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    Home » Real Food » Sandwiches, Burgers, and Wraps » The Best Black Bean Burgers

    The Best Black Bean Burgers

    By Kristen Chidsey | 14 Comments | Published June 22, 2022 | Updated June 22, 2022 *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    This is the BEST Black Bean Burger recipe! These black bean burgers are an easy, flavorful meatless burger that is not mushy! Made with mushrooms, onions, and perfectly spiced, this is one Veggie Burger that even meat eaters enjoy.

    This is the BEST recipe for Black Bean Burgers! Made with mushrooms, onions, and perfectly spiced, this Black Bean Burger is hearty, robust, and not at all dense or mushy.

    Black Bean Burger with Avocado on cutting board

    When it comes to meatless burgers, these Black Bean Burgers are my favorite option. In fact, I personally opt for these burgers even over Classic Hamburgers.

    They are made with just a handful of affordable, healthy ingredients, yet they are incredibly flavorful. No odd ingredients like you oftentimes find in meatless burgers, such as Beyond Burger or Impossible Burgers. Instead, these Black Bean Burgers are flavored with mushrooms, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika, to give them an earthy, meaty flavor, that wins over both vegetarians and carnivores.

    And it can not go unmentioned that these Black Bean Burgers are NOT mushy or dense--like other recipes for Black Bean Burgers. They have texture, chew, and hold their shape perfectly. All with amazing flavor!

    Notes On Ingredients

    These Black Bean Burgers do not require a bunch of fancy ingredients. They are made with pantry staples to create a hearty, inexpensive meal.

    Ingredients for Black Bean Burgers labeled on counter.
    • Black Beans: Use rinsed, canned beans, or cooked dried beans. If using canned beans, be sure to drain and rinse them well.
    • Mushrooms: Baby Portabella mushrooms, also known as Bella Mushrooms, are my preferred mushroom for these meatless burgers, as they add an earthy, meaty taste and texture. Button mushrooms have little to offer in flavor, so I don't suggest using them for this recipe.
    • Panko Breadcrumbs: Instead of traditional bread crumbs, use Panko breadcrumbs. They have a lighter texture, so they don't weigh the burgers down yet keep them intact.
    • Smoked Paprika: I love the smokey flavor of smoked paprika in these burgers, but do not stress if you don't have it on hand. Simply use regular paprika.

    Tips for Perfect Black Bean Burgers

    There is nothing worse than a dense, soft, or mushy black bean burger. A good burger, meatless or not, has texture and chew. Keep these two tips in mind when following this recipe and you will have a black bean burger with the perfect texture.

    Tip #1 Dry out the Beans

    Beans are full of moisture. When the beans are processed for burgers, that moisture can cause your beans to turn to mush. To prevent this from happening, take the extra step to dry out the beans in the oven. This step will allow the excess moisture to be evaporated out of the beans and will help the burgers have a meaty texture.

    Tip #2 Do Not Over Process

    It is crucial to not over-process the mixture, as the beans will lose all their texture. This in turn means your burger will lose its texture. You want the mixture to be JUST combined and still see small chunks of beans. If using a food processor, simply use the pulse button and check every few pulses. If using a fork, mix up all the ingredients BEFORE adding the beans, and then mash up the beans slightly as you combine the mixture.

    How to Make Homemade Black Bean Burgers

    Now that you know my tips for perfect black bean burgers and you have the ingredients on hand, it is time to make them.

    • Rinse and drain the canned beans using a colander.
    • Place the drained beans onto a sheet pan that has been lined with parchment paper and place them into the oven to dry out.
    Black Beans spread out on baking sheet for black bean burgers.
    • While the beans are in the oven, saute the mushrooms and onions over medium-high heat until just softened. 
    • Once the onions and mushrooms are softened, lightly blot them with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Removing any excess moisture will help to prevent a mushy burger.
    • Add the beans, spices, egg, bread crumbs, mushrooms, onions, and Worcestershire sauce to a food processor fitted with an s-blade.
    Ingredients for black bean burgers in food processor.
    • Pulse until just combined, keeping in mind to be cautious to not overprocess the mixture. You want to still see small chunks of black beans in your burger mixture.
    Food Processor with Black Bean Burger Mixture after blending.
    • Shape the mixture into 4 even patties and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
    4 Black Bean Burgers on parchment lined baking sheet.
    • Bake the burgers for 20 minutes, flip, and then bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the burgers are firm to the touch and have deepened in color slightly.
    • Allow them to cool slightly before serving as desired.
    Black Bean Patty on Lettuce on Whole Wheat Bun.

    Alternative Cooking Methods

    While baking these burgers is the easiest and fastest method for preparing Black Bean Burgers, you can opt to grill or pan-fry them, as long as the patties have been frozen for 10-30 minutes. This will help the burger patties not fall apart when handled.

    • To Pan-Fry Black Bean Burgers: Place the formed black bean burger patties on a pan lined with parchment paper and place the pan with the patties into the freezer for at least 10 minutes. Once frozen, heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Brush the pan with olive oil and then pan fry for 4-5 minutes per side.
    • To Grill Black Bean Burgers: Prepare the recipe as directed up to placing the patties onto a baking sheet. Place the prepared patties into the freezer for 10-30 minutes. Preheat a greased grill to medium-high heat, then grill the burgers for 4-5 minutes per side.

    Recipe Modifications

    • Egg-Free Black Bean Burgers: In place of the egg, use 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water or ¼ cup pureed sweet potato.
    • Gluten-Free Black Bean Burgers: Use gluten-free panko bread crumbs or oats. Also, be sure your Worcestershire Sauce is gluten-free, or replace it with coconut amino acids.
    • Vegan Black Bean Burgers: In place of the egg, use 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, or ¼ cup pureed sweet potato. In place of the Worcestershire Sauce, use soy sauce or coconut amino acids.

    Storage Instructions

    I highly suggest preparing a large batch of black bean burgers and freezing extra to keep on hand for busy nights.

    You can opt to freeze the burgers BEFORE or AFTER cooking, making this recipe super versatile.

    • To Store Cooked Black Bean Burgers: If you happen to have leftover cooked black bean burgers, allow them to cool and then store them in an air-tight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator or freeze for up to 3 months. It is best to reheat under a preheated broiler or in a dry skillet for a few minutes to retain the texture of the burger.
    • To Store Uncooked Black Bean Burger Patties: Place the uncooked patties onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place them into the freezer and freeze until solid for about 1 hour. Place the flash-frozen patties in between layers of parchment and then place them into a freezer-safe bag. Grill from frozen over medium heat or bake at 375 degrees F for 15 minutes per side, or until warmed through.

    Serving Suggestions

    Black Bean Burgers can be served any way you enjoy burgers, with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup, avocado, mayo, etc. And the options for sides are endless, but below are some of my favorite combinations.

    • Pair these meatless burgers with Baked Fries or Baked Sweet Potato Fries for a healthier spin on burgers and fries.
    • Prepare Instant Pot Corn on the Cob and Old Fashioned Baked Beans for a classic summer meal.
    • Serve Black Bean Burgers with Broccoli Salad for a hearty and healthy vegetarian meal.
    • Ditch the bun and serve the bean patty in a flour tortilla topped with homemade guacamole for a Tex Mex version of a Black Bean Burger.
    Black Bean Patty on bun with fries.

    Need more inspiration for planning meals that your family will love? Sign up for my FREE Meal Plans and each week you will get a meal plan with a shopping list.

    If you tried this recipe for Black Bean Burgers, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below. 

    Black Bean Burger with Mashed Avocado on cutting board

    Black Bean Burgers

    A simple, flavorful recipe for a black bean burger.
    4.91 from 11 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 167kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups black beans (or 16 ounce can)
    • ¼ cup baby bella mushrooms chopped
    • ¼ cup onion diced
    • 1 teaspoon olive oil
    • ⅓-1/2 cup panko bread crumbs see note
    • 1 egg see note
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
    • Spread out parchment paper onto a sheet pan. Rinse and drain the black beans and then pat dry with a paper towel. Spread the beans out onto the baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until they dry out and begin to split open.
    • While the beans are baking, heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a small nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and saute until softened about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the mushrooms and saute for another 2-3 minutes. Blot off excess moisture on the onions and mushrooms, using a paper towel.
    • Add the beans, sauteed mushrooms, and onions, egg, ⅓ cup breadcrumbs, paprika, salt, and Worcestershire sauce to a food processor fitted with the s-shaped blade. Pulse the mixture until just combined but some chunks of beans remain intact. If the mixture is still fairly wet, add another tablespoon or two or breadcrumbs and mix it in by hand.
    • Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and form into burger patties. Place onto the parchment paper lined sheet pan (you can reuse the parchment from cooking the beans.)
    • At this point you can bake the burgers at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, flipping the burgers after 10 minutes.

    To Grill or Pan-Fry Black Bean Burgers

    • Place the prepared burgers into the freezer for 10-20 minutes to firm up to help keep their shape. Grill the burgers over medium-high heat on an oiled grill for 4-5 minutes per side. Or pan-fry in a greased nonstick skillet for 4-5 minutes per side.

    Equipment Needed

    • Food Processor
    • Sheet Pan
    • Parchment Paper

    Notes

    Egg-Free Black Bean Burgers: In place of the egg, use 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water or ¼ cup pureed sweet potato
    Gluten-Free Black Bean Burgers: Use gluten-free panko bread crumbs or oats. Also, be sure your Worcestershire Sauce is gluten-free or use coconut amino acids. 
    Vegan Black Bean Burgers: In place of the egg, use 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water or ¼ cup pureed sweet potato. In place of the Worcestershire Sauce, use soy sauce or coconut amino acids.
    Freezing Burger Patties: You can also freeze the uncooked burgers by placing them in between layers of parchment and sealing them in a freezer-safe bag. Grill from frozen over medium heat or bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes per side, or until warmed through.
    Prepare without a Food Processor: If you don't have a food processor, use a fork to mix together all the ingredients BUT the beans. Once combined, add the means and use the fork to mash the beans up slightly as you combine the mixture.
    Leftovers: Allow burgers to cool and then store in an air-tight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator or freeze for up to 3 months. It is best to reheat under a pre-heated broiler or in a dry skillet for a few minutes to retain the texture of the burger.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 167kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 374mg | Potassium: 400mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 306IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 3mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

    This post was originally published in 2020 but updated in 2022 with a new video.

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    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ashley Wren

      January 19, 2022 at 12:29 pm

      Hi Kristen!
      I'm super excited - this is on the menu for tonight!
      Quick question - Can I Airfry them?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        January 19, 2022 at 3:50 pm

        Hi Ashley. You can air fry them if you freeze the patties for 20 minutes first to help their shape hold up. Then set to 375 degrees and air-fry for 5 minutes. Flip and continue to air fry for 3-4 minutes. Enjoy!

        Reply
    2. Sherba

      August 26, 2021 at 12:50 am

      5 stars
      I make black beans burgers and the next day they taste so much better.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 26, 2021 at 6:48 am

        Thanks for sharing Sherba.

        Reply
    3. Sam

      February 24, 2021 at 4:53 pm

      5 stars
      These burgers were delicious! Thank you for the recipe!

      Reply
    4. Nellie Tracy

      February 24, 2021 at 3:03 pm

      5 stars
      This really is a great black bean burger recipe. Love it!

      Reply
    5. Lynda

      August 24, 2020 at 10:16 pm

      4 stars
      OH boy!. Please take note that my 12yr old son and my husband (big meat eaters) pulled faces and made numerous comments when I said it was meatless Monday... and then asked if there was any more!!! That’s a good review right there!!
      Thank you - they were delicious!!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 25, 2020 at 7:44 am

        That is a GOOD review--and exactly what happens at my house as well Lynda! So glad your family enjoyed.

        Reply
    6. Beth

      February 26, 2020 at 9:21 pm

      5 stars
      These are great! I'm always looking for healthier options to the recipes I love!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        February 27, 2020 at 7:11 am

        I am glad this one is joining your collection and thank you for leaving a review.

        Reply
    7. Elena

      February 26, 2020 at 4:30 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious recipe - yum!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        February 26, 2020 at 6:10 pm

        I am so glad you enjoyed Elena!

        Reply
        • Janet

          August 25, 2021 at 8:42 pm

          This recipe looks very good. Have you tried any alternative ways of serving it besides as a sandwich? I'm thinking maybe smothered in sauteed onions and mushrooms.

          Reply
          • Kristen Chidsey

            August 26, 2021 at 6:49 am

            It would be DELICIOUS smothered in onions and mushrooms. I have even crumbled it up for taco salad and wrapped the patty in a tortilla before.

            Reply

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