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Home Blog Course Main Course

Epic Black Bean Burgers

Cheryl Malik
Cheryl Malik Posted: 03/27/20 Updated: 01/21/22
5
/5
10 Comments
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VG Vegetarian

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Epic black bean burgers
Epic black bean burgers
Epic black bean burgers
Epic black bean burgers
Epic black bean burgers

This black bean burger recipe is pure perfection! With loads of flavor and great texture, they’ll convert even the most committed carnivore. Great on the grill, on the stove, or in the oven. Not mushy!

Close-up of black bean burger recipe

Why This Recipe is So Good

  • This is legitimately the best black bean burger recipe we’ve ever made (or eaten)! Fantastically flavored and the best texture in a black bean burger we’ve ever had. (Not mushy like some of those others…)
  • The secret ingredient? Walnuts add texture, meatiness, and are a great ground beef substitute.
  • This recipe only has a few steps to black bean perfection. Basically just bake the beans, blend the ingredients, cook the patties, and voila! You just made a restaurant-quality black bean burger that even appeases avid meateaters.

How To Make It

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the beans out evenly on it. Bake for 15 minutes, until they are slightly dried. After removing beans, if you are cooking burgers in the oven, raise temperature to 375º and let oven preheat.
  2. Blend the walnuts in a food processor until a semi-fine texture.
  3. Sauté the oil, onion, jalapenos, and garlic over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until onions are soft. Add along with the rest of the ingredients to the bowl. Gently blot out some of the oil with a paper towel.
  4. Add mixture from the previous step to the walnuts in the food processor and blend. Add the beans and blend again. Leave some chunks of beans for texture.
  5. Form 1/3 cups of the bean mixture into patties and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10 minutes, then flip over and bake for another 10 minutes. You can also cook the burgers in an oil-greased skillet for 10 minutes on each side. 
  6. Serve on brioche bun with lettuce, onions, tomatoes, spicy mayo, or whatever condiments you like.
Black bean burger recipe instructions

Chef’s Tips

  • If you are on a gluten-free diet, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
  • We used chipotle mayo on our burgers for a little kick, but you could also use our “secret sauce,” one minute mayo, garlic mayo, or whatever your heart desires.

Should You Soak Your Beans?

Soaked beans are easier on your digestive system and that, er, issue some of us have after eating. It also makes them take less time to cook! We definitely prefer to soak ours overnight for about 10-12 hours.

To soak your beans, rinse them well in the sink (preferably in a colander). Add them to a large pot or bowl and fill water about two inches above the beans. Leave it overnight, and drain in the morning. That’s it!

Two black bean burgers on a wooden board

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Hey – you’ve made it this far, so now we’re basically best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook, too!

Close-up of black bean burger recipe
5 from 3 votes

Epic Black Bean Burger

Prep:15 minutes
Cook:40 minutes
Total:55 minutes
These black bean burgers are the best we've ever tasted! Perfectly seasoned and not mushy.
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4

Ingredients

  • 2 14-ounce cans black beans 28-ounces total, drained, rinsed, and patted dry
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 cup yellow onion finely chopped
  • 1 jalapeño seeded and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs see Notes
  • ½ cup walnuts
  • 2 cups cotija cheese or feta
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce

Equipment

  • Food processor or blender

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 325° Fahrenheit
  • Spread beans out evenly on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, until slightly dried. Remove beans from oven.
  • If cooking burgers in the oven (instead of the grill or stovetop), raise temperature to 375°F and let preheat.
  • Blend walnuts in food processor until semi-fine texture.
  • In large skillet over medium heat, sauté oil, onion, jalapeños, and garlic approximately 5 minutes or until onions and jalapeños are soft. Transfer sautéed ingredients to bowl and use paper towels to blot out excess oil.
  • Add all recipe ingredients (except black beans) to food processor bowl with walnuts. Blend until just combined. Add beans and blend again. Leave some chunks of beans for texture.
  • Form ⅓ cups of bean mixture into patties and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10 minutes. Flip over and bake for another 10 minutes. Alternately, cook burgers in an oil-greased skillet for 10 minutes on each side.
  • Serve on brioche bun with lettuce, onions, tomatoes, spicy mayo, or whatever condiments you like.

Notes

  • Soaking raw beans: Rinse beans in colander over sink. Add to large bowl or pot and add water. Fill 2 inches above beans. Let sit 10-12 hours.
  • Make it Gluten-free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
 
Recipe yields approximately 4 black bean burger patties. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 burger patty. Values do not include information for burger bun or any toppings. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands or types of ingredients used. 

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1burger, Calories: 653kcal, Carbohydrates: 56g, Protein: 31g, Fat: 36g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 161mg, Sodium: 2394mg, Potassium: 901mg, Fiber: 17g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 668IU, Vitamin C: 13mg, Calcium: 516mg, Iron: 6mg, Net Carbs: 39g

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

 

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

 

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

© Author: Cheryl Malik

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Cheryl Malik

Meet Cheryl Malik

Cheryl Malik is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind the healthy, flavorful, family friendly recipes at 40 Aprons. She's been a blogger for 10+ years and is known for her delicious recipes and detailed recipe instructions. Cheryl is a mom of three who lives in Memphis, TN.

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  1. Carol Tarcza says

    Posted on 5/23/20 at 12:02 pm

    I’d love to try this but I don’t own a food processor. Do you think it’d be possible to hand mix this?

    Reply
  2. Carla says

    Posted on 5/15/20 at 7:48 pm

    How firm should these be when they leave the oven? Mine are a little mushy still. After ten minutes each side…..

    Reply
    • Carla says

      Posted on 5/15/20 at 11:28 pm

      Ok NEVERMIND!! I broiled them after baking them, but just a little (because I was toasting up buns anyway.) they firmed right up. These were truly AMAZING – four out of five family members devoured them. Not too bad considering I’ve got kids who dislike onions. Couldn’t even see them, hehe. Truly epic burgers, excellent recipe. Will be putting this in the meal rotation.

      40 APRONS COOKBOOK PLEASE!!

      Reply
  3. Dorene T. says

    Posted on 4/6/20 at 8:05 am

    I’m going to make this today and I just wanted to make sure I understand the ingredients and directions. The Cotija cheese, eggs, mayo and BBQ sauce all go into the bean/walnut mixture? Thanks

    Reply
    • Cheryl MalikCheryl Malik says

      Posted on 4/6/20 at 9:23 am

      They do!5 stars

      Reply
  4. Rebecca B says

    Posted on 4/5/20 at 3:24 pm

    Found couple of websites for Nut substitutions
    https://www.livestrong.com/article/523962-substitutes-for-allergy-to-walnuts/
    https://www.thespruceeats.com/baked-goods-nut-substitutes-1388892

    Same question, as my daughter is allergic to walnuts and tree nuts

    Reply
  5. Rebecca Boeckman says

    Posted on 4/2/20 at 11:34 am

    on this recipe – Epic Black Bean Burgers, you mentioned soaking the beans, are talking about soaking the canned beans or regular beans?

    Reply
    • Cheryl MalikCheryl Malik says

      Posted on 4/2/20 at 3:14 pm

      Great question! Canned beans typically don’t need soaking.5 stars

      Reply
  6. Erin says

    Posted on 4/1/20 at 12:03 pm

    This looks delicious! My kids are allergic to walnuts – can you (or anyone:) recommend a substitute?

    Reply
    • Cheryl MalikCheryl Malik says

      Posted on 4/2/20 at 3:47 pm

      Unfortunately, I don’t personally know of a good substitution. I’d be interested to know if anyone has any thoughts, too!5 stars

      Reply

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