This really is the best veggie burger I’ve ever had and the taste is so much better than store-bought! Hearty and delicious thanks to a meaty mix of black beans, vegetables and whole grains. Budget friendly, too!

These vegan burgers won’t fall apart and are easy to pan-fry, grill, bake or air fry. If you love bean and veggie burgers as much as I do, make sure to check out my Chickpea Burgers and Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers.

a veggie burger on a wood board.

You’ll forget all about bland or crumbly vegan burgers after trying the Best Veggie Burger! Made with hearty black beans, brown rice, and vegetables, every bite tastes deliciously hearty and satisfying. Even meat eaters will love these plant based burgers!

To claim the title of “best veggie burger”, the patties needs to:

  • Be easy to make without too many (or any) complicated ingredients.
  • Have a ton of savory and meaty flavors.
  • Hold together while they cook, whether that’s in a skillet, on the grill, or in the air fryer.

This recipe checks all of the boxes – that’s why they’re the best veggie burgers!

Make your backyard BBQ complete with Kebabs, Tempeh Ribs, Baked Beans and Watermelon Feta Salad.

If you truly want a burger that tastes just like real beef, I’d go for an Impossible or Beyond burger instead. This recipe isn’t pretending to be meat, instead we’re celebrating how delicious veggies and beans can be as a burger!

a veggie burger with a bite taken out of it on a wood board.

Ingredients needed (with substitutions)

  • Ground flax – Once it’s mixed with water, ground flaxseed takes on the same consistency as real eggs. They bind the meaty mixture together and help prevent the patties from falling apart. If you don’t have ground flax at home, use chia seeds instead or replace the flax eggs with another egg substitute, like Just Egg or Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer.
  • Water
  • Black beans – Mashed black beans are responsible for the black bean burgers’ meaty texture and flavor! Canned black beans are just fine, or you can substitute them for another kind of bean, such as kidney, chickpea, or pinto beans.
  • Cashews – Ground cashews give the burgers a nice texture along with a tasty nutty flavor. Almonds work well as a substitute. For nut free, use sunflower seeds or pepitas (no need to chop these first).
  • Brown or white rice – Use day-old cooked brown or white rice if possible, it makes the recipe so much easier. Feel free to use cooked quinoa instead.
  • Parsley
  • Carrots – Shredded, then mixed in with the burgers. They give the burgers more substance, nutrients, and some color, but you can use almost any fresh or pre-cooked veggies you like.
  • Green onions – They add a ton of flavor, but you can leave them out or substitute another onion if needed.
  • Breadcrumbs – Oats are a great substitute if you don’t have breadcrumbs at home. Keep in mind that oats could make the burgers taste gummy so only use about 1/3 cup. For gluten free, use gluten free breadcrumbs or oats.
  • Smoked paprika – I like the black bean burgers with a subtle smoky flavor, which is where the smoked paprika and chili powder come in. Feel free to mix it up with even more spices or check out the Variations section for ideas!
  • Chili powder
  • Salt
ingredients for the best veggie burgers with labels in individual bowls.

How to make the best veggie burger

Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.

Make the flax eggs by stirring the ground flax and water together in a bowl. Set aside while the mixture thickens.

Next, mash the black beans in a large bowl until most have turned into a paste. Leave some beans whole so the burgers end up with more texture.

Use a food processor to pulse the cashews into crumbs (not powder). Pour them into the bowl with the beans along with the flax eggs and the remaining ingredients. Mix well to combine.

the ingredients for veggie burgers mixed together in a large white bowl.

Scoop out about ½ cup of the burger mixture and use clean hands to form it into a patty. Repeat until you have 12 burger patties and have used up all the burger mixture.

Pan fried veggie burgers

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it’s hot, add the patties and pan fry until they’re golden and crispy on both sides.

4 veggie burgers cooking in a large skillet.

Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess oil. Assemble the burgers on buns with your favorite toppings, then serve!

close up on a veggie burger on a spatula.

Grilling instructions

Pop the assembled burger patties in the fridge to firm up for about 30 minutes. This will keep them from falling apart on the grill grates. Afterward, grill the vegan burgers on a medium-high, oiled grill until crispy on both sides.

Baking instructions

Place the patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then bake in a 350ºF oven for 20 minutes. Flip, then bake for another 15 minutes.

Air fryer instructions

Place 2 burger patties in the air fryer basket (cooking in batches will prevent the burgers from becoming mushy or soft). Air fry the black bean burgers at 400ºF for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes.

Veggie burger topping ideas

These hearty burgers only get better with all of the fixings on top! Consider mixing and matching any of the following sauces/toppings you like:

a gold spoon lifting up a scoop of vegan orange burger sauce from a white bowl.

Serving suggestions

There are endless side dishes to choose from but some of the best are Oven Roasted Potato Wedges, Easy Air Fryer Fries, Vegan Potato Salad, Vegan Caesar Salad, or Classic Vegan Coleslaw.

Variations

  • Nut free – You can use sunflower seeds or pepitas instead of cashews, or simply omit them altogether.
  • Gluten free – Substitute gluten free breadcrumbs, almond flour, or gluten free certified rolled oats (only ⅓ cup) for the regular breadcrumbs.
  • Play with the seasonings – Add dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, seasoning salt, nutritional yeast, or cayenne in addition or instead of the paprika and chili powder.
  • Use different vegetables – Both fresh and pre-cooked vegetables can be used in this vegan burger recipe. Try diced celery, kale, broccoli, or red onion. As for cooked veggies, try sauteed mushrooms, onions, garlic, shallots, or roasted sweet potatoes.

Make ahead and storing

The best way to make plant based burgers ahead of time is to mix up the burger mixture and form the patties, then keep them covered and in the fridge for 1 to 2 days. I don’t recommend freezing the uncooked burgers.

Once they’re cooked, store the burgers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. They freeze well, too! Just remember to thaw them in the fridge before reheating.

To reheat, either zap the burgers quickly in the microwave or warm them in a skillet on the stovetop.

a veggie burger with a bite taken out of it on a wood board.

Want more meaty recipes made with plants?

close up on the best vegan veggie burger on a bun.
4.88 stars (65 ratings)

Best Veggie Burger

This really is the best veggie burger I've ever had and the taste is so much better than store-bought! Hearty and delicious thanks to a meaty mix of black beans, vegetables and whole grains. Budget friendly, too!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Rice cooking time: 40 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 12 burgers

Ingredients 
 

Veggie burger patties

  • 1/4 cup ground flax
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3 cups cooked black beans (2 15-oz cans, drained and rinsed)
  • 1 cup cashews or almonds, sunflower seeds
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa, white rice
  • 1/2 cup chopped parsely
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
  • 1/3 cup chopped green onions
  • 1 cup bread crumbs or gluten free
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, or more to taste

Easy burger sauce

  • 1/2 cup vegan mayo
  • 4 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 teaspoons sweet pickle relish
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons white vinegar
  • few shakes black pepper

For serving

  • burger buns of choice
  • lettuce or arugula
  • tomato slices
  • red onion slices
  • mayo, mustard, ketchup, pickles
  • cheese slices I like Violife cheddar

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl, combine the ground flax and water. Give it a little stir and set aside. This is your flax egg mixture.
  • In a large bowl, add the drained and rinsed black beans. Mash with a potato masher (or fork) until most of the beans are a paste. Leave about 1/4 of the beans whole.
  • Place the cashews in a food processor, and pulse until they are breadcrumb size, NOT a powder. It's okay if a few larger pieces remain. You could instead chop them with a large knife. Add to the bowl with the beans.
  • Now add the flax/water mix to the bowl with the beans/nuts as well as all the remaining ingredients. Mix very well with a large wooden spoon. 
  • Using about 1/2 cup per burger, shape into burger patty shapes about 3/4 inch thick. 

To cook on the stovetop (my preferred method)

  • Add 2-3 tablespoons of oil on the stove over medium heat. Add 4 patties at a time and cook until gold and crispy on one side, about 4 minutes.
  • Carefully flip the burgers and cook for 3-4 more minutes. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate.

To bake

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet or two with parchment paper. Place the patties on the pan(s) and bake for 20 minutes. Flip, bake for 15 more minutes. Remove from oven.

On the grill

  • For easier grilling, refrigerate the patties for at least 30 minutes. Heat the BBQ to medium high, brush the patties with oil and cook for about 4 minutes on each side.

Serve with all the toppings

  • Make the optional burger sauce: Add all ingredients to a small bowl and whisk well to combine. Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
  • Serve on hamburger buns and any burger fixings you love! Go with the classic: burger sauce or vegan mayo, ketchup, mustard, pickle slices, lettuce, tomato and onion. Or get creative with barbecue sauce, Sriracha vegan mayo, avocado and arugula, etc. Enjoy!

Notes

  1. Nut allergy? Sunflower seeds, or pepitas also work in place of the cashews, as well as almonds if you can have them. Or simply omit the nuts/seeds altogether.
  2. Gluten free? Substitute gluten free breadcrumbs, almond flour or gluten free certified rolled oats for the regular breadcrumbs. 
  3. May substitute cooked quinoa or white rice for the brown rice.
  4. May use another kind of bean, such as kidney, chickpea or pinto beans.
  5. Will work with ground chia seeds in place of flax. Or another egg replacer like Bob’s Red Mill or even JUST Egg.
  6. The recipe makes 12 burgers, so feel free to cut the recipe in half if you don’t want that many. However, they do freeze well.
  7. How to store: Leftover cooked burgers keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. May also freeze cooked burgers. I like to wrap them individually, then place in a freezer friendly container.
  8. Make ahead: You can make the burger mixture a day or so before if desired before cooking. I don’t recommend freezing uncooked burgers.

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 12 burger patties | Calories: 218kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 559mg | Potassium: 466mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 3684IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 3mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Nora Taylor
Did you make this recipe?Mention @nora_cooks_vegan_ or tag #noracooks!

*This recipe was posted September 2018 and has been updated with better writing and options. The recipe is unchanged.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Read my full disclosure here.

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Comments

  1. Made these today and I followed the recipe except substituted sunflower seeds instead of cashews because of nut allergy.  They were sensational. My  family devoured them. Thank you Nora for your wonderful recipes. I will be buying your ebook because everything I’ve tried of yours is so delicious and you deserve to get paid for all of your creative and yummy recipes.?

  2. After I drain and rinse my black beans I like to put them in the oven @ 325 for 15 minutes. This prevents them from tasting like mush. It gives them a much better texture. I hope you try this trick! 

  3. This is the best veggie burger I ever made. Recently started plant base eating, and I try to do everything myself. I am not comfortable buying ready frozen ones. This probably is the 5. Th recipe I made and omg, turned out so well. I also add hand full of spinach since I didn’t have any parsley or green onion on hand. Thanks for sharing

  4. I made these a couple weeks ago for some vegan family members and they were a hit.  I’m going to try them again today as meatballs…hope it works out.  Anything I should do differently for the meatballs?

    1. Wonderful! I haven’t made them into meatballs but I think it will work well. I would just cook them for less time, especially if you are baking them so they don’t dry out.

  5. These are named correctly — they are the BEST veggie burgers!  Such good flavor, moist, nutritious, and they satisfy that burger craving!  Not only do they taste great, they’re super easy to shape and stay together with absolutely no problem when cooking.  I did an oil-free method by using a cast iron griddle on my stovetop, which held six burgers at a time.  I hesitated to make the full recipe at first, being a new recipe, but am so glad that I did!  I’m going to have burgers tomorrow and freeze the rest.  Thank you!

  6. Please offer suggestions to get a lower sodium burger. Was the 550 mg per serving or the  total  of 12 burgers. Just seemed a bit high and I try to watch my sodium intake. I will be trying out this recipe sometime soon and will leave a rating and comment. Thanks 

    1. No worries, just use no salt added beans and don’t add salt or add a little bit to taste (or as much as you are comfortable with). Hope that helps!

  7. This is a staple in my diet.  I make and freeze in foil wrap.  Have recommended to so many friends.  You can’t go wrong.  Serve with a cashew cilantro dressing over a bed of baby spinach..yummy

  8. These are so good! My 14 year-old recently announced she is going vegan. While I have some experience cooking vegan dishes I’d yet to find a veggie burger recipe that I don’t just pretend to enjoy. I subbed a mixture of sunflower seeds and walnuts for the cashews as I didn’t have any on-hand, and used quinoa instead of rice because it cooks quicker. Otherwise stuck to the recipe (only used 1 tsp salt). I cooked on the stovetop with olive oil. Served on Dave’s burger buns with cheddar (except for th vegan girl), ketchup, sliced red onion, sliced avocado, and greens, absolutely delicious and they pack a lot of protein.

  9. Hi, my partner and I loved the recipe! We didn’t have brown rice, and because we wanted it to be gluten free, we subbed oat flour for the rice and the bread crumbs. It worked great- the consistency was sticky and it cooked perfectly. We added cumin as well which was tasty. Thanks for the recipe! We live in Portland also:)

  10. Made these for the first time tonight and they were delicious! I used chickpeas because I didn’t have black beans on me. I was very happy with how easy it they were and will definitely make again!

        1. Nope, you can totally use another kind of bean like pinto, white beans or even chickpeas. I’m sure even lentils would work.

  11. Hi Nora:

    These were delicious!!! But they came out a tad dry and fell apart a bit when removed from the oven. I didn’t have parsley on hand and didn’t replace it with anything. Was that a potential reason for why they came out dry from the oven? In the future, if the batter is not sticky enough what would you recommend I add to make it stickier? Love, love your recipes! Thanks so much!

    1. I don’t think the parsley would make a difference, but you could try either baking them for a little less time, or just add less breadcrumbs to the batter. Hope that helps, thank you so much!

  12. I liked the way they held together compared to other recipes I have tried, however they really needed more spice.  If I make them again I would add more chili powder  and maybe garlic powder,cumin and cayenne or even Braggs.  Despite that I liked they were good!

  13. By starting to make this without checking I had all the ingredients- I can share a few replacements-
    Almond flour worked in place of cashews (used less than called for because it was flour not chopped), ground oats in place of breadcrumbs… and I didn’t add any rice. They are delicious! Next time I hope to be able to make the recipe according to what is written… but this seems to me a good base to make different type stuff of burgers.

    1. Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed the burgers. Yes, they are pretty flexible with substitutions. 🙂

    1. I use a variety, sometimes Dave’s Killer Bread buns, sometimes just my local grocery store brand that happen to be vegan. A lot of buns are, so no expensive specialty buns are required.

  14. I’m really looking forward to this recipe! I have a question about the flax seeds. Is the recipe calling for just the flax meal or is it with water as well?  I hope this question makes sense! 

  15. Oh my goodness these are amazing. Made 6 burgers and cooked on the stovetop  (which we are eating now YUM), and baking the rest in the form of meatballs now. Only sub I made was kale and dried parsley for the fresh parsley (didn’t have any on hand), but otherwise followed the recipe. Five stars!!!

  16. I made a batch yesterday and put them right in the freezer. Got out two today for dinner and grilled on the stovetop. They tasted great! I had my burner turned up a little high so the very middle was a little soft. I plan on cooking a little lower and longer next time. I did omit the cashews since I didn’t have any on hand.

    1. Yes, they can be frozen before cooking. You could also cut the recipe in half, OR freeze the burgers after cooking.

  17. I made this and brought it to a picnic and not only I enjoyed it even my non vegan friends begged me for the recipe… we grilled it and also I fried it, it tasted amazing both ways
    Although I have to say I didn’t have black beans so I used kidney beans instead. It turned out great

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