Imagine a burger that’s so good, it’ll have you questioning why you ever bothered with the beef. It’s like a party on your plate, and everyone’s invited – even your carnivore pals will like our Black Bean Burgers.

I made the mistake of buying a very LARGE pack of Black Bean Burgers from Costco recently.
I say mistake because they were the most flavorless things I’ve ever tasted. Not to mention they completely fell apart … and I mean COMPLETELY. They were totally inedible. I couldn’t even pick up the pieces with a fork.
I have made a decision to cut down on red meat and I’ll be honest, I got lazy and bought pre packaged veggie burgers. They were not worth the box they were packaged in. It was time to hit the cutting board.
Why are people eating more veggie burgers?
- Health benefits: People are seeking more and more alternatives to traditional beef.
- Environmental impact: We just had a conversation at the dinner table last night about the huge amount of emissions that cows produce. Black bean veggie burgers require fewer resources, such as water and land, compared to traditional beef burgers.
- Flavor and variety: Black bean veggie burgers are delicious and so versatile. They can be seasoned with a variety of herbs, spices, and additional ingredients to enhance their flavor.
Will I Like a Black Bean Burger?
There are a lot of ‘plant based’ veggie burgers on the market today and each one has it’s own unique taste, texture and flavor profile. I will try and describe what our black bean burger tastes like:
- Appearance – it looks like a regular burger. It’s round and has a similar thickness but specks of the wonderful wholesome ingredients (black beans, oats, mushrooms and carrots) can be seen.
- Texture – the texture of a black bean burger is different than a regular meat burger. It is not as dense. It is softer and not as hard to chew.
- Taste – You may be able to taste the individual ingredients at times. Depending on the spices it can have a smoky flavor, spicy or tangy.
- Accompaniments – Black bean burgers are served on a bun just like traditional burgers. You can also top them with lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, red onions, etc.
4 Ways to Cook a Black Bean Burger
- Stovetop: In a lightly oiled skillet or frying pan over medium heat, cook the black bean burgers for about 4-5 minutes per side. Flip the burgers gently using a spatula halfway through cooking. Adjust the time accordingly based on the thickness of the patties and desired level of browning or crispiness.
- Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the burgers on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes, flipping once halfway through the cooking time. Again, adjust the time based on the thickness of the patties and desired level of browning.
- Grill: Preheat the grill to medium heat. Place the black bean burgers directly on the grill grates and cook for approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Flip the burgers carefully to avoid them falling apart.
- Air Fryer: Preheat to 375°F for about 2 minutes. Lightly oil the burgers and place them in the air fryer. Cook for approximately 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

The Perfect Toppings:
These are my personal top 3 go-tos for black bean burgers. I love the harmonious blend of flavors – the sweetness of caramelized onions, the smokiness of roasted red peppers, and the savory richness of garlic aioli.
- Caramelized Onions: Sweet and savory caramelized onions add a delightful richness to the black bean burger. The onions will provide a sweet contrast to the smoky flavors of the black bean patty.
- Roasted Red Peppers: Roasted red peppers bring a burst of sweetness and a subtle smoky flavor to your black bean burger. You can either use jarred roasted red peppers or make your own by roasting fresh red peppers under the broiler.
- Garlic Mayo Aioli: You can make a simple garlic aioli by combining mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until combined. Spread the garlic aioli generously on the hamburger bun before assembling your burger.
MORE PLANT BASED DINNER IDEAS:
- Plant Based Lentil and Mushroom Stew
- Cheese Stuffed Black Bean Burger
- Falafel Bowls
- Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie
BLACK BEAN BURGER RECIPE
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Black Bean Burger
- Total Time: 25-35 minutes
- Yield: 4 burgers 1x
Ingredients
- 2 Cans Black Beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup Onion, finely diced
- ÂĽ cup Carrot, shredded
- 4–5 Mushrooms, diced
- 2 Garlic Cloves, minced
- ½ Cup Steel Cut Oats
- 2 Tbsp. Tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon Sea salt
- ÂĽ teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
Instructions
- Begin by draining and rinsing the beans. Set aside.
- Add 1 Tbsp oil to a small skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and mushrooms and sauté them until the onions have become translucent and the mushrooms have released all their liquid. Add the garlic and carrots and sauté another 1 minute. Set aside to cool.
- Combine Âľ of the beans, oats, tomato paste, salt, pepper, mustard and Worcestershire sauce in a food processor and pulse until mashed.
- Add the sautéed onions and mushroom, pulsing to the desired consistency. Add the remaining ¼ of beans and pulse 1 or 2 times leaving some texture to them.
- Scoop out between ¾ cup of the bean mixture and form into a ball. Place the ball on a piece of wax paper. Do this 3 more times.
- Place another piece of wax paper over the patty and flatten using the back of measuring cup or small plate to the desired thickness.
- Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before cooking.
TO COOK:
- Remove the burgers from the refrigerator.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat until warm. Coat with a little oil and place the burgers on the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side.
- Top with caramelized onions, guacamole, avocado, lettuce, dressing, tomatoes, sprouts.
Notes
Nutritional Disclaimer: The provided nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on ingredient brands and quantities. For precise details, consult a registered dietitian or use a nutrition calculator.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger (no bun)
- Calories: 130-150
- Sodium: 300-400 mg
- Fat: 2-4 gr
- Carbohydrates: 25-30 gr
- Fiber: 6-8 gr
- Protein: 6-8 gr
Did you cook the steel cut oats beforehand?
no