Veggie Burgersâ™ Honor Roll  All Miavita Features

Veggie burgers have come a long way from the mealy, dry, joyless patties that made you fear the road to healthy eating, like the one to hell, was paved with good intentions. But times have changed. Supermarkets now stock so many flavor-packed veggie burgers you don't have to sell your soul to go meatless.

Healthy Fast Food

Every time you eat a veggie burger instead of ground beef, you're doing your body a big favor. You spare yourself a load of calories and saturated fat, and you'd be hard-pressed to find an entree with healthier ingredients. We looked high and low, but Miavita nutrition experts found no empty calories in any name-brand veggie burgers.

Veggie Burgers' Nutritional Profile

Protein source: Soy and other legumes

Fat: Minimal amounts of "good" fats from liquid vegetable oil or nuts

Fiber: Up to 6g per serving

Veggie Burgers vs. Other Fast Food Burger King Whopper 614 calories 36 grams fat
McDonald's Quarter Pounder 410 calories 20 grams fat
Typical veggie burger  100 calories  3 grams fat  


The Best Tasting Brands

Ready to give veggie burgers a chance? Open the supermarket freezer case, and let your taste buds be your guide. Most brands fall into one of two categories: Veggie burgers that try to mirror the taste and texture of beef, and those that emphasize the natural flavors of the veggies and grains. Look below to see our favorites in each category.

The WannaBeefs: Best of the Meat-Like Patties

For patties that look, smell (sort of) and taste like beef, look for veggie burgers with "soy protein concentrate" as the first ingredient, followed closely by "natural flavors," and you're probably looking at a good choice to satisfy beefy cravings.

Best Meat-like Veggie Burgers

Chewy, tasty and juicy -- slap any of these three in a bun with pickles and ketchup, and we bet you'll have no beef with their flavor.

Boca Burger Hint of Fresh Garlic
Natural Touch Okara Patties from Worthington Foods
Lightburgers from Lightlife Foods
Not Garden Variety: The Veggie-Taste Standouts

Instead of aiming for ersatz beef, some burger makers strive to showcase the natural good taste of vegetables and grains, from black beans to bulgur and mushrooms to peppers. Look at the labels for flavor combinations that suit your tastes, and give two or three different brands a try. Here are our favorites.

Best Vegetable-Taste Patties

Robust flavor combinations and satisfying texture give these brands the edge.
Gardenburger Classic Greek, Zesty Bean or Savory Mushrooms patties
Yves Veggie Cuisine (various)