Name: The Best Black Bean Burgers (That Don't Fall Apart)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 x 400 g tins black beans, drained and rinsed; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 1 red pepper, finely chopped; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1½ tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp smoked paprika; ½ tsp chilli powder; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp tomato purée; 1 large egg (or 1 flax egg for vegan); 70 g breadcrumbs (panko is best); 50 g walnuts, finely chopped (optional, for texture); Salt and black pepper; 4 burger buns, lettuce, tomato, red onion, cheese and sauce of choice, to serve

The Best Black Bean Burgers (That Don't Fall Apart)

Smoky, firm, properly satisfying veggie burgers. The oven-drying trick keeps them from turning to mush on the grill.

Vegetarian (203 ratings)

Prep20 min

Cook25 min

Total45 min

Serves4

DifficultyMedium

Ingredients

Serves 4
Tick ingredients off as you go.

2 x 400 g tins black beans, drained and rinsed

1 tbsp olive oil

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 red pepper, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1½ tsp ground cumin

1 tsp smoked paprika

½ tsp chilli powder

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp tomato purée

1 large egg (or 1 flax egg for vegan)

70 g breadcrumbs (panko is best)

50 g walnuts, finely chopped (optional, for texture)

Salt and black pepper

4 burger buns, lettuce, tomato, red onion, cheese and sauce of choice, to serve

Method

Heat the oven to 160°C (140°C fan). Spread the beans on a lined baking tray and bake for 10 minutes to dry them out slightly. Turn the oven up to 200°C (180°C fan).
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan and cook the onion and pepper for 5 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and spices and cook for 1 minute more. Cool slightly.
In a large bowl, mash the beans with a fork or potato masher — you want about half smooth, half chunky. Add the cooked vegetables, soy sauce, tomato purée, egg, breadcrumbs and walnuts. Season well and mix until it holds together.
Shape into 4 thick patties. Chill for 10 minutes if you have time — it helps them firm up.
Bake on a lined tray for 10 minutes each side, or fry in a little oil over medium heat for 4–5 minutes per side until crusty. Add cheese for the final minute if using.
Serve in toasted buns with your favourite toppings.

💡 VeggieTip notes

Make ahead: raw patties keep in the fridge for 2 days or freeze between sheets of baking paper for 3 months.
Vegan: use a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, rested for 5 minutes).
Too wet? Add more breadcrumbs. Too dry? A splash of water or an extra spoon of tomato purée.

Nutrition (per serving, approx.)

480kcal

20g protein

62g carbs

16g fat

15g fibre

Values are estimates and will vary with brands and portion sizes.

Tags: burger black beans bbq freezer-friendly family

The Best Black Bean Burgers (That Don't Fall Apart)

Method

💡 VeggieTip notes

Nutrition (per serving, approx.)

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