A homemade burger without meat is not as complicated as you might think. Many ingredients are suitable as a meat substitute, for example, mushrooms or jackfruit. Seitan (wheat gluten) is also a popular meat alternative, but since it’s not gluten-free, it’s a no-go for people with celiac disease. In my opinion, it’s actually healthier to use beans. And you can decide for yourself whether you want to use black beans or another type of bean.
Simple Ingredients
I chose simple ingredients that you most likely already have at home.
Black beans – they add a wonderful texture and contain plant-based protein and a lot of fiber. You could use kidney beans instead. Sunflower seeds – they also contain protein, but also some fat (flavor enhancer). Furthermore, they add a nice crunch to the burger patties. You can, of course, use nuts such as walnuts or cashews instead of sunflower seeds. Oats – choose regular oats or gluten-free oats. Without them, the veggie burgers would turn out too mushy. As an alternative, normal wheat flour would probably work, but I haven’t tried it yet. Tomato paste – adds a lovely taste and also holds the mixture together. Soy sauce – it adds a delicious umami flavor! Make sure to use gluten-free soy sauce if needed or choose Tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. Garlic and onions – they are quite important for the great taste and also very healthy. Different spices – I mainly chose spices that are flavorful, such as onion powder and smoked paprika.
All ingredients with measurements are in the printable recipe card below!
How To Make Vegan Black Bean Burger?
STEP 1: First, mix the ground chia seeds with the water in a small bowl and set the mixture aside for 5 minutes. It will thicken and furthermore serves as an egg replacement. You could also use ground flax seeds instead of chia seeds.
STEP 2: In the meantime, rinse the beans very well in a sieve and then drain them. I also recommend patting dry the beans. STEP 3: Now, process the oats and the sunflower seeds in a food processor or blender (use the pulse function). I use this food processor which I love!
STEP 4: Next, add all the other ingredients to the food processor and mix again. However, don’t over mix, as the burgers should still have some texture.
STEP 5: Form 4 burger patties with your hands. If the mixture is too sticky, you can simply add more oats. If it’s too dry, add a little water.
STEP 6: Heat some oil in a large frying pan and put the four burger patties in it. Fry them on both sides which takes about 12-15 minutes in total. You can also grill the bean burgers but I would recommend freezing them first (for about 30 minutes) to firm up! Tip: Brush some vegan barbecue sauce or Sriracha onto each black bean burger pattie after flipping! It adds an even more delicious flavor and it furthermore makes the burgers look juicier.
STEP 7: Assemble the veggie burgers with burger buns of your choice and add fresh ingredients such as onion rings, tomato slices, cucumber slices, fresh lettuce leaves, and vegan cheese. Serve with homemade crispy Oven-Baked Potato Wedges. These vegan black bean burgers are firm on the outside but soft and juicy on the inside. If you want them to be firmer on the inside, you can simply bake the patties in the oven at 375 °F (ca. 190 °C) for about 15 minutes.
Can I Freeze Black Bean Burgers?
Yes, you can freeze the burger patties! It’s best to fry them and then freeze after they have cooled. You can keep them in the freezer for up to three months. Once you want to eat the burgers, you can put the patties directly in the pan without defrosting them.
These Veggie Burgers Are:
Vegan (meat-free) Gluten-free Easy to make Healthier than a burger from a fast-food restaurant Protein-rich Nut-free Flavorful Spicy Hearty Not crumbly – they don’t fall apart Can be baked in the oven (see recipe notes)
Should you give this vegan black bean burger a try, please leave a comment and rating below and don’t forget to tag me in your Instagram or Facebook post with @elavegan and #elavegan because I would love to see your veggie burger! ????
Do you love vegan finger foods? Then make sure to also check out my other delicious vegan and gluten-free recipes:
Crispy Polenta Fries Homemade Taco Cups Black Bean Quesadillas Vegetable Fritters Roasted Cauliflower Steaks (Vegan Schnitzel) Oven-Baked Tacos Easy Vegan Taquitos Buffalo Chickpea Taquitos