Vegetarian Black Bean Meatballs
Black Bean Meatballs are a meatless marvel packed with protein, fiber and flavor. Serve them Italian-style with marinara and spaghetti, or in a Southwestern-style salad.
My first foray into eating meatless meals was when I was in culinary school. But not actually in class, I mean when I was at home.
As I had quit my full time job to pursue a culinary education, our budget was tight. So, my husband and I started eating vegetarian meals as a way to save money during those years.
These Black Bean Meatballs were one of our staple meals. Because theyโre loaded with fiber, they fill you up and actually KEEP you full.
The best part that you can eat them every week and not get bored, because of how versatile they are. They can be eaten on their own, tossed with marinara sauce and served over noodles, or even incorporated into a salad.
Why I love this Vegetarian Meatballs Recipe
Black beans are my favorite ingredient for meatless meals, because they have so much flavor on their own, and take really well to being jazzed up with herbs and spices, too.
Their dark color kind of fools your brain into thinking you might be eating meat, and theyโre really sturdy, so they make for good โmeatballsโ and โburgersโ and the like.
I find these black bean meatballs just as satisfying as something meaty, like General Tso meatballs, Greek chicken meatballs, or turkey meatball recipe air fryer.
These black bean balls could lean either Italian or Southwestern thanks to the oregano! Drench them in marinara and serve them as a party appetizer, or put them over spaghetti for a weeknight meal. But I also love them just as much paired with avocado, corn and tomato in a Southwest-style dinner salad.
Ingredients for Black Bean Meatballs
- black beans โ youโll need one 15-ounce can of black beans for this recipe. Drain them and rinse them before you start. Buy an extra can for a cornbread breakfast casserole.
- egg โ this acts as the binder for the meatballs. If youโd like to keep this recipe vegan, itโs possible that you could substitute vegan egg replacement, but I havenโt tested them this way.
- breadcrumbs โ I use panko breadcrumbs because itโs what I keep on hand, but plain or Italian-style breadcrumbs work great, too.
- walnuts โ I used finely chopped walnuts (because I had some left over after making melomakarona cookies) to add extra texture and flavor to these bean balls. You could also use pecans, almonds or pepitas.
- oregano โ dried oregano lends a nice flavor to these black bean meatballs. You could even add a dash of my rib rub recipe for an extra flavor boost.
- salt and pepper โ seasoning is key to making these black bean balls super tasty.
- olive oil โ for pan frying the meatballs and getting them nice and brown.
How to make Vegetarian Meatballs
1. MASH. Put the egg in a medium bowl and beat until smooth. Add the beans, breadcrumbs, walnuts, oregano, salt and pepper and use a potato masher to mash the mixture until it is a chunky but mashed consistency.
2. FORM. Use your hands or small scoop to form the mixture into 10 golf ball-sized balls.
3. FRY. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet. Transfer the meatballs to the skillet and cook until they are browned on all sides and warmed through, turning occasionally.
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Vegetarian Meatballs Recipe Home Chef Tips
- Instead of mashing the beans with a potato masher, you can pulse the ingredients in a food processor to make the meatball mixture.
- Donโt shy away from salt and pepper, and add more if you think you need it (different brands of canned beans vary in their sodium content, so itโs hard to give one salt measurement that will work for everyone). Vegetarian dishes benefit from bold seasoning.
How to Serve
Serve them Italian-style!
Grab a jar of good marinara sauce or make a batch of my quick culinary school marinara sauce. Warm it up and then transfer the meatballs to the sauce and turn until all the balls are covered in sauce.
You can serve these on their own with some side dishes like butternut squash noodles and roasted asparagus.
Or, grab a box of spaghetti, fettuccine or even a short style of noodle and serve the black bean meatballs and marinara over pasta. Even egg noodles, like I use for my recipe for chicken stroganoff would work! Spaghetti and meatballs can be plant-based AND so delicious.
Or serve them Southwestern-style!
My other favorite way to serve black bean meatballs is in a Southwestern-style salad.
I start with a base of mixed greens, and then add some corn (usually grilled corn in the summer but Iโll just use frozen corn in the winter), diced avocado, chopped tomato, sliced radishes and Cotija cheese.
I usually serve this salad with salsa and homemade ranch dressing, and maybe a side of pimento mac and cheese.
Or sometimes Iโll simply serve these black bean balls with a big helping of my Mexican street corn salad recipe.
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Vegetarian Meatball Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained 15 ounces
- โ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 ยฝ tablespoons finely chopped walnuts
- ยพ teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- ยผ teaspoon kosher salt
- โ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- In medium bowl, beat egg until smooth. Add beans, breadcrumbs, walnuts, oregano, salt and pepper. Use potato masher to mash mixture until it is a chunky but mashed consistency (you can also pulse ingredients in a food processor for this step). Form mixture into 10 golf ball-sized balls.
- Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Transfer meatballs to skillet; cook 6 to 8 minutes or until browned on all sides and warmed through, turning occasionally.
Notes
- Instead of mashing the beans with a potato masher, you can pulse the ingredients in a food processor to make the meatball mixture.
- Donโt shy away from salt and pepper, and add more if you think you need it (different brands of canned beans vary in their sodium content, so itโs hard to give one salt measurement that will work for everyone). Vegetarian dishes benefit from bold seasoning.
Thanks so much, Jen ๐
YUM! We make a version with lentils โ recipe from The Meatball Shop in NYC โ to be honest, its sometimes hard to tell there is no meat. These are a must try, black beans are even tastier than lentils!
Yum, Kate. Now I want to make lentil meatballs! haha
As a Cuban Italian, this dish is pretty much perfect. Gorgeous photos too!
These meatballs look like the real deal! I could see those piled up on a fat soft roll, smothered in that marinara, and maybe topped with some provolone. OK maybe Iโve gone too far now
Sounds and looks delicious!
Thanks Ivana!
Love your twist on the meatballs and it sounds so flavorful and satisfying!!Great idea for a meatless meal ๐
Thanks Soni!
We made black bean burgers last year that didnโt quite work out like I wanted, your meatball versions seem to have succeeded where mine failed as far as holding together so I am so excited to master these and then try the burgers again.
Awww, thatโs the main reason Iโve been nervous to try making bean burgers. The great thing about meatballs is that theyโre so small โ so theyโre a lot easier to turn without any crumbling!
Anything with the words black beans and I automatically want it! These sound great. Iโve yet to experiment with meatless meatballs.
Thanks so much, Lane. I feel the same way about black beans!
Thank you, Jennifer ๐
Thanks Cindy!
I love black beans. This is a must try!
While I have eaten plenty a black bean burger, I was skeptical of how โmeat-less-ballsโ would be in an Italian dish . . . And the verdict was very good. I didnโt even miss the meat. Well done honey!
Thanks, family. Maybe next time Iโll serve them with actual pasta instead of barley ๐
OMG I love black beansโฆ they make perfect burgers, so why not meatballs?
My thoughts exactly, Sarah!
Iโve never made a meatless โmeatballโ before but I love the idea. Weโve been eating a lot of meat this winter, but Iโm looking forward to a lot more meatless meals in the warmer months. Pinning this one for later!
Awesome, thanks Courtney!
Weโve made black bean burgers, but never meatballs. I love the tomato sauce with them!
Thanks Sarah!
LOVE these black bean meatballs!!! I love black bean burgers so I know I would love these! Pinning!!
Me too, Alice. Thereโs this restaurant near me that has the BEST black bean burgers! Wish I could figure out how they make them so good!