Easy Vegan Black Bean Burgers

Created On: September 21, 2020 | Updated: February 21, 2025 | 182 Comments

These Easy Vegan Black Bean Burgers only require a few ingredients but pack the flavor and hold together beautifully. You can even grill them!

*This post was originally published on Dec. 16, 2014. I’ve updated it with new photos and text.

Summer is coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean veggie burger season is over! These Easy Vegan Black Bean Burgers are so good that we make them all year round. You only need a few simple ingredients, but they’re packed with flavor and hold together nicely.

It can be tough to get a homemade veggie burger to have good texture. Some are too soft, and some are too crumbly. These vegan black bean burgers are perfectly soft but hold their shape. And they’ve been approved by vegans and meat-eaters alike!

Why Your Body Will Love These Quinoa and Bean Burgers

Protein – Quinoa is an excellent protein source vital for muscle health and satiety. It contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein.
Digestive Health – Quinoa is a great source of fiber, helping us feel full longer, smoothing the digestive process, and carrying toxins out of our systems. Beans are high in insoluble fiber, which helps bulk up the digestive system and prevent constipation. The fiber in beans also acts as a prebiotic that feeds the good bacteria in the large intestine and carries out toxins.
Blood Sugar Regulation – Beans, high in fiber as well as protein, have a glycemic index. This means they digest slowly and don’t cause blood sugar levels to spike or rise too quickly. This makes beans a healthy choice for people with diabetes who need to control their blood sugar levels more.

What You’ll Need To Make These Vegan Burgers

Quinoa – I use cooked quinoa in my burgers because I like the taste and texture, and it’s quick and easy to make. You can, however, use your favorite cooked grain.
Black Beans – I just use one can of black beans and it’s super easy! If using homemade, use 1 1/2 cups.
Salsa – I use chunky salsa because it adds flavor, makes them nice and moist, and is an easy shortcut to add a few veggies in there without having to cook them!
Breadcrumbs – I used Panko crumbs, but any breadcrumb will work, even gluten-free.
Spices – The spices help give these burgers a great flavor. I use cumin, paprika, smoked paprika, garlic, and onion powder. The smoked paprika gives them a nice off-the-grill flavor.

How To Make These Vegan Veggie Patties

As the name states, these are really easy to make. There are just a few steps:

Add all ingredients to a food processor. Process for 45-60 seconds until all ingredients are blended together but still a little bit chunky.
Transfer the mixture to a medium-sized bowl and refrigerate for about ten minutes. Remove from the refrigerator and form the mixture into patties. Depending on the size you make them, you will get about 4-6 patties. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper and place the black bean burgers on it. Refrigerate for about 20 minutes.
Heat a large pan over medium heat and coat the bottom with olive oil. Cook the burgers on each side for 3-5 minutes until crisp and hot. Top with your favorite burger toppings and enjoy!

Veggie Burger Frequently Asked Questions

Can you grill them? Yes! If grilling, I recommend forming them into patties and then chilling them in the refrigerator for an hour or so to ensure they hold together well on the grill.
Can I use rice instead of quinoa? You can! Any cooked grain will work well.
Mine are falling apart. What did I do wrong? If you followed the recipe exactly and they’re still falling apart, I suggest adding a little more salsa and breadcrumbs and chilling the mixture for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
Can I add extra veggies to my black bean burgers? Yes! Just watch the texture and add extra breadcrumbs or salsa if needed.
Can I use a bean other than black beans? Yes, any kind of bean will work in these burgers.
What should I top them with? I like to go Southwestern with my toppings since the burgers have a Southwest flavor, but anything you like is good! I like lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, jalapeños, ketchup, mustard, cheese, etc.

Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comments, and I’ll get back to you ASAP.

See Exactly How I Make These Veggie Burgers Below