These black bean veggie burgers are by far the best. They're hearty, flavorful, and loaded with nutritious ingredients like black beans, rolled oats, carrots, sunflower seeds, almonds, and eggs. They're easy to make, they freeze well, and they're ready in just 20 minutes!

For more incredible veggie burger recipes, try our southwest veggie burger, and quinoa ranch cauliflower burgers with zucchini coleslaw.

A homemade black bean veggie burger with onions and chipotle mayo

Table of contents

Trust us when we tell you these black bean veggie burgers are the best we've tasted (and we've tasted many). They're thick, meaty, and not mushy at all, plus they're packed with nutrients and vegetarian protein.

A common complaint when it comes to homemade veggie burgers is the texture. They either fall apart, they're too dry, or they're too mushy. We've remedied this by tweaking the recipe over the years and we think we've landed the perfect combination of ingredients.

They taste delicious topped in a variety of ways from the classic tomato, lettuce, and ketchup to more creative toppings like guacamole or balsamic caramelized onions.

This is an easy go-to recipe you'll want to save and make all year long. They're perfect for making ahead and freezing for easy weeknight dinners, and they're versatile, too!

How to make black bean veggie burgers

This black bean burger recipe is the best we've tasted, and despite the longish list of ingredients, they're simple to make. You don't need a food processor or any other fancy equipment either. Let's make them!

  1. Start by sautƩing the onion and garlic, then add them to a large bowl with all the other ingredients and mix well.
  2. Form the black bean mixture into patties.
  3. Fry them in a bit of hot oil until they're golden on both sides. Serve them on hamburger buns with your favorite toppings and dig in!

Full recipe instructions are in the recipe card below.

Close up of a black bean veggie burger in a bun with chipotle mayonnaise and caramelized onions

Black bean veggie burger ingredients

Don't be dissuaded by the long list of ingredients in these homemade black bean burger patties. They're made with simple ingredients and you're likely to have a lot of them on hand. Here's everything you need to make them:

  • Avocado oil – avocado oil is what we use to sautĆ© the onion and garlic but you can use extra-virgin olive oil if that's what you have on hand.
  • Onion + garlic – onion and garlic add foundational flavor to these burgers. We recommend sautĆ©ing them for the best taste and texture.
  • Black beans – black beans make up the base of the veggie burger mixture. They're loaded with healthy fiber, protein, and a range of other vitamins and minerals. The beans can be canned or cooked from scratch.
  • Rolled oats – rolled oats give these burgers a hearty texture and help bind them together. Use certified gluten-free if needed.
  • Carrots – we use carrots because they're a low water content vegetable that adds nutrition and a pop of color. You can also use grated sweet potato if you prefer.
  • Breadcrumbs – breadcrumbs help keep these burgers from falling apart. We've tried making them without and we definitely prefer them with a few breadcrumbs. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed.
  • Roasted sunflower seeds + roasted almonds – sunflower seeds and almonds make these burgers more substantial while giving them a nutritional boost of protein and healthy fat. You can substitute the sunflower seeds for pumpkin seeds, and the almonds for walnuts if you'd like.
  • Soy sauce – soy sauce works as a seasoning to add a salty, umami flavor. Tamari, coconut aminos, and gluten-free soy sauce work well, too.
  • Parsley or cilantro – fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro add a pop of flavor and color. Feel free to use other herbs you might have in your fridge or garden like basil, oregano, or chives.
  • Sesame oil – sesame oil is toasty, nutty, and mildly sweet which lends a nice complexity to these burgers.
  • Seasonings – we use a mix of cumin, chili powder, and oregano but don't be scared to add in other spices you love like smoked paprika, coriander, sea salt, or black pepper. Make them spicy with a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • Eggs – we use four eggs in this recipe which helps keep these burgers together while also giving them a great texture.
  • Feta cheese – some salty crumbled feta cheese is a delicious addition to these burgers, but it's totally optional. A slice of cheddar cheese on top is classic and always delicious.

You'll also need some hamburger buns and your favorite burger toppings!

Close up of a black bean veggie burger on a white plate with caramelized onions on top

Tips for making the best black bean veggie burgers

In our experience, veggie burgers are tricky and tend to fall into one of two categories: they either end up in a crumbly mess on our plate, or they turn out as hard as a hockey puck. These black bean burger patties are neither, and here are three reasons why:

  1. We use four (yes, four) eggs! Most veggie burger recipes call for an egg or two but with four eggs these burger patties have a lot of sticking power and a great texture.
  2. A minimal amount of breadcrumbs helps to bind all the ingredients together without drying them out. We tried omitting them, but a little bit really does help.
  3. Let them rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This allows the oats, breadcrumbs, and other ingredients to become saturated and stick together.

Black bean veggie burger toppings

You can take these black bean veggie burgers in so many different directions depending on what toppings you choose. You can go minimal with traditional burger toppings, or get creative. The sky's the limit!

If you're looking for inspiration, here are a few of our favorite topping combinations:

  • Balsamic caramelized onions are easy to make by slowly sautĆ©ing sliced onion with balsamic vinegar. It's sweet and delicious.
  • Give them a creamy, spicy kick with a smear of our chipotle mayo! It's easy to mix up with a few ingredients, and the extras make a tasty dip for sweet potato fries!
  • Keep it classic with some ketchup, mustard, lettuce, sliced red onion tomato, and your favorite cheese!
  • Give it an extra boost of protein with some hummus, or a dose of healthy fat with a dollop of our easy guacamole!

What to serve with black bean veggie burgers

These black bean veggie burgers are a summer staple but they honestly taste great year round. Enjoy them on a hamburger bun, in a lettuce wrap, on their own, or chopped up into a grain or salad bowl.

Top them any way you like and serve them with a fresh strawberry spinach salad, sweet potato fries, or some smoky grilled corn on the cob in the summer. In the winter months, enjoy them with a bowl of creamy avocado soup!

Recipe FAQs

Can I freeze these black bean burgers?

Yes, black bean veggie burgers freeze beautifully both cooked and uncooked. If you're freezing them uncooked, flash freeze them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and then transfer them to a resealable bag or airtight container separated by parchment paper. They will keep in your freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge or at room temperature. If the patties are uncooked, fry them until golden. If they're already cooked, heat them on the stove or in the oven until they're warmed through.

How long do leftovers keep?

Store any leftover black bean burgers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Can I make them vegan?

The only ingredient you need to swap to make these burgers vegan is the egg. This is a bit tricky since the egg is a key ingredient helping to keep them together and for their overall texture. We haven't tried making them with flax eggs but you certainly can!

Can I cook these on the grill?

Only cook these on the grill if you have a BBQ mat. They are too delicate to place directly on the grill.

Can I bake these black bean veggie burgers?

Yes, you can! Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake them in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes, flipping once halfway through.

Two hands holding a black bean veggie burger with lots of chipotle mayo and caramelized onions

More tasty vegetarian recipes

A homemade black bean veggie burger with onions and chipotle mayo

Black Bean Veggie Burger Recipe

Yield: 10 burgers
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
These black bean veggie burgers are by far the best. They're hearty, flavorful, and loaded with nutritious ingredients like black beans, rolled oats, carrots, sunflower seeds, almonds, and eggs. They're easy to make, they freeze well, and they're ready in just 20 minutes!

If you love this recipe as much as we do, let us know with a 5-star rating!

5 stars (40 ratings)
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Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon avocado oil
  • 1 medium onion, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 19 ounce can black beans, drained
  • 2 cups quick rolled oats, gluten-free, if needed
  • 1 Ā½ cups grated carrot
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs, gluten-free, if needed
  • 1 cup roasted sunflower seeds, chopped
  • Ā½ cup roasted almonds, chopped
  • Ā½ cup soy sauce, gluten-free, if needed
  • Ā¼ cup parsley or cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon EACH: cumin, chili powder, and oregano
  • 4 large eggs
  • Optional: Ā½ cup feta cheese

Instructions 

  • Saute the onion and garlic in the oil for 2 minutes. Add the sauteed veggies to a large bowl then add all other ingredients and mix well.
    1 teaspoon avocado oil, 1 medium onion, 3 cloves garlic
    image for recipe instruction
  • Form into 10 thick patties and place them on a baking sheet or platter in a single layer.
    19 ounce can black beans, 2 cups quick rolled oats, 1 Ā½ cups grated carrot, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1 cup roasted sunflower seeds, Ā½ cup roasted almonds, Ā½ cup soy sauce, Ā¼ cup parsley or cilantro, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 1 tablespoon EACH: cumin, chili powder, and oregano, 4 large eggs, Optional: Ā½ cup feta cheese
    image for recipe instruction
  • Heat a splash of oil in a pan. Add the black bean patties (as many as you're able to fit into a pan), making sure not to crowd the pan. Cook until the patties are golden on both sides and warm all the way through. Serve on hamburger buns with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and all the condiments you like.
    image for recipe instruction

Notes

Patties can be frozen, uncooked, between sheets of parchment paper.
Adapted from a recipe in the cookbookĀ Whitewater Cooks.
Serving: 1 burger patty, Calories: 307kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 74mg, Sodium: 884mg, Potassium: 362mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 3597IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 98mg, Iron: 4mg
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For more inspiration, check out all of our burger recipes!