While many of us grew up eating juicy beef-based burgers, today’s meatless burger options are endless. The staff at Wellness360 taste tested some of the latest plant-based burgers on the market and are bringing the results straight to our readers!
LINDSEY: Trader Joe’s Vegetable Masala Burger
I absolutely love these burgers! They store nicely in the freezer and take only a few minutes to cook in a pan with a splash of olive oil. The Indian spices give it a nice, mild kick. I prefer to eat these burgers without a bun but with a dash of ketchup for dipping. Quick, easy, healthy meal!
Overall: 5 Stars
NICOLE: Dr. Praeger’s California Veggie Burgers
I have tried other store bought veggie burgers, but this one is my favorite. Like Lindsey, I eat mine sans bun and with a small side of ketchup. I also like to pair it with a small sweet potato. The burgers are full of flavor, whole pieces of veggies and hold up well without getting mushy when I microwave it for a quick office lunch.
Overall: 5 Stars
MEGAN: Beyond Burger
At first I was a little leery of the meat, because it had a funny smell. I had a hard time telling when it was cooked all the way, but it eventually crisped up. As far as taste, I ate it plain so I could tell it doesn’t exactly taste the same, but I still thought it was delicious! If I had eaten it with a bun and all the toppings, I think I might have been fooled into thinking it was real meat. Even my cat was a huge fan!
Overall: 4 Stars
APRIL: Impossible Burger
My son Nicholas was the cook and taste tester for this 12oz package we purchased from Publix for around $8.39. Its nutritional information indicates it has 19g of protein with 0mg of cholesterol. He chose to grill it like he would any other burger on the gas grill. He first noticed that the meat was not as greasy as regular hamburger meat and the texture was more dry. He noted the taste was similar to meat, but it was a bit crumbly and wanted to break apart. The verdict is that it was “just ok.” He says, “it’s not bad, but it’s not the same as a real burger.”
Next, we decided to also give the Impossible Burger from Burger King a try and to compare it to the one we experienced at home. My daughter (a new vegetarian) and I ordered them plain so we could actually taste the meat…errr…burger without the toppings interfering. Like the one cooked at home the texture did seem more dry as compared to a hamburger patty, but the taste was pretty good. I don’t know that given the choice to choose it over a “real burger” I would. In the end, we can say it is a good addition to the menu for those choosing not to eat meat or to make a healthier choice.
Overall: 4 Stars
In a nutshell: While none of the burgers actually lived up to the real deal, it is safe to say that we were all satisfied with our options. These meat alternatives are tasty substitutes if you are willing to accept that it’s not actually beef.
RELATED ARTICLES:
We Tried It! Using Cauliflower as a Substitute
Spice Up Your Diet With Exotic Foods
3 Favorite Restaurant Recipes to Make at Home
