Full of Mexican-inspired flavor with a slight kick this Southwest Black Bean Burger is easy to make and one everyone will love. Trade in your usual burger for this vegetarian option and you just might end up preferring it.
Why You’ll Love It
- Makes a great meatless meal. If you’re vegetarian or just looking for some meatless options this black bean burger will make for a delicious meal. It also makes a great replacement for a traditional burger because there is so much flavor.
- Easy to make. All the burger ingredients are mixed together just like a standard burger patty and then pan-fried in a skillet. There’s little mess and they’re even easier to make than if you were grilling regular burgers.
- Tons of flavors. The southwest flavors are what make this black bean burger unique. Paired with the onions and garlic this burger is one you’ll want to make often.
Ingredients Needed
- Black Beans – you’ll need canned black beans that are rinsed, drained, and dried, which helps with holding the burger patties together while they’re cooking.
- Breadcrumbs – regular breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs will work for this recipe. I prefer to use panko breadcrumbs because the consistency works well with the texture of the burgers.
- Minced Onion and Garlic – these are two key flavor additions that are best fresh instead of using the powered spice option.
- Egg – the egg will bind all the ingredients together just as it does in a regular beef patty.
- Spices – to get that southwest flavor chili powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, paprika, and oregano are added, which brings a bold flavor to every bite.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Grind the beans. Place 3/4 of the canned black beans into a food processor and pulse until the beans are fully mashed and as smooth as possible.
- Prepare the burger mixture. In a large mixing bowl combine the mashed black beans, remaining whole black beans, minced onions, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, eggs, and all the spices until well mixed.
- Make the patties. Separate 1/4 of the black bean burger “meat” from the mixture and roll it into a ball. Flatten the ball to about 1/2-inch thickness and place it on a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining black bean mixture.
- Chill. Place the baking sheet with the black bean patties on it in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes. This helps them hold their shape during the cooking process.
- Cook. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in an iron skillet. Place the black bean burger patties into the skillet and cook for 5 minutes before flipping to the next side to cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve. Place the southwest black bean burger patties on a bun and serve with your favorite toppings.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Try grilling the burgers. You can just as easily grill these black bean burgers. Just use care when flipping the burgers since they’re not as sturdy as a standard burger patty.
- Add some sauce. I love a good burger sauce and this southwest version goes great with sweet chili mayo. To make mi equal parts mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce.
- Add some extra veggies. Trying adding some chopped peppers or diced green peppers. For extra spice, you can add some jalapeno too.
FAQS
To make a black bean burger vegan, substitute the egg with a flax egg. Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 1 tablespoon of warm water. Add it to the black bean mixture as an egg replacement.
Related Recipes
Southwest Black Bean Burger
Equipment
- Iron Skillet or heavy-bottomed skillet
Ingredients
Black Bean Burger
- 2 15-ounce cans Black Beans rinsed, drained, and dried
- 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Onions minced
- 1 large Egg
- 4 Garlic Cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon Paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 4 Hamburger Buns
Instructions
- Grind the beans. Place 3/4 of the canned black beans into a food processor and pulse until the beans are fully mashed and as smooth as possible.
- Prepare the burger mixture. In a large mixing bowl combine the mashed black beans, remaining whole black beans, minced onions, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, eggs, and all the spices until well mixed.
- Make the patties. Separate 1/4 of the black bean burger "meat" from the mixture and roll it into a ball. Flatten the ball to about 1/2-inch thickness and place it on a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining black bean mixture.
- Chill. Place the baking sheet with the black bean patties on it in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes. This helps them hold their shape during the cooking process.
- Cook. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in an iron skillet. Place the black bean burger patties into the skillet and cook for 5 minutes before flipping to the next side to cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve. Place the southwest black bean burger patties on a bun and serve with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Try grilling the burgers. You can just as easily grill these black bean burgers. Just use care when flipping the burgers since they’re not as sturdy as a standard burger patty.
- Add some sauce. I love a good burger sauce and this southwest version goes great with sweet chili mayo. To make mi equal parts mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce.
- Add some extra veggies. Trying adding some chopped peppers or diced green peppers. For extra spice, you can add some jalapeno too.
Loved this – was skeptical of the sweet chili mayo but loved it! Added some chopped peppers, worcestershire sauce. Delicious!
Oh, I love your additions, Peggy! I’m so glad you liked it.
Amazing!! Wish I knew the calorie count and breakdown but I’m just being lazy, could figure it out myself. The mayo(I used fabanaise) was perfect and the corn salsa I had to make twice. When I sampled it, I ate the whole thing right then and there!!
Fred, this is amazing to hear! I haven’t whipped up that corn salsa in a while, but I think you just inspired me to do so. Here’s the nutrition breakdown: Calories 650, Fat 38g, Carbs 56g, Fiber 6g, Protein 17g, Sugars 9g (this is using Mayo though). Hope that helps!!
Sounds delicious and you fooled my son. LOL love the articles. Your morher-in-law.
Thanks! You should try and fool your husband with this recipe ????
The corn salsa on this is amazing!!!
Why thank you! Really, I kind of want to create an entire spin-off of recipes just using the corn salsa. Well maybe the sweet chili mayo too… Time to get back in the kitchen!