Hearty, and delicious with a bit of a kick, Black Bean Walnut Burgers with Saucy Sweet Onions are mixed in a food processor, rested in the refrigerator then grilled or pan fried. Like my BBQ Chickpea Burgers, these burgers are make ahead ready, freezer friendly, grillable and easy to pull together.
Top with saucy sweet onions, guacamole and pickled peppers to take this burger over the top! This recipe is vegetarian, vegan and easily gluten free.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Recipe Review: “Just made this today and LOVE it ! My husband and I are not vegetarians but are trying to cut down on meat so this is now our go to burger!” ~ Jeanne
My Best Black Bean Walnut Burger Recipe
Easy to pull together since they’re mixed in a food processor and perfect for meal prep, these hearty vegan black bean veggie burgers are full of whole food ingredients and with ones you can pronounce. Homemade veggie burgers are the ultimate comfort food.
This recipe has a similar flavor profile to my vegetarian Classic Black Bean Veggie Burgers, but of course, this Black Bean Walnut Burger recipe is egg free and vegan relying on different binders for firmness and texture. If you compare the two, I’d love to hear your take!
How They’re Egg Free
Some veggie burger recipes utilize eggs to hold the burgers together. However, since these burgers are egg free and vegan, I use naturally sticky ingredients to hold this vegan black bean veggie burger together while also providing texture and flavor. Ingredients like:
- Black Beans – sticky by nature, black beans provide bulk and structure.
- Short Grain Brown Rice – starchy and texture rich, short grain is a must in this recipe because they aid in binding. I do not recommend subbing with long grain brown rice because it’s not quite as sticky as short grain.
- Tomato Paste – a umami ingredient – it adds flavor and is another ingredient to aid in binding.
- Rolled Oats – adds bulk and aids in binding as well as moisture management, since they soak up excess moisture.
At a Glance: How to Make Black Bean Walnut Burgers
While the ingredient list appears long, these walnut burgers are simple to pull together and with pantry staples. The food processor does most of the work!
- First, dry toast the walnuts in a pan.
- Second, sauté the onions that’ll be used in the patties.
- Third, toss the ingredients are in a food processor, then mix those ingredients with some of the whole ingredients. Use your hands to mix/mash them all together.
- Fourth, shape, chill then cook the patties in a skillet or grill.
If you love veggie burgers, try my Vegan BBQ Chickpea Burgers!
How to Store Your Veggie Burgers
Refrigerator: After cooking the burgers, store them in the fridge for up to three days.
Freezer: The patties can either be frozen raw or after cooking for the ultimate convenience. For frozen patties, simply thaw in the fridge overnight and either reheat in a warm oven or cook/grill as directed.
About those Saucy Sweet Onions
These onions are totally mouthwatering. A must make if time permits! The recipe calls for bourbon, however the onions can be made boozy or not, subbing veggie broth if needed.
Bourbon plays off the sweet of the onions and the tangy subtle bite of balsamic vinegar without being overpowering. And it’s fabulous in the BBQish caramelized onions; a natural fit.
Serving Suggestions
This burger holds up well to any condiments you can throw at it. Try some variations to see what makes your toes curl!
- As the Recipe Goes: Mayo or a quick aioli (mayo mixed with minced garlic and lemon juice) with mashed avocado, saucy sweet onions and sweet/spicy pickled peppers is classic for this burger.
- Go Old School: Simply dress with mayo and/or mustard and top with lettuce, pickle and tomato.
- BBQ Sauce: Slather with a bit of mayo or mustard, add Swiss cheese just before pulling off the grill or pan and drizzle a bit of homemade Smoky Bourbon BBQ Sauce over the top for some amazing BBQ burgers!
Traci’s Tips
- Brown Rice: These vegan black bean burgers call for short grain brown rice. I do not recommend subbing this ingredient as it’s sticky and texture rich making it an important component to the success of these burgers. I cook extra when making other recipes then freeze the leftovers for a future batch of these burgers.
- Chill the Veggie Patties: Resting the patties in the fridge does take a bit of pre planning, but is essential to hydrate the oats and help hold the burgers together. It also marries the flavors. Don’t skip it!
- Grillable: The burger patties are grillable. Handle with care for delicious results!
Boring but important! Take a look at the recipe notes if you’re new to making egg-free veggie burgers.
Black Bean Walnut Burgers with Saucy Sweet Onions
Ingredients
For the Patties:
- 1/2 C (60g) Walnuts, shelled
- 1/2 C (50g) Rolled Oats, not quick cook or instant
- 2 Tbs Tomato Paste
- 1 Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce*
- 1 tsp Adobo Sauce, 2 for extra spicy, gluten free if needed
- 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
- 3/4 tsp Garlic Salt
- 2 tsp Yellow Mustard
- 1 tsp Vegan Worcestershire Sauce, regular or gluten free (Tamari may be used instead)
- 1/4 tsp Liquid Smoke, gluten free if needed
- 2 1/3 C (420g) Cooked Black Beans, drained & rinsed (2 cans or homemade), divided
- 1/2 C (100g) Cooked Short Grain Brown Rice, divided (be sure to use short grain, it makes a difference – not instant)
- 1 tsp Vegetable Oil, coconut or olive oil + more for cooking the patties
- 1 C (100g) Yellow Onion, diced
For the Saucy Sweet Onions:
- 3 Tbs Vegetable Oil, I like coconut or olive
- 3 (745g) Large Sweet Onions like Walla Walla or Vidalia, sliced into thin 1/2 moons
- 1/3 C (75g) Bourbon*, or sub veggie broth
- 1 1/2 Tbs Maple Syrup
- 1 1/2 tsp Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 1/2 tsp Dijon Mustard
Optional, but Suggested Toppings:
- Mashed Avocado, with a pinch of salt
- Pickled Sweet & Spicy Peppers
- Mayo
- Pickled Banana Peppers
Instructions
For the Patties:
- In a nonstick pan, dry-toast the walnuts on medium heat, tossing and flipping them for about four minutes. Remove from heat and place in the bowl of a food processor. Add the oats, tomato paste, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, sea and garlic salt, mustard, worchestershire sauce, and liquid smoke. Process until pasty. A few chunks are fine. Add 1/2 the black beans, and 1/2 the rice. Pulse until the mixture comes together, scraping down as needed. Set aside.
- Heat the coconut oil in a pan on medium. When shimmering, add the diced onion and cook on medium for about three minutes. A bit of charring is okay. Remove from heat and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the remaining 1/2 of the black beans and rice to the mixing bowl. Into the large mixing bowl, add the processed bean/spice mixture. Using your hands, mix thoroughly squeezing and pushing the mixture together.
- Use a 1/2 cup (130g) scoop (this yields 6 patties – the last patty is slightly smaller) or 1/3 cup (82g) scoop (this yields 8 patties) to portion the patties. Roll them into a ball. Using the back of a metal measuring cup, press each ball into a patty using gentle pressure about 1/4"- 1/2" (.6 – 1.2 cm) thick.
- Place the patties flat on a parchment lined sheet pan in refrigerator for at least one hour. To Freeze (optional): slide the pan in the freezer for one hour then stack the patties between pieces of parchment paper and into a freezer bag for longer storage. Now is a good time to get the boozy onions going (see below).
- Preheat the oven to 200F (95C) and line a sheet-pan with parchment paper. Place the pan in the oven. This will keep the patties warm after they’re cooked.
To Cook:
- In the Skillet: Add two to three Tbs of coconut oil to a cast iron skillet on medium heat. Heat until shimmering. Add three patties. Be sure to give them plenty of room. Cook for 3 1/2 – 4 minutes on each side, being careful when flipping the patty. Slide the patty on the parchment lined sheet pan in the oven. Sprinkle with sea salt. Finish cooking the remaining patties adding more oil as needed.OROn the Gas Grill: Clean grill and oil with vegetable oil (like canola or olive oil). Heat gas grill on highest setting. Brush both sides of the veggie burger with oil and gently transfer to the grilling grates or a grill pan (use a grill pan if the grates of your grill are thin). Cook for about four to five minutes on each side, taking care when flipping the burgers. Adjust heat as needed so that the burgers don't burn.
- To keep warm, transfer the patties to the preheated oven.
For the Onions
- In a large pan, add the coconut oil and heat until shimmering. Add the onions and a pinch of salt. Cook on medium-low for about 35-40 minutes, to caramelize them, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat as necessary so they don't burn. When done they'll be golden and very soft.
- Turn off heat, remove from heat (we do not want alcohol near an open flame) and stir in the bourbon (or veggie broth), maple syrup, vinegar and mustard. Stir. Bring to a simmer on medium low for about two minutes, to simmer off the liquids. Remove from heat and put a lid on the pan until ready to serve.
To Store:
- After cooking the burgers, store them in the fridge for up to three days, or in the freezer for up to three weeks. When freezing the patties, freeze first on a parchment lined sheet pan. Once frozen, stack patties between parchment squares and place in a freezer bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat at 400F (200C) for about 15 minutes.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.
Made it? Leave a comment below!
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I’ve made these twice, and I’m getting ready to make them again (I cook the rice the day before, to save time). They are WONDERFUL.
Hey Robin! Thank you for your note and tip! So happy you’re enjoying the recipe! I love these burgers too! :D
Hi! I was wondering if I could sub the rice for some quinoa?
Hi Mary! While I’ve not tried it in this recipe, I find that in other veggie burger recipes I’ve tried, quinoa doesn’t hold the burger together like starchy short grain brown rice does. It acts as a binder. If you want to try it, please feel free, but you may need to be very careful when handling the burgers as they may fall apart. I hope this helps! I’d love to hear how it turns out for you either way!
My whole family agrees these are the best burgers we’ve ever had!! My first attempt at homemade burgers and I can’t believe how amazing they are! I made them exactly as stated with the saucy onions and all. Thank you for such a great recipe.
Thank you so much Sarah! Hooray for homemade burgers… it’s a bit of work, but oh SO worth it! And those onions.. I understand :D
Traci, these burgers are dynamite! My husband and I loved them. The flavor and texture were perfect. I will definitely be making them again. And I told my sister and BIL, who love chipotles, that they need to make them too! lol
Hooray! Thank you for letting us know Eva! So happy you enjoyed them and passed it on to your sis! :D
Hi, I have made this recipe several times and LOVE it. Can you (or anyone else reading this) suggest how it can be baked as a loaf instead of burgers?
Thanks!
Hey Pauline… I missed your comment. I think a loaf would be outstanding.. perhaps a new ‘neat’ loaf recipe is in order. Thank you for your suggestion!
I’m getting ready to make these soon. Just wondering if you’ve ever tried baking them (I don’t like to use oil) and what was the result?
Hi Juliana! Thank you for your note. I’ve not tried baking them, but if you do, please let us know how they turn out!
These burgers are phenomenal! Definitely the best black bean burger recipe I’ve made to date. I did bake them with much success! None made it to the freezer so I will have to make a double batch next time.
I pretty much followed your recipe… but I subbed 1/2c cooked wheat berries in place of the short-grain brown rice because I had some in the fridge that I wanted to use up and they seemed sticky like brown rice to me. I did add 2 Tbsp of chia seeds (not mixed with water) because I was nervous that the patties might not stick together… I don’t think this changed the flavor or texture any. Those were the only changes to your original recipe. I did not put the patties in the fridge for an hour prior to baking. I just formed the patties, placed them on a sheet of parchment paper on my baking sheet, and baked them in a preheated 375F oven. I baked them for 30 minutes on one side then flipped them over and left them in another 1o minutes. The burgers were super tasty, but next time I bake them, I might try 15-20 minutes on one side and then flip.
Thank you for the fabulous recipe! I made them for my family and got a lot of praise! I’ll certainly be making these again soon.
Thank you so much for your notes on baking the burgers, Juliana! Hooray! Wheat berries are a good sub, as they ARE sticky. I’ll be trying your baking method soon! So happy you and your family enjoyed these! :D
Amazing Traci, I’m a returning vegetarian. This is my first attempt at making my own burger. OMG. So flavorful and filling. Thank you.
Hi Linda! Hooray for your returning shift, thank you for your note! And yay YOU on these burgers… so happy you loved them! :D
Traci,
I forgot to mention. I used quinoa instead of rice and it seemed to have worked well. I just could not find short grain brown rice. Excited to try more of your recipes.
I try a different veggie Burger about every two weeks. This recipe is hands down my family’s favorite. It holds together so well and has such a great smoky flavor. Perfect! This will be our go to recipe from this point forward. So glad I found you and your recipes. Can’t wait to try more.
Hooray Kim! Thank you for your note and kind words. I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe. I love the smoky flavor of it too. Thank you for trying out the recipes! :D
LOl – right? Mine lid catch is busted (and replaced 5x by kitchen aid), so I have to manually hold mine shut. But it still chops like a boss! Love it! You’d love this Lindsay! xo
Loved these burgers – but mine fell apart. Still tasted terific. I used instant brown rice – could that have been the problem? What do you recommend?
Hi Donna! Thank you so much for your note. The rice does make a difference. Short grain tends to be a stickier rice as this is what helps hold the burgers together. I hope you’ll give them a go with short grain. It’s worth the cook time! I hope this helps.