Best Veggie Burger

This really is the best veggie burger I’ve ever had and the taste is so much better than store-bought! Hearty and delicious thanks to a meaty mix of black beans, vegetables and whole grains. Budget friendly, too!

These vegan burgers won’t fall apart and are easy to pan-fry, grill, bake or air fry. If you love bean and veggie burgers as much as I do, make sure to check out my Chickpea Burgers and Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers.

You’ll forget all about bland or crumbly vegan burgers after trying the Best Veggie Burger! Made with hearty black beans, brown rice, and vegetables, every bite tastes deliciously hearty and satisfying. Even meat eaters will love these plant based burgers!

To claim the title of “best veggie burger”, the patties needs to:

• Be easy to make without too many (or any) complicated ingredients.
• Have a ton of savory and meaty flavors.
• Hold together while they cook, whether that’s in a skillet, on the grill, or in the air fryer.

This recipe checks all of the boxes – that’s why they’re the best veggie burgers!

Make your backyard BBQ complete with Kebabs, Tempeh Ribs, Baked Beans and Watermelon Feta Salad.

If you truly want a burger that tastes just like real beef, I’d go for an Impossible or Beyond burger instead. This recipe isn’t pretending to be meat, instead we’re celebrating how delicious veggies and beans can be as a burger!

Ingredients needed (with substitutions)

• Ground flax – Once it’s mixed with water, ground flaxseed takes on the same consistency as real eggs. They bind the meaty mixture together and help prevent the patties from falling apart. If you don’t have ground flax at home, use chia seeds instead or replace the flax eggs with another egg substitute, like Just Egg or Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer.
• Water
• Black beans – Mashed black beans are responsible for the black bean burgers’ meaty texture and flavor! Canned black beans are just fine, or you can substitute them for another kind of bean, such as kidney, chickpea, or pinto beans.
• Cashews – Ground cashews give the burgers a nice texture along with a tasty nutty flavor. Almonds work well as a substitute. For nut free, use sunflower seeds or pepitas (no need to chop these first).
• Brown or white rice – Use day-old cooked brown or white rice if possible, it makes the recipe so much easier. Feel free to use cooked quinoa instead.
• Parsley
• Carrots – Shredded, then mixed in with the burgers. They give the burgers more substance, nutrients, and some color, but you can use almost any fresh or pre-cooked veggies you like.
• Green onions – They add a ton of flavor, but you can leave them out or substitute another onion if needed.
• Breadcrumbs – Oats are a great substitute if you don’t have breadcrumbs at home. Keep in mind that oats could make the burgers taste gummy so only use about 1/3 cup. For gluten free, use gluten free breadcrumbs or oats.
• Smoked paprika – I like the black bean burgers with a subtle smoky flavor, which is where the smoked paprika and chili powder come in. Feel free to mix it up with even more spices or check out the Variations section for ideas!
• Chili powder
• Salt

How to make the best veggie burger

Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.

Make the flax eggs by stirring the ground flax and water together in a bowl. Set aside while the mixture thickens.

Next, mash the black beans in a large bowl until most have turned into a paste. Leave some beans whole so the burgers end up with more texture.

Use a food processor to pulse the cashews into crumbs (not powder). Pour them into the bowl with the beans along with the flax eggs and the remaining ingredients. Mix well to combine.

Scoop out about ½ cup of the burger mixture and use clean hands to form it into a patty. Repeat until you have 12 burger patties and have used up all the burger mixture.

Pan fried veggie burgers

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it’s hot, add the patties and pan fry until they’re golden and crispy on both sides.

Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess oil. Assemble the burgers on buns with your favorite toppings, then serve!

Grilling instructions

Pop the assembled burger patties in the fridge to firm up for about 30 minutes. This will keep them from falling apart on the grill grates. Afterward, grill the vegan burgers on a medium-high, oiled grill until crispy on both sides.

Baking instructions

Place the patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then bake in a 350ºF oven for 20 minutes. Flip, then bake for another 15 minutes.

Air fryer instructions

Place 2 burger patties in the air fryer basket (cooking in batches will prevent the burgers from becoming mushy or soft). Air fry the black bean burgers at 400ºF for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes.

Veggie burger topping ideas

These hearty burgers only get better with all of the fixings on top! Consider mixing and matching any of the following sauces/toppings you like:

• Easy Burger Sauce – recipe included! It’s a simple mixture of mayo, ketchup, pickle relish and a few other simple ingredients. Just mix quickly in a bowl; you won’t be sorry!
• Lettuce, spinach, arugula and/or sprouts
• Tomato slices
• Ketchup
• Vegan mayo
• Mustard
• Barbecue sauce
• Grilled onions
• Red onion or pickled red onions
• Vegan cheese slices or easy vegan cheese sauce
• Ranch dressing
• Avocado
• Chipotle sauce
• Pickles

Serving suggestions

There are endless side dishes to choose from but some of the best are Oven Roasted Potato Wedges, Easy Air Fryer Fries, Vegan Potato Salad, Vegan Caesar Salad, or Classic Vegan Coleslaw.

Variations

• Nut free – You can use sunflower seeds or pepitas instead of cashews, or simply omit them altogether.
• Gluten free – Substitute gluten free breadcrumbs, almond flour, or gluten free certified rolled oats (only ⅓ cup) for the regular breadcrumbs.
• Play with the seasonings – Add dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, seasoning salt, nutritional yeast, or cayenne in addition or instead of the paprika and chili powder.
• Use different vegetables – Both fresh and pre-cooked vegetables can be used in this vegan burger recipe. Try diced celery, kale, broccoli, or red onion. As for cooked veggies, try sauteed mushrooms, onions, garlic, shallots, or roasted sweet potatoes.

Make ahead and storing

The best way to make plant based burgers ahead of time is to mix up the burger mixture and form the patties, then keep them covered and in the fridge for 1 to 2 days. I don’t recommend freezing the uncooked burgers.

Once they’re cooked, store the burgers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. They freeze well, too! Just remember to thaw them in the fridge before reheating.

To reheat, either zap the burgers quickly in the microwave or warm them in a skillet on the stovetop.

Want more meaty recipes made with plants?

• Best Vegan Meatballs
• The Best Vegan Meatloaf
• Chickpea Meatballs
• Vegan Sloppy Joes
• Vegan Fried Chicken

*This recipe was posted September 2018 and has been updated with better writing and options. The recipe is unchanged.