black bean burger30minwfpb_5124 (3)

Quick and Easy Whole Food Black Bean Burger

Burgers were a HUGE hang-up for me when I started exploring my transition to plant-based/vegan eating. I love a juicy and messy burger; add fries and a cold IPA, and that is the perfect meal (at least it was). Finding a quick and easy veggie burger was always the goal. With every recipe I tried, I was looking for taste and texture. Through all that research and veggie and bean burger testing… this incredibly quick and easy whole-food Black Bean Burger was born! Enjoy! 

 

Veggie Burger on white bun with lettuce, pickles, and burger sauce.

Veggie Burger Made into a Plant-Based Big Mac

3 Keys to a Perfect Veggie Burger

  1. Don’t overprocess it! If the mixture becomes too mushy in the food processor, it will yield a mushy burger.
  2. Taste. Use familiar flavors for the taste: onion powder, garlic, sauces, etc.  
  3. Texture. Alongside the minimal processing, cook it – either baked or griddled – to get that crisp or charred edging. YUM! 

*Some links below may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Whole-Food Plant-Based Black Bean Burger

Source: The 30-Minute Whole-Food, Plant-Based Cookbook by Kathy A. Davis

Whole Food Plant Based Black Bean Burger

Whole Food Plant Based Black Bean Burger

Yield: 4 burgers

Finally, a hearty WFPB burger that is moist when cooked yet won’t fall apart. Creamy black beans and oats meld to create the perfect texture when baked. Miso and nutritional yeast round out the flavors, adding up to a rich and savory burger patty. These burgers are delicious served on a bun with all the classic fixings: lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, mustard, and ketchup

Ingredients

  • 1 (15-ounce can) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/2 cup oats
  • 1/4 cup hemp hearts
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 tablespoon miso
  • 1 tablespoon tahini
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 4 100% whole-grain burger buns
  • Burger toppings of choice

Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    2. In a food processor, pulse beans, carrots, oats, hemp hearts, nutritional yeast, miso, tahini, onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, until just combined, about 20 pulses (don’t over process, the mixture should be textured).
    3. Using the mixture, form 4 (3-inch) diameter, 1/2-inch thick patties.
    4. Place patties on prepared baking sheet and place in 350°F oven.
    5. Bake for 10 minutes, flip the burgers, and then bake an additional 10 minutes until burgers are golden brown and the edges are slightly crispy.
    6. Serve with your favorite burger toppings.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 492Total Fat: 18gNet Carbohydrates: 57.7gFiber: 15.8gProtein: 28.4g
© Kathy Davis

The Ingredients

Carrots

I’ve had a few folks ask about why carrots, and I love using carrots because when they are grated or shredded, they have a beautiful and juicy flavor, AND they give the burger that hint of reddish-orange that can trick the brain into thinking it is a meaty color.. 

Hemp Hearts

Adding hemp hearts ups the nutrient density and adds a bit of nutty flavor without the hardness of a seed (or the juicy texture that a chia seed can add). Grab yours from Foods Alive (with your Nutritional Yeast!) 

Oats

A glorious binder that is gluten-free and whole grain (and is in almost every kitchen). 

Tahini

The stickiness of tahini helps hold the burgers together, and sesame seeds pack a nutrient punch. Grab some Soom Tahini from Amazon. 

Nutritional Yeast

Umami, Umami, Umami! Adding nutritional yeast gives these burgers a buttery-rich flavor. Adding that umami sense without using browned butter or cooking it in butter. 

We love to order our Hemp Hearts and Nutritional Yeast from Foods Alive. Their products are clean and wholesome. Save with code: veginspired2024. 

 

Toppings & Eating the Perfect Whole Food Burger

veggie burger in a wrap with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, ketchup and mustard

I love to enjoy my black bean burger on Dave’s Killer Bread Buns or Ezekiel English Muffins or a wrap. While made with black beans, these burgers still have a fairly neutral burger flavor, so pairing them with traditional toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup & mustard is perfect. 

But you can also use them to make a mean Vegan Big Mac Style Burger with a burger sauce, shredded lettuce, onions, and pickles. Pro Tip: steam your bun for that nostalgic fast food vibe. 

Other toppings that can be paired with these burgers (not necessarily all together)are cashew cheese, avocado, hummus, roasted red peppers, guacamole, salsa, cashew aioli, kale salad, or BBQ and grilled onions! YUM! 

Are you on Social?

Watch me whip up this recipe here. And if you make these, I invite you to tag @veginspired on Instagram or Facebook.

 

Enjoy these tasty burgers any way you like! 

veggie burger on bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, and mustard and served with a spinach salad.