Ingredients

Burgers:

• 1 15 oz can (270 g) black beans, drained and rinsed (see notes)
• ½ cup (60 g) sunflower seeds (see notes)
• ⅔ cup (60 g) oats (gluten-free if needed)
• 1 tbsp (30 g) tomato paste
• 1 ½ tbsp soy sauce (gluten-free if needed) or tamari
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ large (65 g) onion, chopped
• 3 chia eggs or flax eggs (3 tbsp ground chia seeds + 1/4 cup water)
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste
• ¾ tsp sea salt, or to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 3 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

Other Ingredients:

• Oil, for frying
• Vegan barbecue sauce (optional)
• 4 burger buns, regular or gluten-free
• Fresh vegetables of choice (tomatoes, lettuce, onion, cucumber, etc.)
• Vegan cheese
• Dressing of choice (see notes)

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of ground chia seeds with 1/4 cup of water. Stir and let sit for about 5 minutes until thickened. If your chia seeds aren’t ground, pulse whole seeds in a spice grinder or blender until finely milled.
2. While the chia mixture sets, thoroughly rinse the canned black beans in a sieve. Drain well and gently pat them dry with a kitchen towel.
3. Add the oats and sunflower seeds to a food processor or blender. Pulse briefly until they are broken down but not fully powdered.
4. Add the remaining burger ingredients to the processor and blend again just until combined. Avoid over-processing—the mixture should retain some texture.
5. Divide the mixture into 4 portions and shape into patties using your hands. If the mixture feels overly sticky, mix in a little more oats. If it seems too dry, add a small splash of water.
6. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the patties in the pan and cook on both sides until golden and firm, about 12–15 minutes total.
   Tip: After flipping, brush the patties with vegan barbecue sauce or Sriracha for extra flavor and a juicier appearance. Oven instructions are included in the notes.
7. Assemble the burgers using your preferred buns and toppings. Add fresh vegetables like lettuce, tomato, cucumber, or onion, along with vegan cheese and your favorite dressing. Serve immediately.

• Beans: Canned, fully cooked beans work best, but dried beans can be used if cooked until very soft.
• These burgers are crisp on the outside and tender inside. For a firmer center, pan-fry first, then bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes.
• Oven method: Place patties on a lined baking sheet, lightly oil them, and bake for 25–30 minutes until they reach your desired texture. Flip halfway through and brush with vegan BBQ sauce.
• Sunflower seeds: Walnuts or cashews can be used as a substitute.
• Leftover patties keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or can be frozen for up to 3 months.