Make Vegan Sliders for your next party, sports event, or holiday spread! These black bean sliders are a savory, umami burger made with mushrooms, walnuts, and beans.
I'll be the first to admit that American football is NOT my favorite. What can I say? Football is just not interesting to me.
So I'm not the one who'll be throwing a Super Bowl party.
But, I do like thinking about fun appetizers and snacks to serve IF one were to throw a party. Ya know? Like as a hypothetical for me, but potentially a reality for you.
Jump to:
So, foods like twice baked potatoes and buffalo cauliflower make it onto this blog.
And sliders.
Let me tell you. These sliders are delicious! They are very similar to my vegan meatball recipe (which has been such a hit so far).
The key to a good whole food plant-based slider is the right balance of flavors and textures. Beans, walnuts, mushrooms, onions, oats, and spices come together to create a sturdy patty that is ready to be piled with your favorite slider toppings.
But you don't need all those toppings to make these sliders taste good. They have plenty of smoky, earthy, umami flavor all by themselves!
Why I love these Vegan Sliders
- Dietary needs - these sliders are vegan/plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free, and sugar-free.
- Real foods - no fake meat here! You get a healthy serving of veggies like mushrooms and protein/fiber from the walnuts and black beans
- Umami flavor - mushrooms are known for that savory, umami flavor. And the meat-like flavor really comes through in these mushroom walnut meatballs
- Vegan sliders that are gluten-free - many burger recipes call for breadcrumbs or flour, but this recipe uses quick oats, which are naturally gluten free
- Great for parties - sliders are the ideal finger food! Not as big as a burger but still hearty
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Black Beans: canned black beans are perfect here. And, black beans help give these sliders a more meat-like color
- Cremini Mushrooms: I recommend cremini mushrooms (also known as baby bellas) for this recipe because they have a deeper, more umami flavor than regular white button mushrooms. They are also cheaper than some other fancy mushrooms like shiitakes. That said, white button mushrooms will work in this recipe.
- Raw Walnuts: walnuts add some texture (so these sliders aren't just a ball of mush). The fat in walnuts also helps develop a deeper flavor. You could sub raw cashews if you can't find walnuts.
- Red Onion: you could also use a white or yellow onion
- Quick Oats: quick oats act like breadcrumbs or flour - they help absorb any moisture and get these vegan sliders to stick together. Oats are naturally gluten-free, but if you need to be 100% GF, be sure to buy certified GF oats
- Garlic
- Dijon Mustard
- Salt & Pepper
- Liquid Smoke: this is my secret ingredient in many meat recipes that I turn vegan. Liquid smoke adds a smoky flavor and helps deepen the overall flavor of the dish. Find liquid smoke in the grocery store near the condiments
- Cayenne: these sliders aren't spicy - just a small amount of cayenne creates a deeper flavor
- To serve: vegan/gf slider buns, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, vegan mayo, etc.
How to make Vegan Sliders
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2. Add all the ingredients to a food processor. Long-pulse to blend until the ingredients are combined.
Step 3. Form the mixture into 12 ~¼ cup sized patties.
Step 4. Arrange on the baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes.
Step 5. Serve slider-style with buns, lettuce tomato, onion, pickles, etc. Serve with sweet potato fries!
FAQ & Expert Tips
These sliders are hearty enough to grill. You will need to use some oil on the grill to ensure the patties don't stick.
Heat the grill to medium heat and then grill for 5-7 minutes per side, until the patties have a nice char and are warmed through. You'll know the sliders are cooked when you can easily pick them up with a spatula and they don't flop.
These sliders have a smoky, umami flavor. Since they're made from black beans, they have a hint of sweetness. The walnuts and mushrooms create an earthy flavor. And the liquid smoke creates that meat-like smokiness.
You'll also get notes of onion, garlic, and mustard. Delicious!
Since these sliders don't contain meat, eggs, or dairy you're already skipping the cholesterol, saturated fat, and unhealthy hormones that might be in a regular slider.
But if you choose to buy black bean burgers, they will probably have added oils, protein isolates, and concentrates that are very processed and very not good for you.
Which is why I suggest that you make your own! When you DIY your veggie burgers, you control the ingredients. My sliders contain only beans, mushrooms walnuts, and spices. Nothing but healthy foods.
You can make these sliders in advance.
Option 1. Make the patty mixture a few hours before you want to cook them. The raw mixture can be refrigerated for several hours before you cook.
Option 2. Make and cook these sliders according to the directions. Then freeze. Reheat in the oven until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
Burgers and fries! It's a no-brainer. Try my baked sweet potato fries or purple sweet potato fries.
And check out these plant-based burger toppings:
- Plant-based cheese alternative: vegan queso
- Homemade mayo for schmearing
- Guacamole on sliders is divine!
- This aioli recipe is perfect on burgers AND with fries
Recipe Prayer
Thank you God for a healthy version of this party food. Bless us as we gather with family and friends. Amen.
More Burgers & Sliders
Tried this recipe?
Please leave a review in the comments section below and post on Instagram tagging me @elizabeths_table. You can also stay in touch with me on social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok or by subscribing to my newsletter.
📖 Recipe
Vegan Sliders (Gluten-Free, Oil-Free)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 15 Ounce Can Black Beans drained
- 8 Ounces Cremini Mushrooms sliced
- 1 Cup Raw Walnuts
- 1 Small Red Onion roughly chopped
- 1 ¼ Cups Quick Oats
- 2 Cloves Garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 2 Teaspoons Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Liquid Smoke
- ¼ Teaspoon Pepper
- Pinch Cayenne
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add all the ingredients to a food processor. Long-pulse to blend until the ingredients are combined.
- Form the mixture into 12 ~¼ cup sized patties.
- Arrange on the baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes.
- Serve slider-style with buns, lettuce tomato, onion, pickles, mayo, etc. Serve with sweet potato fries!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
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