture. Alternatively, you can pulse the beans in a food processor a few times until they’re mostly mashed but still slightly chunky.

• Combine the ingredients. Add the cooked onion, pepper, and garlic to the black beans. Then, add the egg, breadcrumbs, chipotle chili, chipotle sauce, spices, and cilantro.

• Mix together. Use clean hands or a spatula to mix the ingredients together until well incorporated. The mixture should be thick but sticky enough to form patties.

• Shape the patties. Divide the mixture into 4 to 6 portions and shape them into round patties about 3/4-inch thick. If the mixture is too sticky, dampen your hands with water to make shaping easier. Make sure the patties are as compact as possible so they don’t fall apart when cooking.

• Cook in a skillet. Heat a little oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the patties and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes on each side, or until they’re golden brown and crispy on the outside. If the patties are browning too quickly on the outside, turn down the heat a little. Don’t overcrowd the pan, you will have to cook the burgers in batches.
• Bake in the oven. Place the patties on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Cook in the air fryer. Air fry at 375 degrees F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until crispy and cooked through.
• Grill the burgers. Preheat grill to medium heat and oil the grates. Grill the patties for about 5 to 7 minutes per side. You’ll know it’s time to flip when the edges of the patty start to crisp up and get a golden brown color. Carefully flip and and cook for an additional 5 to 7 minutes.

• Assemble the burger. Once cooked, place the black bean patties on a toasted bun and top with your favorite burger fixings, such as lettuce, tomato, avocado (or guacamole), pickles, cheese, red onion (or pickled red onions), and a dollop of your favorite sauce. I like to add jalapeño ranch for extra flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some delicious side dishes to elevate your burger experience.

• Baked Sweet Potato Fries or Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges
• Baked Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges
• Potato Salad
• Broccoli Salad
• Easy Pasta Salad
• Avocado Corn Salad

Storing & Freezing Tips

The burgers can be stored and enjoyed over several days, making them a great meal prep option. Here’s how to store them properly:

• In the Refrigerator: After cooking, allow the burgers to cool completely. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet on the stovetop or in the air fryer.
• In the Freezer: To freeze, place the uncooked patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them for 1-2 hours until solid. Then transfer the patties to a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen patties can last up to 3 months. To cook frozen patties, simply fry or bake them from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

More Black Bean Recipes

• Easy Black Bean Soup
• Black Bean Tacos
• Black Bean Enchiladas
• Black Bean Salad
• Black Bean Quinoa Enchilada Bake

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Vegetarian

Best Black Bean Burger

This easy black bean burger is packed with protein and bold flavors. The burger has a crispy exterior with a savory, tender interior. Serve on a bun or in a lettuce wrap with your favorite toppings.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil, plus more for cooking burgers
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 (15 oz) cans black beans, drained, rinsed, and patted dry
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 cup breadcrumbs (can use gluten-free breadcrumbs)
• 1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, diced plus 1 tablespoon of sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 6 hamburger buns, toasted
• Toppings: cheese, lettuce, tomato, sliced red onion, avocado, pickles, etc.

Instructions

 

• In a large cast iron skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and red bell pepper. Cook for 4 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Transfer to a plate and let cool to room temperature. Use a paper towel to blot excess moisture.
• In a large bowl, add black beans and mash until mostly broken up with a few whole beans remaining.
• Stir in the onion, pepper, and garlic. Add the egg, breadcrumbs, chipotle chili, chipotle sauce, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and cilantro. Mix until well combined.
• Divide the bean mixture into 6 even portions and shape into 3/4-inch thick burger patties. Make sure the burger patties are as compact as possible; this will help prevent them from falling apart.
• Preheat the cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add a 1 to 2 tablespoons oil to the pan and cook the patties for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until brown on both sides and the middles are set. If the patties start browning too fast on the outside, turn down the heat a little. Don’t overcrowd the pan, you will have to cook them in batches. I do 3 at a time.
• Remove from heat. Place the black bean burgers on buns and top with desired toppings. Serve immediately.
• Oven: Place patties on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Air Fryer: Air fry at 375 degrees F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until crispy and cooked through.

Nutrition

Calories: 222kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 27mg, Sodium: 717mg, Potassium: 183mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 856IU, Vitamin C: 28mg, Calcium: 104mg, Iron: 3mg

Keywords black bean, vegetarian

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