Black Bean Burgers

Name: Black Bean Burger Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 7 cloves garlic; 15 oz. canned black beans (drained and rinsed); 1/2 cup sunflower seeds; 1/4 cup uncooked quinoa; 1/2 cup water; 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free if desired); 1 tablespoon ground cumin; Pinch ground cinnamon; 1/2 medium red onion (diced); 1 red bell pepper (finely diced); Salt and pepper (to taste); 1/2 cup nonfat Greek or dairy-free yogurt; 1 tablespoon chili powder; 1 tablespoon lime juice (~1/4 lime); ⅛ teaspoon of salt; 6 hamburger buns; 1 large avocado (thinly sliced); 2 large tomatoes (thinly sliced)

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By Linley Hanson

4.60 from 5 votes

Published 7/12/2023

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These black burgers are made with quick sauteed garlic, an entire can of black beans, quinoa, and delicious spices like cumin and onion. This combination of ingredients gives the burgers a rich, savory flavor.

Our recipe uses a mixture of black beans, oats, seeds, and spices to create a paste that holds the burger together. This addresses a common complaint about homemade veggie burgers falling apart when cooked.

Favorite Black Bean Burgers!

There are so many options these days for premade veggie burgers, but today we’re teaching you how to make our go-to homemade black bean burgers that taste just as good (if not better) than a real beef burger.

Not only do we love cooking these up for a vegetarian meal, but it’s the best when we still have a few left in the freezer that I can thaw and cook for a less than 20-minute dinner during the week.

PS: we’ve done the dirty work for you in testing these black bean burgers to make sure they stay together when cooking. You can thank the binding of ground black beans, oats, and water!

Featured Comment

“Delicious! Only black bean burger I’ve ever made that actually stay together.” – Brittani

What You Need

The basis of these veggie burgers is quinoa and black beans. They’re flavored with garlic, onion, and cumin and topped with all of your favorite things.

Black Beans: obviously the star of the show when it comes to black bean burgers is black beans! The black beans in this recipe act as the “meat” and the “bind.” They really do hold everything together when processed.

Quinoa: quinoa adds amazing texture and a ton of protein. You can try to swap it for a different grain such as brown rice.

Garlic: we took the garlic up a notch in this recipe by quickly pan-frying it in olive oil to make it golden brown and so flavorful. You’ll be happy you did this extra step.

Sunflower Seeds: sunflower seeds add healthy fat and texture to this black bean burger recipe.

Rolled Oats: rolled oats help in the binding process. If you don’t have rolled oats you can use oat flour instead.

Veggies: what would a veggie burger be without extra veggies? This one has red bell pepper and onion.

Spices: the spices used in this recipe are cumin, salt, and pepper. Simple, yet elevated.

Why make this black bean burger recipe?

Vegetarian: if you’re hoping to make a meal without meat that is still filling and delicious. These black bean burgers are for you!

Whole Ingredients: we love that this black bean burger recipe is made with whole ingredients such as beans, quinoa, seeds, and spices.

Easy to Freeze: double or triple this recipe to freeze for later so you can have a grab-and-go veggie burger whenever you want.

High-Protein: This recipe will get you 10g protein per patty.

Black beans, seeds, oats, and spices in a food processor

How to Make Black Bean Burgers

These black bean quinoa will bring you to veggie burger heaven. Head to the recipe card to get the ingredient amounts and more details on how to make this recipe.

Step 1: Make Quinoa

First, prepare quinoa in a small skillet by bringing water and quinoa to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for around 15 minutes.

Tutorial

How to Cook Quinoa

Looking for a foolproof method on how to cook quinoa? In this post, we’ll teach you all about the superfood called quinoa, the different ways to make it, and how to incorporate it into your meals!

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Step 2: Process beans

The “glute” or the binder for this recipe is a mixture of black beans, oats, seeds, and spices. The combination of all of them creates the perfect paste to hold the burger together.

Place black beans, sunflower seeds, oats, and spices into a high-speed food processor and pulse until a thick paste is formed.

Do I have to use a food processor?

We do recommend using a food processor for this recipe. It is important to get the black beans pureed so that they hold everything together as a bind.

Step 3: Mix Add-Ins

When the black bean mixture is sticky add the red bell pepper, onion, and quinoa to the black bean mixture.

Use your hands or a spoon to mix everything together until it holds together.

Step 4: Form Patties

To form your quinoa patties, use a 1/3 measuring cup. Use your hands to create a ball and then pat them own into a patty.

Just make sure that all of the patties are the same thickness so that they cook evenly.

quick tip

we find it best to slightly wet your hands before making the patties so that the mixture doesn’t stick to your hands.

Step 5: Bake

Though you are more than welcome to pan-fry your burgers, we love baking them. We found that veggie burgers stayed together better if you drizzle them with oil and pop them in the oven as opposed to grilling or pan frying. There is much less room for error.

Place each quinoa burger on an oiled baking sheet. Drizzle with oil and bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Step 6: Toppings

While the quinoa black bean burgers are in the oven, mix up your burger sauce in a bowl. Add yogurt, lime juice, and spices to a bowl and mix well. Place in the fridge until black bean burgers are ready.

Remove burgers from the oven and place them on your favorite bun. Top with yogurt sauce, sliced tomato, and avocado. Enjoy.

More Topping Ideas

You are more than welcome to top your veggie burgers with whatever your heart desires. I’m a ketchup girl and will almost always top any burger of mine with that. Here are more ideas:

sauerkraut
mustard
caramelized onions
homemade ranch
ketchup

quinoa burgers on an english muffin with sauce, avocado, tomato, and arugula

Pan Fry Instructions

We tested this recipe both on the grill and stovetop, and while you can, we recommend baking them. The reason is that they stay together much better.

However, If you want to grill or pan fry, we suggest going with pan frying. Use olive oil and cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side.

Top Tip – Make Sure You Have a Binder

The main complaint people have about homemade veggie burgers is that they fall apart when you cook them. The key is to make sure you have a good moist bind ratio to your other ingredients.

Use one of the ingredients below as a binder and you’ll be golden just make sure!

Whisked eggs
Flax egg
Pureed Beans (black, garbanzo, pinto)
Nut Butter
Sweet potato puree

Serving Suggestions for the Perfect Bun

We live in a world with so many options. There are so many options when it comes to what you pair your veggie patty with. Below are our favorite “bun” options beyond hamburger buns.

Pretzel Bun
Brioche Bun
English Muffin
Butter Lettuce
Cabbage

Storage

Let black bean burger patties cool completely. Then, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.

How to Freeze Black Bean Burgers

Follow the direction in the recipe card below to fully cook your burgers.
Let black bean burgers cool completely. Then, tightly wrap each burger patty with a piece of tin foil.
Freeze for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to eat, let the burgers thaw and then heat up in the oven or pan fry.