Elevate Your Bean Burgers with Creative Toppings and Sauces

This black bean burger recipe is going to be your new best friend. The hearty patties are charred on the outside, tender in the middle, and packed with bold, smoky flavor. But that’s not all. Also, they’re simple to make—you won’t have to use a food processor or three dirty pans. Nope, this black bean burger recipe only takes 30 minutes to make, including cooking time. It all goes together in one bowl.

As of late, Jack and I have been grilling the burgers outside, but a cast-iron skillet on the stove works just fine too. Make them for a laid-back summer cookout or for a quick weeknight dinner at any time of year. They’re the newest recipe in our regular rotation, and you’ll want to keep them in yours after you try them.

Bean burgers are a tasty and nutritious vegetarian alternative to traditional beef burgers. Though bean burgers are delicious on their own, creative toppings and sauces can take them to the next level In this article, we’ll explore over 15 mouthwatering ways to dress up your bean burgers

Basic Bean Burger Toppings

Before we dive into fancy toppings, let’s cover some basic ways to top a bean burger:

Sliced cheese – Cheddar Swiss, pepper jack or provolone all melt nicely on a hot bean burger.
Sliced tomatoes – Choose ripe red tomatoes for a fresh burst of flavor.
Lettuce – Crispy romaine, spinach or mixed greens add crunch.
Sliced onions – Red or white onions provide a tangy complement.
Pickles – Dill pickles, bread & butter pickles or pickled jalapeños offer a briny crunch.
Avocado – Sliced or mashed avocado lends creaminess.
Sautéed mushrooms – Cooked cremini, portobello or white mushrooms lend a meaty umami flavor.

These simple toppings lend classic flavor and texture to bean burgers. Now let’s explore some more adventurous ideas!

Fun Sauces for Bean Burgers

Sauces and spreads are a great way to add big, bold flavor to bean burgers:

Pesto – Basil, spinach or sun-dried tomato pesto provides herby flavor.
Hummus – Chickpea hummus adds creaminess and Mediterranean flair.
Guacamole – Fresh, chunky guac is always a hit.
Salsa – Tomato salsa, corn salsa or black bean salsa perks things up.
Tzatziki – Cool cucumber yogurt tzatziki sauce adds a refreshing Greek twist.
Spicy mayo – Mix mayo with sriracha or harissa paste for heat.
Chipotle mayo – Blend smoky adobo sauce into mayo.
Tahini sauce – Sesame tahini sauce brings nutty flavor.
Peanut sauce – Sweet chili peanut sauce makes a bold Asian statement.
Marinara – Spoon on rich, tomatoey marinara for an Italian vibe.
Barbecue sauce – Sweet and tangy barbecue sauce satisfies.
Ranch – Cool, creamy ranch dressing is a family favorite.

With so many sauces to choose from, you could enjoy a different style of bean burger every night of the week!

Creative Mix-Ins for Bean Burgers

You can also mix various ingredients right into the veggie burger patty for exciting flavors throughout:

Sautéed mushrooms
Crumbled feta cheese
Diced green chiles
Chopped olives
Sun-dried tomatoes
Roasted red peppers
Sauteed onions or shallots
Chopped spinach, kale or chard
Lentils, quinoa or brown rice
Shelled hemp seeds
Minced fresh herbs

Adding mix-ins creates bean burgers with diverse textures as well as flavor. Get creative with your own signature combination!

Unexpected Bean Burger Toppings

Think outside the bun with these surprising bean burger topping ideas:

Coleslaw – For crunch and tangy sweetness
Roasted beets – Earthy, vibrant beets add bold flavor
Fried egg – A runny yolk takes any burger up a notch
Potato chips – Crushed chips boost crunch
French fries – Because burger + fries is a classic combo
Potato pancakes – For a delightful Polish twist
Pineapple salsa – Sweet, tropical fruit salsa litens things up
Mango chutney – Fruity, spicy-sweet chutney makes a fun Indian riff
Kimchi – Fermented, spicy kimchi brings on some heat
Sauerkraut – Tangy, probiotic sauerkraut cuts the richness
Crispy fried onions – Diner-style crunch and flavor
Jalapeños – Fresh sliced jalapeños add some fire
Bacon – Smoky, salty bacon pleases carnivores and veggie lovers alike

Creative Bun Choices for Bean Burgers

Bean burgers aren’t just limited to traditional sesame buns – get creative with your “bun” replacement:

Gluten-free rolls or buns
Whole grain pita pockets
Naan flatbread or roti
Lettuce leaves or cabbage leaves
Portobello mushroom caps
Soft corn or flour tortillas
Toast or english muffins
Waffles or pancakes
Polenta slices or cakes
Rice cakes

There are so many ways to think outside the traditional burger bun. Consider dietary needs like gluten-free and low carb options, or choose a “bun” that adds its own flavor and texture.

Full Meal Bean Burger Ideas

Bean burgers make a hearty, healthy entree, especially when turned into a complete meal:

Bean burger with sweet potato fries and kale salad
Black bean burger with Spanish rice and pico de gallo
Curried chickpea burger with roasted cauliflower and raita sauce
Lentil walnut burger with quinoa pilaf and roasted broccoli
Edamame burger with soba noodle salad and miso dressing
Three bean burger with crispy roasted Brussels sprouts
Southwest bean burger with lime cilantro rice and pinto beans

Build a bowl, make it a veggie-packed salad, or serve it alongside roasted or baked vegetables. Bean burgers adapt easily to many cuisines and dishes.

Elevate Your Bean Burgers

So there you have over 15 delicious ways to take your bean burgers from basic to beautiful. With mix-ins, creative toppings and sauces, fun buns and full meal ideas, you’ll never get bored with bean burgers again. Experiment with different flavors, textures and global inspirations. Your plant-based palate is sure to thank you!

how do you dress a bean burger
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Black Bean Burger Recipe Ingredients

This recipe is also great because it only needs simple things that you probably already have on hand:

Black beans, of course! Use canned, or cook your own.
When I use the big holes on a box grater to grate the onion, I then mash it with the other ingredients. The onion will give off a lot of liquid when you grate it. That’s okay! Add the wet onion pulp to the black bean mix, making sure to leave some liquid on the work surface.
It gives this black bean burger recipe a sharp depth of flavor, along with the onion.
Chipotles and adobo sauce from a can: they give it a smokey taste and a little heat.
Balsamic vinegar and tamari give the patties a sour and salty taste.
Panko bread crumbs: These meaty bits give the burgers their shape.
An egg – To bind everything together!
And pepper and salt to bring out all the flavors

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

In a large bowl, mix the black beans, onion, garlic, chipotles and adobo sauce, cumin, balsamic, tamari, salt, and pepper.

Mash the beans with a potato masher or a big fork until the mixture starts to hold together but you can still see black bean chunks. Fold in the egg, followed by the panko bread crumbs.

Form the mixture into 6 patties, about a heaping 1/3 cup each. Then, cook! You can use a cast-iron skillet or an outdoor grill for this step. Either way, the patties should be well-charred, crisp on the outside, and tender in the middle. Enjoy!.

Best Black Bean Burger Recipe Tips

Put the black bean mixture in the fridge if it is too wet to handle. It firms up nicely after chilling for just 20 minutes!.
Or mash it more. The mashed black beans are a big part of what makes these patties firm and stick together. If the mix won’t stick together, mash the beans some more until you can make patties.
Can’t flip them? Keep cooking. If you’re grilling your patties, give the first side 8 minutes of cooking time. If they don’t move from the grill, keep cooking! Once the first side is nice and charred, they should be easy to flip in a minute or two. Also, brush the patties with olive oil before putting them on the grill so they don’t stick.
Charred burgers are better burgers. The patties for these black bean burgers taste best when they have a nice char. If you’re grilling them, look for clear grill marks and edges that are still crunchy. They should be crisp and black on all sides if you cook them in a skillet. Make sure the pan is hot before adding the patties. Cook them for 4 to 5 minutes on each side for the best results.
Get ahead. You can make this recipe ahead of time and then cook the burgers right before you eat it. To do this, mash the beans and seasonings together, then crumble in the egg and panko. After that, put the patties on a baking sheet, cover them, and put them in the fridge for up to a day before cooking. If not, cook the patties ahead of time and heat them up before serving. Put the cooked patties in a container that won’t let air in. You can keep them in the fridge for up to four days or the freezer for up to two months.

Black Bean Burgers

FAQ

What goes well with a bean burger?

If you are going super traditional burger night, you could make sweet potato fries and roasted cauliflower. Bean burgers also go well with a salad like our avocado, radish and cucumber salad or fried onion salad with black olives.

What condiments go on a veggie burger?

Load your veggie burger up however you like – I like mine with avocado or guacamole, sliced red onion or pickled red onions, mustard, Sir Kensington’s Avocado Mayo (not vegan) or Fabanaise (vegan), sprouts, and a squirt of sriracha or chipotle sauce on a homemade bun.

How do you elevate a veggie burger?

To elevate the taste of your veggie burger, it’s crucial to build a well-balanced flavor profile. A good place to start is by sautéing a mirepoix – onions, celery, and carrots. And, I like to toss in some garlic. It creates an amazing and fragrant base.