If you’ve been looking for a homemade veggie burger that’s packed with flavor and won’t fall apart as soon as it touches the grill, these Black Bean Walnut Burgers are it! Say goodbye to mushy bean burgers, and say hello to your new favorite veggie burger! These burgers are grill-able, freezer-friendly, and totally reliant on easy pantry staples.
Table of Contents
These Are the Best Black Bean Burgers EVER
At last! A vegetarian burger recipe that uses simple ingredients, is easy to make, and doesn’t fall apart on the grill!
I was a vegetarian for 6 years, so I’ve eaten my fair share of terrible veggie burgers. If you’ve ever come face to face with a mushy veggie burger, you know they can be absolutely awful.
While these burgers aren’t mushy, they don’t fall apart either which is the other kiss of death for a veggie burger. They’re the perfect balance of meaty texture without feeling dry. They’re also packed with tons of flavor from a bit of liquid smoke, tomato paste, dijon mustard, and key spices.
If you’re looking to switch it up on occasion from eating a regular beef burger, these are a great plant-based option to rotate in. I’m always looking for ways to incorporate more plant-based eating into my diet and these black bean walnut burgers make it easy!
Helpful Cooking Tools
The Key Ingredients You’ll Need
You can find the full list of ingredients, quantities, and method in the recipe card at the end of the page.
- Canned beans. Black beans are classic here but you could swap in pinto beans or white beans if that’s what you have. Black beans add flavor and lean protein and fiber to the burgers!
- Walnuts. Walnuts are the secret ingredient to a satisfying texture that mimics meat. They also add heart-healthy omega 3 fats!
- Old-Fashioned Oats. Rather than use breadcrumbs like other recipes, I found that oats are great for adding some extra bulk to the burgers (plus it keeps them gluten-free).
- Spices. Dehydrated onion and garlic add a bunch of flavor without adding extra moisture. Paprika and store-bought steak seasoning add lots of umami without having to add a ton of different spices.
- Liquid smoke. This is an optional ingredient, but a little bit of smoky flavor makes the burgers extra satisfying.
- Wet Ingredients. Egg, mayonnaise, tomato paste, and dijon all act as flavorful binders. Vegans, swap in your favorite vegan mayo and egg replacer to make these black bean walnut burgers vegan.
An Overview of the Grilling Process
- Toast up the beans and walnuts. Toasting the beans and walnuts is an essential step. It not only gives them flavor, but keeps the finished burgers from feeling mushy because you dried the beans out a bit.
- Pulse the oats. While the beans and walnuts cool, pulse the oats in a food processor until they’re close to a flour-like consistency. It’s okay if there are still some pieces!
- Pulse the beans and walnuts. You’re looking for the texture to be somewhat homogenous without large chunks of oats, beans, or walnuts.
- Mix the burgers. Whisk the wet ingredients together in a mixing bowl and then fold in the bean mixture from the food processor. Once the mixture holds together, form them into patties and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Fire up the grill! Since the burgers are already cooked, you’re just looking to warm them through. Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and grill for 4-5 minutes per side. Throw them on a bun with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Jenny’s Tip: Shaping the Burgers Correctly Is What Prevents Them From Falling Apart
The shaping process is important to make sure the burgers don’t fall apart on the grill. You want to make sure they’re tightly formed into pucks — this is how you keep the black bean burgers from falling apart or crumbling as they cook.
Start by dividing the mixture into four equal portions. This recipe makes enough for 4 burgers, so it’s easiest to start by dividing the burgers into 4 portions. Roll the mixture into a tight ball.
Press each ball into a 1-inch thick patty. Use your hands to press them into patties, keeping the mixture really tightly formed. If they crack a little, just use your fingers to press the mixture back together.
Toppings and Side Dish Suggestions
You already know that I’m a huge toppings girl, so here are some of my favorite veggie burger toppings:
- Cheese. I love throwing some melty cheese onto a walnut bean burger! My favorites are pepper-jack and havarti, but use whatever you love.
- Lettuce. Butter leaf lettuce or shredded iceberg lettuce are my go-to’s!
- Veggies. Load up your burger with the classics: sliced tomato, sliced onion, and lots of pickles. You could also go for grilled/caramelized onions or quick pickled red onions!
- Condiments. I’m always a huge fan of burger sauce, but ketchup, mustard, or mayo would all be great choices. You could also mix it up with some Carolina gold bbq sauce! You could also whip up a batch of 5-ingredient guacamole and slather it on!
Once you’ve got your buns toasted and your toppings ready to go, all you need is a batch of sumac fries or sweet potato fries to serve with your veggie burgers! I also love pairing these burgers with lemon dill potato salad and grilled vegetable pasta salad.
If you do give this recipe a try, be sure to let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. Be sure to subscribe to my weekly newsletter and never miss a new recipe! You can also snap a photo & tag @JENNYGOYCOCHEA on Instagram. I LOVE hearing about & seeing your SMF creations!
More Vegetarian Summer Dinner Ideas
This post contains affiliate links from which I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links allow me to keep providing great recipes for free and I never recommend products that I don’t love and personally own.
Grill-able Black Bean Walnut Veggie Burgers
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup walnut halves
- 15 oz canned black beans , drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons dehydrated onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons steak seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- burger buns, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and toppings as desired
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Toast the beans and walnuts. In a mixing bowl, toss the walnuts and black beans with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Spread them in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. Remove and let cool.
- Pulse to mince. While the beans and walnuts cool, pulse the oats in a food processor until finely minced. Add the cooled black beans and walnuts and pulse until no large pieces remain.
- Make the burger mixture. In the same bowl you used to toss the walnuts and beans, whisk together the remaining ingredients including the spices, salt, and pepper. Fold the black bean mixture into the wet ingredients until well-mixed.
- Shape the patties. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into tight patties. Transfer to a plate and refrigerate for 20 minutes. (Shaping the patties into very compact pucks is what prevents them from falling apart on the grill.)
- Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. If grilling outdoors, clean and oil the grill grates really well. Grill the burgers for 4-5 minutes per side, until warmed through with grill marks.
- Assemble. Place the burgers on toasted buns with your desired sauces and toppings, then serve.
Storage & Make-Ahead Instructions
- Make-ahead option: Store the shaped burger patties in an airtight container, separating them with a piece of wax or parchment paper. Refrigerate for up to 5 days. When you’d like to make your black bean burgers, simply preheat the grill and cook them off.Alternately, you can freeze them on a baking sheet in a single layer and then transfer to a freezer-safe ziplock bag. You can freeze them for up to 3 months. Simply defrost them overnight in the fridge and grill according to instructions.
Nutrition
You might also like...
-
30 Minute Meals Juicy Chicken Burgers
-
30 Minute Meals Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
-
30 Minute Meals Shrimp Tacos with Slaw
Rate & Review This Recipe
No comments yet — be the first to rate and review!