A novelty no longer, vegan burgers have become mainstream. Plant-based “meats” are growing so fast in popularity that they’re outpacing most other food categories in sales. Many people are looking to cut back on the real thing but have just as tasty an alternative. That said, you don’t need to be a vegan to enjoy some of the best vegan burgers made from plants.
Where’s the beef? There are actually more people than ever reaching for plant-based burgers instead of beef-based. Even among those still regularly eating meat, a survey showed 71 percent are willing to experiment with more plant-based food sources. What’s fueling this shift in Americans’ eating habits is an effort to be more environmentally friendly and/or ethical, as well as encouragement from younger generations.
Humans need protein for a balanced and healthy diet. And soy or pea protein are usually the stars of vegan burger patties. But the bright yellow rapeseed plant, which is a member of the cabbage family, may be entering center-stage. Nutrition scientists found it has the potential to replace popular ingredients as the best plant-based source of protein. Its natural mustard flavor means it could be perfect for making savory foods such as vegan burgers.
Don’t worry. You don’t need rapeseed burgers to come on the market before you can eat a mouth-watering vegan patty! You’ve got plenty of options. Almost too many actually. So, we at Study Finds found 14 experts’ consensus on the top plant-based patties you can put on your bun (or lettuce wrap)! Whether you’re a Meatless Monday aficionado or 100% vegan, you’ll find a delicious burger to try on this expert-recommended list of the best vegan burgers.
The List: Best Veggie Burger Patties, According To Experts
1. Beyond Meat Beyond Burger
Good Housekeeping says this burger is a winner: “Our winning meat-free alternative tastes every bit as authentic as a traditional burger – even achieving a tell-tale BBQ char and smoky aroma. The flavour is equally convincing, with rich, umami notes and ‘spot on’ seasoning.”
And according to Mindset Eco, “The vast majority of reviewers loved them and loved the flavor and texture of the patties. The general consensus was that these burgers are most comparable to a beef burger and that even non-vegans loved them.”
“The Beyond Burger packs 20 grams of vegan protein in every patty and is free of soy and gluten. It’s a dead-ringer for a ground-beef patty,” PETA writes.
2. Impossible Burger
Make It Dairy Free recommends you make this burger a possibility in your life: “Before cooking, we said this had a neutral smell and was very pink in color. It does have the white chunks like some of the others. It cooked just like burger with a brown outside a light pink center inside. Was not greasy when cooking. We really liked the flavor and texture.”
You can also try the ground burger from Impossible Foods, instead of the pre-formed patties. Shop Smart says, “The Impossible Foods ground burger cooks up to make a burger that’s uncannily close to the real deal. The manual labor and less than stellar fat levels are all that stops this from being a perfect five out of five. But hey, you can’t have everything, right?”
Or just stick with the patties. SELF writes, “If you’re looking for a plant-based patty that will stand in for a standard burger without missing a beat, trust me when I say that you want this on your plate. If you cooked this up on the grill (which would work fine, because it’s very sturdy), you’d have no idea this thing was made from soy and potato protein.”
3. Dr. Praeger’s Perfect Burger
The Beet says this is a perfect choice: “Dr. Praeger’s Perfect Burger lives up to its name by getting closer to the real thing than the more hyped competitors that have bigger marketing budgets. This plant-based burger is the underdog champion in our estimation. It sears perfectly on the grill and retains a juicy, mouthwatering texture and beef-like flavor. If you prefer a thicker patty, this is the choice for you.”
“Complete with hidden root veggies like beets, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and carrots, Dr. Praeger’s Perfect Burger is loaded with plant-based nutrition! These pea protein patties offer 20 g of protein, 30% of your daily iron requirement, and even a bit of calcium,” Oops Vegan writes.
Mashed thinks this brand is a healthy option: “With health as a guiding factor, these burgers include pea protein and a blend of sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, beets, and other veggies in their plant-based patties. They’re also gluten-free, making them accessible to an even larger burger-loving audience.”
4. Field Roast Hand-Formed Burgers
ChooseVeg recommends choosing these burgers: “Anyone who knows Field Roast knows that they have some of the best vegan sausages and roasts on the market. And their FieldBurgers are equally delicious. Made with barley, fresh carrots, and celery, these burgers are formed by hand in Seattle.”
“Many people who seek out these beefless patties in the freezer aisle are likely to be vegetarian, which also means that they likely are often on the lookout to find foods with an ample amount of plant-based protein. But don’t let your quest for the muscle-building macro cloud your judgment of the ingredients list. Go with Field Roast, whose source of protein comes from seitan. Field Roast adds umami flavor naturally with shiitake and porcini mushrooms,” according to Eat This, Not That!
“Texture and taste-wise, these burgers are one of my favorites. While they are a bit lower in fiber than I’d like, they make up for it with 21 grams of filling protein,” LoseIt says.
5. Whole Foods 365 Meatless Burgers
Epicurious raves about this meatless patty: “This was our top-rated choice among the meat-alternative variety. I found the texture to be reminiscent of pre-cooked frozen sausage — which is not a bad thing if you’re planning to pile it high with tomatoes, pickles, and ketchup on a burger bun.”
And The Kind Life can get behind this burger, too: “These were pretty tasty! I’d put them in the top five in terms of flavor. These are also more affordable than some of the others and are a solid option.”
Please share with us your favorite plant-based vegan burgers in the comments below!
Sources
- Good Housekeeping
- Mindset Eco
- PETA
- Make It Dairy Free
- Shop Smart
- SELF
- The Beet
- Oops Vegan
- Mashed
- ChooseVeg
- Eat This, Not That!
- LoseIt
- Epicurious
- The Kind Life
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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links.
I like Litelife plant based meat. I am sure more great ones will arrive soon