These pesto white bean burgers are packed with flavor and perfect for a quick vegetarian meal. Made with simple ingredients and pantry staples, these burgers are so easy to make!

white bean burger
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I love a good veggie burger, especially one that comes together easily — and these pesto white bean burgers check all the boxes. They’re protein-packed, full of flavor, and super satisfying. The best part? You can make the whole recipe in one bowl with just a few simple ingredients. These burgers are great for meal prep, too. They store well and reheat quickly.

Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Cannellini beans: I recommend cannellini beans for this recipe but you can substitute with Great Northern Beans, which have a similar flavor and texture.
  • Pesto: Store-bought or homemade works just fine. You can make this parsley pesto or basil walnut pesto if you’d like to try a homemade version.
  • Lemon juice: Adds brightness and balances the richness of the pesto.
  • Eggs: Helps bind the mixture together. You can try a flax egg if you want to make it vegan, though the texture will be softer.
  • Panko crumbs: These help hold everything together and give the burgers structure. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed.
  • Salt: Use just enough to balance the flavors.
  • Avocado oil: I used avocado oil, but you can use olive oil or another neutral oil for pan-frying.

What Do Cannellini Beans Taste Like?

Cannellini beans have a subtle, slightly nutty flavor and a smooth, creamy texture. They are softer than most other beans, which makes them unique. If you can’t find cannellini beans, you can substitute with great northern beans or navy beans, which have similar textures and flavors.

What’s the difference between panko crumbs and bread crumbs?

Panko crumbs are made from white bread with the crusts removed. They’re processed into flakes and then dried. Panko crumbs tend to absorb oil more than traditional breadcrumbs, resulting in a crunchier crumb. You can substitute breadcrumbs if that’s all you have, but panko crumbs will give you the best texture.

What to Serve with a White Bean Burger

Try pairing this burger with my garlic sweet potato fries or chipotle sweet potato fries. If you want to enjoy lots of fresh vegetables, pair these burgers with my vegan chopped salad. This burger is also great with a little bit of pesto aioli. You can make it by combining one tablespoon of pesto with two tablespoons of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt.

pesto aioli

More Bean Recipes

If you love these white bean burgers, here are a few more recipes you might enjoy:

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Pesto White Bean Burgers

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  • Author: Liz Thomson
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 patties 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian
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Description

These pesto white bean burgers are packed with flavor and perfect for a quick vegetarian meal. Made with simple ingredients and pantry staples, these burgers are so easy to make!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1/4 cup pesto
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 (15 oz) cans white beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs or panko
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil (or olive oil)

Optional sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon pesto

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together pesto, lemon juice, eggs, and salt.
  2. Add the beans and mash them with a fork, leaving some chunks remaining.
  3. Stir in breadcrumbs until the mixture holds together.
  4. Form into 6 patties. (I used a 1/3 cup measuring cup to scoop the patties.)
  5. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook patties for 5–7 minutes per side, until golden and crispy.
  6. If you want to make a simple aioli, combine two tablespoons of mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt with one tablespoon of pesto. Spread on top of the burgers just before serving.