Hearty Black Bean Burgers

Featured in: Easy Weeknight Eats

These black bean patties combine mashed black beans with oats, vegetables, and spices to create a hearty, flavorful dish. The mixture is shaped into patties and cooked until crisp and golden brown. Ground flaxseed acts as a binder, providing a vegan-friendly alternative to eggs. The exterior turns crunchy while the center remains tender, delivering satisfying texture in every bite. Serve warm on whole wheat or gluten-free buns with your favorite toppings like avocado, lettuce, and tomato for a wholesome, protein-rich meal that suits vegan and vegetarian diets.

Updated on Wed, 19 Nov 2025 13:15:00 GMT
Golden-brown, crispy black bean burgers served on a toasted bun with fresh tomato and avocado. Save
Golden-brown, crispy black bean burgers served on a toasted bun with fresh tomato and avocado. | tazzsip.com

Hearty, flavorful black bean burgers with a crispy exterior and tender center are perfect for a budget-friendly, protein-rich vegetarian or vegan meal.

When I first tried making black bean burgers at home, I was amazed by how well the simple ingredients came together to make a satisfying dish. It quickly became a go-to in my kitchen for meatless nights.

Ingredients

  • Black beans: 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can, drained and rinsed
  • Rolled oats: 1/2 cup (60 g)
  • Red onion: 1/2 small, finely chopped
  • Carrot: 1 small, grated
  • Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
  • Ground flaxseed (or chia seed): 2 tbsp + 6 tbsp water (egg replacer)
  • Tomato paste: 2 tbsp
  • Soy sauce or tamari: 1 tbsp
  • Smoked paprika: 1 tsp
  • Ground cumin: 1/2 tsp
  • Chili powder: 1/2 tsp
  • Salt: 1/2 tsp
  • Black pepper: 1/4 tsp
  • Olive oil (or other vegetable oil): 2 tbsp
  • Burger buns: 4 whole wheat or gluten-free, optional
  • Lettuce leaves: optional
  • Tomato slices: optional
  • Avocado slices: optional
  • Vegan mayonnaise or ketchup: optional

Instructions

Prep flaxseed mixture:
In a small bowl, mix ground flaxseed with water and set aside for 5 minutes to thicken.
Mash beans:
In a large bowl, mash the black beans with a fork or potato masher, leaving some texture.
Add vegetables and seasonings:
Add oats, onion, carrot, garlic, tomato paste, soy sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper to the beans. Mix well.
Combine binders:
Stir in the flaxseed mixture to combine thoroughly.
Rest mixture:
Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes to absorb excess moisture.
Shape patties:
Divide the mixture and shape into 4 equal-sized patties.
Cook burgers:
Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook patties for 5 to 6 minutes per side, until crisp and golden brown.
Serve:
Serve patties on buns with lettuce, tomato, avocado, and vegan mayo or ketchup, if desired.
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Sharing these burgers with family always leads to lively, happy dinners around the table. Everyone loves picking their own toppings and building their perfect burger!

Required Tools

Mixing bowls, fork or potato masher, nonstick skillet, spatula, measuring spoons and cups.

Allergen Information

Contains soy if using soy sauce, and gluten if using regular oats or buns. Always check for cross-contamination if allergies are a concern.

Nutritional Information

Each burger (without bun or toppings) contains about 210 calories, 6 g total fat, 31 g carbohydrates and 9 g protein.

Savory black bean burgers, packed with vegetables, are sizzling in a skillet, ready to serve. Save
Savory black bean burgers, packed with vegetables, are sizzling in a skillet, ready to serve. | tazzsip.com

Give these black bean burgers a try for a wholesome, crowd-pleasing meal. They're easy to adapt and freeze well for future quick dinners.

Recipe Guide

What binds the black bean patties without eggs?

Ground flaxseed mixed with water is used as an egg replacer to bind the patties together while maintaining moisture and texture.

Can I make these patties gluten-free?

Yes, using gluten-free oats and buns ensures the patties remain gluten-free without compromising taste or texture.

How do I get a crispy exterior on the patties?

Cooking the patties in olive oil over medium heat for 5–6 minutes per side creates a golden, crispy crust while keeping the inside tender.

What spices enhance the flavor of these patties?

Smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic, and a touch of soy sauce provide a smoky, spicy, and savory profile.

Can these patties be grilled instead of pan-fried?

Yes, chilling the patties for 30 minutes beforehand helps them hold their shape on the grill, producing a slightly firmer texture.

Hearty Black Bean Burgers

Flavorful black bean patties with a crisp outside and tender inside, perfect for a nutritious vegetarian option.

Setup duration
15 min
Heat duration
15 min
Complete duration
30 min
Created by Daniel Brooks

Classification Easy Weeknight Eats

Complexity Easy

Heritage American

Output 4 Portions

Nutrition specifications Plant-based, No dairy

Components

Beans & Grains

01 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
02 1/2 cup rolled oats

Vegetables

01 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
02 1 small carrot, grated
03 2 cloves garlic, minced

Binders & Flavorings

01 2 tbsp ground flaxseed (or chia seed) mixed with 6 tbsp water
02 2 tbsp tomato paste
03 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
04 1 tsp smoked paprika
05 1/2 tsp ground cumin
06 1/2 tsp chili powder
07 1/2 tsp salt
08 1/4 tsp black pepper

To Cook

01 2 tbsp olive oil or other vegetable oil

To Serve (optional)

01 4 whole wheat or gluten-free burger buns
02 Lettuce leaves
03 Tomato slices
04 Avocado slices
05 Vegan mayonnaise or ketchup

Method

Phase 01

Prepare Flax Egg: Combine ground flaxseed with water in a small bowl and let sit for 5 minutes until thickened.

Phase 02

Mash Beans: In a large bowl, mash the black beans with a fork or potato masher, leaving some texture.

Phase 03

Mix Ingredients: Add rolled oats, onion, carrot, garlic, tomato paste, soy sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper to the beans. Stir thoroughly.

Phase 04

Incorporate Flax Mixture: Fold the thickened flaxseed mixture into the bean mixture until fully combined.

Phase 05

Rest Mixture: Let the combined mixture rest for 5 minutes to absorb moisture.

Phase 06

Form Patties: Shape the mixture into 4 equal-sized patties.

Phase 07

Heat Oil: Preheat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.

Phase 08

Cook Patties: Cook each patty for 5 to 6 minutes per side until crisp and golden brown.

Phase 09

Assemble and Serve: Serve patties on buns with preferred toppings such as lettuce, tomato, avocado, and vegan condiments.

Necessary tools

  • Mixing bowls
  • Fork or potato masher
  • Nonstick skillet
  • Spatula
  • Measuring spoons and cups

Allergy details

Review ingredients carefully for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance when uncertain.
  • Contains soy from soy sauce or tamari.
  • May contain gluten if using regular oats or buns.

Dietary information (per portion)

Values shown are estimates only - consult healthcare providers for specific advice.
  • Energy: 210
  • Fats: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 31 g
  • Proteins: 9 g