Veggie burgers with cilantro mayo are made with black beans and quinoa for a protein packed and easy to make burger. Top them with an flavorful cilantro mayo (yes, cilantro!) and enjoy a quick and healthy meal.
This post may contain affiliate links which means we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you decide to make a purchase of one of our recommended products.
I’ve been making a version of these veggie burgers with cilantro mayo for 10+ years. They are a healthy and flavorful way to get in veggies and protein. Make them for a quick weeknight meal or as a veggie option during a summer dinner party.
Packed full of protein from black beans and quinoa and topped with fresh veggies, these burgers are a complete meal. Quinoa is a complete protein which means it contains all nine essential amino acids, the building blocks of proteins and something our body can’t make on its own.
My 10 month old son even loves these burgers and eats them chopped up (without the bun and toppings) to practice his pincer grasp.
Ingredients
Veggie burgers with cilantro mayo use just a few simple pantry ingredients plus some fresh veggies to make a delicious and quick meal.
- Quinoa: Any color of quinoa works here.
- Black beans: Canned black beans are cost effective, quick and add meatiness.
- Garlic, onion and green onion: Tons of flavor.
- Sesame seeds: Another healthy addition to these burgers, they also add texture.
- Egg: Helps bind the burgers together.
- Panko breadcrumbs: Helps bind the burgers together by soaking up moisture.
- Olive oil: Used for cooking the burgers.
- Cilantro: Added to mayo for a fun take on herby mayo.
See recipe card for quantities.
Variations
This recipe is already dairy free and it’s easy to make it vegan and gluten-free! You can also experiment with different herbs for the mayo and mix up the beans based on what you have on hand.
- Vegan – Make your veggie burger vegan by replacing the egg with a flax egg (see recipe notes) and using vegan mayo in the cilantro mayo.
- Cilantro – Replace the cilantro with dill, parsley, basil or a mix of herbs.
- Beans – a firm white bean like a great northern also works well here.
- Buns – Use your favorite gluten-free buns instead of white bread buns if desired.
Equipment
FAQ
Most veggie burgers, including this one, are not great for the grill. The reason is that quinoa and black beans can break apart easily leaving you with a big mess. If you want to try grilling them, make sure the uncooked burger feels firm and not too moist and oil your grill. Alternatively, you can use a frying pan or grill grid topper on your grill.
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with :
Veggie burgers with cilantro mayo
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These meat-free veggie burgers are full of protein from quinoa and black beans. Topped with an herby cilantro mayo, it’s the perfect meal!
Ingredients
Burgers
½ cup of quinoa
1 can of black beans, drained
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 small white onion, finely diced
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 egg
3 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons olive oil
Mayo
1 cup of mayo
½ cup of fresh cilantro leaves, tightly packed
½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For serving
Lettuce, red onion rounds
Instructions
- Cook quinoa in a pot according to package directions. Once cooked, add to a large bowl.
- Make mayo by adding all ingredients to a blender and blending until smooth. Add to a bowl and set aside.
- Add black beans to bowl with quinoa. Mash the beans with the back of a fork a bit, but don’t make them mushy. Set bowl aside.
- Heat a medium sized pan over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. They can get lightly browned but be careful not to burn. Add garlic and saute for another 2 minutes.
- Add onion and garlic to bowl with quinoa and beans. Add remaining ingredients to bowl and combine with your hands or a wooden spoon.
- Use your hands to form mixture into a big ball, then divide into 4 parts. Form 4 burgers.
- Heat a medium pan over medium heat. Add 3 tablespoon oil and cook burgers for about 4 minutes per side, until lightly browned and heated through.
- Serve burgers with cilantro mayo, lettuce and onions.
Notes
To make a flax egg, add 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal and 2.5 tablespoons of water to a dish and stir. Let rest for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Veggie Burger
- Cuisine: American
Leave a Reply