These spicy bean burgers are made with black beans and made crispy by switching out breadcrumbs for rolled oats pulsed in the food processor. As a bonus, the oats make these fabulous burgers gluten free.
If you're tight on time, make these black bean burgers ahead of time, and refrigerate overnight. They'll only benefit from the long chill, by holding their shape better.
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We're in BBQ season now, and that always makes me think of burgers. My childhood was full of them, cooked on the outside grill, with a side of these vegan baked beans, and coleslaw. These days, I like to make quinoa potato patties with spinach and these spicy bean burgers.
❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
- These burgers are crispier than other bean burgers (see the below section for the secret to this).
- Since they're spicy bean burgers, they pack a little heat and a lot of zesty flavor.
- Ma
👩🍳 How to make Bean Burgers Crispier
Food isn’t only about flavor for me. It’s also texture. A burger shouldn’t have the texture of mashed potatoes. Know what I’m saying?
Burgers should crumble. The edges should have a little crispy pieces that fall from the patty, fully of intense, savory flavor.
And this black bean burger delivers. The secret ingredient is OATS. Not instant oats, mind you. Old fashioned rolled oats. Grind them up a using a mini food processor and add it to the black bean mixture.
And yes, this works for other kinds of veggie burgers.
🧅 Main Ingredients + Notes
The secret to faster and easier meals often lies in the ingredients. For example, store-bought items and ingredients you make ahead and store in the refrigerator (or freezer) can turn a 60-minute recipe into a 30-minutes meal or less.
For the all of the ingredients, measurements and directions, go to the Recipe Card at the bottom of this post.
- Cauliflower florets
- Rolled oats - not instant oats.
- Cooked black beans - either canned or cooked from dried beans.
- Egg
- Pepper Jack cheese - or other melty cheese of your choice, such as Monterey Jack cheese.
- Scallion
- Jalapeño pepper - or Serrano pepper if you like a little more heat.
- Cilantro - eliminate this or substitute parsley if you don't like cilanto.
- Taco seasoning
- Spicy salsa - use your favorite.
🔪 Recommended Equipment
Having the right equipment for recipes makes prepping soooo much easier. If you want more fuss-free prepping and cooking, check out my updated list of favorite kitchen tools and equipment.
- Chef's knife
- Steamer basket - if you steam the cauliflower on the stove
- Food processor
- Cheese grater
- Wooden spoon
- Large skillet
📝 Instructions Overview
Detailed instructions for making these spicy black bean burgers are in the recipe card below, but here's an overview!
Step 1
Steam the cauliflower. Cut the cauliflower into florets. Steam on the stove, or place in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of water, cover with plastic wrap, and steam in the microwave for 2 minutes.
Step 2
Process the base. Put the oats in a food processor and pulse 5 - 6 times to roughly chop. Add half of the beans and pulse about 10 - 15 times into a coarse paste.
Add the steamed cauliflower, egg, cheese, scallion, jalapeño and cilantro Buzz a few times to mix well.
Transfer to a large bowl.
Step 3
Add the remaining ingredients. Add the remaining beans, taco seasoning and salsa to the bowl. Mix well using your hands or a wooden spoon.
Step 4
Make patties. Form the bean mixture into four patties. It may be easiest to do this if your hands are wet.
Place on a lightly oiled plate, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the burgers set up.
Step 5
Cook. Heat a skillet on medium-high heat until very hot. Add a slick of oil. Cook the burgers until browned with a good crust. Carefully flip, and cook until the burgers feel firm when pressed with a fingertip.
Step 6
Serve. Stack on a hamburger bun with optional toppings.
🎯 Why This Recipe Works
- The pulsed oats give the burgers a crispy crust.
- They hold together pretty well thanks to the egg, the mashed beans, and finely chopped onion, cauliflower and jalapeño. Finely chopped ingredients hold together better than ones that are coarsely chopped. For this reason, I recommend using a food processor.
- Beans are not known for packing a lot of flavor, so the addition of the taco seasoning and salsa adds a ton of zest, making these bean burgers anything but boring.
💡Ideas for Possible Variations
- If you want to lower the heat of these bean burgers, either eliminate the jalapeño pepper or substitute red bell pepper instead.
- Swap out the scallion for 2 tablespoons of red onion.
🤷♀️ Spicy Bean Burgers FAQ
Are bean burgers keto friendly?
No. These black bean burgers have 28.5 grams of carbs from the black beans and oats. I limit myself to 50 carbs a day, so I just need to plan on less carbs elsewhere in my day.
On the other hand, there's excellent fiber (9 grams) in these burgers so they keep my appetite satisfied longer.
How do I keep black bean burgers from falling apart?
An egg acts as a binder, but the other key factor is the size of the ingredients in the burger. Finely chopped ingredients hold together better than ones that are coarsely chopped. For this reason, I recommend using a food processor.
Half of the beans are puréed into a paste with the oats before adding everything else. And the cauliflower is processed into rice sized pieces with the cheese.
Even with all these factors, flip the burgers with some caution with a spatula.
Can I make this dish ahead?
Yes. Make the patties ahead of time, arrange on a lightly oiled plate, and cover tightly before sliding into the refrigerator.
💡 More ideas
Have some extra black beans? Another easy and popular way to use them is in tacos, like these vegetarian Cuban tacos.
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Spicy Bean Burgers (with Mexican Flavors!)
Ingredients
- ½ cup finely chopped cauliflower florets
- ½ cup rolled oats
- 1 can black beans rinsed and drained (1 ½ cups cooked beans)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon Taco Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup finely grated pepper Jack cheese plus more for topping
- 1 large scallion finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced jalapeño pepper
- 2 tablespoons your favorite spicy salsa
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for the plate
- Hamburger buns
Optional Toppings
- Sliced tomato for topping
- Sliced avocado for topping
- Pickled jalapeño peppers
- Lettuce
- Onion
- Cheese
- Pickles
Instructions
- Steam the cauliflower on the stove using a steamer insert, or place in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and steam for 2 minutes in the microwave.
- Put the oats in a food processor and pulse 5 - 6 times to roughly chop. Add half of the beans and pulse about 10 - 15 times into a coarse paste.Add the egg, seasoning, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt. Buzz a few times to mix well, about 1 minute.Transfer to a large bowl.
- Add the steamed cauliflower, cheese, remaining beans, scallion, pepper, salsa and cilantro. Mix well using your hands or a wooden spoon.
- With wet hands, form the bean mixture into four patties. Place on a lightly oiled plate, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the burgers set up.If you want to make these ahead, refrigerate overnight.
- Heat a skillet on high heat until very hot. Add a slick of oil. Cook the burgers until browned with a good crust, for about 2 - 3 minutes. Carefully flip and cook until the burgers feel firm when pressed with a fingertip. This should take another 3 - 5 minutes.
- Serve on a hamburger bun with optional toppings.
Coreoposis
How do you cook the cauliflower?
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I cut up the amount I need from the florets and smaller stalks, place it in a bowl with a little water, cover with plastic, and microwave for 2 minutes. And then I drain it. Since it's being mixed in, it doesn't matter how you cook it. You can roast it if you prefer, but I was going for speed. Thanks so much for your question - I'll add this to the recipe!
lizthechef
Totally agree with you about the needy for texture and crisp-ness!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Liz! I wasn't thinking and accidentally scheduled this to post last night before I loaded the photos and Food Network links. All done now, but yes, texture and crisp-ness is key for me too.
Rita
YUMM! By "southwest" seasoning, you mean something like chili powder? or...
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Argh. I was in a rush to get this done on time and meant to go back and specify. I'll do it right now. It's a Spicely spice that's called Southwest Seasoning. I get it at Whole Foods in those little boxes. THANKS!!!
tanya
I am craving a burger today. I can't wait to put this on my menu.
Katie @Dishin & Dishes
This looks delicious! I LOVE black beans and black bean burgers and am intrigued by the addition of cauliflower!
cheri
Hi Susan, always looking for a good veggie burger, will definitely be trying this, after all it has the Carnivorous Maximus seal of approval. Take care!
Rosemary Mark
When to my surprise my carnevorous maximus suggested veggie burgers for 4th of July I remembered your recipe. Was just the inspiration I needed to make a version with broccoli (didn't have cauliflower), and a few other variations (can I ever follow a recipe?) -- it was great!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I love this, Rosemary!! I can't believe he suggested veggie burgers!!!! I'm so glad you liked it - and I can never follow a recipe either 🙂