These easy vegan black bean burgers are nutrient and flavor-packed, loaded with fiber and protein, aren’t mushy or crumbly, and naturally gluten-free!
Bean burgers don’t always have the best reputation, but that’s completely unfair when they’re done right. These 30-minute vegan black bean burgers, inspired by my vegan meatballs, are moist without being mushy, crisp outside with a tender center, packed with flavor, and won’t fall apart. Plus, unlike many store-bought meat-alternative burgers, they’re made entirely of simple pantry staples (no mystery fillers or preservatives!).
Even better, they’re budget-friendly, easy to customize with seasonings and flavor boosters, and packed with plant-based protein and fiber to keep you satisfied for longer. They’re also naturally vegan and gluten-free, nut-free, and perfect for meal prep. Make an extra batch and freeze them for low-fuss BBQs, game days, 4th July, and weeknight meals!
You might also enjoy quinoa lentil burgers, red lentil patties, or cauliflower fritters.
The Ingredients
- Black beans: Use regular/home-cooked or low-sodium canned black beans for ease. Kidney beans/pinto beans also work.
- Ground chia seeds: (or flaxseed) Combined with water, they create an egg replacement to bind the veggie black bean burgers.
- Nuts/Seeds: These add protein, healthy fats, and a slightly crunchy texture. I used sunflower seeds, though pumpkin seeds, walnuts, pecans, or cashews also work.
- Oats: Use certified gluten-free oats if needed. To bind and thicken. Chickpea flour or buckwheat flour should also work. Regular AP flour may work, but I haven’t tried it.
- Tomato paste: Adds rich, savory depth to the black bean patties.
- Soy sauce: For umami-rich saltiness. Use tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free black bean burgers.
- Aromatics: Garlic and onion add delicious flavor depth.
- Spices: I used onion powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili flakes (or chili powder/cayenne pepper), salt, and black pepper for savory, smoky, spicy flavor.
- Fresh herbs: I used parsley. Green onion, cilantro, or chives would also work.
Recipe Variations
These homemade black bean burgers are surprisingly easy to customize.
- Spicy black bean burgers: For more heat, add diced jalapeno, or make tasty chipotle black bean burgers. Cajun seasoning/taco seasoning or curry powder also work.
- Flavor boosters: Add nutritional yeast for cheesy umami depth, white miso paste, or mushroom powder (or sub some beans with chopped, sauteed mushrooms).
- Vegetables: Add up to ¼ cup finely chopped sauteed or caramelized onions, bell peppers, grated zucchini/carrot, shredded broccoli, spinach/kale, or corn kernels.
For the full ingredients list, measurements, complete recipe method, and nutritional information, read the recipe card below.
How to Make Vegan Black Bean Burgers
- Mix the ground chia seeds and water, and set aside for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Rinse, drain, and pat the beans dry. Also, mince the garlic and chop the onion.
- Process the oats and seeds in a food processor or blender.
- Add the remaining ingredients and process until slightly chunky.
- Divide the mixture into four portions and form the black bean burger patties by hand.
If it’s too sticky, add more oat flour. If it’s too dry, add water (one teaspoon at a time). Letting the mixture rest for 10-15 minutes also helps.
- Heat a little oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, pan-fry the black bean burgers until warmed through, browned, and crisp all over (about 12-15 minutes).
For more flavor: Brush the black bean patties with sriracha or barbecue sauce after flipping.
- When ready, the vegan burgers are firm, crisp outside, and soft and juicy inside. For firmer middles, then bake the black bean patties for 15 minutes at 375°F/190°C. Enjoy!
Storage Information
Store: Refrigerate them in an airtight container, separated with parchment paper, for 3-4 days.
Freeze: Flash freeze on a tray until solid, then transfer to an airtight container separated by layers of parchment paper for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or cook from frozen, adding a little more time.
Reheat: Pan-fry or air fry/bake with a little more oil until warm and a little crispy.
The Best Toppings For Black Bean Burgers
My favorite way to enjoy vegan black bean burgers is on fluffy gluten-free burger buns with any of the following:
- Fresh lettuce/leafy greens
- Tomato slices
- Fresh onion, caramelized onions, or onion rings
- Avocado Basil Pesto
- Cucumber or pickle slices
- Sauteed mushrooms
- Vegan cheese (or vegan cheese sauce)
- Sauce (ketchup, burger sauce, keto bbq sauce, chipotle mayo, etc.)
Optionally enjoy with crispy baked potato wedges or sweet potato fries, grilled vegetables, vegan potato salad, vegan coleslaw, etc. Alternatively, skip the bun and serve the black bean patties alongside steamed or roasted vegetables, in grain bowls, salad bowls, or crumbled in tacos and wraps.
FAQs
Can I make the black bean burger recipe ahead?
Sure! Shape the patties in advance, storing them in a parchment-lined container in the refrigerator (for 1-2 days) or freeze (up to 3 months). Cook from frozen, adding extra time.
Can I Bake or Grill the black bean veggie patties?
Freeze the burger patties for 30 minutes to firm up, then grill over medium-high heat on a grill silicone mat or oiled tin foil.
Alternatively, lightly oil and then bake for 25-30 minutes at 375F/190C.
Can I make them into meatballs?
Sure, you can shape the mixture into smaller patties or meatballs, or check out my vegan meatballs recipe.
Top Recipe Tips
- Pat the beans dry: To avoid mushy black bean patties.
- Leave chunky: Only partially mashed beans create the best texture.
- For even-sized patties: Divide the mixture by weight.
- Don’t crowd while cooking: So they properly sear rather than steam.
- Don’t flip too soon: Let a crust form before flipping to prevent crumbling. Avoid overcooking, though, as they’ll become dry.
- No food processor? Mash everything with a potato masher or sturdy fork.
You Might Also Like
- Millet fritters
- Chickpea fritters with veggies
- Stuffed potato cakes
- Zucchini and potato vegetable fritters
- Carrot fritters
- Vegetable pakora
- Chickpea broccoli nuggets
If you try this easy vegan black bean burgers recipe, I’d appreciate a comment and ★★★★★ recipe rating below. Also, please don’t forget to tag me in re-creations on Instagram or Facebook with @elavegan #elavegan—I love seeing them.
Vegan Black Bean Burgers
Video
Ingredients
Burgers:
- 1 (15 oz) can (270 g) black beans drained and rinsed (see notes)
- ½ cup (60 g) sunflower seeds (see notes)
- ⅔ cup (60 g) oats (gluten-free if needed)
- 1 tbsp (30 g) tomato paste
- 1 ½ tbsp soy sauce (gluten-free if needed) or tamari
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- ½ large (65 g) onion chopped
- 3 chia eggs or flax eggs (3 tbsp ground chia seeds + 1/4 cup water)
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes or less/more to taste
- ¾ tsp sea salt or less/more to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
Other Ingredients:
- Oil for frying
- Vegan barbecue sauce (optional)
- 4 burger buns regular or gluten-free
- Fresh veggies of choice e.g. tomatoes, lettuce, onion, cucumber
- Vegan cheese
- Dressing of choice (see notes)
Instructions
- You can watch the video for visual instructions.Mix 3 tablespoons ground chia seeds with 1/4 cup of water in a small bowl and set the mixture aside for 5 minutes to thicken. If you don't have ground chia seeds, simply blend whole chia seeds in an electric spice/coffee grinder or blender for a few seconds.
- In the meantime, rinse the canned beans very well in a sieve, then drain them and pat dry.
- Process the oats and the sunflower seeds in a food processor or blender (use the pulse function).
- Next, add all the other ingredients to the food processor and mix again. Don't over mix, as the burgers should still have some texture.
- Form 4 burger patties with your hands. If the mixture is too sticky, you can simply add more oats. If it's too dry, add a little water.
- Heat some oil in a large frying pan and add the four burger patties. Fry on both sides until they firm up. It will take about 12-15 minutes in total. Check the oven method in the recipe notes below. Tip: Brush some vegan barbecue sauce or Sriracha onto the burgers after flipping them! It adds an even more delicious flavor and it furthermore makes them look juicier.
- Assemble the black bean burgers with burger buns of your choice and add fresh ingredients such as onion rings, tomato slices, cucumber slices, fresh lettuce leaves, avocado (guacamole), etc. I also added my Easy Vegan Cheese Sauce. Serve with homemade crispy Oven-Baked Potato Wedges, and Vegan Onion Rings.
Notes
- Beans: You can use canned beans that are already cooked or cook dry beans until soft (which takes a while though).
- These vegan black bean burgers are firm on the outside but soft on the inside. If you want them to be firmer on the inside, you can first pan-fry the burger patties and then bake them in the oven at 375 °F (ca. 190 °C) for about 15 minutes.
- Oven method: Place the patties on a lined baking sheet, brush or spray with some oil and bake in the oven for about 25 to 30 minutes or until they reach the desired firmness. Flip halfway through and brush with vegan BBQ sauce.
- Sunflower seeds: You can use nuts such as walnuts or cashews instead of sunflower seeds.
- Check the recipe for my delicious Vegan Thousand Island Dressing.
- Store leftover burger patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator (up to 3 days) or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Read the blog post above for more helpful tips.
- Recipe adapted from my Vegan Meatballs.
- Recipe serves 4. Nutrition facts are for one serving (only burger patties).
Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically
„Simple and Delicious Vegan“ Cookbook by ElaVeganCLICK HERE to order!If you are using Pinterest, feel free to pin the following photo:
Best black bean burger that I have tried to date! The only thing different I did was put 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce into the mix and left out the Chia seeds and water. They stay together perfectly! Definitely will make these again and again. 😊❤️
Sounds very interesting! So glad you like them. 🙂
Hello. Greetings from Mississippi. I’m on my own journey to perfecting the veggie burger. And with the help of your recipe and sum minor tweeks of my own, it has been fulfilled. Thanks for the guidance. These are great.
Happy to hear!
Oh my goodness!! This are so delicious, couldn’t stop eating them! Crispy on the outside tender and flavorful on the inside. I was so happy because I did indeed have everything in my pantry already to make these delicious black bean burgers. Thank you for this recipe , God bless you!
Aww, that makes me so happy, Tamia. Thanks for your amazing feedback. 🙂
Looking to make these!! What’s the chia seeds for? My fiancé is allergic… what could I use instead?
To thicken and bind the mixture. You can use ground flax seeds.
Soo delicious!! I pan cooked and in the oven for a bit. Came out so great!! Thank you for sharing!
Sounds wonderful, Amber. 🙂
Delicious! A huge hit at our bbq over the weekend!
Thanks for your great feedback, Cheri. 🙂
Hi! These look great. Do I need to get raw/unsalted sunflower seeds for this recipe?
Hi Bek, either is fine, it doesn’t really matter. 🙂
Totally sold on this recipe. My 8 year old said he wanted to eat these every.single.morning for breakfast! I used red kidney beans and pepitas instead of black beans and sunflower seeds. Soooo good! Thank you.
That’s so good to hear, Courtney. Thanks for your feedback. 🙂
Hi Ela, this is the first time commenting on your site but after making these burgers yesterday for dinner I just had to leave a comment! Since becoming fully plantbased 2 years ago, I‘ve missed burgers but hesitated to try a plantbased recipe because I thought a bean burger would be dry and could never satisfy that craving of mine. How wrong I have been.
This burger is perfect! I used just half of the amount of sunflower seeds and since I don’t use oil, I baked it in my convection oven on 175° for about 10 minutes on one side and another 15 after flipping. It‘s full of flavor, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and holds it shape perfectly.
I think you could serve this in a restaurant, it‘s so good. This will be my go to recipe for burgers from now on.
Greetings from Germany 🙂
That’s such a great compliment, Dana! I am so glad you love this recipe. Thanks for your amazing feedback. 🙂
That’s great ! I’m going to give them a try today.!greetings from Isaiah
Hi !! For gluten free… how can I substitute the oats ? (Can’t find GF where I live )
Thanks !! 🤗
Hi Cami, you can use a GF flour blend. 🙂
Late to comment, but how about buckwheat flour? I is not a grain, but a seed.
Should be fine. 🙂
Can these be grilled?
Yes, they can. I mentioned it in the post, read step 6 under “how to make…”.
I am very happy with this recipe ,I am new to vegan at 62 yrs old. I put some mushrooms in recipe . Thank you very much I give them a 10
That’s so good to hear, Linda! Thanks for your great feedback. 🙂
Hi I made your blackbean burger today very nice but what could I use instead of cumin as it repeat on me thank you
Hi, you could just reduce the amount or leave it out. 🙂
Hi Ela, running out of ways to express how delicious I think your recipes are. I made these burgers and put them on this https://elavegan.com/gluten-free-french-bread-baguette/.
Being oil free, I cooked the burgers in the oven and brushed with sriracha after flipping, great idea ????. Thank You.
Thank you for your kind feedback, Rose! I am so glad you like my recipes. 🙂
Just made the fourth double batch of these bean burgers. Everyone in our household loves them. Thanks so much for all your recipes!
You are very welcome, Gerry! I am glad everyone loved them. 🙂
Sorry
Just saw The instructions
Cheers
No worries, Sheila. 🙂
Hi how are u?
What would be the instructions when i want to make it after it is frozen?
Thank you
Well, I am just starting on my vegan journey and what a fantastic recipe this is – absolutely delicious – thank you so much. I looked at vegan burgers in the shops, but the ingredients lists are incomprehensible & I was reluctant to try. I’m so far the only person at home who has chosen to follow a plant based diet & I did think I might feel ‘worthy but unhappy’ with my choice on ‘burger night’ but not at all – in fact the opposite – these are just so much nicer than a meat burger. Thank you very much, I am excited to have found your website & looking forward to trying more of your recipes!
So glad you liked it. 🙂
Hi,
Can I replace oats with chickpea flour ?
Thank you
Hi Iris, I think that should work fine. 🙂
I am totally in love with them the recipe is so easy and so tasty and satisfying in a very yummy way, i cook most of my food because I like to know what is inside my food and when it comes to vegan burgers never did a burger taste as good as the one i buy until I found this recipe and it’s so so good.. thank you so much for sharing it ela with us.
Aww, that’s such a nice compliment! Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂