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–+ servings
Black Bean Burger with buttered buns, chipotle sauce, guacamole, pickled onions, and lettuce.

Black Bean Burger

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 large patties
Author: Nico Pallotta

  • 2 cans (15 oz each) (480 grams) black beans or 3 cups cooked black beans
  • 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) olive oil
  • 1 (1 onion) onion chopped
  • 3 cloves (3 cloves) garlic pressed
  • 1 or more (1 or more) jalapeños chopped
  • 4 tbsp (4 tablespoons) tomato paste
  • 1 tsp (1 teaspoon) cumin
  • 1 tsp (1 teaspoon) chipotle powder substitute 1 teaspoon smoked paprika + ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • 3 tbsp (3 tablespoons) balsamic vinegar
  • 1 large (1 large) egg
  • ¾ cup (100 grams) feta cheese crumbled
  • ½ cup (50 grams) breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp (1 teaspoon) salt or more to taste + black pepper to taste
  • 4 (4) burger buns + optional guacamole, chipotle sauce, quick pickled red onions, and Romaine lettuce.

  • Dry the beans – Preheat oven to 360°F (180°C). Spread black beans on a baking tray and bake for 20 minutes to reduce moisture.
    Black beans dried in the oven on a baking tray.
  • Make the flavor base – Heat olive oil in a skillet. Sauté onion for 3 minutes, then add garlic, jalapeño, tomato paste, cumin, chipotle powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes.
    Flavor base with cumin, tomato paste, onion, and garlic.
  • Make the patties – Add half the beans and all of the flavor base to a food processor. Add balsamic vinegar, egg, and breadcrumbs. Pulse briefly until combined but still chunky. Transfer to a bowl and fold in remaining beans and feta. Shape into 4–6 patties.
    Steps showing how to shape mixture into burger patties.
  • Pan-fry – Cook in an oiled skillet over medium-low heat for 4–5 minutes per side.
    Air-fry – Brush with oil and air-fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.
    Grill – Preheat to 400°F (200°C). Brush patties with oil and grill 5–8 minutes per side.
    Oven-bake – Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway.
    Cooking patties on a cast iron skillet.
  • Assemble the Burger – We serve this between toasted buttered buns with chipotle sauce or sriracha + mayo, lettuce, guac, and pickled onions.
    Pair with roasted sweet potatoes, roasted veggies, or corn on the cob. For a fresh side, try coleslaw, healthy broccoli salad, pineapple cucumber salad, or dill potato salad
    The best black bean burger with guacamole, chipotle sauce, and buttered buns.
SUBSTITUTIONS
  • Olive oil: Use avocado oil or coconut oil as alternatives.
  • Onion: Replace with shallot for a milder, sweeter flavor.
  • Jalapeños: Use Poblano peppers for less heat, or Serrano peppers for more heat.
  • Chipotle powder: Substitute with 1 tsp smoked paprika + ¼ tsp chili powder or red pepper flakes. Can you use chipotle in adobo? Yes, but it will make the patties a bit softer and wetter.
  • Balsamic vinegar: Swap with soy sauce or tamari (note: tamari is gluten-free).
  • Egg: Use 2 tbsp flour, or make a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 2 tbsp warm water, let sit 5 mins).
  • Feta: Replace with your favorite non-dairy feta.
  • Breadcrumbs: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed.
TIPS
  • Dry the beans: Baking black beans removes excess moisture and improves texture, essential for patties that hold together.
  • No chipotle? Use 1 tsp smoked paprika + ¼ tsp chili powder for a similar smoky flavor.
  • Fix the texture: Too wet? Add breadcrumbs. Too dry? Add a splash of water, vinegar, or oil.
  • Brush with oil: It boosts browning and prevents sticking. If the patties stick when flipping, give them more time.
STORAGE
  • Make ahead: Prepare mixture up to 36 hours in advance, store in fridge.
  • Refrigerator: Cooked patties last 4 days.
  • Freezer: Cooked patties last up to 2 months.
  • Reheating: Thaw in fridge. Air fryer: 400°F (200°C) for 8 minutes. Skillet: Use 1 tbsp oil.
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