Best Black Bean Burger Recipe
Introduction
Black bean burgers are a flavorful and hearty alternative to traditional beef patties. Packed with smoky chipotle peppers and warm spices, these burgers are perfect for a satisfying vegetarian meal. They’re easy to make and cook up beautifully on the stove or grill.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked black beans (drained and rinsed)
- ⅓ cup grated yellow onion (about ½ medium)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 chipotle peppers from a can of chipotles in adobo (diced)
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce
- 1 tablespoon tamari
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- Extra-virgin olive oil (for brushing)
- Cooking spray (if grilling)
- Hamburger buns (for serving)
- Desired fixings (for serving)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the black beans, grated onion, minced garlic, diced chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, tamari, balsamic vinegar, ground cumin, sea salt, and black pepper. Use a potato masher to mash the mixture until it holds together but still has some visible chunks of beans.
- Step 2: Add the egg and fold it into the mixture with a spatula until combined. Then fold in the panko bread crumbs.
- Step 3: Use your hands to form the mixture into six patties. The mixture should be cohesive and slightly wet. If it feels too wet to handle, chill the patties in the refrigerator for 20 minutes or mash the beans a bit more to firm up.
- Step 4: To cook on the stove, heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Brush with olive oil and cook the patties for about 5 minutes per side until they are charred and heated through. Adjust the heat as needed.
- Step 5: Alternatively, preheat an outdoor grill to 400°F. Lightly brush the patties with olive oil, spray the grill grates with cooking spray, and grill the patties for 8 minutes on the first side and 4 minutes on the second side.
- Step 6: Serve the black bean burgers on hamburger buns with your favorite fixings and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- Add a dash of smoked paprika for extra smoky flavor.
- Use gluten-free bread crumbs to make the burgers gluten-free.
- For a vegan version, substitute the egg with a flax egg or chia egg.
- Chill the patties before cooking to help them hold together better on the grill.
Storage
Store cooked black bean burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or in the oven until warmed through. You can also freeze the uncooked patties, separated by parchment paper, for up to 1 month—thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these burgers vegan?
Yes, you can replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water) or a chia egg to keep the patties binding without animal products.
How do I prevent the burgers from falling apart?
Make sure to mash the beans until the mixture is sticky but still chunky. Adding panko helps with binding, and chilling the formed patties for 20 minutes before cooking can also improve their firmness.
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Best Black Bean Burger Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 burgers 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Best Black Bean Burgers are a flavorful and hearty vegetarian option, packed with smoky chipotle peppers, aromatic spices, and a perfect mixture of beans and panko for texture. They meld smokiness with the savory tang of balsamic vinegar and tamari, making for juicy, flavorful patties that are perfect for grilling or cooking on the stovetop. Serve on your favorite buns with your choice of fixings for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Black Bean Burger Mixture
- 3 cups cooked black beans (drained and rinsed)
- ⅓ cup grated yellow onion (about ½ medium)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 chipotle peppers from a can of chipotles in adobo (diced)
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce
- 1 tablespoon tamari
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
Cooking & Serving
- Extra-virgin olive oil (for brushing)
- Cooking spray (if grilling)
- Hamburger buns (for serving)
- Desired fixings (lettuce, tomato, pickles, avocado, etc.) (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the burger mixture: In a large bowl, combine the cooked black beans, grated yellow onion, minced garlic, diced chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, tamari, balsamic vinegar, ground cumin, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Using a potato masher, gently mash the mixture until it holds together but still retains some chunkiness from the black beans. Add the large egg and fold gently with a spatula until combined. Finally, fold in the panko bread crumbs evenly.
- Form the patties: With clean hands, shape the mixture into 6 uniform patties. The mixture should be sticky and a bit wet to hold its shape. If the mixture feels too wet to handle, chill the patties in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to firm up, or mash the beans a bit more to improve cohesion.
- Cook on stovetop: Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat and brush lightly with extra-virgin olive oil. Place the patties in the skillet and cook for roughly 5 minutes per side, or until they develop a nice char. Adjust the heat as needed to ensure they cook through without burning.
- Alternatively, grill the patties: Preheat an outdoor grill to 400°F. Lightly brush the patties with olive oil to prevent sticking. Spray the grill grates with cooking spray. Grill the patties for about 8 minutes on the first side, then flip and grill for an additional 4 minutes until cooked through and nicely charred.
- Serve: Place the cooked patties on hamburger buns and add your favorite toppings and fixings. Enjoy immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- If the burger mixture is too wet, chilling in the fridge helps firm up the patties and makes them easier to handle.
- You can substitute tamari with soy sauce if preferred, but tamari is gluten-free and provides a smoother flavor.
- For a vegan version, replace the egg with a flax egg or mashed chia seeds mixed with water to bind the patties.
- Cooking times may vary depending on your stove or grill — cook until the patties are firm and nicely charred but not burnt.
- Feel free to customize the fixings to your taste: avocado, pickles, lettuce, tomato, vegan cheese, or spicy mayo all make great additions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: black bean burger, vegetarian burger, chipotle black bean patties, healthy burger recipe, meatless burger, easy black bean burgers
