The best plant-based burgers

Many products are available for people following a plant-based diet, including burgers. These may best suit those who would like to cut down on meat products or follow a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.
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This article looks at some of the top plant-based burgers that individuals can purchase. We also discuss the difference between vegan and plant-based diets, how to choose a suitable product, and other alternatives.
Best kosher: Gardein Garden Veggie Burger
Gardein Garden Veggie Burger
Best for a budget: MorningStar Farms Original Chik Patties
MorningStar Farms Original Chik Patties
Best keto: Dr. Praeger’s All American Veggie Burger
Dr. Praeger’s All American Veggie Burger
Best availability: Beyond Meat Plant-Based Burger Patties
Beyond Meat Plant-Based Burger Patties
Best chicken flavor: The Alpha Burger Plant-Based Crispy Chik’n Patties
The Alpha Burger Plant-Based Crispy Chik’n Patties
Best soy-free: Neat Plant-Based Mix
Neat Plant-Based Mix
Best beef flavor: Impossible Foods Impossible Burger
Impossible Foods Impossible Burger
Best oil-free: Viva Italiano Vegan Burgers
Viva Italiano Vegan Burgers
Best for protein: Hungry Planet Beef Premium Burger Patties
Hungry Planet Beef Premium Burger Patties
Difference between vegan and plant-based diets
Plant-based eating is a lifestyle in which individuals prioritize calories from plants, fruits, and vegetables.
However, it does not necessarily eliminate meat, fish, or products derived from animals.
Vegetarians generally avoid meat, poultry, and fish but may consume derivative products from animals, such as eggs. There are also different types of vegetarian diets, such as:
eggs
Lacto-vegetarian: People who follow this diet exclude meat, fish, poultry, and eggs but will include dairy products, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter.
Ovo-vegetarian: Those that follow this diet exclude meat, poultry, seafood, and dairy products but allow eggs.
Lacto-ovo vegetarian: Individuals following this diet exclude meat, fish, and poultry but allow dairy products and eggs.
Lacto-ovo vegetarian
Pescatarian: Those who follow this diet exclude meat, poultry, dairy, and eggs but allow fish.
Pescatarian
Vegan: A person following a vegan diet excludes meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products, including foods that contain these products. They may also prefer not to use any product derived from animals, such as leather and beeswax.
Vegan
Learn more about plant-based versus vegan diets here.
Learn more about plant-based versus vegan diets here.
How to choose
Choosing suitable plant-based burgers may depend on a few different factors.
A person may consider a burger’s ingredients as they may help toward their specific health goals. For example, some of the products contain soy.
soy
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) states that soybeans can help reduce blood pressure, lower the risk for breast cancer, and improve bone health in people who are postmenopausal.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
blood pressure
breast cancer
bone health
postmenopausal
Additionally, a 202
202
1 review shows that soy may protect against cancer and that previously thought thyroid disturbances may be more likely due to insufficient iodine intake.
1 review
thyroid
iodine
Some products also contain highly processed vegetable oils that vary in quality, such as canola oil. A 2020 study found an association between cooked vegetable oils and a higher risk for type 2 diabetes.
canola oil
2020 study
type 2 diabetes
Other foods may contain added sugar, salt, color additives, flavor enhancers, or preservatives that individuals may prefer to avoid. For example, some sugar substitutes, such as maltodextrin, have a higher glycemic index and may also cause fluctuations in insulin levels.
sugar substitutes
maltodextrin
glycemic index
insulin
Additionally, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025 advise limiting foods higher in added sugar and sodium.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025
Some burgers carry certifications indicating that they are gluten-free or suitable for kosher diet. This can help people following these lifestyles to choose these products.
gluten-free
kosher
When looking at a product label for nutritional information, some companies state a product’s net carbohydrates or “net carbs,” which they typically calculate by subtracting the amount of fiber and sugar alcohols. This is on the assumption that they will not digest or impact an individual’s sugar levels.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) advises that this may not always be accurate. For this reason, the organization and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not recognize the term “net carbs,” nor does it have a legal definition.
American Diabetes Association (ADA)
When looking at “net carbohydrate” amounts, individuals should proceed with caution and consider checking the total amount for accuracy.
Learn more about net carbohydrates here.
Learn more about net carbohydrates here.
Individuals may also consider:
flavor
affordability
caloric value
sustainability
List of plant-based burgers
Here are some of the top plant-based burgers for a person to consider.
Medical News Today does not rank products in any order and does not recommend one product over another. A person should choose the product that best suits their needs.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Learn more here
Gardein Garden Veggie Burger
Key ingredients: brown rice, carrots, onions, peas, and rolled oats.
brown rice
carrots
onions
peas
rolled oats
Price: Around $7 for a pack of four burgers, 85 gram (g) each.
The table below shows key nutritional information for these burgers:
These burgers are vegan, kosher, gluten-free, and do not contain any genetically modified ingredients (GMOs).
genetically modified ingredients (GMOs)
They contain more than five vegetables. However, they also have soy, canola oil, and sugar.
Reviews on the company website say that these burgers go well with cheese but may need more flavor.
website
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MorningStar Farms Original Chik Patties
Key ingredients: Wheat flour, vegetable oil, soy protein concentrate, and sugar.
Price: Around $4 for a pack of four burgers, 71 g each.
These burgers contain the following key nutritional information:
These affordable, chicken-flavored patties contain vegetable oils, soy, and sugar. They are vegan and have a plant-based certification. They also come in a resealable bag.
Reviews say that while the flavor mimics a real chicken flavor, the texture is a little wet.
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Dr. Praeger’s All American Veggie Burger
Key ingredients: Hydrated pea protein, avocado oil, onions, and sweet potato puree.
avocado
sweet potato
Price: Around $6 for a pack of two burgers, 113 g each.
The table below shows the key nutrition information for these burgers:
These burgers are gluten-free, vegan, kosher, and do not contain any soy.
These burgers can be a good option for those following a low carbohydrate or keto lifestyle.
Reviews say that the burgers taste great on their own without extra seasoning and have a hint of a typical grill flavor.
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Beyond Meat Plant-Based Burger Patties
Key ingredients: Pea protein isolate, canola oil, coconut oil, maltodextrin, and sunflower oil.
Price: Around $5 for two burgers, 113 g each.
These burgers contain the following key nutritional information:
These vegan, gluten-free patties do not contain any soy. A person can purchase them online and receive them packed in dry ice-insulated containers.
The burgers may suit those who follow a keto diet. However, the vegetable oils and maltodextrin may not suit everyone’s needs.
The company has a 3.4 rating on TrustPilot with mixed reviews. Some individuals enjoy these burgers for their taste, while others say the salt content is too high and do not appreciate the additives.
TrustPilot
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The Alpha Burger Plant-Based Crispy Chik’n Patties
Key ingredients: Soy protein concentrate, wheat gluten, wheat starch, and canola oil.
Price: Around $7 for three burgers, 85 g each.
The below table shows some key nutritional values for these burgers:
These plant-based burgers are free from GMOs. However, they contain sugar, dextrose, and sunflower oil.
Reviews say that the burgers resemble a real chicken fillet and taste like real chicken. However, the total number of reviews is limited.
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Neat Plant-Based Mix
Key ingredients: Pecans, sweet potato, black beans, and coconut sugar.
Pecans
black beans
Price: Around $14 — makes four burgers, 39 g each.
The table below shows some key nutrition information for these burgers:
A person can use this plant-based mix to make the burgers themselves. They do not contain any soy.
This vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free mix comes with preparation instructions, although some reviews claim they are confusing.
Reviews mention the flavor resembles falafel instead of real meat, and some also mention an eggy flavor.
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Impossible Foods Impossible Burger
Key ingredients: Soy protein concentrate, coconut oil, sunflower oil, and dextrose.
Price: Around $8 for three burgers, 113 g each
The below table shows some key nutritional values for these burgers:
The Impossible Burger is gluten-free and kosher. The company says that it has no cholesterol and cooks like ground beef. However, these burgers contain extra salt and sugar.
Reviews agree that while the texture and flavor are close to real meat, they may not be close enough for everyone’s tastes.
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Viva Italiano Vegan Burgers
Key ingredients: Oats, pinto beans, green peas, and brown rice
Price: Around $9 — makes nine burgers, 32 g each
The below table shows some key nutritional values for these burgers:
These burgers are kosher and vegan and may be a good choice for those wanting to avoid highly processed oils, soy, gluten, nuts, preservatives, or GMOs.
The mixture comes with preparation instructions.
Individuals comment that the burgers do not taste like beef but cook well and taste good with extra seasoning. Reviews also favor the lack of added sugars in this product.
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Hungry Planet Beef Premium Burger Patties
Key ingredients: Soy protein concentrate, sunflower oil, and beet powder.
beet
Price: Around $128 for 30 burgers, 150 g each.
The table below lists some key nutrition informationfor these burgers:
These burgers are free from gluten and GMOs. They are vegan and obtain their color from beet powder and caramel.
The manufacturer currently has no reviews, comments, or complaints with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
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Alternatives
Some other products people can consider include:
homemade vegetable burgers without sugar, additives, or vegetable oils
whole food soy forms, such as tofu, tempeh, natto, and edamame
tofu
edamame
portobello mushrooms
mushrooms
Learn more about soy here.
Learn more about soy here.
Summary
Many plant-based burgers are available, and most try to resemble the flavor of real meat or poultry, while others play on their unique flavors with vegetables, herbs, and spices.
However, some products contain sugar, vegetable oils, additives, or a high amount of salt, which some individuals may wish to avoid. Others have gluten-free or kosher certifications.
Ultimately, an individual should consider the brand and the product’s ingredients before purchasing. There are also alternatives, such as homemade, plant-based burgers.