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If you’re like me, the idea of making a bean burger recipe is new and novel. I typically only ever get my veggie burgers from the frozen section at Wegmans. Or, I get my fill of bean burgers when I go to a restaurant. Either way, I have only just considered cooking up my own; recipes online looked too complicated, with too many steps, and the process of mashing everything together seemed too messy to result in a crumbly, mushy burger.
I decided to just go for it with this one. I didn’t want to spend so much money on frozen burgers that are packed with soy, and I already had all of the ingredients at home for this recipe. Plus, I was excited to try what could be the best black bean burger, perfect for meal prep and versatile enough for various occasions.
What is a Black Bean Burger?
A black bean burger is a delightful type of veggie burger made from a hearty mixture of cooked black beans, vegetables, and spices. It’s a popular choice among vegetarians and vegans as a tasty alternative to traditional beef burgers. These bean burgers typically combine ingredients like black beans, onions, garlic, brown rice, and bread crumbs, all mixed together and formed into patties. The beauty of black bean burgers lies in their versatility—they can be grilled, baked, or pan-fried to perfection. Serve them on a bun with your favorite toppings, and you’ve got a delicious and nutritious meal that even meat-eaters will love.
Benefits of Homemade Black Bean Burgers
Making homemade black bean burgers comes with a host of benefits. First and foremost, you have complete control over the ingredients and nutritional content, ensuring a healthier and more flavorful burger. By using fresh, wholesome ingredients, you can avoid the preservatives and additives often found in store-bought options. Additionally, homemade black bean burgers are cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Using pantry staples like canned beans means you can whip up a batch without breaking the bank. Plus, the customization possibilities are endless—add your favorite spices, herbs, and toppings to create a burger that’s uniquely yours.
We used Gallberry Honey when we made this recipe. Did you know honey is a much healthier alternative to sugar?
Avoid Bean Mush
Homemade veggie burgers can turn out mushy if not done properly. That’s why you need to drain and rinse canned black beans before mashing. You’ll also want to make sure to not overdo the mashing process. Leaving whole beans intact gives the burgers a heartier texture, and prevents the burgers from turning into dough.
You Need a Binder to Make this Black Bean Burger Recipe
Some sort of binder ingredients are required when making a black bean burgers recipe. They are ingredients that hold the other ingredients together and prevent the black bean burgers from falling apart while cooking. Adding some rice and a bit of bread crumbs to our black bean burger recipe helps tremendously to hold it all together. You can substitute these for chopped toasted walnuts, some cooked quinoa, or mushrooms instead of the bread crumbs. With no walnuts on hand, bread crumbs and a drop of honey did the trick nicely!
How to Make this Black Bean Burger Recipe
Step 1: Gather Ingredients & Prepare Rice
Homemade black bean burgers require fresh ingredients to make sure they are delicious. Here is what you’ll need:
- Cooked brown rice
- Black beans, drained
- Chickpeas, drained
- Olive oil
- Fresh garlic, minced
- Onion, diced
- Bee Inspired Honey
- BBQ sauce
- Bread crumbs
- Paprika
- Cumin
- Salt
- Pepper
- Your favorite buns and toppings
Get a box of your favorite brown rice and cook it according to the directions on the package. Let it cool off to the side while you prepare the bean mixture.
Step 2: Make Slightly Mashed Beans
Drain and rinse the black beans and chickpeas. Add both of them to a large bowl and lightly mash. Be sure to leave some beans whole to give your burger patties a better texture. Avoid creating a smooth paste. We don't recommend using a food processor because of this.
Step 3: Add to the Bean Mixture
Heat a few tablespoons of the olive oil and lightly cook the minced garlic and diced onion until fragrant. Add this to your bean mixture, as well as honey and BBQ sauce.
Step 4: Mix the Seasonings
In a separate bowl, blend together the bread crumbs, smoked paprika, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. These seasonings and bread crumbs will help give your burger patties some extra flavor and texture.
Step 5: Combine
In the bowl with the bean mixture, add in the cooled brown rice and mix together to start your black bean burgers recipe. Next, add in your seasonings and mix together.
Step 6: Make Burger Patties
After everything is thoroughly combined, you'll want to make your burger patties. You can make your patties larger for a full meal, or smaller for black bean burger sliders.
Step 7: Cook, Top, & Enjoy!
Heat more olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Place the black bean burger patties on the pan and let them brown for 4-5 minutes each side. Prepare your buns and toppings. Place the cooked patties on the buns, and top as desired. Enjoy!
Spice Up These Black Bean Burgers with Honey
We always encourage you to play with our recipes and make them your own. These burgers are so easy to mix up and make your own! Here are some of our suggestions:
- Add finely chopped spinach or sweet corn to the black bean burgers.
- Blend in chopped roasted tomatoes and peppers to the black bean burger recipe.
- Replace the rice with cooked quinoa.
- Add beet to the mixture for more color and flavor.
- Substitute the bread crumbs for finely chopped and toasted walnuts or minced and browned mushrooms.
- Use a different blend of seasonings - double the garlic, add in Worcestershire sauce and use finely chopped basil and oregano instead of cumin and paprika. Add in chili powder for a little extra kick.
One thing I'd do differently after making these black bean burgers is to add some other veggies to the mix. A diced and lightly browned zucchini would have been a good option, as would spinach or roasted and chopped blanched red peppers for a little color. As mentioned earlier, beets can add color and flavor to this recipe as well.
Storing and Freezing Black Bean Burgers
One of the great things about black bean burgers is that they can be easily stored and frozen for later use. To store, simply place the cooked burgers in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you want to freeze them, place the cooked burgers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the burgers to a freezer-safe bag or container, where they can be stored for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw the frozen burgers and cook in a pan or oven until heated through. This way, you can always have a delicious homemade black bean burger ready to go!
Serving Suggestions for Black Bean Burgers
Black bean burgers are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of delicious ways. Here are some popular serving suggestions to get you started:
- On a bun: Serve your black bean burger on a toasted bun with classic toppings like lettuce, tomato, cheese, and your favorite condiments.
- On a salad: Top a bed of fresh greens with a black bean burger, sliced avocado, and a drizzle of your favorite dressing for a light and healthy meal.
- As a sandwich: Enjoy your black bean burger between slices of whole-grain bread with sliced veggies and a spread of hummus or avocado.
- With fries: Pair your black bean burger with a side of crispy fries or sweet potato fries for a satisfying and comforting meal.
- As a wrap: Wrap your black bean burger in a tortilla with sliced veggies and salsa for a tasty and portable option.
These are just a few ideas to inspire you. Feel free to get creative and experiment with different toppings and serving styles to make your black bean burger experience truly your own!
Homemade Black Bean Burgers are the Way to Go
Our black bean burger recipe with honey is a must-try for anyone looking to incorporate more plant-based options into their diet or simply wanting to eat healthier. The versatility of this recipe makes it great for vegetarians, vegans, and even meat-eaters looking for a delicious and nutritious meal. Don't be afraid to get creative and switch up the ingredients to make it your own – the possibilities are endless! And when you finally sink your teeth into that perfectly grilled patty, jazzed up with your favorite toppings on a toasted bun or wrapped in a crisp lettuce wrap, you'll know that all the effort was worth it.
So why wait? Grab your apron and head to the kitchen to whip up our black bean burger recipe now – trust us, your taste buds will thank you. Share your creations with us on Instagram using #BeeInspired for a chance to be featured on our page. Go on and give our recipe a try, we promise it won't disappoint!
