Black Bean Burgers

How to Make Black Bean Burgers

Tap a step to highlight it, or turn on Cook Mode for large type and step-by-step focus.

1. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat, add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft. Add the garlic, cumin, paprika and chilli powder and cook for 1 minute, then stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute more. Tip into a large bowl to cool for 5 minutes.

   Mark done Start 5 min timer

2. Add the beans and mash roughly with a fork or potato masher, leaving about a third of them whole.

   Mark done

3. Stir in the soy sauce, oat flour, panko, coriander, flaxseed mixture and salt. Mix until the mixture holds together when squeezed, adding another spoonful of oats if it seems wet.

   Mark done

4. Shape into 4 patties about 10 cm across and 2 cm thick, pressing firmly. Put them on a plate and chill for 20 minutes.

   Mark done Start 20 min timer

5. Heat the vegetable oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Cook the patties for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, turning once with a wide spatula, until crisp and browned and heated through.

   Mark done Start 4 min timer

6. Toast the buns, then assemble the burgers with lettuce, tomato, avocado and pickles.

   Mark done

Tips for Making Black Bean Burgers

• Leave part of the beans whole. Mashing them all makes a paste, and the whole beans give the burger its texture.
• Do not skip the chill. It lets the oats absorb the moisture and firms the patties, which is what stops them breaking when you turn them.
• Turn each patty only once, and only when the crust has formed. If it sticks, it is not ready to be moved.

Common Substitutions & Variations

• Panko gives the crunchiest crust here, but ordinary dried breadcrumbs will still fry crisp if that's what's in the cupboard.
• An eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder per clove is the usual stand-in when you are out of fresh garlic — it will not caramelise the same way, but it carries the flavour.

What to Serve with Black Bean Burgers

• Sweet potato fries
• Coleslaw
• Sliced avocado

Storing & Reheating Black Bean Burgers

The uncooked patties keep in the fridge for up to 2 days, and cooked burgers keep for up to 4 days and reheat well in a pan or oven. They freeze for up to 3 months, cooked or uncooked, separated by baking paper.

Black Bean Burgers FAQ: Common Questions

Black Bean Burgers Nutrition

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.