The BEST Black Bean Burger recipe is fast and easy and made with fresh ingredients. They’re so flavorful that you won’t miss the meat one bit.

I love eating meatless meals at least once a week, and some of our family’s favorites include Gallo Pinto, Vegetarian Enchiladas, Waldorf Salad or a Buddha Bowl!

Black bean burger served in a hamburger bun topped with sauce, tomato and avocado.

Why I love them:

  • Protein packed and Healthy – Black bean burgers are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals and are much lower in fat and cholesterol than a traditional ground beef burger. Plus, they still have about 12 grams of protein in each burger.
  • Easy – They only take a few minutes to make, for an easy dinner in about 30 minutes!
  • Affordable – This meal is made with affordable pantry ingredients, and since there is no meat, it keeps the cost low. But you aren’t sacrificing anything with taste.

Ingredients Needed:

  • Black Beans: drained and rinsed. Could substitute pinto or navy beans.
  • Bell Pepper: any color.
  • Onion
  • Egg
  • Bread Crumbs: I use whole wheat, but Panko or regular would also work.
  • Spices: chili powder, cumin, garlic, salt and pepper.

How to Make Black Bean Burgers:

Mash Black Beans. Drain and rinse the black beans and blot them with a paper towel to remove any extra moisture. Place the black beans in a large bowl and mash well with a fork.

Mashed black beans in a mixing bowl.

Puree Veggies: Place the bell pepper, onion, and garlic in a food processor and process until finely minced.

Bell pepper, onion and garlic pureed in a food processor

Strain: Transfer mixture to a fine mesh strainer and press out as much excess liquid as possible.

Combine Ingredients: Add the vegetable mixture to the bowl with the black beans. Add the chili powder, cumin, and salt and pepper and stir to combine. Add beaten egg and mix. Stir in bread crumbs.

Four process photos for making black bean burger mixture.

Form Patties: Scoop the mixture into 4 or 5 portions and press into patties.

Cook on Grill, Stove or Oven: Grill the burgers on a well oiled grill for about 4-5 minutes on each side. Bake them at 375 degrees F on a lightly oiled baking sheet, for 10 minutes on each side. Or, cook over medium heat in a greased grill pan or skillet for 4-5 minutes on each side.

Four black bean burgers cooking on a grill.

Serve: Place on a hamburger bun (or in a large lettuce leaf, for a lettuce wrap burger) and serve with your favorite toppings. My favorite toppings include chipotle mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, avocado, onion, sautéed mushrooms, pickles, or jalapeños.

Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:

To Make Ahead: The black bean burger mixture can be made 1-2 days ahead of time, formed into patties, or not, covered well.

To Freeze: Prepare and shape the black bean burger patties and lay them flat inside a freezer safe bag or container (separate layers with parchment paper, if needed). Freeze for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen or thaw before cooking.

Recipe Variations:

  • Vegan Black Bean Burger: Substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 Tablespoon flax meal mixed with 3 Tablespoons hot water).
  • Spicy Black Bean Burger: Add a dash of cayenne pepper with the other seasonings and top with chipotle mayo and jalapeños.

Serve With:

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Recipe

Black bean burger served in a hamburger bun topped with sauce, tomato and avocado.
Prep 15 minutes
Cook 10 minutes
Total 25 minutes
Save Recipe

Ingredients
  

Black Bean Burger:

  • 15 ounce can black beans , drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 green bell pepper
  • 1/2 small onion
  • 2 cloves garlic , peeled
  • 1 large egg* , beaten
  • 2/3 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
  • 1 Tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper , to taste
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • desired burger toppings: lettuce, tomato, etc.

Chipotle Mayo Sauce:

Instructions
 

  • Mash black beans: Place rinsed and drained black beans in a bowl. If needed, blot them with a paper towel to remove extra moisture. Place in a large bowl and mash well with a fork.
  • Puree Veggies: Place bell pepper, onion and garlic in a food processor and process until finely minced. 
  • Strain: Transfer pureed veggie mixture to a fine mesh strainer and use the back of a spoon to press out excess moisture. (If it's too wet, the burger wont hold together as well.)
  • Combine: Add the strained vegetable mixture to the bowl with the black beans. Add the chili powder, cumin and salt and pepper and stir to combine. Add beaten egg and mix. Stir in bread crumbs.
  • Form Patties: scoop mixture into 4 even sized patties, forming them and pressing flat with your hands.

Cook on Grill, Stove or Oven:

  • To Grill: Cook on well oiled grill over medium heat, for 4-5 minutes on each side.
  • To Cook on Stove: Cook over medium heat in a greased grill pan or skillet for 4-5 minutes on each side.
  • To Cook in Oven: Bake at 375 degrees F on a lightly oiled baking sheet, for 8-10 minutes on each side.
  • Assemble: Serve burgers on a bun or lettuce wrap and top with a spoonful of chipotle mayo, lettuce, tomato, cheese, avocado, or any desired toppings!
  • Chipotle Mayo Sauce: Add all the ingredients to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

Nutritional information is for burger patty only. 
Make Ahead Instructions: The black bean burger mixture can be made 1-2 days ahead of time, formed into patties, or not, covered well.
Freezing Instructions: Prepare and shape the black bean burger patties and lay them flat inside a freezer safe bag or container (separate layers with parchment paper, if needed). Freeze for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen or thaw before cooking.
Vegan Black Bean Burger: Substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 Tablespoon flax meal mixed with 3 Tablespoons hot water).
Spicy Black Bean Burger: Add a dash of cayenne pepper with the other seasonings and top with my chipotle mayo and jalapeños.
Adapted from All Recipes.

Nutrition

Calories: 149kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 8gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 445mgPotassium: 350mgFiber: 8gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 581IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 3mg

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I first shared this recipe March 2016. Updated June 2019 and June 2022.

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Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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  1. 5 stars
    We had these tonight and even though we have had them before it was worth reviewing again. These are the best. They hold their shape and the chipotle mayonnaise sauce is a must. It takes them over the top. We try to keep on a low carb diet so we wrapped them in lettuce. Thank you for another great recipe

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