The Best Black Bean Burgers

by Matt on May 17, 2011

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For some reason, making veggie burgers from scratch has always intimidated me a little bit.

Even though I can create the perfect beef burger with my eyes closed, I’m always afraid I am going to mess up when I am making it’s veggie alternative.

What if they don’t hold together?

What if they are too dry?

What if they are bland?

When I am cooking a normal beef burger, these issues never even cross my mind. Grass fed beef is naturally flavorful and juicy, so the only thing I really have to worry about is overcooking it. However, I’m not really sure you can overcook a veggie burger. I know I’ve burned one before, but that’s because I was taking a shower (this doesn’t count).

I used to eat frozen veggie burgers all the time, but I probably won’t buy them ever again. These can be frozen and heated up just as quickly, plus they taste a lot better. Just lightly oil a pan and grill them for a few minutes.

Voilà!

Lunch is ready in 5 minutes!

After you make them of course…

The Best Black Bean Burgers

Ingredients

1/2 cup red or white onion, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
15 ounce can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 large organic egg, slightly beaten (use a flax egg to make vegan)
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a non stick skillet over medium heat.
Once warm, add the bell pepper, onion, and cook for 3-5 minutes.
Put the cooked mixture of veggies into a food processor or blender.
Add the cilantro and pulse several times.
Add the beans and pulse a few more times.
The beans should be mashed, but still chunky. Make sure you do not over-process.
In a medium bowl, mix the veggie/bean mixture, eggs, bread crumbs, and spices.
Form into 3 patties.
Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray (liberally to avoid sticking) and add the patties.
Cook each side until browned, about 8 minutes total.

I actually had a hard time fitting that in my mouth

Tagged as: Black Beans, Burger, Chili Powder, Cilantro, Cumin, Garlic, Green Bell Pepper, Onion, Vegan, Vegetarian, Veggie Burgers

About Matt

Matt is a business management graduate from the University of Alabama class of 2011. He is a marathon runner, loves cooking healthy meals, and inspiring others to live a healthy life. Subscribe to his blog, follow him on Twitter, or contact him by email at matt@theathletesplate.com

{ 65 comments… read them below or add one }

Kim May 17, 2011 at 6:05 AM

That looks really good!! I have only made veggie burgers once, but you have inspired me to try again!
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Emma (Namaste Everyday) May 17, 2011 at 6:17 AM

I love this recipe! Thanks for sharing I make pretty amazing meatballs, so I have been brainstorming a vegan version. thanks for the inspiration!
Emma (Namaste Everyday) recently posted..“And now for the Dancing Pants”

Sarah@The Flying ONION May 17, 2011 at 6:22 AM

This looks so awesome!! I love black bean burgers and I can’t wait to try these.
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Holly @ The Runny Egg May 17, 2011 at 6:38 AM

Great minds think alike – I posted my black bean burgers yesterday
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Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope May 17, 2011 at 6:42 AM

I used to make my own veggie burgers all the time, but just got out of the habit! Should definitely start making them again.

That burger is HUGE LOL – love it! Loving all the spices in there too! Awesome recipe.
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope recently posted..Foot Surgeries Explained and An Update

Matt May 17, 2011 at 10:59 AM

Should I save you one? LOL.

Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope May 17, 2011 at 11:21 AM

Ummm DUH!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope recently posted..Foot Surgeries Explained and An Update

Matt May 17, 2011 at 11:23 AM

What do I get in return?

Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope May 17, 2011 at 11:28 AM

Me? I think that’s more than fair return. LOL
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope recently posted..Foot Surgeries Explained and An Update

Matt May 17, 2011 at 11:29 AM

I thought I already had you?

Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope May 17, 2011 at 11:33 AM

Of course you do. I meant “me” in the “I’m coming to see you” sense.
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope recently posted..Foot Surgeries Explained and An Update

Matt May 17, 2011 at 11:34 AM

So you’re coming for black bean burgers?

Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope May 17, 2011 at 11:38 AM

Nope, that’s just like the whipped cream, or peanut butter (your topping choice), of the trip to see you.
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope recently posted..Foot Surgeries Explained and An Update

Matt May 17, 2011 at 11:39 AM: LOL. OMG.

8 days right?

Lindsay @ the lean green bean May 17, 2011 at 6:46 AM

Looks awesome! I’ve been looking for a good recipe!

Heather May 17, 2011 at 6:51 AM

Shut up. That looks amazing.

Matt May 17, 2011 at 10:58 AM: You shut up

Reply

PB Addict May 17, 2011 at 6:58 AM

I love black bean burgers! This looks so good!
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Krystina (Organically Me) May 17, 2011 at 7:05 AM

Holy crap, these are huge. I love it!
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Lee May 17, 2011 at 7:08 AM

I had planned to make veggie burgers of some sort this weekend. Maybe I’ll try this recipe. Looks good.
Lee recently posted..I am a Warrior!

Lauren @ Healthy Food For Living May 17, 2011 at 7:17 AM

I’m with you on making veggie burgers… I’ve always been a bit hesitant, so I keep the freezer stocked with Dr. Praeger’s California burgers. But these! These black bean beauties look perfect. I love the addition of cilantro, chili powder, and cumin… which necessitates the avocado on top . I will be making these burgers, for sure!
Lauren @ Healthy Food For Living recently posted..Tropical Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes

Matt May 17, 2011 at 10:56 AM: Dr. Praeger’s are so good! I like the Bombay ones

Reply

VeggieGirl May 17, 2011 at 7:29 AM

You did a FABULOUS job making them from scratch!
VeggieGirl recently posted..Red Velvet Deliciousness

Brooke @ Veggie Table May 17, 2011 at 7:36 AM

These look delicious – I just wrote down the ingredients / directions and will be making them tonight! I do have one question – when / where do I put the egg? Thanks so much and can’t wait to try them out!

Matt May 17, 2011 at 10:56 AM: Add the egg when you add the ingredients to the food processor.

Reply
Matt May 17, 2011 at 10:58 AM: You can also add it when you add the breadcrumbs.

Reply

Meister @ The Nervous Cook May 17, 2011 at 7:45 AM

Too funny: I’m in the middle of drafting a veggie-burger-love post, too! I like bean-based burgers, bulgur-based ones, and now I love when they’re mostly veggies. Yours look great!

Do you make your buns from scratch, too? I just recently started using Jim Lahey’s no-knead bread technique to make my own buns; it’s fantastic.
Meister @ The Nervous Cook recently posted..Perfecting the hard-boiled egg

Matt May 17, 2011 at 10:53 AM

Those buns are Rudi’s Organic. I am not a baker and I’ll bet my life on it that I would screw them up if I made them from scratch.

Meister @ The Nervous Cook May 17, 2011 at 2:38 PM: Matt, you would definitely not screw them up! You should check out Jim Lahey’s book, “My Bread.” I actually have a batch of dough sitting next to me right now, just waiting to be transformed into easy, delicious, wholesome bread tomorrow morning (to be used for veggie burgers, incidentally!).

You’ll never buy store-bought bread again once you read his book. Store-bought bread is a travesty!
Meister @ The Nervous Cook recently posted..Perfecting the hard-boiled egg

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Alayna @ Thyme Bombe May 17, 2011 at 7:52 AM

Mmmm! I have a whole book full of veggie burger recipes and yet somehow I still haven’t made any yet.
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Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table May 17, 2011 at 8:09 AM

I recently fell in love with BB burgers. Have you ever stuffed them with blue cheese? So.. Good.

Oddly, I never thought to freeze them. Duh. I’ll gladly join you in never buying frozen veggie burgers again!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Ready Set Eat!

Matt May 17, 2011 at 10:52 AM

Lunch has been found. You my friend are a genius

Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table May 17, 2011 at 11:21 AM

LOL! Keep talking.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Ready Set Eat!

Matt May 17, 2011 at 11:22 AM: Haha. I knew you would like that one

Reply

Hollie @lolzthatswim(andrun) May 17, 2011 at 8:29 AM

Those look so good. I might have to try them. I have never been a big burger fan but black bean burgers seem to be appearing everywhere lately.
Hollie @lolzthatswim(andrun) recently posted..I Be Up In The Gym Just Workin’ On My Fitness

Corey @ the runner's cookie May 17, 2011 at 10:29 AM

These look awesome!! Love the idea of fresh cilantro in veggie burgers. I am totally making these!
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Alaina May 17, 2011 at 11:08 AM

Ooh, these totally look good! I haven’t made a bean burger yet. I’ve made bean pasta sauce.

I would probably have the same fears as you did. But your’s look fantastic!
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Emilia May 17, 2011 at 11:44 AM

Mmmm, black bean burgers are the BEST. Those look humungous and if not better than classic beef burgers Well done! I, too, worry that they’ll fall apart and be too dry, yada- yada, and sometimes they do
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Matt May 17, 2011 at 11:50 AM: Fact: They are not better than beef burgers. Just sayin’

Reply

Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope May 17, 2011 at 11:47 AM

Single digits!

At least you know your numbers through 10! Future Math major I think.

Matt May 17, 2011 at 11:49 AM

I did take business calculus, so I hope I can count

Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope May 17, 2011 at 11:51 AM

Might I refer you to the “10-when-actually-15″ incident?
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope recently posted..Foot Surgeries Explained and An Update

Matt May 17, 2011 at 11:52 AM

I was under the influence of Kombucha during that conversation. My thoughts were skewed.

Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope May 17, 2011 at 11:53 AM

If it was the old formula, I’ll take back what I said as long as you give me one.
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope recently posted..Foot Surgeries Explained and An Update

Matt May 17, 2011 at 11:54 AM

Trying to take advantage of me again?

Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope May 17, 2011 at 11:55 AM

Yes please.
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope recently posted..Foot Surgeries Explained and An Update

Matt May 17, 2011 at 11:56 AM

Haha. You’re lucky I like you and put up with you

Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope May 17, 2011 at 11:57 AM

AWWWW… sweetest thing you’ve ever said. Right back at ya! LOL
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope recently posted..Foot Surgeries Explained and An Update

Matt May 17, 2011 at 11:59 AM: That’s really the sweetest thing I’ve ever said?

Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope May 17, 2011 at 11:56 AM

That made no sense, and I realize that. LOL
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope recently posted..Foot Surgeries Explained and An Update

Matt May 17, 2011 at 11:57 AM: LOL.

Reply

Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope May 17, 2011 at 11:52 AM

Well, you can’t count and I can’t figure out “urban” words, so we make a good team. LOL
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope recently posted..Foot Surgeries Explained and An Update

Matt May 17, 2011 at 11:53 AM: We are a good team. Fact.

Reply

Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope May 17, 2011 at 12:00 PM

If it was, we probably wouldn’t be having this conversation.
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope recently posted..Foot Surgeries Explained and An Update

Matt May 17, 2011 at 12:01 PM: Haha. True

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birdie to be May 17, 2011 at 12:02 PM

Great recipe! I dont eat beef so I am always look for variations!

http://www.birdietobe.blogspot.com

Katy (The Singing Runner) May 17, 2011 at 2:13 PM

First: These look amazing.

Second: I was reading through all of the comment and you and Heather are cute… in a disgustingly cute way. Haha!
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Jess@HealthyExposures May 17, 2011 at 6:33 PM

Ever since making my own, I will never go back to buying frozen. They just can’t hold a candle to homemade! And they’re easy to freeze and have on hand, too.
And besides…if they don’t turn out perfectly, who cares? Crumble ‘em over a salad or in a wrap!
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Christy May 17, 2011 at 8:17 PM