Black Bean Burgers
Updated January 12, 2026
Rachel Vanni for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Spencer Richards.
- Total Time
- 35 to 45 minutes with cooked beans
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
¼ cup dried, stemless porcini mushrooms
2 cups cooked or drained canned black beans
1 teaspoon roughly chopped garlic
¾ cup rolled oats, or more if needed
2 teaspoons smoked paprika or chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Salt and black pepper
Bean-cooking liquid, porcini soaking liquid or water
¼ cup chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons olive oil
Nutritional analysis per serving
16 grams carbs; 118 calories; 3 grams monosaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 4 grams fat; 5 grams fiber; 194 milligrams sodium; 5 grams protein
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
- Step 1
Soak the mushrooms in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes; roughly chop.
- Step 2
Put the mushrooms, beans, garlic, oats, spices and soy sauce in a food processor with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Let the machine run until the mixture is combined, not puréed, about 30 seconds. (Or use a potato masher.) Add oats to thicken, or liquid to thin, as needed.
- Step 3
Stir in the cilantro, and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Step 4
Shape into 4 large or 8 small patties; let them sit for 5 minutes.
- Step 5
Put the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Cook until crisp on one side, about 5 minutes. Flip and cook until the burgers are crisp on the other side, another 5 minutes or so. Serve with the usual fixings.
Private Notes
Comments
Be very careful with this " replace one or two meals a week with meatless alternatives" idea. I did that when I was 27. Within a few years people were demanding that I teach cooking classes. I haven't consumed or served meat in 45 years.
We've been enjoying these black bean burgers for years. Pulse/grind rolled oats before adding to bean mixture. They'll soak up more liquid, won't be as noticeable, and the beans can remain coarser, more "toothsome" when you process them.
Do not need to run food processor for 30 seconds. A few pulses is all that is needed to combine.
Use parsley and chive to replace cilantro.
Save remaining mushroom liquid to make lentils.
The burgers fell apart. I may have diced the peppers, carrots, and onions too finely. I also was a little generous with the bread crumbs. The flavor was OK, but they were not easily eaten as burgers between buns. I was very disappointed because I love black beans dishes. Maybe two eggs would help bind the mixture better also? Costco’s frozen black bean burgers are much better, although I don’t like to eat ultra processed foods.
Excellent taste! I like the black beans courser so I hand mashed them and didn't include them in the ingredients that were combined in food-processor. Rave reviews from friends.
I see the comments about the taste but I’m here to tell you that yes, it’s not special but, it’s easy to make and you have leftovers that are full of veggies, protein etc. The burger on a toasted bun with tomato, bread and butter pickles, mustard, lettuce and anything else you want is what makes these burgers delicious. I paired this with a pan of oven roasted new potatoes with olive oil and good salt. It was wholesome and really good.