Black Bean Burgers

Makes 8 patties

One of my favorite, and coincidentally simplest, veggie burgers to make is black bean burgers. Mexican week is something we celebrate frequently in our family, and black bean burgers are almost always on the menu at least once.

A close-up of a cheeseburger with a beef patty, green relish, and a bun, with a side of curly fries in the foreground.

Tips and Tricks

This recipe is almost fully vegan except for the cheese. If the cheese doesn’t bother you, feel free to use whatever kind you like most. (It makes up very little of the flavor, so it doesn’t matter too much what you use). To make this fully vegan, opt for a vegan cheese.

I highly recommend Daiya’s Oat Cream blend Cheddar Shreds (pictured). The flavor is great and texturally it’s perfect!

You can add any topics you think would go well here. Guacamole is one of my favorites always and the recipe here gives you a simple version. Pickled red onion or jalapeño would go great here! You could also add more cheese on top if you so desire.

A package of Daiya dairy-free, plant-based, cheddars shreds with a clear window showing shredded cheese inside, labeled as oat cream blend, with green and yellow design elements.

This recipe could also be used with canned pinto beans if that’s your preference, or the only thing you have in your cupboard.

You can also play around with your spices and spice level if you aren’t satisfied with what’s recommended here.

Ingredients:

Simple Guacamole:

  • 2 ripe avocados

  • juice of one lime (approx. 2 tbsp)

  • 1 tsp kosher salt

  • 1/2 tsp cumin

  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Black Bean Burgers:

  • 1 15 oz. can black beans, thoroughly rinsed and drained

  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

  • 1/4 cup cheese (pepperjack, Monterey, cheddar, vegan cheese, or a mixture)

  • 1/4 cup red onion, chopped

  • 2 tbsp cilantro

  • 1 tbsp ketchup

  • 1 chipotle pepper from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

  • 1 tsp kosher salt

  • 1/2 tsp cumin

  • 1/2 tsp chile powder

  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

  • 1/8 tsp coriander

  • 4 hamburger buns, toasted

Directions:

Make the guacamole first. Start by pitting your avocados and placing in a bowl. Mash a little with a spoon or fork. Then add the lime juice, salt, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Stir until everything is mixed evenly and the guacamole is the consistency you desire. Adjust salt to taste and set aside.

Chopped ripe avocados inside a metal mixing bowl.
A metal bowl of mashed avocado with a spoon inside.
A metal bowl with mashed avocado, sprinkled with salt, chili powder, and cinnamon, and a spoon resting inside.
Avocado mash in a metal bowl with a spoon resting inside.

Place your rinsed beans in a large bowl. Add the panko breadcrumbs, cheese, red onion, cilantro, ketchup, chipotle pepper, salt, cumin, chile powder, cayenne pepper, and coriander. Stir briefly just so everything is incorporated.

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Using an immersion blender, blend the mixture until it becomes the consistency of a thick paste. By the end, it will look a little like chocolate cookie dough.

Close-up of black beans, chopped vegetables, and herbs in a stainless steel mixing bowl with a metal spoon.
Black bean mixture with chopped onions and herbs in a metal mixing bowl.

Heat a griddle, cast-iron skillet, or non-stick pan until hot. (Sprinkle some water on top. If it sizzles, it’s hot enough).

While your waiting for the griddle to warm up, you can toast your hamburger buns.

Take an eighth of the mixture and create a small, flat patty with your hands. (You should have enough to make 8 patties, but make them whatever size you like).

Place the bean burgers on the griddle. Cook on one side for 4 - 5 minutes, or until a crust is beginning to form on one side. Flip the patties over and cook for another 4 - 5 minutes.

Close-up of a person making a black bean patty with their hands. The person's hand is in focus, showing a wedding ring.
Uncooked black bean burgers, seasoned and mixed, placed on a black griddle.

Place some guacamole on one side of the toasted bun. Add any other condiments you feel would go well here, whether pickled jalapeños or red onion, salsa, or just some hot sauce. Once you have everything you want on there, put the top bun on top, and feast!

Close-up of a black bean burger with guacamole on a bun, with a side of sweet potato fries in the foreground.
Open bread roll topped with avocado spread and a black bean burger in a bun.