Black Bean Burgers
Smoky mashed black beans that hold together and char properly — a veggie burger with self-respect.
Ingredients
- 2 tin Black beans
- 80 g Breadcrumbs
- 1 Egg
- ½ Onion
- 1 tsp Ground cumin
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- 4 Burger buns
- 3 tbsp Neutral oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Mayonnaise (optional)
Method
- Drain the black beans well and dry them on a clean towel — wet beans make mushy burgers.
- Grate the onion finely.
- Mash the dried beans in a bowl with the grated onion, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, egg, and breadcrumbs until the mix holds when squeezed.
- Shape the mixture into four even patties.
- Chill the patties in the fridge to firm up, about 10 minutes.
- Fry the patties in the oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat until deeply crusted, about 4 minutes a side.
- Toast the burger buns in a dry pan until golden.
- Serve the patties on the toasted buns with mayonnaise and whatever crunch you like.
Tap “Start cooking” for live timers that flag what to get ahead on while something simmers.
About Black Bean Burgers
Black bean burgers are the American answer to a vegetarian patty that actually behaves like a burger, and the difference between a good one and a sad one comes down to texture. These are built from black beans mashed with grated onion, breadcrumbs, and egg to bind, then seasoned with cumin and smoked paprika for a savory, smoky backbone that stands in for the char of meat. The defining move here is drying the drained beans on a towel before mashing, because wet beans steam into mush and never crust, while dry ones hold their shape and take on a real sear. Chilling the shaped patties firms them further so they don't fall apart in the pan.
Cooked properly, these develop a deep, crisp crust over a hearty, slightly creamy interior with warm spice running through it. They're substantial and high in fiber and plant protein, so they satisfy the way a burger should rather than leaving you hungry an hour later. Served on toasted buns with mayonnaise and whatever toppings you like, they work for a casual lunch or dinner and take well to the usual burger accompaniments. What makes this version worth cooking is its refusal to cut corners on the two steps that make or break the patty: drying the beans and getting a genuine char in a hot skillet, which is exactly why the result is a veggie burger with self-respect.
Black Bean Burgers: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Black Bean Burgers?
A serving has about 528 calories — 21.3g protein, 75.5g carbs, 16g fat, 13.2g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Black Bean Burgers gluten-free?
As written, no — it contains Breadcrumbs, Burger buns. You'd need a certified gluten-free swap for those ingredients to make it gluten-free.
How long does Black Bean Burgers take to make?
About 35 minutes start to finish, but only around 28 of those are hands-on — the rest is cooking time. In the Homecooked app the timers and parallel steps are sequenced for you so the hands-on part feels even shorter.
Do I need every ingredient to make Black Bean Burgers?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out mayonnaise — it's optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Black Bean Burgers make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.