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Vegan Black Bean Burger Recipe

A kid approved vegan black bean burger that’s actually simple to make and doesn’t fall apart!

Holding a black bean burger with two hands.

My favorite thing about this recipe is how they stay together and can easily be cooked on the stove without falling apart when flipping them. They also taste amazing and are vegan and non-vegan approved!

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Ingredients Needed for Black Bean Burgers

Ingredients for a black bean burger.

Couscous: Couscous is one of the major ingredients, helps hold the burger together and stay firm and together while cooking.

Black Beans: Black beans makes this burger what it is, it gives it sustenance.  

Tomato Paste: Tomato paste is another binding factor, and gives a little flavor.

BBQ Sauce: BBQ sauce also helps things stay together, but it’s main purpose is the flavor.

Liquid Smoke: Liquid smoke is purely here to help with the grilling or smoked flavor profile to make it seem like a real cookout, right in your kitchen, and without the meat. It’ll come in a tiny bottle and should be able to be found in the condiment aisle at stores. Or right here on Amazon.

Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, and Salt: These are all here to help with the flavor of the burger. If you’re trying to avoid salt, feel free to omit the salt in this recipe.

Breadcrumbs: The breadcrumbs help to keep the burgers together and firm.

Buns & Toppings: You been buns for this to be a burger, and whatever else you usually put on burgers, feel free to add to this recipe, like tomatoes or ketchup, lettuce, etc.

How to Make Vegan Black Bean Burgers with Couscous at Home

*Note that these instructions can be printed below

Step one: Drain and rinse the black beans.

Step two: Add all of the patty ingredients in the food processor and pulse or process on slow until well mixed. 

2 image collage for making the black bean burger patty in a food processor.

Step three: Form the burger patties, using about ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons of the patty dough,and let chill in the fridge for half an hour, on parchment paper, before cooking.

Step four: Cook the burgers on the stove on medium heat for about 5 minutes on each side or until they start to slightly darken, using a little bit of desired oil as needed.

4 image collage for the process of making the burger patties.

Step five:  Assemble the burgers in the hamburger bun with desired toppings and enjoy!

4 image collage for the process of assembling the vegan burger.

How to Serve Burgers made at home.

Serve with all the toppings a regular burger would have!

Such as:

  •  Ketchup
  • Lettuce
  • Sliced Tomatoes
  • Sliced Red Onion 
  • And so much more!

Serve with some homemade fries or potato wedges and a special drink like this blackberry lemonade!

How to Store Homemade Vegan Burgers

Fridge: Save with parchment between each burger in an airtight container for up to 24 hours.

Freezer: This is the best way to save leftovers, freeze them on a tray first, then place them in a freezer safe bag or container. To reheat, you can cook them on the stove again, or simply microwave them in 30 second increments, flipping each time, until they are heated all the way through.

FAQs for Black Bean Burgers

  1. Do I need to cook the black beans before using them?
    1. If starting with dried black beans, yes. If starting with canned black beans, you can, but it’s not necessary; simply drain, rinse, and add to the food processor.
  2. I’m starting with dried couscous and don’t want leftovers, how much dried couscous do I need?
    1. Couscous is like other grains when cooked from dried and follows the 3-2-1 formula. This means if you start with 1 cup of a grain, you add 2 cups of water (or veggie broth), and you get 3 cups of the grain. So, for ¾ cup couscous, start with ¼ dried, add ½ water (or veggie broth), and your result should be around ¾ cup couscous. If you’ve never cooked couscous before, start by boiling the liquid, once boiling add the couscous, cover the pot with a lid and remove from the heat. In about 5 minutes remove the lid and fluff up with a fork, it’ll be done.
  3. I’m cooking for a crowd, can I simply double or triple this recipe for more people?
    1. That depends on how large your food processor is, and even then, doubling the recipe has not been tested. With a 10 cup or smaller food processor, do not double the recipe, there will not be enough space in the food processor to properly process that much food, simply make the patties in batches. 
  4. Can I save leftovers?
    1.   Absolutely! Make the recipe as is, and then save them after they are cooked. If you’re planning on eating them later in the day, saving them in the fridge is fine. If you plan on using them another day, freeze them. To reheat, you can cook them on the stove again, or simply microwave them in 30 second increments, flipping each time, until they are heated all the way through.
  5. Where do I find liquid smoke?
    1. Liquid smoke is actually pretty common and can be found at most grocery stores, at least in the U.S. It will be close to other sauces, like the BBQ sauce you’ll also need. It usually comes in a small bottle, and will last you awhile since you only need a small amount. It is a vital ingredient for helping the burgers taste like actual burgers and not just beans and spices.
1 black bean burger on a wood cutting board with the top bun partially off to show the insides.

More Hearty Vegan Recipes You’ll Love

Black bean burger with veggies on a wood cutting board with fries behind it.

Vegan Black Bean Burger

Shawna Clapper
This beginner friendly black bean burger recipe is easy, delicious, and will help you not feel left out at the next cookout!
No ratings yet
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 5 Burgers
Calories 262 kcal

Equipment

  • food processor
  • Cast Iron Grill Pan, or regular pan
  • Oil for frying

Ingredients
  

Patties:

  • ¾ cup Couscous cooked & packed
  • 1 can Black Beans
  • 2 tablespoon Tomato Paste
  • 3 tablespoon BBQ Sauce
  • 2 teaspoon Liquid Smoke
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ½ cup Breadcrumbs

For Assembling

  • 4-6 Hamburger Buns
  • Ketchup
  • Lettuce
  • Sliced Tomatoes
  • Sliced Red Onion

Instructions
 

  • Drain and rinse the black beans
  • Add all of the patty ingredients in the food processor and pulse or process on slow until well mixed.
  • Form the burger patties, using about ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons of the patty dough,and let chill in the fridge for half an hour, on parchment paper, before cooking.
  • Cook the burgers on the stove on medium heat for about 5 minutes on each side or until they start to slightly darken, using a little bit of desired oil as needed.
  • Assemble the burgers in the hamburger bun with desired toppings and enjoy!

Notes

Use a cast iron grill pan or griddle if you have one!
If you are using cast iron, start heating it up while forming the patties.
To save time, cook more than one patty at a time if you have space on your pan/griddle/grill pan.
The patties freeze well. Reheat in the microwave for about 1 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Nutrition

Calories: 262kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 9gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.4gSodium: 649mgPotassium: 205mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 121IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 83mgIron: 2mg
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