Published: Sep 28, 2017 · Last Updated: Jun 10, 2023 by Dr. Sonali Ruder · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases · 81 Comments

Black Bean & Quinoa Veggie Burgers

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These flavorful black bean quinoa burgers are packed with plenty of protein and fiber to keep you feeling full and satisfied. These plant-based burgers are bursting with wholesome ingredients, bold spices, and a satisfying texture that will satisfy the most serious burger cravings.

I have a lot of vegetarian followers and they’re always asking me for hearty, vegetarian recipes. Some of my favorite vegetarian dishes are my falafel pita sandwiches, slow cooker jackfruit tacos, and spinach gnudi.

Now I'm excited to bring you these delicious and healthy black bean quinoa burgers. Made with simple ingredients and packed with flavor, these veggies burgers will have even the most devoted carnivores coming back for seconds!

I make these veggie burgers with nutrient-dense black beans, quinoa, and oats. They're infused with Southwest flavors from smoky chipotles, cumin, and cilantro, and studded with sweet corn for some texture.

Then I top them off with a cooling cilantro yogurt sauce. They're a far cry from many of the bland veggie burgers that you find at the grocery store.

So get ready to revolutionize your burger game and embrace a healthier, more satisfying alternative with these delicious and hearty plant-based black bean and quinoa burgers!

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Why You'll Love This Dish
Ingredients
Doctor's Tips
How To Make Black Bean Quinoa Burgers
Chef's Tips
How To Serve These Quinoa Veggie Burgers
More Vegetarian Recipes
Recipe
Reviews

Why You'll Love This Dish

Delicious- packed with Southwest flavors from ingredients like chipotles in adobo, cumin, garlic, and cilantro
Healthy- packed with incredibly nutritious foods like quinoa, black beans, and oats
Vegetarian- these plant-based burgers are vegetarian and can easily be made vegan
Gluten Free- these veggie burgers can be made gluten free by using certified gluten-free oats
Satisfying- packed with plenty of protein and fiber to keep you full and satisfied
Make-ahead- make a large batch of these burgers and store them in the freezer for months

Ingredients

Ingredient notes and substitutions. See recipe card at end of post for full ingredient list.

Black beans- packed with protein and fiber along with several essential vitamins and minerals like B complex vitamins, potassium, magnesium and iron. They’re also loaded with antioxidants, which help prevent chronic diseases.
Quinoa- a superfood! Quinoa has many unique qualities and health benefits. It has a very high protein content (about twice that of regular cereal grains). It's also a good source of dietary fiber and several vitamins and minerals including B complex vitamins, vitamin E, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and magnesium. Plus, it’s gluten-free.
Oats- I use ground old fashioned oats to bind these veggie burgers together. Oats are whole grains that are loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Oats are beneficial not only for digestive health, but also help control blood sugar levels and maintain a healthy blood pressure. They also help lower cholesterol and may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Chipotles in adobo- these are canned, smoked jalapeño peppers that add a rich, smoky flavor to these burgers. If you can't find them at the grocery store, you can substitute chili powder.

Doctor's Tips

Although quinoa is classified as a whole grain, it's actually a relative of swiss chard and beets, rather than a "true" grain. Quinoa has been cultivated for centuries and is an excellent plant-based source of protein. It's a great option for anyone trying to cut down their intake of refined, processed carbohydrates and increase their whole grains. For more, read my post about the health benefits of quinoa.
Ground oats are very versatile. When you grind old fashioned oats in a food processor, they form crumbs that can be used to add fiber and bulk to dishes like meatloaf, meatballs and veggie burgers like these black bean quinoa burgers. It's more nutritious than using traditional breadcrumbs.

How To Make Black Bean Quinoa Burgers

See recipe card below for full recipe instructions.

Step 1- Sauté onions and garlic. Add them to a bowl along with cooked quinoa, ground oats, black beans, tomato paste, egg, corn, cilantro, chipotles, cumin, and salt.
Step 2- Form the mixture into 8 patties. Cover and refrigerate the patties for several hours to firm up.
Step 3- Make the yogurt sauce by pureeing yogurt, chipotles, adobo sauce, cilantro, lime juice, and honey together in a mini food processor or bowl until smooth.
Step 4- Cook the veggie burgers in the oven or in a skillet on the stove. Serve on buns with cilantro yogurt sauce and toppings of your choice.

Chef's Tips

I mash some of the black beans in these veggie burgers and leave some of them whole because I like to have some texture rather than a mushy burger. Corn also adds texture.
Be sure to refrigerate the patties before cooking them as this will help them hold their shape.
You can bake these veggie burgers or cook them in a skillet with a little oil. Cooking them in a skillet with give them a crispier crust on the outside.
To make this recipe vegan, use non-dairy yogurt and agave nectar in the sauce. Also, you can use a flax egg in the patty to replace the egg. See notes in recipe card for instructions.
To make this recipe gluten free, use certified gluten-free oats.
These burgers freeze well. Make a whole batch, wrap them in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How To Serve These Quinoa Veggie Burgers

My favorite way to serve these black bean quinoa burgers is on hamburger buns with toppings like avocado and tomato slices, baby greens, and my cooling cilantro yogurt sauce.

These veggie burger patties are also perfect to incorporate into other dishes like my protein-packed vegetarian burrito bowls. You can also use them in pita sandwiches or to top salads.

Serve these black bean quinoa burgers with my air fryer baked sweet potatoes, butternut squash or diced potatoes on the side.