Description
This Best Black Bean Burger recipe features hearty black bean patties flavored with chipotle peppers, cumin, and balsamic vinegar. Quick to prepare and cook in just 22 minutes, these veggie-packed burgers can be cooked either on a stovetop skillet or grilled outdoors. Served on buns with your favorite fixings, these burgers offer a satisfying and smoky plant-based alternative perfect for weeknight meals or gatherings.
Ingredients
Black Bean Burger Mixture
- 3 cups cooked black beans (drained and rinsed)
- ⅓ cup grated yellow onion (about ½ medium)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 chipotle peppers from a can of chipotles in adobo (diced)
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce
- 1 tablespoon tamari
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
For Cooking & Serving
- Extra-virgin olive oil (for brushing)
- Cooking spray (if grilling)
- Hamburger buns (for serving)
- Desired fixings (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, condiments, etc.)
Instructions
- Prepare the bean mixture. In a large bowl, combine the black beans, grated onion, minced garlic, diced chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, tamari, balsamic vinegar, ground cumin, sea salt, and black pepper. Use a potato masher to mash the mixture until it holds together but still has visible chunks of black beans for texture.
- Add egg and bread crumbs. Fold in the egg with a spatula until fully incorporated, then add the panko bread crumbs and combine gently to form a cohesive, slightly wet mixture.
- Form patties. Use your hands to shape the mixture into 6 evenly sized patties. If the mixture feels too wet to handle, chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to firm up or mash the beans a bit more.
- Cook on stovetop. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat and brush with a little extra-virgin olive oil. Cook the patties for about 5 minutes per side, adjusting the heat as needed to prevent burning, until they develop a nice char.
- Alternatively, grill the patties. Preheat an outdoor grill to 400°F (204°C). Lightly brush the patties with olive oil and spray the grill grates with cooking spray. Grill the patties for 8 minutes on the first side, then flip and grill for an additional 4 minutes on the second side until cooked through and charred.
- Serve. Place the cooked patties on hamburger buns and top with your desired fixings such as lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and sauces. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- For a firmer texture, chilling the patties before cooking is recommended if the mixture is too wet.
- Panko breadcrumbs provide a light, crispy texture; you can substitute with regular breadcrumbs if needed.
- Chipotle peppers in adobo add smoky heat; adjust quantity based on preferred spice level.
- If vegan, substitute the egg with a flax egg or chia egg, though texture may slightly differ.
- Cooking times may vary based on equipment and stove/grill heat intensity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
