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Where's the Beef? Alternative Burgers
Recipe
30 min

Black Bean Burgers

(50)
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Black Bean Burgers

This black bean burger is flavorful, and perfect for weeknight cooking.

Time

30 min

Yield

Serves 6

Why This Recipe Works

Hearty, healthy black beans make the perfect base for a flavorful vegetarian burger, and using convenient canned beans means these burgers can be on the table in just 30 minutes. We found that mashing most of the beans but leaving about ½ cup of them whole made a bean burger that was not too crumbly, nor too dense and pasty. To ensure that the burgers held together once cooked, we added two eggs and also incorporated bread crumbs—both are binding ingredients often used in meatloaf and meatball recipes. The eggs also provided more protein and added richness. To flavor the beans, we liked a combination of shallot, cumin, and a little cayenne pepper. Finely chopped red bell pepper and minced cilantro added freshness and a little more texture.

Ingredients

Chipotle Sauce

¼ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon minced canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce
1 garlic clove, minced

Bean Burgers

2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed
2 large eggs
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped fine
¼ cup minced fresh cilantro
1 shallot, minced

Instructions

Cook along with these step-by-step instructions

step 1 imagestep 2 imagestep 3 imagestep 4 image

    CHIPOTLE SAUCE

  1. Combine all ingredients in small bowl; refrigerate until ready to serve. (Sauce can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.)

    2. BEAN BURGERS

  2. Place 2½ cups beans in large bowl and mash with potato masher until mostly smooth. In separate bowl, whisk together eggs, 1 tablespoon oil, cumin, salt, and cayenne. Stir egg mixture, remaining beans, panko, bell pepper, cilantro, and shallot into mashed beans until just combined. Divide mixture into 6 equal portions and lightly pack into 1-inch-thick patties.
    Recipe Tip
    Avoid overmixing the bean mixture or the burgers will have a mealy texture.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Carefully lay 3 patties in skillet and cook until well browned on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes per side.
  4. Transfer burgers to plate and tent with aluminum foil. Repeat with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and remaining patties. Serve.
    Recipe Tip
    Serve with your favorite burger toppings over salad greens or on a burger bun.

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Black Bean Burgers

Recipe By

Published on August 27, 2026

Time

30 min

Yield

Serves 6

Black Bean Burgers

Ingredients

Chipotle Sauce

¼ cup mayonnaise¼ cup sour cream1 tablespoon lime juice1 tablespoon minced canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce1 garlic clove, minced

Bean Burgers

2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed2 large eggs5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil1 teaspoon ground cumin¼ teaspoon salt⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper1 cup panko bread crumbs1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped fine¼ cup minced fresh cilantro1 shallot, minced

Instructions

    CHIPOTLE SAUCE

  1. Combine all ingredients in small bowl; refrigerate until ready to serve. (Sauce can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.)

    2. BEAN BURGERS

  2. Place 2½ cups beans in large bowl and mash with potato masher until mostly smooth. In separate bowl, whisk together eggs, 1 tablespoon oil, cumin, salt, and cayenne. Stir egg mixture, remaining beans, panko, bell pepper, cilantro, and shallot into mashed beans until just combined. Divide mixture into 6 equal portions and lightly pack into 1-inch-thick patties.
    Recipe Tip
    Avoid overmixing the bean mixture or the burgers will have a mealy texture.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Carefully lay 3 patties in skillet and cook until well browned on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes per side.
  4. Transfer burgers to plate and tent with aluminum foil. Repeat with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and remaining patties. Serve.
    Recipe Tip
    Serve with your favorite burger toppings over salad greens or on a burger bun.
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