Our Test Kitchen Found the Best Plant-Based Burger Brands

Taste of Home

Many of us are looking for ways to trim meat from our diet. For many dishes, it’s simple: trying eggplant Parmesan instead of its chicken-based cousin, topping our pizza with heaps of veggies or making hearty bean-filled chili. Things get a bit trickier when it comes to classics like a juicy flame-grilled burger. Finding the right substitute for a classic beef burger is challenging. Which plant-based burger really satisfies?

We know you don’t want to spend every burger night sampling veggie-based options. That’s why our Test Kitchen snagged every plant-based burger they could find and hosted the biggest veggie-friendly barbecue.

Psst! Learn how to create umami flavor in plant-based foods.

What We Looked for in a Great Plant-Based Burger

In this search for the best plant-based burger, our Test Kitchen kept a bunch of criteria in mind. They wanted a veggie burger that was delicious, satisfying and perfect for the grill. These are what our pros judged on:

• Flavor: How did the burger taste? Is it similar to a beef patty? If not, what other flavors are prominent? Is it enjoyable? Filling?
• Texture: Was the texture pleasant? Meat-like?
• Appearance: Does the patty look like beef? Did it grill nicely? Does it look like something you want to pile high with toppings and dive into?

Want to learn more about how our Test Kitchen chooses their favorite products? Check out our testing methods.

Our Test Kitchen Preferred Plant-Based Burger Brands

Taste of Home

After testing nine brands, our Test Kitchen found a few winners deserving of a place on the grill (or griddle). We think you’ll flip for them, too.

Best Veggie Burger for Meat Lovers: Impossible Burger

Taste of Home

If you’re a beef burger fan that’s looking to make a healthier switch to meatless burgers (at least some of the time), you’ll want to pick up Impossible Burger.

These much-hyped burgers were one of our Test Kitchen’s favorites because Impossible really replicated the experience of a beef burger with soy and other veggie ingredients. This burger looks like a real burger, sears up like a real burger, has the texture of a real burger and tastes a lot like…yep, a real burger. This patty had even our most serious burger fans willing to reach in for seconds.

Snag these for your next barbecue, pile high with toppings and no one will ask, “Where’s the beef?”

Shop Now

Most Filling Meat-Free Burger: Sweet Earth Awesome Burger

Taste of Home

Get your fill with the Sweet Earth Awesome Burger.These patties are made of pea protein and pack a whopping 25 grams of protein per serving—that’s comparable to a traditional beef burger.

But these burgers are good for more than a protein fix. The texture of the Sweet Earth Awesome burger was so similar to beef that it had a few Test Kitchen staffers double-checking. The nice sear, along with the thickness and flavor, made for a satisfying combo—plus a pleasant departure from a lot of the soy-based options that dominate the meatless burger market.

Shop Now

Best Grill Flavor (Without the Grill): Boca All American Veggie Burgers

Taste of Home

When it comes to veggie burgers, everyone recognizes Boca. It’s the original! And Boca All American Veggie Burgers remain a great option for vegetarians looking for flame-grilled flavor.

Boca’s classic veggie burger has a touch of built-in barbecue flavor thanks to liquid smoke. This is great if you’re craving a burger but don’t have time to fire up the grill. These patties browned up nicely and had a great umami flavor—not necessarily meaty but savory, the way mushrooms can be. Topped with a slice of cheese and some fried onions, these burgers are a great option for veggie-lovers looking for a quick barbecue fix.

Shop Now

How to Make These Plant-Based Burgers Your Own

Much like a traditional beef burger, the best way to customize your plant-based burger is with just the right toppings. Grab a crazy new condiment, slices of cheese and pile on extras like onion, lettuce, tomato, mushrooms and more. And get creative with your buns. Pretzel buns are always a tasty trade-in, but don’t forget about brioche buns from the bakery or even a homemade bun—you can make these in 40 minutes!

For more vegetarian meals, check out the best meat substitutes and more of our favorite plant-based meat brands.

Note: This blind taste test was performed by our staffers and was not part of a sponsorship. All opinions shared are our own, and have not been influenced by advertisers.