Buzz
Veggie burgers fall into two main categories: those that attempt to recreate the experience of meat, and those that embrace the full vegetable flavor. While you can easily make the latter at home to great success, the former requires a bit more precision, and the meat-free crowd deserves a ready-to-eat option they can just heat up and enjoy.
It’s Burger Week! As grilling season kicks into full gear, we’re all about the burgers. Whether you’re perfecting the patty, loading it up with gooey cheese, or making a veggie burger that actually tastes good, we’ve got the expert tips, recipes, and recommendations to help you create your ultimate burger.
There’s no shortage of pre-packaged veggie burger options, and every vegetarian and vegan I know has their go-to choice. So, I gathered the most recommended brands and sampled them to see how they stack up.
Best of the Meat Alternatives: The Beyond Burger
The Beyond Burger, Impossible Burger, and FieldBurger were all highly recommended, but unfortunately, the Impossible Burger isn't available raw for home use (the reasons remain unclear). While I enjoyed the mushroom-forward taste of the FieldBurger, I found it to be a bit too chewy and thick. On the other hand, the Beyond Burger was just as impressive as everyone had claimed. Could a beef expert tell the difference from a gourmet steak burger? Certainly, but the texture was surprisingly close to ground meat, and the taste was quite reminiscent of a fast food patty, especially when topped with condiments. It looked so much like a real burger, I wondered if those avoiding meat would find it off-putting.
MorningStar Grillers Prime also delivered a strong fast food vibe with a smoky flavor, and while it didn't quite match the Beyond Burger, I could see it satisfying that craving. (The meat substitute I absolutely do not recommend? Upton Naturals Classic Burger, which had a decent meat-like texture but an oddly sour taste.)
Best Veggie-Forward Option: Trader Joe’s Vegetable Masala Burger
I’ve never been one to even remotely consider being a vegetarian, but I’ve been eating (and craving) these Indian-spiced potato patties for over five years now. They’re incredibly savory, perfectly spiced, and have the ideal crispness for a potato-based patty; they’re like the filling of a veggie samosa in patty form, and I can’t get enough of them. They hold their shape from the pan to the bun and don’t need condiments to be delicious. Dr. Praeger’s also makes some tasty, well-seasoned veggie offerings, though their burgers tend to fall apart, especially if you pull them from the oven a bit too early. I also tried Hilary’s Root Veggie Burger, which held its shape and crisped up nicely, but was a bit bland.
What’s your go-to veggie burger? Do you prefer one that mimics meat, or do you prefer letting the veggies take center stage? Share your thoughts in the comments, along with any favorite brands. I doubt anything will top my Vegetable Masala burger, but I’m always up for a taste test.
