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I started making Black Bean Burgers about 10 years ago and we’ve been enjoying them ever since. I absolutely LOVE beans, so making them into a burger was not a stretch. These are an easy 30-minute meal that’s vegan with a gluten-free option. They’re a meatless burger you WILL want to eat!

Veggie burger with a black bean patty, layered with fresh tomato slices, shredded lettuce, and guacamole, served in a soft bun on a wooden board. Blurred background shows additional ingredients and another burger.

Believe me, I love meat – a lot – and burgers are one of my favorite things. But, years ago, before it was trendy, I made black bean burgers and fell in love. If you love beans, you’re not going to miss the meat in this burger recipe.

Black bean burgers are an easy 30-minute meal that’s vegan and can also be made gluten free. We love trying to go meatless at least once a week; it’s healthier and better for the planet, plus it opens our eyes to different types of foods.

Close-up of a black bean burger on a wooden board. The burger patty is placed on a bun spread with guacamole, with visible lettuce underneath. The patty appears well-cooked and textured. In the background, there are blurred slices of tomato.

How to make Black Bean Burgers

  • These burgers also have a secret ingredient: BEETS.
  • The key to binding these together is blending some of the ingredients in the food processor, then adding whole beans for texture.
  • You’re going to pulse it several times, or until it forms a slightly chunky paste. You don’t want it smooth like hummus, but more chunky like a tapenade.
  • To cook your black bean burgers you simply fry them in some olive oil or nonstick cooking spray. They just need to heat through and get browned on both sides.
  • It’s best to serve these on buns with something crunchy, like fresh onions or lettuce. The crunch of the veggies will be a great contrast to the soft burgers.
Close-up of three stacked black bean burgers with a crispy texture on a wooden surface. Lettuce is visible around the burgers, and a blurred bun with tomato slices can be seen in the background.

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Freeze ahead for Meal Prep

This recipe makes a lot of burgers (about 18-20, depending on size). I love making a large batch like that because then I can freeze half and have dinner for another night.

You can freeze the burgers in two ways:

  1. Freeze them “raw” after forming, or
  2. Freeze them after cooking

To freeze, simply layer between sheets of wax or parchment paper and freeze in an airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator and then cook as directed.

Serving Black Bean Burgers

  • Serve these with something crunchy inside, like lettuce or onion or pickles.
  • You can top with cheese while cooking.
  • Use any sort of condiments – like mayo or mustard or even pesto or guacamole.
Veggie burger with a black bean patty, layered with fresh tomato slices, shredded lettuce, and guacamole, served in a soft bun on a wooden board. Blurred background shows additional ingredients and another burger.

Black Bean Burgers Recipe

4.50 from 2 votes
This easy 30-minute meal is the perfect meatless weeknight dinner! Black Bean Burgers are full of flavor and are so healthy thanks to all the fiber in the beans and the fiber and vitamins in the secret ingredient: beets!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Yield 18 -20 servings (1 burger per serving)
Serving Size 1 burger
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Ingredients
 

  • 1 15 ounce jar Sliced Beets, drained (regular not pickled, but pickled can be used)
  • 4 15 ounce cans black beans , divided
  • 4 cloves garlic , peeled
  • 1 medium onion , coarsley chopped
  • 1 cup Italian Breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Burger Buns

Toppings (optional):

  • Lettuce
  • Tomato
  • Sliced Beets
  • Favorite Condiments
  • Cheese

Instructions

  • Peel and coarsely chop the onion. Peel the garlic. Place both in the bowl of a food processor. Note: if you have a small food processor, you may need to work in batches. Add 2 cans of drained and rinsed black beans and the drained beets. Pulse until no big chunks remain and the mixture is a chunky paste.
  • Place the beet mixture into a large bowl. Add remaining beans, red pepper flakes, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
  • Form patties using 1/4 cup of mixture.
  • To cook: heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to the pan and let it get hot, then add the patties, cooking each side for about 3-4 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
  • Serve hot with burger toppings or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Burger topping ideas: use your favorites! These burgers are soft, so I recommend adding something crunchy (like lettuce, tomato, or more sliced beets) to your burger along with your favorite condiments and cheese (vegan cheese to keep it vegan).
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Recipe Notes

Notes:
  • If you have a small food processor, you may need to work in batches.
  • To make the recipe gluten-free, swap bread crumbs for a gluten-free version (panko or regular style) and use gluten-free buns.
  • To freeze: Freeze uncooked or cooked burgers. Place in airtight container in single layers (with wax or parchment paper between layers). Freeze up to 1 month. If frozen, defrost in refrigerator, then cook as directed.

Recipe Nutrition

Serving: 1burger | Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 3.5g | Saturated Fat: 0.69g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1.47g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 0.07mg | Sodium: 510mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 3.46g | Vitamin A: 11.07IU | Vitamin C: 1.31mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 2.95mg
Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Author Dorothy Kern

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How to make vegan black bean burgers from scratch.

Dorothy Kern

Welcome to Crazy for Crust, where I share recipes that are sometimes crazy, often with a crust, and always served with a slice of life.

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4.50 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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6 Comments

  1. I read the recipe and I see that you repeated step three twice but did not include the instructions to fry. I could figure it out but would like to know do you fry, bake and how long.
    Thank you
    Toni

    Reply

  3. Step 3 and Step 4 of instructions are identical. I assume Step 4 should show how to cook the patties? Could you please add that information?

    Reply