I may have mentioned that my family goes plant-based several times yearly. One of the things I missed the most, initially, was burgers. I’ve since learned to make them from plant-based protein like chickpeas and lentils, but I think the black bean veggie burger is the easiest to whip together. Of course, we can easily buy veggie burgers from the store, but the homemade variety removes the anxiety of not knowing what’s in your meal.
These homemade vegetarian black bean burgers are delicious! They’re filling and satisfying, and the blend of Salsa and BBQ sauce creates a juicy, perfectly seasoned burger that’s sure to be a hit.
Making the black bean veggie burger – what do you need?
Olive Oil – This is to saute the ingredients like scallions. Olive oil also adds flavor.
Canned Black Beans – These black beans are the base of the veggie burger. They provide a hearty texture and plenty of protein. I rinse them well to remove any excess sodium.
Scallions – Scallions, or green onions, have a milder taste than regular onions. Finely sliced scallions add a fresh, mild onion flavor and a crunch to the burger mixture.
Frozen corn, defrosted – Adding defrosted corn gives the burgers a sweetness, extra texture, and a nice pop of color.
Chunky Salsa, Prepared or Homemade – You can make salsa from tomatoes, onions, peppers, and seasonings. I mix in chunky salsa to add moisture, flavor, and a bit of spice. It also helps bind the ingredients together.
BBQ Sauce – The BBQ sauce gives the burgers a smoky, sweet flavor and helps to bind everything together.
Smoked Paprika – I love using smoked paprika because it adds a smoky flavor and a vibrant color to the burgers.
Garlic Powder – It adds a deep, savory garlic flavor to the burgers without adding extra moisture.
Fresh Cilantro – Fresh cilantro adds fresh flavor to the burger mixture.
Plain Breadcrumbs – Breadcrumbs bind the burger mixture and structure the patties so they aren’t too wet or crumbly.
Hamburger Buns (if desired)
Amazon Fresh, Canned Black Beans, 15.25 Oz
Blues Hog Champions’ Blend 25 Oz and Smokey Mountain 24 Oz BBQ Sauce 2 PackAtlas 3 LT Organic Cold Press Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Polyphenol Rich from Morocco|Newly Harvested Unprocessed from One Single Family Farm | Moroccan EVOO Trusted by Michelin Star ChefsFarberware Glide Deep Nonstick Frying Pan / Fry Pan / Skillet with Helper Handle – 12.5 Inch, Black
Delicious Homemade Black Bean Veggie Burger Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 15oz can black beans
- 2 scallions
- 1/2 cup frozen corn defrosted
- 1/4 cup chunky salsa
- 2 tbsp BBQ sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 7-9 tbsp plain breadcrumbs
- 4 burger buns
- Burger toppings of choice, such as lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, mayonnaise, or sour cream.
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Place half of the beans into a large bowl and lightly mash them using a potato masher, leaving the mixture a bit chunky and not too smooth. Then, add the remaining beans.
- Add the scallions, corn, salsa, BBQ sauce, paprika, garlic powder, and cilantro. Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in the breadcrumbs, starting with 7 tablespoons and mix well. If needed, add 1-2 tablespoons of breadcrumbs until the mixture is firm enough to form into burger patties.
- Shape the mixture into 4 burger patties using lightly wet hands.
- Pan-fry the patties in the hot oil until golden brown and slightly crisp on both sides, approximately 4-5 minutes per side.
- Assemble the black bean patties onto hamburger buns and top with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Are you lacking any of the ingredients? Try these replacements:
You can use avocado or coconut oil for olive oil. Avocado oil offers a neutral flavor with similar health benefits, while coconut oil adds a slight coconut taste and changes the texture a bit. Instead of black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, or chickpeas can be used. Pinto and kidney beans provide similar textures but different flavors, whereas chickpeas offer a firmer texture and a nuttier taste.
If you don’t have scallions, red onions, shallots, or leeks are good alternatives. Red onions are sharper, while shallots and leeks offer a milder taste, similar to scallions.
For frozen corn, fresh corn, canned corn, or peas work well. Fresh or canned corn maintains sweetness and texture, and peas introduce a different texture with a subtle sweetness.
Instead of BBQ sauce, try ketchup, tomato paste with honey, or hoisin sauce. Ketchup adds sweetness and tang, tomato paste with honey gives depth and sweetness, and hoisin sauce introduces a different, exciting flavor.
For smoked paprika, you can use regular paprika with a dash of liquid smoke or chipotle powder. Regular paprika with liquid smoke mimics the smoky flavor, while chipotle powder adds smokiness with some heat.
If you don’t have fresh cilantro, parsley, basil, or fresh mint are suitable substitutes. Parsley offers a milder, fresh taste, basil adds a sweet and aromatic flavor, and mint provides a unique, fresh taste. For plain breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, oat flour, or crushed crackers can be used. Panko gives a lighter texture, oat flour is gluten-free and adds a different texture, and crushed crackers add a salty and crunchy element.