There are two kinds of burgers I like to eat; Turkey and Black Bean. Not that I won’t eat a juicy beef burger but these two varieties are always in my freezer. I make my own Turkey Burgers and see also Cobb Turkey Burgers but I have still been eating Morningstar Spicy Black Bean Burgers instead of making my own. I have been experimenting with different recipes and finally found one I could work with.
This recipe is adapted from America’s Test Kitchen “The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook”. After trying a burger on a bed of lettuce I decided they needed more of a kick and added one of my jalapeno peppers from my garden and remixed it. The other change I made was to substitute parsley for the cilantro and add a little Sriracha sauce. I grow my own parsley but not cilantro so I never seem to have any on hand. I like my black bean burgers spicy.
You can either used regular canned beans, seasoned black beans or dried black beans. The seasoned beans have chili pepper, garlic and onion powder, tomato paste, a little sugar, cumin and a few other ingredients. I will try making the burgers with these beans next and I have a feeling I will prefer these in my black bean burgers!
Homemade Black Bean Burgers, Adapted
- 2 (15 oz.) cans black beans, rinsed, or you could use dried and soak them overnight
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. ground cumin (love this spice)
- salt to taste
- 1/8 – 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
- a tsp. or two Sriracha sauce
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 small red pepper, stemmed, seeded and chopped
- 1 jalapeno, minced (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, minced (or cilantro)
- 1-2 shallots, minced
Place 2-1/2 cups of the drained beans in a large bowl and mash until almost smooth. Do not over mix or they could have a mealy texture. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, cumin, salt and cayenne. Add the remaining ingredients, including the whole leftover beans and mix just until combined. Divide into 6 patties, 1-inch thick.
Heat a little oil or use a non-stick spray until hot. Cook, until browned and heated through on both sides over medium heat, about 5 minutes or so per side.
Serve these over a bed of lettuce with your favorite toppings such as avocado and red onion slices. They are also delicious in a whole wheat bun with condiments such as lettuce or sprouts, red onion slices, fresh tomato slices, slice of cheddar, melted, and a little horseradish mustard. Sriracha mayonnaise would be another good choice or ancho mayonnaise below:
Ancho Mayonnaise:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp. ancho chile powder
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 1 tap. paprika
- 1 tsp. black pepper
Combine the above ingredients.
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com





These burgers look delicious! I’ve never made my own so will love trying this recipe.
Thanks Julie – I like black beans a lot and this is one way to get them in my diet 🙂
Me too and I am sure I will love this recipe too! I actually get to go to pie school today Judi! I’m so excited!
You do like your burgers spicy 😉 they look fab!!!
Only 1-2 tsp. Sriracha not 1-2 tbsp – oops!
I did wonder!!
They look so good, Judi! 🙂
Thanks Linda – it’s a very flexible recipe that can be seasoned to your taste!
Wow! You always make me hungry
Good – thanks 🙂
Very nice recipe Judi. Never tried making a black bean burger before. Will book mark this one👍
Thanks so much Ana – I’m sure I will continue to experiment with the ingredients 🙂
What a wonderful and healthy spin on the regular burger. Love black beans myself and use them quite a bit. I’ll have to try these, I’m amazed that they stayed together so well when you pan fried them. Great job Judi!
Thanks Loretta – eggs are always a good binder to keep ingredients together 🙂
oh this brings back memories… my husband was vegetarian for about ten years and so during that time i made every possible bean burger recipe for him. i really need to make them again because they’re so good! And fun to make! Yours look wonderful.
Thanks – They are good Mimi, so easy to make and healthy too! Would love to see some of your creations 🙂
Wow black bean burgers are my favorite and this looks perfect Aunt Juju… yummm
Thanks Chitra – I make all kinds of recipes with black beans as I love them too 🙂
Delicious! I love a good veggie burger 🙂
Thanks – so do I Sarah 🙂
I don’t know if I actually like black beans (never had some before), but your burger is making me feel hugry so that’s definitely a good thing! 😀 It looks great 🙂 Happy Fiesta!
It’s what you do with the beans to make them taste good. At least it is a healthy recipe – Happy Fiesta Friday 🙂
Aunt Juju, this burger looks delicious. I loved the sound of your modifications too. I love the kick of the jalapeño, and I have a weak spot for cilantro.
Thank you so much for bringing these to the fiesta this week! Happy FF, and have a fabulous weekend!! 🙂
Thanks Kaila – that’s why I decided to make my own so they could be made to my taste. Happy Fiesta Friday and what a beautiful weekend here in Michigan. Hope you are having great weather too 🙂
These look delicious. I think I am with you on black bean burgers being a bit spicy – it must be something about black beans, I can hardly imagine them without a bit of spice with them!
Thanks Caroline – I like to “kick up” black beans with all kinds of spices/herbs, onions and chilies 🙂
This sounds very different and looks so appealing! Nice innovative recipe!
Thanks so much – these are good black bean burgers and much better than the frozen ones I use to buy 🙂
I have never made something like this and my daughter in law in a vegetarian so maybe I can give it a try and make it work , looks good