Chipotle Black Bean Burger

Name: Chipotle Black Bean Burger
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 23 min
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil; 1 scallion, finely chopped; 1 small yellow onion, chopped; 1 small poblano pepper, chopped (about 1/2 cup); 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 15oz can black beans, drained and rinsed; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 cup quick-cooking oats; 2 tablespoon chipotle mayo (recipe below); 1/4 cup vegan mayo (I like “Just” mayo); 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, finely chopped; 1 teaspoon adobo sauce (if desired for extra spice); 1 tablespoon lime juice

Jump To Recipe by Liz December 29, 2020 This post may contain affiliate links.

These chipotle black bean burgers are filled with poblano peppers and adobo sauce for a meatless burger with plenty of spicy flavor!

I’ve enjoyed black bean burgers for years and when I realized I didn’t have a recipe for one on I Heart Vegetables, I knew I had to change that! These black bean burgers are great for an easy meatless meal, and you can double the batch and keep them in the freezer for a meatless meal in a flash!

I wanted to keep these black bean burgers vegan, but it can be challenging to get vegan burgers to hold together properly. The trick? Sautéing out extra liquid and adding a handful of quick-cooking oats. By removing the moisture from the patties, they hold their shape and aren’t mushy. The oats help add bulk and bind them together. The result is a hearty and “meaty” black bean burger with tons of flavor!

Substitution Suggestions

If you don’t have a poblano pepper, feel free to substitute green bell pepper.
If you don’t like things spicy, you can skip the chipotle pepper. If you like it extra spicy, add a teaspoon of the adobo sauce to the mayo mixture!
I like to make these in a cast iron skillet, but you can use a non-stick skillet if you prefer.
Quick-cooking oats are a finer texture than rolled oats. If you only have rolled oats, run them through the food processor for 20-30 seconds to chop them into smaller pieces.

How to Make Chipotle Black Bean Burgers

Start by cooking down the scallion, onion, pepper, and black beans. This helps reduce the moisture in the beans, so the end result isn’t mushy.

Add the spices and garlic and continue to cook until fragrant. Your beans will start to smell amazing!

Let the mixture cool slightly, then transfer to a food processor. Add 2 tablespoons of the chipotle mayo mixture (this adds a ton of flavor) and 1/4 cup of quick cooking oats.

Shape the mixture into 4 large patties. You’ll want them to be about 3/4″ thick.

Cook in a cast iron skillet until the outside is crispy. Add to a bun and top with chipotle mayo and any other toppings you like.

Burger Topping Ideas

I love the chipotle mayo on this burger, but if you’re looking for additional topping ideas, here are a few of my favorites:

Avocado
Romaine lettuce
Red onion
Tomato or Tomato Jam
Crispy fried onions
Pickles

The Best Bun for a Veggie Burger

There are a few different types of burger buns, but I recommend using a sesame seed bun or a potato bun. Sesame seed buns are easy to find and they’re usually sturdy enough to hold a large veggie burger patty. Potato buns are also a great option. They can help soak up any extra moisture which is good if you like a lot of juicy toppings like tomatoes or pickles.

How to Toast a Burger Bun

If you like your burger bun toasted, you can toast them in the oven or on the grill! In the oven, you’ll want to butter them and broil them for just a minute or two until golden brown. If you want to make them on the grill, remove the burgers and let the buns toast on the warm grates for 30 to 60 seconds.

Black Bean Burger Tips

Black bean burgers can be delicate, so I recommend preparing these on the stovetop rather than the grill. If you do want to prepare them on the grill, place foil on the grill and spray with olive oil or non-stick spray.

When adding toppings, watch out for excess moisture. Dry lettuce thoroughly by placing it in a salad spinner or patting it dry with a paper towel. If pickles or tomatoes are extra juicy, blot the excess moisture with a paper towel.

Make-Ahead Tips

These burgers can be made up to 3 days in advance. Just shape the patties and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. For longer storage, you can freeze the patties. I recommend placing parchment paper in between, so they don’t stick together. Frozen burgers will require additional cooking time. I recommend letting them thaw in the fridge overnight, then cooking in a skillet as directed.