Easy to make Vegan Black Bean Burgers that are loaded with flavour and not mushy! They are satisfying, delicious and a tried and true reader favourite.
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It's summer and it's not a time we love being in the kitchen, but these Vegan Black Bean Burgers are worth making an exception for and they are so easy to make you won't even break a sweat.
Pop them in a bun, top with all the things, and you're done. May I suggest burger in one hand and a nice cold bevvy in the other? This is how summer dreams are made.
Are black bean burgers vegan?
Not all black bean burgers are vegan. It's always worth checking first especially if you are eating out in a cafe or restaurant. Many recipes include egg and some contain breadcrumbs from a loaf that might not be vegan. Some even contain cheese. If it's important to you not to consume animal products then don't just assume that because it's a bean or veggie burger it's vegan. Of course, this recipe is vegan though!
Ingredients
Wondering what black bean burgers are made of? Let me show you what you'll need to make this recipe and why:
- Canned black beans - Canned because they are more consistent and all tend to be the same texture, unlike home-cooked beans which can sometimes vary depending on how old the beans were and how they are cooked. If the beans are too firm they won't squish together well enough to form good burgers.
- Green onions - Because they work well with the other flavours and because they are going in raw.
- Cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper, cilantro - Flavour!
- Lime - Zesty flavour and moisture.
- Ground flaxseed - The binder. Flaxseed swells and becomes gelatinous as it absorbs moisture. It acts as the glue in this recipe. Plus as an added bonus it's also really nutritious and enables you to make the black bean burgers with no breadcrumbs. Flax does a better job and keeps them gluten-free.
- Chilli flakes - For a bit of heat. It works really nicely with the other flavours. They are optional though.
- BBQ Sauce - Optional but great brushed on the burgers after cooking. It makes them look shiny and succulent and adds another layer of flavour.
How to make vegan black bean burgers
These vegan black bean burgers are incredibly easy to make and you don't need any special equipment. Just a potato masher (or a fork) and your hands. Here's how it's done:
Step 1 - Drain canned black beans and mash them.
They should look a bit like this when you're done. A good combination of mashed and partially mashed beans for good burger texture!
Step 2 - Add the other ingredients.
Step 3 - Mix well with clean hands.
Step 4 - Shape into patties.
Step 5 - Pan fry or bake.
Success Tips
Here are my best tips for making these vegan black bean burgers successfully, including tips for shaping and forming:
- Canned beans give more consistent results than home-cooked dried black beans. That's because they always tend to be the same softness. When you cook them at home the softness of the beans can change depending on how old the dried beans were, how you cook them and for how long. This can affect how the burgers hold together. Using canned beans makes life easier and means you don't need to worry about that.
- Drain the beans very well. We don't want any liquid hanging around. It makes a big difference to the firmness and texture.
- Make sure you don’t mash the black beans too much. Some texture must remain.
- Don't skimp on the seasonings. Beans need a little help to taste really good.
- Squish the portioned out mixture together in your hands before forming so it's compacted and don't make the burgers too thin. They should be between ¾ to 1 inch thick.
- Cook the burgers over moderate heat. It shouldn't be too high. We want them to cook through and firm up before they become overdone on the outside.
- Brush the outsides with BBQ sauce or my easy tofu marinade before serving. It adds yet another layer of flavour and makes the burgers look shiny and succulent.
How do they taste?
What do black bean burgers taste like? First up, you aren't going to bite into a black bean burger and mistake it for a beef or Beyond burger. They do not taste like a hamburger and never will. But that's not to mean they aren't delicious, they really are when done right.
Black beans have a deep earthy flavour and easily take on other flavours they are cooked with. And that's why my Vegan Black Bean Burgers are loaded with ingredients that really pack a punch. Like raw green onions, lime, cilantro and dried spices. Then the outside is brushed with BBQ sauce which adds yet another layer of flavour.
In essence, these burgers taste of black beans with strong undertones of garlic, lime, cilantro and warming spices. And then there's the little tang of the BBQ sauce too. They are so good!
Serving Suggestions
Black Bean Burgers work with so many flavours. If you're wondering what to serve with black bean burgers here are some ideas:
In a bun, flatbread or pita bread with toppings like:
- leafy greens & tomato
- red onionm, caramlized onions or onion rings
- crumbled vegan feta cheese
- vegan cheddar cheese slices
- guacamole or green sauce
- salsa, pickles, jalapenos or habanero hot sauce
- avocado dressing
- grilled pineapple
- BBQ sauce
- vegan coleslaw
- sauteed mushrooms
Sides dishes for black bean burgers:
- fries, potato wedges or sweet potato fries
- grilled baby potatoes
- Lemon Garlic Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
- Watermelon Mint Salad
- Tomato Chickpea Salad
- Vegan Broccoli Salad
- Kidney Bean Salad
- a big green leafy salad
Storage, Freezing & Reheating Tips
These freezer friendly black bean burgers are really great for making ahead and meal prep.
- To store - They keep well in the fridge for four to five days whether cooked or uncooked. Be sure to keep them wrapped well or in an airtight container so they don't dry out. Leftovers are also really good cold. I often pop them into packed lunches, eat them from the fridge as a snack, or crumble them on salads, bowl meals or in sandwiches.
- To freeze uncooked burgers- Lay uncooked patties out on a parchment paper-lined baking tray and pop the whole thing in the freezer. As soon as they are hard you can transfer them to a freezer bag or container. To be sure they won't stick together it's best to place a sheet of parchment paper between layers. Thaw in the fridge then cook as per the instructions.
- To reheat previously cooked burgers - Bake them in the oven at 370°F for about 15-20 minutes or until piping hot. If frozen bake them straight from the freezer for about 20-25 minutes or until piping hot all the way through.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, as long as you squeeze them together really well and are very gentle with them. Cooking times are included in the recipe below.
Wondering how to make vegan black bean burgers that don't fall apart? The secret is to use a good binder. My preferences in bean burgers are nut butter or ground flaxseed which this recipe uses. Both do a really good job of keeping them together.
The other trick to stop them from falling apart is to really compact each burger when forming it. Take the mixture and give it a really good squeeze together. Do it really hard so it's all really packed together before you even start to shape them.
And lastly don't cook them over too high a heat and don't flip them too much when cooking. You need the inside to firm up before the outside gets overdone. Aim to just turn them once if you can. This will limit any chances of breakage.
Recipe
Vegan Black Bean Burgers
Author:WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Ingredients
- 2 cups / 340 g canned black beans , make sure they are drained very well
- 4 green onions , chopped finely
- 1 lime , zest and juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup / 4 tablespoons ground flax seed , or dried out breadcrumbs / Panko
- 1 big handful cilantro , chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt , plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon pepper , plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes , OPTIONAL
- 2 tablespoons oil , OPTIONAL
- 4 tablespoons vegan BBQ sauce , OPTIONAL
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add beans to a large bowl and mash roughly with a potato masher. Not too much though, we want some chunks through the mixture for texture.
- Add the chopped green onions, lime zest and juice, cumin, garlic powder, ground flax seed, cilantro, salt, pepper and optional chili flakes. Mix well making sure everything is combined. I find clean hands are the best tool for this.
- Taste the mixture to check the seasoning and add more salt and pepper if necessary.
- Refrigerate the mixture for about 15 minutes to let the flaxseed get to work. This helps it firm up a little and makes it easier to shape the burgers.
- Shape into 4 separate balls, then press each one down firmly using the palm of your hand or the bottom of a mug until it's a burger patty shape. I don't recommend making them too thin. Anywhere from ¾ to 1 inch thickness is best. If they crack a bit press them gently back together.
To pan fry
- Heat the oil in a pan over a medium low heat. If you aren't using the oil be sure to use a non-stick pan.
- Once the pan is hot add the burgers making sure there is plenty of space around each one to enable you to flip them easily later. If you can't fit them all in, have your oven on low (300 ° F / 148 °C) and once the first ones are done keep them warm in there until the rest are ready.
- Cook for about 7 minutes each side, or until a nice golden crust forms.
- Before serving brush generously with the optional BBQ sauce. It adds another layer of flavour and makes them look really good!
To oven bake
- Put the burgers on a lined tray, brush with oil if using, then bake them in the oven at 375°F for about 25 minutes, or until heated through and a little bit crusty on the outside. Flip them over halfway through the cooking time.
- Before serving brush generously with the optional BBQ sauce. It adds another layer of flavour and makes them look really good!
To grill
- Be sure to squeeze the patties together really, really well, and treat them very gently. I often cook mine on a grill pan then I don't have to worry as much about bits potentially breaking off when turning. Cook them over a medium-low heat for about 7 minutes each side. Before serving brush generously with the optional BBQ sauce. It adds another layer of flavour and makes them look really good!
NOTES
- To store - They keep well in the fridge for four to five days whether cooked or uncooked. Be sure to keep them wrapped well or in an airtight container so they don't dry out.
- To freeze uncooked burgers- Lay uncooked patties out on a parchment paper-lined baking tray and pop the whole thing in the freezer. As soon as they are hard you can transfer them to a freezer bag or container. To be sure they won't stick together it's best to place a sheet of parchment paper between layers. Thaw in the fridge then cook as per the instructions.
- To reheat previously cooked burgers - Bake them in the oven at 370°F for about 15-20 minutes or until piping hot.
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NUTRITION
This recipe was originally published on June 22nd, 2015. I've updated it with some new content, made a video and am now republishing it for you. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for following A Virtual Vegan!
George says
I made these last night and added oregano and removed chili flakes. Kill me I grew up in a Mediterranean house hold Anyway it was great and the non vegans liked it and want me to make it again for an upcoming party as meat balls.
A Virtual Vegan says
I'm so glad you all enjoyed them George. If you make them as "meatballs" be aware that they will dissolve if left to cook in a sauce. I thought I should mention that just in case that was your plan. If it is, make the two and only put them together as you are about to serve. Thank you for stopping by to leave feedback!
Niala says
Great recipe! Will make again, but with one change. Because I did stuffed peppers with black beans the day before and put chili powder and cumin in those, my sons wanted the burgers to taste a little different. One of them (an aspiring chef) had the idea to sub in a seasoning packet for the chili and cumin. We got a pack of mango habanero wing seasoning because we thought it would work with the lime and cilantro. It was fantastic! There are so many flavor packets available that you could make these every night and they would taste differently each time. This recipe is now a staple!
A Virtual Vegan says
Yum! What a good idea. I'm so pleased you all enjoyed them. Have fun experimenting with all the other flavours!
Anne says
These burgers were great! Will be making them again for sure. Love the lime!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thanks Anne!
Cheryl says
If using canned beans, should all of the liquid be drained? I"m thinking that doing this would make a very dry burger.
A Virtual Vegan says
The liquid definitely needs to be drained and the burgers aren't dry at all. Soft beans have all the moisture you need to create a moist, tender burger.
Michael says
I deleted the lime and add 2Tb spoon of thick smoky BBQ sauce to mine. Great Burger recipe. I'm a meat eater but I've always loved the black bean burgers ever since my introduction to them in 2005.
A Virtual Vegan says
BBQ sauce is a great addition. I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
Anne says
Hi Mel, This recipe looks great! I plan on making the burgers very soon. I was hoping to substitute the ground flax seed with almond meal - any thoughts? Also, any thoughts on adding some spicy refried beans to the mixture? Thanks for your insights!
A Virtual Vegan says
Hi Anne. Thank you! Flax seed swells and gets sticky so if you sub it for almond meal the burgers will probably be more prone to falling apart. A better alternative would be ground chia seeds. They would do as good a job as ground flax. My other go to burger "glue" is nut butter. A quarter cup instead of the flax would be good. I use cashew if I don't want the flavour to come through but in these I think any nut butter would work, even almond or peanut. I think you could add spicy refried beans to the mix as long as they aren't wet. If they are drier and you don't add a huge amount you probably won't need to make any adjustments.If they are slightly wetter then adding some bread crumbs or flour would compensate. Hope that helps!
Heather Chism says
Made these tonight and they are amazing! These will be a staple in our house! I also added a little bit go hot sauce. Yummy!
A Virtual Vegan says
So glad you enjoyed them Heather! I bet the hot sauce addition was great. Right up my street!
Debbie says
What happens to the yellow pepper and brown rice?
A Virtual Vegan says
There is no yellow pepper and brown rice in this recipe.
Dianne says
Making these now at 11:30p @ night, because a girl always needs her black bean burger fix.
So far the batter tastes delicious. I had everything but the cilantro as far as ingredients go.
I'll give it a go to see how they tastes pan fried and will report back!
A Virtual Vegan says
A midnight snack! Sounds like a good plan to me!
Dianne says
Flavor was wonderful.
From one vegan to another, GREAT RECIPE!
Gina says
What toppings would you use on these? Guac? Salsa? Any ideas? They look delicious!!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you! They are one of my most popular recipes. They are awesome with guac and salsa. I sometimes pile them both on top. Or some slices of avocado and raw red onion. Hot sauce too, like sriracha is good with them. And this https://avirtualvegan.com/creamy-avocado-lime-dressing/ I have also in the past mixed up some plain vegan yogurt with lime zest, some lime juice, cilantro, a pinch of salt. You could also add some diced red chili. A few ideas for you. I hope you enjoy them!
Steph says
Hi there!! Second time I've had these. My husband loves them!! Says they taste like a bureto lol I'm the vegan and loved them too!!
Great recipie
A Virtual Vegan says
That's great! So glad you both like them. Thank you for coming back to leave feedback! ????
Shantee Rickerby says
Made these tonight. They were YUM!!! Thank you for the recipe.
A Virtual Vegan says
You are welcome Shantee. I am so glad you enjoyed them!
Sara says
Just made these today and they are incredible! They held their shape and were simple, yet delicious. Thanks so much for sharing!
A Virtual Vegan says
Wow thanks so much Sara! I make these burgers a lot as they are so versatile and are great for quick lunches or dinners.I am so glad you enjoyed them too and thank you for taking the time to let me know. I really appreciate it. Have a lovely evening :O)
Sabrina Lmssy says
It's really good but like every veggie burgers I've tried to cook, they don't hold :(
A Virtual Vegan says
Hi Sabrina,
Sorry to hear they didn't hold together. I have never had a problem with them falling apart. They are usually pretty firm and sturdy. Perhaps we can work out what went wrong? Did you maybe cook your own dried beans and they were pretty firm rather than soft and squishy? That would affect the burgers holding together. Did you sub any ingredients? The flax is pretty integral in this recipe. And lastly did you refrigerate the mixture before forming the burgers? This step is important as it gives the flax time to absorb moisture and swell so it can act kind of like glue. Just a few ideas for you. Perhaps one of them might help :O)
Carly says
Do they stand up to grilling? I keep working on a veggie burger that can hold up to grilling
A Virtual Vegan says
I haven't actually tried them on the grill but they are pretty firm so I think they will be ok. When it's warm enough I'll try them out on my grill and update the post!
Desert Panz says
Savory and simple. Other recipes I've tried entail too many steps. I added fresh roasted Hatch green chile and roasted Hatch jalapenos, to celebrate the heritage of where we live. Thank you for the recipe.
A Virtual Vegan says
It makes me so happy to hear you enjoy my recipe. I love that you added chile & jalapeños. I will try it next time I make them. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment :0)