Favorite Black Bean Burger

This black bean burger recipe is hearty and satisfying! Pile ’em high with toppings for a meal that pleases everyone.

Everyone has their own favorite black bean burger recipe…and at long last, here’s ours! Here’s the thing with bean burgers: you either love ’em or you hate ’em. But a good one can be fantastic. This one is hearty and savory, spiced with cumin, garlic, and smoked paprika. Walnuts give it texture so it’s not just mush on a bun. Top it with cheese, guacamole and all the burger fixin’s, and it’s pretty darn satisfying. We always polish these off quickly: and leftovers last in the fridge for days!

What’s in this black bean burger recipe?

There are many variations on a black bean burger recipe. This one is mostly beans, walnuts, and spices, held together with breadcrumbs and egg. It doesn’t have the texture of an actual burger, so don’t expect that! But it’s hearty and satisfying when served in a bun with toppings. Here are the key ingredients you’ll need:

Black beans
Onion and garlic
Olive oil
Spices: cumin, garlic powder and smoked paprika
Soy sauce
Ketchup
Panko
Chopped walnuts
Egg

Methods for cooking a black bean burger

There are a few methods for cooking a black bean burger: baking, pan frying, and grilling. In our experience, pan frying a black bean burger can come out mushy and not cooked through. So our favorite method is baking! But you can grill it as well. Here’s what to know:

Baked: Bake the burgers at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes on each side. This cooks them through perfectly. They’re even better after they rest for about 10 minutes to firm up.
Grilled: Pre-bake them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes per side. Then you can go right to the grill and grill 5 minutes per side on medium high heat, or refrigerate until grilling. The smoky char of the grill adds unreal nuance to the burger!

Sauces and topping ideas

Once you’ve whipped up this black bean burger recipe, the fun part is the toppings! The best bang for your buck? A great burger sauce recipe. Often times we go simple and just slather the bun with guacamole (as you see above), but there are lots of other great sauce ideas. Make sure to pair this burger with a sauce or spread: it’s much too dry otherwise. Here are some options:

Guacamole is quick and tasty spread for the bun
Burger sauce evokes a Big Mac vibe, like Special Burger Sauce or Russian Dressing
Chipotle sauce is creamy and spicy: try Chipotle Sauce or Chipotle Ranch
Spicy mayo is quick and easy: try Spicy Mayo
Remoulade is another great creamy option: try Remoulade Sauce
Tomato, red onion and pickles are a must
Pickled onions would be fantastic (try pickled red onions)
Cheese adds great savory flavor and richness, which is helpful for a bean burger

Leftovers and make ahead instructions

This black bean burgers recipe stores very well and is ideal for making in advance! The texture of the burgers firms up the longer they sit, so they’re great after refrigeration. They even work well frozen! This recipe makes enough for 8 burgers, so you can have leftovers for days. Here are a few notes on storage:

Burgers last well refrigerated up to 5 days. Eat them cold, room temp, or re-warm them before eating (in a skillet, oven, broiler or on the grill).
Or, freeze burgers you don’t plan to eat right away for up to 3 months. Stack them with parchment paper in between each and freeze in a sealed container.

More veggie burger recipes

There are lots of ways to make a burger without using black beans! Here are a few more options you might enjoy:

Try our Best Veggie Burger Recipe or Best Chickpea Burgers
Go for a Falafel Burger
Opt for a Portobello Mushroom Burger instead!

This black bean burger recipe is…

Vegetarian and dairy free (without cheese).