These Black Bean Burgers are hearty, flavorful, and the perfect meat-free alternative for anyone craving a satisfying, savory meal. Packed with spices, vegetables, and optional feta cheese, these burgers are not only delicious but also customizable to suit your preferences. Whether you bake or grill them, the texture is spot on—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hearty and Flavorful: These black bean burgers are full of flavor, with the right balance of spices like cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika.
Perfect Texture: The trick to getting a good texture is baking the beans first to reduce moisture and using the right mix of ingredients to hold everything together.
Customizable: Add feta cheese for extra richness, or skip it for a vegan version. You can also modify the sauce and seasonings to your liking.
Two Cooking Options: You can either bake them in the oven or grill them for a smokier flavor, making this recipe super flexible.
Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a batch of these burgers ahead of time and store them in the fridge or freezer for quick meals later.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

2 (14-ounce) cans black beans, drained, rinsed, and patted dry
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
¾ cup finely chopped bell pepper
1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
3 garlic cloves, minced
1½ teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ cup bread crumbs or oat flour
½ cup feta cheese (optional)
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons ketchup, mayo, or BBQ sauce
Pinch of salt and pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
Spread the black beans on a lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes to reduce moisture.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the bell pepper, onion, and garlic until soft, about 5-7 minutes. Blot any excess moisture.
In a large mixing bowl or food processor, combine the sautéed vegetables, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, bread crumbs or oat flour, feta cheese (if using), eggs, ketchup, salt, and pepper.
Mix until well combined, then shape the mixture into patties, about ½ cup of the mixture per patty.
To bake, place the patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F (191°C) for 10 minutes per side.
To grill, place the patties on greased aluminum foil and grill over medium-high heat for 8 minutes per side.

Servings and timing

Servings: 6
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes

Variations

Add extra flavor: Spice up your burgers with extra seasonings, such as cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce.
Make them vegan: Skip the feta cheese and eggs, using a flax egg as a binder instead.
Stuff them: Try stuffing the burgers with cheese or guacamole for an extra burst of flavor.
Add a topping: Serve the burgers with your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomato, pickles, or avocado.

Storage/Reheating

Store the cooked patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the patties for up to 2 months. To reheat, either microwave them or heat them in a skillet with a bit of olive oil until crispy and warmed through.

FAQs

How do I prevent my black bean burgers from falling apart?

Make sure to reduce the moisture in the beans by baking them first. Additionally, don’t skip the binding ingredients like eggs and breadcrumbs.

Can I use canned black beans?

Yes, canned black beans work great! Just be sure to drain, rinse, and pat them dry to remove excess moisture.

Can I make these burgers gluten-free?

Yes! Simply swap the breadcrumbs for oat flour or another gluten-free alternative.

Can I bake the patties in advance?

Yes, you can bake the patties and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze them for later use.

How can I make these burgers spicier?

Add more chili powder, cayenne pepper, or a touch of hot sauce to the mixture for an extra kick.

Can I make these burgers vegan?

Yes, you can replace the eggs with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water) and omit the feta cheese.

How do I make the patties crispy?

If you’re baking, make sure to bake the patties on parchment paper and flip them halfway through cooking. For grilling, using greased aluminum foil will help achieve a crispy texture.

Can I grill these black bean burgers?

Yes, grilling gives them a nice smoky flavor. Grill them on medium-high heat for 8 minutes per side.

Can I freeze the uncooked patties?

Yes, you can freeze the uncooked patties for up to 2 months. Just lay them on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer bag.

Can I add cheese to the burgers?

Yes, you can mix in shredded cheese such as cheddar or mozzarella, or stuff the burgers with cheese for a melty surprise.

Conclusion

These Best Black Bean Burgers are a fantastic option for a healthy, meat-free meal without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. Whether you bake or grill them, they offer the perfect balance of spiciness, texture, and flavor. With endless variations and the ability to customize them to your tastes, these burgers are sure to be a family favorite.

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Author: Paula
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 burgers
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Black Bean Burgers are hearty, flavorful, and a perfect meat-free alternative for anyone craving a satisfying, savory meal. Packed with spices, vegetables, and optional feta cheese, these burgers are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and easily customizable to suit your preferences. Whether you bake or grill them, they’re sure to be a hit!

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Beans: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Spread the black beans on a lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes to reduce moisture.
Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened. Blot any excess moisture.
Mix the Burger Ingredients: In a large bowl or food processor, combine the sautéed vegetables, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, breadcrumbs or oat flour, feta cheese (if using), eggs, ketchup, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
Form Patties: Shape the mixture into 6 patties (about 1/2 cup of the mixture per patty).
Cook the Patties:
- Baking Option: Place patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 375°F (191°C) for 10 minutes per side.
- Grilling Option: Place patties on greased aluminum foil and grill over medium-high heat for 8 minutes per side.

Notes

Extra Flavor: Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce for a spicier burger.

Vegan Version: Skip the feta cheese and eggs; use a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water) as a binder.

Cheese Stuffed: Try stuffing the burgers with cheese, like cheddar or mozzarella, for a gooey surprise.

Toppings: Serve with lettuce, tomato, pickles, or avocado for added flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes (baking) or 16 minutes (grilling)
Category: Burgers
Method: Baking, Grilling
Cuisine: American