MomSkoop
Plant-based burgers have taken over grocery store shelves, promising to deliver the taste and texture of real beef without any meat. As someone who loves a good burger, I decided to put five popular brands to the ultimate test by cooking them all the same way and tasting them side by side. My goal was simple: find out which one could actually fool my taste buds into thinking I was eating the real deal.
1. Impossible Burger
Right off the grill, this burger shocked me with how much it looked like actual ground beef. The outside had that perfect brown crust, and when I bit into it, juice ran down my fingers just like a traditional burger would.
What really set this apart was the flavor—savory, slightly metallic in a beef-like way, with that umami punch I crave. The texture had just enough resistance without being rubbery or mushy.
My family couldn’t believe it was plant-based when they tried it. This is hands-down the winner and the only one that genuinely tricked my meat-loving brain into thinking I was eating beef.
2. Beyond Burger
Coming in as a close second, this patty definitely tries hard to mimic real meat. Before cooking, it even has that reddish-pink color that makes it look surprisingly authentic on the raw side.
Once cooked, the flavor was pleasant and beefy, though it had a slightly different aftertaste that reminded me I was eating something plant-based. The texture was good but a bit softer than actual beef.
I appreciated how it held together well and didn’t fall apart on the grill. While it didn’t completely fool me like the winner did, it’s still a solid choice for anyone looking to cut back on meat without sacrificing too much taste.
3. MorningStar Incogmeato
MorningStar has been in the veggie burger game for years, and their Incogmeato line is their attempt at something more realistic. Honestly, it tasted fine but didn’t blow me away.
The patty had a decent texture with some chew to it, but the flavor leaned more toward generic savory than actual beef. I could taste hints of vegetables and seasonings that gave it away immediately.
It cooked up nicely without sticking to the grill, which I appreciated. If you’re not expecting it to taste exactly like meat and just want something filling and protein-packed, this works perfectly fine as a burger alternative for casual meals.
4. Sweet Earth Awesome Burger
With a name like Awesome Burger, I had high hopes, but this one fell short of meat-like expectations. The patty had visible chunks of vegetables and grains, making it clear from the start that this wasn’t trying to be a beef impostor.
Flavor-wise, it tasted earthy and wholesome, kind of like a traditional veggie burger your mom might make from scratch. There was nothing wrong with it, but it definitely didn’t taste like meat at all.
If you prefer burgers that celebrate vegetables rather than hide them, you might actually enjoy this one more than the realistic options. It’s hearty and filling, just not what I was looking for in this particular taste test.
5. Before the Butcher Classic Plant-Based Burger
This was the brand I was least familiar with, and unfortunately, it ended up at the bottom of my ranking. The patty looked promising when I pulled it from the package, but something felt off once it hit the heat.
After cooking, the texture was surprisingly dry and crumbly, almost falling apart when I tried to flip it. The flavor was bland and needed a lot of extra seasoning to make it interesting.
While I appreciate smaller brands trying to compete in this space, this one just didn’t measure up to the others. Maybe with the right toppings and sauces it could work, but on its own, it was pretty disappointing and forgettable.