This Easy Grillable Quinoa Black Bean Veggie Burger recipe contains simple, nutritious plant-based ingredients and is perfectly spiced for ideal flavor. Simply mash and stir everything together without ever getting out your food processor. The patties are sturdy and get super crispy on the outside when grilled, but can also be cooked on the stovetop. Either way, they are ready in a flash and mega delicious!
This easy grillable veggie burger truly amazes me. They somehow look, feel and taste so close to the real deal, and yet they are mostly just a mixture of canned black beans and quinoa.
Oat flour helps it stay sturdy and maple syrup provides a slight, naturally sweet flavor to balance out the dried spices that are recommended. This truly is a pantry-friendly recipe since all you need are the canned black beans, quinoa, oats, maple syrup and dried spices.
It can be prepped in less than five minutes if you meal prep your quinoa ahead of time. These burgers are 100% vegan and gluten-free.
I love the flavor the grill offers to these veggie burgers. It makes them feel more authentic for those who are used to eating meat-based burgers. They are beyond satisfying when they are sandwiched between burger buns (or "lettuce buns") and layered with your favorite burger condiments and fresh toppings like avocado, red onion, tomato and lettuce.
I also love them on their own with a grilled vegetable grain bowl and vegan tzatziki sauce, jalapeno chimichurri sauce or this easy creamy tahini sauce.
Ingredients
These burger come together with clean, whole ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry.
- Black beans
- Quinoa (cooked using stovetop method or Instant Pot method)
- Oat flour
- Maple syrup
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Ground black pepper
- Dairy-free feta crumbles (optional)
Instructions
- Mash the black beans. Add black beans to a medium-sized mixing bowl and mash well using a potato masher or fork until no whole beans remain.
- Mix in the remaining ingredients. Add quinoa, oats, maple syrup and spices to the bowl and stir well with a spoon to combine. The mixture will appear dry at first, but if you use the back of your spoon to mash the black beans into the drier ingredients it will start to come together. Mix until no dry ingredient is visible.
- Form the burger patties. Divide the mixture into 4 even portions and form into burger patties (about 3-inch diameter with 1-inch thickness).
- Cook the patties.
- Stovetop: If using the stovetop, heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat and add 1-2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add the patties and cook on each side for 5 minutes until golden brown.
- Grill: If using the grill, preheat the grill to 375˚F (medium heat). Lightly brush both sides of the patties with extra virgin olive oil and place directly on the grill. Cook for 10 minutes per side until grill marks can be seen and the outside is slightly charred.
Tips for Making Quinoa Black Bean Veggie Burgers
- Use a measuring cup or lid of a jar to form the patties into even sizes every time. Simply stuff the mixture into the cup, then flip onto a plate.
- Vary up your fixings! The same burger can taste brand new and completely different when served with tzatziki one day and guacamole the next. Have fun with it!
Storage
Store leftover burgers in an airtight container for up to one week in the refrigerator.
These burgers can also be frozen. Separate each burger with parchment paper so they don't stick together when frozen. When you are ready to eat, let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours before reheating.
All About Quinoa
Quinoa is one of my favorite pantry staples. It is light, absorbs flavor wonderfully and adds great texture to these veggie burgers. I love that's it's so easy to prepare and offers such amazing health benefits.
Quinoa is loaded with fiber (one serving has over five grams) and is considered a complete source of protein with all nine essential amino acids. This makes it a great source of plant-based protein for vegans. In fact, it has more protein than any other grain. Quinoa is a good source of folate, magnesium, iron, phosphorus and many phytochemicals. It also offers important minerals such as calcium, potassium, copper and zinc.
In this recipe I use white quinoa. You can cook it on the stovetop or in a pressure cooker. I prefer the pressure cooker method because it is completely hands off. Both methods produce perfectly fluffy quinoa that is not soggy or burnt.
I typically make a batch once a week (2 cups uncooked = 6 cups cooked) so that I can use it in recipes throughout the week.
All About Black Beans
Black beans are considered a legume and part of both the protein and vegetable group. They provide plant-based protein, dietary fiber and important nutrients such as iron and zinc. I love their texture when mashed and they absorb flavor well. See my complete guide on Black Beans Benefits for Vegans (+ Recipes) for everything you need to know about black beans!
Serving the Veggie Burger
Serve on a lettuce bun or toasted whole wheat burger bun with my homemade honey mustard sauce, ketchup, lettuce, tomato and red onions. I also love to add sliced avocado and grilled red onions to my burgers. Serve with grilled veggies, grilled sweet potato fries, my favorite potato salad, pasta salad, coleslaw or purple cabbage.
And follow it up with my no-churn easy vegan vanilla ice cream (made in your blender)!
Looking for More Quinoa Recipes?
These are my most popular vegan and gluten-free recipes with quinoa:
- Mango-Avocado Quinoa Salad with Toasted Pepitas
- Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
- Crispy Quinoa Falafel Bowls
- Roasted Veggies & Crispy Chickpeas over Quinoa with Garlic Maple Tahini Drizzle
- Roasted Beet Noodles Over Quinoa with Parsley Pesto
- Quick & Easy One-Pot Curried Quinoa & Chickpeas
- Crispy Quinoa and Avocado Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette
- One-Pot Sweet & Spiced Quinoa Lentil Salad
- Berry-Cherry Quinoa Salad with Candied Walnuts and Balsamic-Shallot Vinaigrette
Additional Vegan Burger Recipes
Easy Grillable Quinoa Black Bean Veggie Burger
- Total Time: 25
- Yield: 4 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Easy Grillable Quinoa Black Bean Veggie Burgers contain simple, nutritious plant-based ingredients and are perfectly spiced for ideal flavor. Simply mash and stir everything together without ever getting out your food processor. The patties are sturdy and get super crispy on the outside when grilled, but can also be cooked on the stovetop. Either way, they are ready in a flash and mega delicious!
Ingredients
For the veggie burgers
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained, rinsed, patted dry
- 1 cup packed cooked quinoa (cook the quinoa via this stovetop method or this Instant Pot method)
- ¼ cup oat flour
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3-ounces dairy-free feta crumbles (optional)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil for grilling
Serve with:
- tomato slices
- red onion slices
- lettuce
- avocado
- microgreens
- vegan tzatziki sauce or vegan honey mustard sauce
Instructions
- Mash the black beans. Add black beans to a medium-sized mixing bowl and mash well using a potato masher or fork until no whole beans remain.
- Mix in the remaining ingredients. Add quinoa, oats, maple syrup and spices to the bowl and stir well with a spoon to combine. The mixture will appear dry at first, but if you use the back of your spoon to mash the black beans into the drier ingredients it will start to come together. Mix until no dry ingredient is visible.
- Form the burger patties. Divide the mixture into 4 even portions and form into burger patties (about 3-inch diameter with 1-inch thickness).
- Cook the patties.
- Stovetop: If using the stovetop, heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat and add 1-2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add the patties and cook on each side for 5 minutes until golden brown.
- Grill: If using the grill, preheat the grill to 375˚F (medium heat). Lightly brush both sides of the patties with extra virgin olive oil and place directly on the grill. Cook for 10 minutes per side until grill marks can be seen and the outside is slightly charred.
Notes
Since these are veggie burgers, you are cooking to warm them through but also to introduce flavor. Either method (stovetop or grill) works, but each method produces a different texture and flavor.
Store leftover burgers in an airtight container for up to one week in the refrigerator.
These burgers can also be frozen. Separate each burger with parchment paper so they don't stick together when frozen. When you are ready to eat, let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours before reheating.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Entree
- Method: Grill
Keywords: Grillable Quinoa Black Bean Veggie Burger
Allie Lanier says
What type of bun did you use for this veggie burger?! It looks delicious and I can't wait to make it!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Allie! It is a Dave's Killer Bread bun. I bought it at Costco but they also sell at Whole Foods and Sprouts I believe.
Jodi says
Loved these!!! Can't wait to make again!!!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much for letting me know! So happy to hear you loved them! We make them a couple times every month because they are so easy and healthy!
Cressie DeRose says
I liked putting mustard on these for a nice contrast in flavor.
Elaine Gordon says
Love it! I'm a huge mustard fan myself. Have you tried my easy 3-Ingredient Homemade Vegan Honey Mustard Sauce? It is a must and pairs well with this burger as well! https://www.eatingbyelaine.com/three-ingredient-vegan-homemade-honey-mustard-sauce/
Danielle Green says
These were absolutely delicious!!! Thank u!!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Danielle! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed them so much. Thank you for the five star review! Best, Elaine
Diana says
Wow wow wow wow wow!!!! I absolutely love this burger! The crust is so perfectly crispy and the inside is soft but not mushy. Of course I added the feta and the combination of flavors is terrific! I like a fake meat burger every now and again but there’s nothing like a veggie burger! 100% will make again and again!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you SO much, Diana! I appreciate this detailed and thoughtful review! It means a lot. I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed this one and plan to make it again! Best, Elaine
Alicia says
Made these for dinner last night and they were so good! I was also in shock because my 9 year old who is very particular about food took a bite and announced that he loved it. This never happens with him and new foods! We did have trouble with the patties staying together so I need to figure out what I may have done wrong with that part as it made it quite messy to eat. Otherwise, they were great and we definitely plan on making again.
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Alicia! I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed them and thrilled that they were a hit with your 9 year old! Such a huge win! Maybe it was the spice mix in which case you could use it on many things! In terms of the patties staying together my guess is that the black beans were not mashed up enough. They really are the binder that helps the patties hold their shape. Please let me know if you think that might be it or if maybe there was another factor. Did you do the stovetop method or the grill?
Marta says
Made these tonight for dinner and my husband and I loved them! Thank you for the delicious, easy, and healthy recipe!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Marta! I'm so happy to hear you and your husband both enjoyed these! Thank you for the five star review. We are making tonight for dinner actually. Best, Elaine
Christine Rizk says
I recently made these black bean quinoa burgers and they were absolutely delicious! Thanks Elaine for your amazing recipes!!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Christine! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed this one. Best, Elaine