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As plant-based diets continue to rise in popularity, the quest for the perfect vegan burger has become more exciting and delicious than ever. Gone are the days when vegan options were limited to bland veggie patties; today’s culinary innovators have crafted mouthwatering creations that rival their meaty counterparts in flavor and satisfaction. From smoky barbecue lentil burgers to juicy, beet-based marvels, these vegan delights offer a tantalizing array of tastes and textures. In this article, we take a bite out of the best vegan burgers, exploring the top spots and recipes that prove you donโt need meat to make a memorable burger experience. We at StudyFinds found 14 expertsโ consensus on the top plant-based patties you can put on your bun (or lettuce wrap)! Whether youโre a Meatless Monday aficionado or 100% vegan, youโll find a delicious burger to try on this expert-recommended list of the best vegan burgers.ย
The List: Best Veggie Burger Patties
1. Beyond Meat Beyond Burger
If you have only just dipped your toes into the world of plant-based foods, Beyond is definitely a brand you have heard of. Good Housekeeping says this burger is a winner: โOur winning meat-free alternative tastes every bit as authentic as a traditional burger โ even achieving a tell-tale BBQ char and smoky aroma. The flavour is equally convincing, with rich, umami notes and โspot onโ seasoning.โ
And according to Mindset Eco, โThe 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.โย
โThe Beyond Burger packs 20 grams of vegan protein in every patty and is free of soy and gluten. Itโs a dead-ringer for a ground-beef patty,โ PETA writes.
2. Impossible Burger
Impossible, huh? Make It Dairy Free recommends you make this burger a possibility in your life: โBefore 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.โย
You can also try the ground burger instead of the pre-formed patties. Shop Smart says, โThe Impossible Foods ground burger cooks up to make a burger thatโs 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 canโt have everything, right?โย
Or just stick with the patties. SELF writes, โIf youโre 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 itโs very sturdy), youโd have no idea this thing was made from soy and potato protein.โย
3. Dr. Praegerโs Perfect Burgerย
There is definitely something to the name here. The Beet says this is a perfect choice: โDr. Praegerโs 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.โย
โComplete with hidden root veggies like beets, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and carrots, Dr. Praegerโs 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,โ Oops Vegan writes.
Mashed thinks this brand is a healthy option: โWith 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. Theyโre also gluten-free, making them accessible to an even larger burger-loving audience.โ
4.ย Field Roast Hand-Formed Burgersย
ChooseVeg recommends choosing these burgers: โAnyone 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.โย ย
โMany 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 donโt 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,โ according to Eat This, Not That!ย
โTexture and taste-wise, these burgers are one of my favorites. While they are a bit lower in fiber than Iโd like, they make up for it with 21 grams of filling protein,โ LoseIt says.
5.ย Whole Foods 365 Plant-Based Burgers
Epicurious raves about this meatless patty: โThis was our top-rated choice among the meat-alternative variety. I found the texture to be reminiscent of pre-cooked frozen sausage โ which is not a bad thing if youโre planning to pile it high with tomatoes, pickles, and ketchup on a burger bun.โย
And The Kind Life can get behind this burger, too: โThese were pretty tasty! Iโd 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.โย
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
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 article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.
I like Litelife plant based meat. I am sure more great ones will arrive soon