The Impossible Burger and Beyond Burger are two plant-based alternatives to meat burgers. What Is the Impossible Burger, and Is It Healthy? Some brands were dense, dry, and reminiscent of old-school soy patties. Mycoprotein is a meat alternative developed to answer the need for affordable, environmentally responsible protein that people who eat meat enjoy. We tasted 12 different meatless burgers, including Impossible Burger and Beyond Meat, to find the plant-based ground beef for burgers, tacos, chili, and more. 6 Science-Based Health Benefits of Eating Vegan. If you buy something through our retail links, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Ad Choices, The Best Plant-Based Burgers You Can Buy at the Store. A few tasted undeniably like elementary school cafeteria burgers. All rights reserved. As for saturated fat, the Beyond Burger is the lowest, with the Impossible Burger being very similar to the beef patty. They have also begun to realize the environmental impact of raising meat for human consumption. To revisit this article, select My Account, then View saved stories. This makes both burgers a handy meat replacement for a variety of recipes beyond just burgers, from lasagna and bolognese sauce to gyros and skewers. As for saturated fat, the Beyond Burger is the lowest, with the Impossible Burger being very similar to the beef patty. Impossible credits this quality to the use of heme, an iron-containing compound that’s found in meat (and is responsible for the metallic tang of blood). Both burgers are sold in select restaurants and supermarkets, though the Beyond Burger remains more widely available in the United States, internationally, and online. And although testers agreed it was certainly meat-like, many felt it was equivalent to a mediocre cookout burger at best. The package of raw Impossible meat resembled real raw ground beef, complete with bright red "blood" and little white particles of fat. The most appealing aspect of this burger was its texture—meaty, but not too meaty. Between the two, the Beyond Burger is the only one currently available for purchase online. When it comes to protein, all three are about equal. The Impossible Burger 2.0. Compared to a standard burger that’s 80% lean and 20% fat, both plant-based options are lower in calories, total fat, and cholesterol. Both the Impossible Burger and Beyond Burger can suit various dietary needs. Lightlife Burger. Here are 6 science-based health benefits you may experience by eating vegan. You can also order it at a range of independent restaurants, as well as chains like Denny’s and Subway. We sampled 12 varieties of faux meat to find the best option for burgers, chili, tacos, and whatever else you’d use ground beef for. Whereas 80-percent-lean beef has 75 milligrams of sodium per ¼-pound serving, the Impossible Burger contains 370 milligrams in the same size serving, and Beyond Beef has 390 milligrams. Both burgers are halal- and kosher-certified and free of gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, and all animal products. This meat-like texture and feel differentiate them from other plant-based burgers currently available. One word, two syllables: beefy. The Beyond Burger is also soy- and GMO-free. Despite being made exclusively from plants, both these burgers pack added sugar, salt, and other processed ingredients like protein isolates (1, 2). Each 4-ounce (113-gram) serving provides around (1, 2): Both are rich in protein, providing close to the same amount you would get from a 4-ounce (113-gram) beef patty (3). We cooked each plant-based burger patty and loose ground beef product in a lightly-oiled cast iron skillet as directed by the packaging instructions. A vegan diet has some impressive effects on your health. Thus, they contain fewer vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds than burgers made from whole foods. The Vegan Diet — A Complete Guide for Beginners. However, it’s important to note that not all plant-based foods are equally beneficial (4, 5, 6, 7). Many people view the Impossible Burger and Beyond Burger as healthier alternatives to meat-based burgers. Please send me emails about Impossible Foods’ products and services. Moreover, both burgers are made exclusively from plant-based ingredients. Therefore, unless you’re trying to avoid soy or peas, simply follow your taste buds when picking a favorite between the two. If you’re looking for a meat-like meatless burger, keep scrolling to read our testing methodology and why Impossible earned the top spot. It is very important to eat nutritious foods on a vegan diet. The burger has 220 calories, 13g of fat, 10g of saturated fat, and 20g of protein, which is pretty similar to a beef patty (with a little less saturated fat). The center of the patties remained pretty moist, while the outsides became slightly crumbly. In addition, the Impossible Burger is fortified with additional vitamins and minerals, making it slightly higher in zinc, phosphorus, certain B vitamins, and vitamins C and E. Both burgers have a similar nutrition profile but their source of protein and main ingredients vary, making the Impossible Burger slightly richer in certain vitamins and minerals. It’s also available at Burger King and several other restaurants in the United States, China, and Singapore but can be difficult to find in other countries. Both the Impossible Burger and Beyond Burger are made from processed ingredients. Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell, Everything You've Ever Wondered About Meatless Meat, Explained, Impossible Burger, $9 for 12 ounces on Instacart, Beyond Burger, $6 for 2 (4-ounce) patties at Target. ★★★ Maker Lightlife/Greenleaf Foods, Toronto. SUBMIT. Both products are a versatile and convenient replacement for ground meat. Another popular plant-based burger option is the Impossible Burger, which only recently became available for purchase in-stores after only being in restaurants for some time in the past. All products featured on Epicurious are independently selected by our editors. Vegan vs Vegetarian - What's The Difference? Here are the 8 best veggie burgers based on their nutritional profile, ingredients, texture…, Whether you're following a vegan lifestyle or want variety in your diet, there are many reasons for considering meat alternatives. JOIN OUR MAILING LIST. On the other hand, the Beyond Burger is more readily accessible both in U.S. and international grocery stores and restaurants. That’s in large part because plant-based diets have been linked to a variety of health benefits, including a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Slogan “Food That Shines” Selling … No salt or seasoning was added to the samples. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. The Beyond Burger came in at a close second in our taste test. Both are certified kosher and halal and can be used in a variety of recipes. Impossible Burger is packed with nutrients and good for the planet! This article looks…, Some worry that vegetarian and vegan diets might lack sufficient protein. According to the website, the Impossible Burger is made with wheat protein, potato protein, coconut oil, and Leghemoglobin, a genetically engineered product from soy to resemble heme, typically found in meat products. They hold their shape well during cooking, are easy to prepare, and even release a red fluid similar to what you see if cooking meat. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Today’s meatless burger options go far beyond your traditional mushroom or black bean or lentil patty. Vegan and vegetarian diets are both popular, but they differ in important ways. Vikas Shukla - Jun 24, 2019, 12:37 pm. Do the new ingredients in the popular plant-based patties make the Beyond Burger a better diet choice? This brand was also the most beef-like in the way that it cooked—fat excreted from the patties, which sizzled and seared nicely along the edges.