Seriously Good Black Bean Burger Recipe

You are going to love these easy and flavorful black bean burgers. They’re made with quick roasted garlic, an entire can of black beans, quinoa, and delicious spices.

Looking for a few simple sides to go with your black bean burger recipe? Give our Foil Pack Red Potatoes a try or add our Pineapple Coleslaw to the menu, it would be a great side for any burger!

Favorite Black Bean Burgers!

Burgers–> everybody has their favorite. If you are a carnivore and love a good medium-rare burger with gooey swiss cheese and mushrooms- I feel you, but today it’s all about the veggie burger. More specifically, black bean burgers!

There are so many options these days for premade veggie burgers, but today we’re teaching you how to make homemade black bean burgers. The basis of these veggie burgers is quinoa and black beans. They’re flavored with garlic, onion, and cumin and topped with all of your favorite things.

What does this black bean burger recipe taste like?

These black bean burgers are flavored with garlic, cumin, and onion, making them the most delicious savory veggie burger there is.

Are black bean burgers healthy?

Black bean burgers are a healthy meal idea because not only are they made from scratch, but they’re also packed with tons of veggies, seeds, beans, and quinoa.

This black bean burger recipe is gluten-free and vegan. It’s high in fiber and protein and lower in fat.

Main Ingredients

Black Beans: obviously the star of the show when it comes to black bean burgers is black beans! The black beans in this recipe act as the “meat” and the “bind.” They really do hold everything together when processed.

Quinoa: quinoa adds amazing texture and a ton of protein. You can try to swap it for a different grain such as brown rice.

Garlic: we took the garlic up a notch in this recipe by quickly pan-frying it in olive oil to make it golden brown and so flavorful. You’ll be happy you did this extra step.

Sunflower Seeds: sunflower seeds add healthy fat and texture to this black bean burger recipe.

Rolled Oats: rolled oats help in the binding process. If you don’t have rolled oats you can use oat flour instead.

Veggies: what would a veggie burger be without extra veggies? This one has red bell pepper and onion.

Spices: the spices used in this recipe are cumin, salt, and pepper. Simple, yet elevated.

Tips + Tricks for Veggie Burgers

Add the Good Stuff

Some people treat black bean burgers like they are a runner-up to a beef burger. I’m here to tell you that veggie burgers can be just as tasty (even more so) if you just incorporate the right ingredients. It’s all about the texture and good flavors.

Add a combination of everything below and you’re golden.

• Grains (quinoa, rice, farro, oats,)
• Veggies (carrots, sweet peppers, garlic, onions, greens)
• Nuts + Seeds (sunflower seeds, sliced almonds, pine nuts)
• Cheese (Goat cheese, feta, cheddar cheese, cotija)
• Spices (cumin, onion powder, spice mixes, chili powder)

Make Sure You Have a Binder

The main complaint people have about homemade veggie burgers is that they fall apart when you cook them. The key is to make sure you have a good moist bind ratio to your other ingredients.

Use one of the ingredients below as a binder and you’ll be golden just make sure!

• Whisked eggs
• Flax egg
• Pureed Beans (black, garbanzo, pinto)
• Nut Butter
• Sweet potato puree

Don’t Overdo It

Though packing your veggie burger with all of your favorite things is a must, we recommend that you don’t add everything under the sun. When a veggie bugger has TOO much it will inevitably fall apart!

Decide on the Perfect Bun

We live in a world with so many options. There are so many options when it comes to what you pair your veggie patty with. Below are our favorite “bun” options beyond hamburger buns.

• Pretzel Bun
• Brioche Bun
• English Muffin
• Butter Lettuce
• Cabbage

Sauce it up

If you’re a ketchup and mustard person, go for it! We like to smother our veggie burgers with delicious homemade sauce.

For this Roasted Garlic Quinoa Black Bean Burger, we developed a thick and delicious chili yogurt sauce. Whatever your sauce preference, add it right before serving!

How to Make Black Bean Burgers

These black bean quinoa burgers will bring you to veggie burger heaven. Head to the recipe card to get the ingredient amounts and a more details on how to make this recipe. 

Step 1: Make Quinoa

First, prepare quinoa in a small skillet by bringing water and quinoa to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for around 15 minutes.

Step 2: Process beans

The “glute” or the binder for this recipe is a mixture of black beans, oats, seeds, and spices. The combination of all of them creates the perfect paste to hold the burger together.

Place black beans, sunflower seeds, oats, and spices into a high-speed food processor and pulse until a thick paste is formed.

Do I have to use a food processor?

We do recommend using a food processor for this recipe. It is important to get the black beans pureed so that they hold everything together as a bind.

Step 3: Mix Add-Ins

When the black bean mixture is sticky add the red bell pepper, onion, and quinoa to the black bean mixture.

Use your hands or a spoon to mix everything together until it holds together.

Step 4: Form Patties

To form your quinoa patties, use a 1/3 measuring cup. Use your hands to create a ball and then pat them own into a patty.

Just make sure that all of the patties are the same thickness so that they cook evenly.

Step 5: Bake

Though you are more than welcome to pan-fry your burgers, we love baking them. We find that veggie burgers stay together better if you drizzle them with oil and pop them in the oven! There is much less room for error.

Place each quinoa burger on an oiled baking sheet. Drizzle with oil and bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Can I grill or pan fry these?

We tested this recipe both on the grill and stovetop, and while you can, we recommend baking them. The reason is that they stay together much better.

If you want to grill or pan fry, we suggest going with pan frying. Use olive oil and cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side.

Step 6: Toppings

While the quinoa black bean burgers are in the oven, mix up your burger sauce in a bowl. Add yogurt, lime juice, and spices to a bowl and mix well. Place in the fridge until black bean burgers are ready.

Remove burgers from the oven and place them on your favorite bun. Top with yogurt sauce, sliced tomato, and avocado. Enjoy.

More Topping Ideas

You are more than welcome to top your veggie burgers with whatever your heart desires. I’m a ketchup girl and will almost always top any burger of mine with that. Here are more ideas:

• sauerkraut
• mustard
• caramelized onions
• homemade ranch
• ketchup

Storage

Let black bean burger patties cool completely. Then, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.

How to Freeze Black Bean Burgers

Black bean burgers are an excellent meal to prep ahead of time so that you can thaw and eat them later with little to no effort.

1. Follow the direction in the recipe card below.
2. Let black bean burgers cool completely. Then, wrap each burger patty with a piece of tin foil.
3. Freeze for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to eat, let the burgers thaw and then heat up in the oven or pan fry.