These Black Bean Quinoa Burgers are a veggie burger recipe I turn to again and again. They really do have it all - a touch of heat from chipotle chili, garlic and crushed red pepper, sweetness from tomato paste, cheesy goodness from Monterey Jack cheese, and a punch of flavor from cilantro and chili powder.

Looking for a veggie burger that won't let you down?
You are going to love these quionoa black bean burgers.
They are packed with a kick of heat from the chipotle chili peppers, garlic, and crushed red peppers that is perfectly balanced with a subtle sweetness from the tomato paste.
I love to serve this on my bread machine hamburger buns, with a slice of tomato, chopped onions, and spinach. It is especially good with a touch of mayo or cashew lime crema.
Let me know how it goes if you decide to give this black bean quinoa burger a try!
Ingredients Needed
Ingredients Needed
- Black Beans: Use canned, or cook your own with my slow cooker black beans recipe.
- Chipotle Chili: You will find these in a small can in the ethnic section of the grocery store. Freeze the leftovers for another use.
- Onion: Either white, yellow, or red onion work in this recipe.
- Garlic: Mince the garlic or buy pre-minced.
- Tomato Paste: This adds a great depth of flavor and subtle sweetness.
- Chili Powder: You could use ancho chili powder if you prefer.
- Crushed Red Pepper: For a milder flavor, use less or omit altogether.
- Salt and Pepper: Feel free to adjust these to your preference.
- Quinoa: Cooked quinoa is used in this recipe for binding. If you are new to cooking quinoa, you can read this for how to cook quinoa on the stove top, this one for cooking quinoa in a rice cooker, or check out this post on how to make Instant Pot quinoa.
- Breadcrumbs: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed or crush gluten-free crackers and use them instead.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds a great flavor to this recipe.
- Cheese: Use shredded Monterey Jack or Daiya shreds if you want to make a vegan quinoa butter.
- Eggs: Two large eggs work best for binding this recipe together, but flax eggs could be used as well.
- Oil: I like avocado oil for cooking, but you can use your favorite oil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Veggie Burgers Good for You?
Homemade Veggie Burgers are very good for you!
Loaded with legumes, whole grains and seeds like quinoa, they are an excellent source of plant-based protein.
Some packages veggie burgers are good for you, but it is essential that you read the labels. Stick with veggie burgers that have ingredients you recognize.
Do Veggie Burgers Taste Like Hamburgers?
While Veggie Burgers taste great, you will likely enjoy them more if you don't try to compare them to traditional burgers. The taste and texture are significantly different, but both can be uniquely delicious.
Can This Recipe Be Cooked On a Grill?
This recipe is best cooked on the stove top. Gluten-free veggie burgers have a tendency to fall apart when cooked on the grill. Cooking them in a skillet allows you to form a crisp crust before flipping.
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How to Make a Black Bean Quinoa Burger:
#1: Measure Your Ingredients
#2 Make Bean Mixture - Pulse together ½ cup of black beans with the chipotle chili pepper in a food processor. Add it to a bowl with the black beans. If you don't have a food processor, us a potato masher or fork to mash them.
#3 Saute - Spray a skillet with oil and cook the chopped onion for 7 minutes. Add in tomato paste and seasonings.
#4 Combine Ingredients - Remove from heat and add to the bowl with the black beans. Stir in breadcrumbs, quinoa, and cilantro.
#5 Add Eggs and Cheese - Allow to cool for 3 to 4 minutes and stir in eggs and cheese.
#6 Form Patties - You can do this by hand or use a burger press if you like.
#7 Cook - Then cook in oil for 3 to 6 minutes per side.
#8 Serve - Serve this quinoa black bean burger recipe on a white or whole wheat bun with lettuce or spinach, tomato, and red onion.
Variations for This Recipe
- Add in 2 teaspoons of gluten free tamari or coconut aminos and 2 teaspoons of liquid smoke.
- In place of the chipotle chili, use 1 diced jalapeño, a teaspoon of ground cumin and a teaspoon of smoked paprika.
- Add in â…” cup thawed organic corn.
Enjoy!
You May Also Like:
- Butternut Squash, Goat Cheese & Cranberry Quinoa Salad
- How to Cook Quinoa
- Mexican Quinoa Burgers
- Sweet Potato Quinoa Burgers with Avocado Cilantro Sauce
- Quinoa Burgers with Caramelized Onions
- Quinoa Fried Rice
- Quinoa, Black Bean and Chickpea Salad
Black Bean Quinoa Burger
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups cooked black beans divided
- 1 chipotle chili in adobo sauce
- 1 onion chopped fine
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper more or less to taste
- Salt and Pepper to taste (I used ¾ teaspoon sea salt, ½ teaspoon ground pepper)
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- ½ cup breadcrumbs gluten free if necessary
- ¼ cup cilantro minced
- ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded (or Daiya Shreds)
- 2 eggs beaten, or 2 flax eggs
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil for cooking
Instructions
- Place ½ cup of black beans in the bowl of the food processor with the chipotle chili. Pulse until well combined. Combine with the remainder of black beans in a large bowl.
- Heat skillet sprayed with oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 7 minutes. Stir in garlic, tomato paste, chili powder, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper and cook for one more minute. Remove from heat and combine with black bean mixture.
- Stir in quinoa, breadcrumbs and cilantro. Allow to cool for 3–4 minutes and add in eggs and cheese.
- Form patties and place in the freezer for 10 minutes. Heat oil large skillet over medium heat. Cook for 3 to 6 minutes per side.
- Optional: For firmer burgers in the center, bake in a 350 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Serve on buns with desired fixings. Also great over a bed of greens.
Notes
For Vegan Black Bean Quinoa Burgers:
- Use Daiya shreds in place of cheese and substitute flax eggs for the eggs. It will not hold together quite as well, so be careful when flipping. Cooking in an Air Fryer works great here.
Nutrition
Other Great Veggie Burgers to Try:
- Stuffed Veggie Bean Burger from Veggies Don't Bite
- Grillable Veggie Burger from Minimalist Baker
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
My resolution is NOT to make any more resolutions. They never work. I just move forward with improvement in mind.
Elizabeth L
This looks like an amazing and delicious burger. I am going to have to try this recipe very soon! Yummy!
Jennifer Van Huss
That looks fabulous! I am amazed how many different ways you can use black beans. From sweet to savory to burgers! I would have never thought to add them but I bet they bring a delicious flavour!
Jennifer Quillen
I've made black bean burgers before, but could never get them to hold together! I like the idea of adding the quinoa to them.
Marysa
I haven't made my own veggie or black bean burgers, but this sounds really good. I've been cooking with quinoa a lot lately and it sounds like it would be great in this recipe.
Ricci
I have tried different veggie burgers in the past but never a quinoa one! This looks and sounds delicious!!
Kathy
This looks very good. I love that it has quinoa in it too. I know that is a very healthy food, so I must give this a try.
Cindy Gordon
This is one of my favorite recipes. It makes my guts feel really good.
Tatanisha Worthey
I would love to try this one. I have recently started enjoying black beans.
Lynndee
I bet that is delicious because it has chipotle chili in adobo sauce in it. Yummy! Thanks for the recipe!
Cyn Gagen
This sounds so good! I've tried making black bean burgers with no success. I think the quinoa would really help so I'll be trying your recipe!
Shannon Graham
Black bean burgers are delicious, I can only imagine how much better it would be with quinoa!
Shannon Graham
I can't wait to give these a try, they look delish!
Shannon Gurnee
I've not really eaten Quinoa before, but this sounds like a yummy recipe! I would totally try this sometime.
Suzanne
Omg this looks utterly delish! I need to make this asap!
Heather Barber McMechan
This black bean quinoa burger sounds delicious! I'm not that into garlic so I would definitely cut back on the amount I'd use to remake this recipe.
Becky Willis
We have made black bean burgers before but never with quinoa in them. Yours look delicious. Thank you for your recipe.
Sheri
I have never tried black bean or quinoa so to use both for a burger would be a new meal to try for me. Looks super tasty.
What Corinne Did
This is such a great idea! Loving it! I would have never thought of a black quinea burger! i wanna try it now!
Yeah Lifestyle
I've had black bean in my burger but never quinoa so would love to try this recipe as its much healthier than eating the meat version. Yum!
Danielle
This looks so delicious! I need to make this!!
Nancy Polanco
Ummm, so delicious. I have always wanted to learn how to make these. I am glad you shared this recipe. Bookmarking!
Babydee
Recently diagnosed with Arthritis, I began searching for recommended foods to eat. Quinoa was a ingredient for this veggieburger, which looks delicious! Going to start incorporating "meatless Monday" into my diet! Can't wait get started!
Elle (CleverlyChanging)
We are a vegetarian family and love to make black bean quinoa burgers together. I like adding a little nutritional yeast to mine too.
Jae
I think I over pulsed the beans and now I'm scared. I put the patties in the freezer. We shall see...le sigh. Stay tuned!
Wendy Polisi
I hope it went well!