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Versatile Black Bean Burger Recipe

This is a versatile black bean burger recipe that can be used for grilled burgers, taco meat, or even breakfast sausage. You can also opt to make this vegetarian or entirely plant based.

Grilled black bean burger patties

To be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of meat substitutes. Store bought veggie burgers and “meat” crumbles seem so overly processed that I don’t even want to look at the ingredients label. But I do love the social aspect of a good hamburger.

Summer wouldn’t be a true summer without a few cookouts and these burgers are perfect to bring along to any cookout. They’re packed with flavor from all of the spices and fresh vegetables, that even a meat eater can enjoy them. Serve them with pepper-jack cheese and chipotle mayo for some southwest flavor, or smother with mushrooms and swiss for a classic.

  • All the best burger fixings
  • Homemade sesame seed hamburger buns

This recipe is also versatile beyond just burgers too! I love to grill the burgers for dinner one night and the next day create a whole new recipe with any leftovers. You can chop them up, saute them in olive oil, and sprinkle in your favorite taco seasoning for taco night. Or you can toss chopped up burgers with some herbs in a hot pan and whip up breakfast sausage crumbles in minutes! I’ve used my breakfast sausage crumbles in a killer biscuits and gravy casserole before!

Leftover burgers turned into a Biscuits and Sausage Gravy casserole!

Ultimately, feel free to adapt this recipe to what you’re craving for dinner. The texture is great and very satisfying for any rendition you choose. I hope you enjoy this burger recipe as much as I do!

Black Bean Burgers
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Black Bean Burgers

Recipe by JulesCourse: Cooking and RecipesCuisine: Lunch, Dinner, vegetarian, vegan
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

1

hour 

15

minutes
Cooking time

10

minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 egg, or 1 Tablespoon flax meal + 3 Tablespoons hot water

  • 15 ounce can black beans, drained

  • ½ yellow bell pepper, small diced

  • ½ small onion, small diced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2/3 cup unseasoned breadcrumbs

  • 1 Tablespoon chili powder

  • 1 tsp cumin

  • ½ tsp chipotle powder

  • 1 tsp onion  powder

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1 tsp brown sugar

  • 2 Tablespoons chopped, fresh cilantro

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil

  • 6 slices of pepper jack cheese, optional

  • Additional ingredients required for taco meat or sausage prep, optional

Method

  • Mix flax meal and hot water together in a small dish if not using an egg
  • Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a pan on medium heat with a few dashes of salt and saute the onion, peppers, and garlic until soft
  • Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl smash the drained black beans with a potato masher until they are half a paste like texture and half small chunks
  • Add the egg or flax seed mixture to the bowl of bean along with the rest of the ingredients through the salt and pepper and mix together thoroughly
  • Form into 6 patties and place on a greased cookie sheet
  • Blot the patties with a paper towel and let sit uncovered in the refrigerator for at least an hour to draw out excess moisture
  • When ready to cook, take out of the refrigerator, blot with paper towel, and then brush with the remaining 1 Tablespoon olive oil on both sides
  • Pan sear or grill on medium-high heat until cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side
  • If adding cheese, place the cheese on the burgers during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking

Notes

  • Serving suggestion includes smearing the bottom of a homemade sesame seed bun with chipotle mayonnaise, adding a slice of tomato, then the burger, topping with pickled onions, pickles, jalapenos, lettuce, and finally smearing chipotle mayonnaise on the top bun to help hold it all together
  • Note that if making taco meat the first day, crumble the mixture into hot pan with olive oil and taco seasoning to taste until golden brown. If using leftover burgers, simply chop them up and heat through in in skillet with olive oil and taco seasoning to taste.
  • If making sausage omit the cilantro from the recipe. Either crumble the bean mixture in a hot pan immediately or use chopped up leftover burgers. When making sausage first add the olive oil to a hot pan, add a few dashes of dried rosemary, dried thyme, and crushed red pepper, then add your sausage meat and crisp up until cooked through. (It’s also really delicious to add some shredded cheddar cheese to the pan to crisp it up more.)