Vegan Black Bean Burgers
Vegan Black Bean Burgers
I have been making these vegan black bean burgers for many years, and they are my go-to burgers to serve for family events. This is one of the best vegan burger recipes I’ve had, and also is our readers’ favorite.
I decided to update the photo, since I made some just in time for the 4th of July. This recipe is no-fail, they don’t fall apart, and can even be grilled.
This is an easy vegan burger recipe with simple ingredients that you more than likely already have in your pantry, and you can also easily substitute anything missing with ingredients you have available. See more of my tips below!
This vegan burger recipe is also gluten-free. I used Little Northern Bakehouse Millet And Chia Seeds Gluten-Free Hamburger Buns to eat with my burgers.
My burgers can be made in larger quantities, and they freeze well. Also, try my homemade Vegan Mayo Recipe as a topping.
These burgers are delicious served with my flavorful Baked Jicama Fries or Oven Baked Potato Wedges.

What Is Bragg’s Liquid Aminos?
Liquid aminos, like soy sauce or tamari, is made with soybeans. It adds the “umami” or savory flavor profile that is essential to adding depth for many recipes. I also use it in place of some salt, since it not only adds saltiness but also flavor.
Liquid aminos also has the amino acids that are present in soybeans that are necessary for vegans to eat. I love ingredients that improve my food while also adding nutritional benefit.
Unlike many common soy sauces, Bragg’s liquid aminos is gluten-free. I love using it for this reason, I never need to check the label, however if you do not have access to liquid aminos there are specifically gluten free soy sauces you can use instead.
If you are looking for a non soy based alternative, there is aminos made from coconut. It isn’t made from the actual coconut that you may be thinking of, but actually the sap of the coconut tree. It has that same umami flavor, similar to soy sauce, while also being vegan, soy free, and gluten free.
What Are Nutritional Yeast Flakes?
When one mentions yeast, you will usually think of the tan granules used to make bread and other wheat based bread products. However, nutritional yeast flakes are something completely different.
Although all three common yeasts are made from the same species, unlike brewer’s and baker’s, nutritional yeast is not left alive. It doesn’t have the same function as those, and is manufactured specifically to be for food.
Nutritional yeast adds an umami, savory or cheesy flavor, making it one of my favorite seasonings to add an extra “something” to my dishes.
But just like many of my ingredients, it is secretly a powerhouse. Nutritional yeast flakes contain all nine essential amino acids that you must intake, making it what is known as a complete protein. This can be rare, especially for vegans, making it an easy way to make sure you have no deficiencies.
Moreover, it contains vitamin B12, and other B vitamins in fact. Vitamin B12 is most commonly found in eggs, dairy, or meat, meaning that many vegans have a B12 deficiency if they aren’t careful.
Being deficient in vitamin B12 makes you feel sluggish and mentally foggy, which can be quoted as the reasoning for why some people’s vegan journeys fail. Adding nutritional yeast to your diet is extremely easy, as it can be added to most savory dishes quite easily, possibly eliminating the need for expensive supplements.
Tips For Making Vegan Black Bean Burgers
- Black beans may be substituted with cooked kidney beans, white beans, chickpeas.
- Pecans, almonds, or cashews may be used instead of walnuts.
- This oatmeal burger recipe can be modified to use the herbs that you like. It is such a versatile recipe, so it is difficult to mess it up.
- If you are allergic to oatmeal, then substitute with quinoa flakes.
- You can also substitute the ground flaxseeds with chia seeds.
This version is very delicious. My eight-year-old Daevyd, helped me to make these burgers and he enjoyed eating his burger so much. He kept telling me how good it tasted! He is very picky and he actually wanted another burger!
Gluten-Free Black Bean Burgers
This recipe is originally from the early days of my website before I was on a fully gluten-free diet. However, in 2019, I decided to experiment and update my recipe to make these into gluten-free black bean burgers. As mentioned above, just serve with gluten-free hamburger buns such as Little Northern Bakehouse’s option for a fully gluten-free vegan experience.

Vegan Black Bean Burgers Ingredients
- Oatmeal
- Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
- Onion
- Garlic
- Nutritional Yeast Flakes
- Italian Seasoning
- Cayenne Pepper
- Cooked Rice
- Walnuts
- Black Beans
- Ground Flaxseeds
How To Make Black Bean Burgers?
- Preheat oven to 400℉. Bring water to boil in a saucepan.
- Add Bragg’s Liquid Aminos, onion, garlic, yeast flakes, Italian seasoning, and cayenne pepper to the saucepan.
- Stir in oats, cooked rice, walnuts, black beans, and flax seeds.
- Reduce heat, and keep on stirring until liquid is absorbed, usually about 2 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from heat, and allow the oat mixture to cool until you are able to handle it.
- Using a large canning jar lid, including both the cap and rim, form mixture into patties and place them on a lightly oiled cookie sheet.
- Bake for 30 minutes, turning halfway. You may also cook in a lightly oiled skillet on both sides. Top with your favorite toppings!
Other Delicious Vegan Sandwich Recipes
- BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches
- Easy Chickpea Salad Sandwiches
- BLT Sandwich
- Vegan Egg Salad
- Vegan Tuna Salad
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Vegan Black Bean Burgers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 cup coconut aminos sauce or Braggs liquid aminos, soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (optional)
- 4 cups quick-cooking oats or rolled oats
- 1 cup cooked rice or quinoa
- 1 cup walnuts chopped
- 1/2 cup black beans cooked
- 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉. Bring water to boil in a saucepan.
- Add Bragg’s Liquid Aminos, onion, garlic, yeast flakes, Italian seasoning, and cayenne pepper to the saucepan.
- Stir in oats, cooked rice, walnuts, black beans, and flax seeds.
- Reduce heat, and keep on stirring until liquid is absorbed, usually about 2 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from heat, and allow the oat mixture to cool until you are able to handle it.
- Using a large canning jar lid, including both the cap and rim, form the mixture into patties and place them on a lightly oiled cookie sheet.
- Bake for 30 minutes, turning halfway. You may also cook in a lightly oiled skillet on both sides. Top with your favorite toppings!



Hi, looks great! Is the nutritional yeast necessary for the outcome of this recipe?
Bess, I personally love the flavor, if you can’t add it, I recommend you add at least 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne. Taste and adjust accordingly.
Thanks so much, Michelle! I actually love using those spices you mentioned. Good to know the yeast isn’t absolutely necessary.
You are welcome Bess.
Michelle, I went to the store today and I purchased some nutritional yeast, because I wanted to make the recipe exactly as you wrote it. I had old fashioned oats here so that is what I used and I used sushi rice. As I was making the recipe, I was beginning to doubt how it would turn out, but there was no reason for that doubt, this is an amazing recipe. I cooked my burger with some smoky burger seasoning and pepper and I served it on a gluten-free English muffin along with some ketchup and Dijon mustard, lettuce and red onion. It was so delicious! Thank you so much for the recipe.
Wow, I love your adjustments, love the idea of the smoky burger seasoning, sounds so delicious. I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you for sharing your adjustments with us.
Looks amazing and can’t wait to try it. But can you clarify how many food calories per serving each burger is? 3 kcal is confusing to me.
Chris thank you, I hope you try it. Chris please put the ingredients in MyFitnessPal calculator. I’m working on a recipe now so you will have to give me until tomorrow to do it.
I made these yesterday, and was so pleased that they stayed intact. They were flavorful and easy. I used quinoa instead of brown rice, and loved the texture. I froze a bunch for a later time. I used the canning jar lid, but got more than ten. Great idea!
I was wondering which bun you used?
Evelyn that’s wonderful to know. I’m glad it turned out great for you and that quinoa worked great as well. I’m a full-time blogger, private caterer, and food photographer, so don’t mind the bun it’s not one that I would eat personally. I need to change the photo as soon as I can either find the time to make a gluten-free vegan one or find one that I like locally.
Can old fashioned rolled oats be used in place if quick oats?
Yes, you can Colleen.
First of all, I think you are a genius coming up with the canning jar lid idea! Really easy and they come out perfect! And these burgers are absolutely delicious! I was doubtful when I looked at them and all the ingredients but everything of yours I have tried I have really liked so I put my trust in you and was not disappointed. I highly recommend these! My husband loved them too. We are so excited to try them in other things like some of the other people’s comments recommend. They are so versatile. Really satisfied my burger craving so thank you so much Michelle and keep up the good work!
Patricia, thank you very much for your feedback, I’m so happy you tried them and wasn’t disappointed. I’m so happy that your husband enjoyed them as well.
I made the burgers they were a hit with my husband. I will be making them again. I made a few adjustments. Great Burger.
I’m so happy you and your husband enjoyed them I appreciate your feedback. Thank you.
As I site possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling fantastic , appreciate it
for your hard work. You should keep it up forever!
Good Luck.
I hope mine will work with rolled not quick oats?
These are really tasty. I’m going to freeze some and see how that turns out. Going to try adding some mushrooms and increasing the black beans. They really hold together great.
Hello Paul, I’m so happy you enjoyed them and I hope you enjoy them with the mushrooms.
We’ve enjoyed the burgers so much, I made another batch. This time I used ,sage and I really enjoyed it as well.
That’s so wonderful, thank you for your feedback Jolande, I’m so happy you enjoyed them and sage sounds wonderful.