Best Vegan Black Bean Burgers

These Vegan Black Bean Burgers are so popular because the patties are firm and can even be cooked on the grill without falling through. Made with fiber-packed beans, oats, and veggies, these vegan burgers are going to light up your taste buds!

Yes, there are a lot of vegan black bean burger recipes out there, but this is the best one you’ll try, and it’s completely oil and dairy-free. Whether baked, pan-fried, or grilled, these burgers will make the whole crowd happy.

Ingredients needed

Made with only wholesome ingredients that are easy to find in your grocery store, these delicious veggie burgers are sure to please any crowd. If you really like bean burgers, also, try my Chickpea Burgers!

• Beans- Though other beans could be used, black beans are our favorite for this recipe.
• Oats- The old fashion type or even quick cooking variety can be used. These will act as a binder.
• Veggies- Onions and red peppers give this recipe popping flavor and even texture.
• Seasonings- I use ketchup along with spices like chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and dry steak seasoning to add the fullest flavor. Worcestershire (without anchovies) or soy sauce is one of the secret ingredients.

Binder to make them firm

Because vegan black bean burgers don’t have eggs in them, many fall apart easily or just mush together when eaten in a bun. But, that won’t happen with these. It’s the rolled oats that help them hold together.

I have found that either baking or air frying them creates the firmest patties of all. The leftovers can even be crumbled over salad the next day.

The bean burger patties freeze well if you want to make a big batch and have them on-hand for a fast-food meal.

How to make vegan black bean burgers

The recipe card at the bottom of the page has the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions.

Start by draining and rinsing a can of black beans, or make your own fresh. Just be sure to get rid of all the liquid.

In a large bowl, mash black beans with a potato masher or even a fork.

Dice the onion and red pepper into small chunks.

Add all ingredients to the bowl with black beans, including oats, veggies, and spices.

Mix thoroughly. I use my hands to knead them well.

How to form the patties

This recipe makes 4-5 medium-sized patties. To form the patties, simply form a chunk of the batter into a ball, place it on the flat surface of the pan, and then pat it out flat. They should spread out in a circular shape. You’ll want them to be not too thick and not too thin. See my photos to get a good idea of the size.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. They also do well in an air fryer. You even pan-fry in a non-stick skillet. However, for the firmest patties, baking or air frying are recommended.

Since they’re not made with meat, they, of course, won’t be as firm as regular burgers, but they can still be tossed on the grill with great success.

Serve on a bun with onion, lettuce, tomato, and your favorite condiments. I love these with my low-fat Chipotle Ranch Sauce.

*Originally published January 2016.

Pro tips & suggestions

• Cooking methods- Bake, air fry, grill, or cook in a non-stick frying pan. For the firmest patties, baking or air frying are recommended.
• Black beans- Cook your own beans from scratch in your InstantPot or use canned beans that have been drained and rinsed.
• Special sauce- The amazing sauce I use is my Chipotle Ranch Dressing, and it is HIGHLY recommended to knock these burgers out of the park.
• Double batch-The patties freeze very well, so make a double batch while you’re at it. You’ll be so glad you did!

Topping options

Using different toppings on these vegan burgers is a great way to spice them up even more. These are some of my favorite topping options:

• Partnered with my low-fat Chipotle Ranch Sauce!
• Piled high with spinach or lettuce and tomato
• Round thinly sliced onions
• Dill pickle sandwich slices
• Ketchup or bbq sauce
• Salsa
• Homemade Mayo
• Mustard such as yellow, Dijon, or brown spice
• Vegan cheese sauce

What to serve with black bean burgers

Whether you’re eating these burgers at home or taking them to a cookout, there are lots of side dishes that pair well with them like these.

• Air Fryer Potato Wedges
• Oil-Free Potato Chips
• Air Fryer French Fries
• Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
• Creamy Coleslaw
• Country Potato Salad
• Baked Beans

Can black bean burgers be grilled?

The answer for these black bean burgers is YES! But, for other versions, it really depends on the recipe used. I’ve heard many complaints about other burgers that are too mush to grill. However, this black bean burger recipe can be grilled because the patties are firm enough to hold up on the grill without falling apart.

Do black bean burgers have protein?

Yes, they do! Black beans themselves have protein, and these black bean burgers have 13 grams of protein per patty. That’s because beans are fiber champions!

Are black bean burgers vegan?

Some are and some aren’t. Often, especially in restaurants, eggs are used in black bean burger batter as a binder which would make them vegetarian, but not vegan. The burgers in this post are indeed vegan because no eggs are used.

Can black bean burgers be frozen?

Yes. It’s best to freeze the patties without the buns to make reheating easier. They can be frozen in an airtight freezer-friendly container for approximately 3-6 months.

More vegan burger recipes

• Barbecue Sandwiches Vegan Style
• Portobello Mushroom Burgers
• Chickpea Burgers
• Lentil Bulgur Sloppy Joes

For those of you new to the whole food plant-based lifestyle, we’ve created a FREE 7-Day Plant-Based Menu Planner to help you get started!

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