These deliciously hearty Stovetop Vegan Black Bean Meatballs are great alternatives to traditional meatballs. Packed with flavor and protein, these savory bites are perfect for adding to pasta dishes with marinara sauce. Easy to make and bursting with wholesome ingredients, these vegan meatballs offer a unique twist on a classic dish.
These vegetarian black bean meatballs are my best discovery and I am sure they will become a new favorite in your kitchen.
Health benefits of black beans
Black beans have a high content of iron, calcium, phosphorus and zinc which helps in maintaining healthy bones. These help lower blood pressure and manage diabetes. Its potassium, fiber and vitamin B6 content helps decrease the risk of heart diseases. These are great sources of plant protein that aid in weight loss and promote healthy digestion.
I often enjoy Mexican salad which is a combination of quinoa and beans. Black bean curry is my favorite one-pot meal. For a wholesome lunch, I like to serve black bean oatmeal pilaf.
Why you will love this recipe
Hearty and wholesome
Protein and fiber-rich
Easy and simple with few ingredients
Stovetop recipe
Plant based and family-friendly
Ingredients
Ingredients notes
Oil – Olive oil, grapeseed oil or, avocado oil can be used for this meatless meatball recipe.
Black beans – Canned black beans are perfect for this vegan black bean balls recipe.
Onion – I used red onion so as to caramelize it well. White or yellow onions also work.
Herbs and Spices – Simple spices from the pantry are required.
Nutritional yeast – This gives a nice cheesy flavor along with vitamin B12.
Panko bread crumbs – This adds a nice texture to the meatballs while helping them bind well. You may use any gluten-free bread crumbs to make this vegan meatball recipe.
Chickpea flour – Besan from an Indian store or chickpea flour from a local store works equally great.
ketchup – It adds a nice subtle sweetness.
For detailed measurements of ingredients, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to make
Firstly, I heated oil in a nonstick pan and added fennel seeds and chopped onions. Then, I sauteed it for 30 seconds over medium flame.
Secondly, I added garlic powder, onion powder, ketchup, oregano, paprika and parsley in it.
Then, I mixed it again and cooked it over medium-high flame until onions were caramelized. Then, I removed the pan from the flame and let it cook completely.
Next, in a food processor, I combined black beans, nutritional yeast, chickpea flour, panko bread crumbs and cooked onion from the above step.
Thereafter, I blended it until it started to stick to each other like a dough.
Afterwards, I removed its blade and took about 1 tablespoon of the dough and shaped it round between my palms. then, I placed it on a clean nonstick pan. I repeated this step for the rest of the dough.
After that, I turned on the flame at high heat and sprayed cooking spray over them. Then, I cooked them brown from all sides by flipping them with the help of the tongs.
Once done, I dipped each of them into marina sauce and enjoyed.
These tasted excellent and were pretty to serve also.
Serving tips
These taste excellent with spaghetti. I personally enjoy them being dipped in my favorite marinara sauce and placing them over a bed of brown rice. These are great in sub and sandwiches or wraps.
Storage tips
You may refrigerate them in an air-tight glass container for about 3 weeks. When ready warm them in the microwave or cook with your choice of topping over the stove top.
Expert tips
- It is important to not over blend the mixture in the food processor. Just a few pulses or at low blend speed for 1 minute should be sufficient.
- When cooking the onions, make sure the onions do not burn. They need to be light brown and caramelized in the seasonings.
- Most importantly, cook each of them together over medium heat and do not leave them unattended or else they will burn very quickly.
It is a convenient gadget that helps to mix all the ingredients. You may use food masher to mash or mash them with your hands. The texture of the dough will however differ.
You may use canned pinto beans if desired but black beans have a different taste and I would highly recommend trying this recipe with black beans.
Yes! Make sure to soak them overnight. When ready boil them in a saucepan until soft. You may pressure cook in an instant pot for 10-11 minutes. Drain the water before using it for this recipe.
More related recipes
Tofu Meatballs
Zucchini Kofta
Malai kofta
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Stovetop Vegan Black Bean Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil/avocado oil/grapeseed oil
- 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 1/2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika powder (or chili powder)
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 15 oz canned black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp chickpea flour
- 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- salt as per taste
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Heat oil in a nonstick pan and add fennel seeds and chopped onions. Saute for 30 seconds at medium flame.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, ketchup, oregano, paprika and parsley to it. Saute and cook over medium flame for 3-4 minutes or until onions are caramelized. Do not let onions burn or become too dark. Remove from flame and let it cool down.
- In a food processor, combine black beans, nutritional yeast, chickpea flour, panko bread crumbs, salt and cooked onions. Pulse them a few times or blend them until a dough is formed and starts to stick to each other.
- Remove the blade. Take about 1 tbsp of the dough in your hand and make a smooth round ball and place it in a clean nonstick pan. Repeat this step for the rest of the dough.
- Turn on the flame at high heat and place the pan on it. Grease them with cooking spray and cook each of them from all sides until brown. Make sure to flip them with the help of tongs for even cooking.
- Once done, turn off the flame. Dip them in marinara sauce and serve with your choice of pasta or enjoy as sandwiches or subs.
Video
Notes
- You may refrigerate them in an air-tight glass container for about 3 weeks. When ready, warm them in the microwave or cook with your choice of topping over the stovetop.
- Do not over-blend the dough. just enough so they stick to each other.
- While sauteeing onions make sure they are not overcooked.
- The nutritional information is provided only for the meatballs. It will vary depending on your choice of serving options.
Nutrition
Byron Thomas says
These look delicious. I’m always searching for a way to prepare meals with black beans. We ALWAYS have black beans on hand!
Thomasina says
These look delish! We like black beans, but cheese definitely makes it better. 🙂
Oana @AdoreFoods says
These cheesy bites look fantastic! My daughter will love them 🙂 Thanks for sharing it.
Tina Marie says
I am seriously going to try these! Bookmarked this recipe for later use. Stopping over from your post in FBC.
JcCee says
These look yummy! I have been wanting to find more ways to add black beans to our menu. This would be a great way to add them. Thanks for sharing!
Agatha says
This is a great meatless option – didn’t think you could make this with beans.
Shannon says
These look awesome! I am always looking for meatless alternatives to make!
Gail Cavanaugh says
These look delicious!
kaitie says
these look easy and delicious. I always like to add a little extra something to dinner, or to lunch, and these would be great as a meal with other appetizers!
Jessica @ Moxie and Mischief says
This sounds delicious!
Orana says
These look great! LIke little bean meatballs. My family would love these. Thanks for the recipe.
Kelly @ The OK Momma says
I LOVE this! My toddler has 2 great loves in this world: Cheese & black beans. Cannot wait to make these!
Well, maybe 3 great loves: Cheese, black beans, and my boobs 🙂
Leslie says
These cheesy black bean bites look like they would make a great alternative to my grandmother’s famous sausage balls!
Six Pack Mommy says
You had me at beans and cheese… both of which I love! This is a more family-friendly way of getting kids to eat beans without seeing the beans- which I think will work really well!
April Rutherford says
MMMMM, CHEESE! I love it too! You always have the most healthy looking yummy recipes. I think my children would love to help form the balls with me!
brittany says
These look awesome for movie night with my grandparents!
Ali A says
I love black beans/black bean burgers/etc…these look so good! What a great idea for a summer BBQ.