Summertime always makes us want to eat more fresh and healthy food. And now that grilling season is here, we’re educating ourselves about the latest non-meat alternative protein sources that will be good for us, our guests and our planet. Here’s our list of 10 plant-based protein foods and meats best for easy and delicious vegetarian and vegan summer grilling 2023, including burgers. Who says summer grilling and backyard BBQs can’t be plant-based, vegan and eco-friendly? Fire up the grill.
ready for vegan and veggie summer grilling this summer 2023
Summer is here, and you know what that means: it’s time to break out the grill! There’s nothing we love more than gathering in the backyard and charring a juicy patty to perfection. Burgers taste better in the great outdoors, when we’re cooking them with the people we love.
Plant-based protein foods and meats best for easy vegetarian and vegan summer grilling in 2023, including burgers.
And since we don’t want to leave anyone out of this special tradition – and since we know vegetarianism and veganism are on the rise, thanks to their environmental and health benefits – we want to make sure we have meat-free options available at every summer grill session. Once upon a time, we might have struggled to find worthy contenders, but those days are over; these days, there are many exceptional meat-free burgers on the market.
Plant-based protein foods and meats best for easy vegetarian and vegan summer grilling in 2023, including burgers.
In preparation for all your summer hosting needs, here are ten of our favorite veggie and vegan burgers.
best plant-based protein foods for vegetarian and vegan summer grilling 2023
1. Impossible Beef
Even as many other plant-based burgers gain popularity, it’s still hard to beat the ones from Impossible. Seven years after their debut, these meaty substitutes – so much like meat that it’s almost eerie – are still leading the pack.
They’re good for you, good for the planet, and engineered to satisfy beefiest cravings. In other words, they’re the most straight forward choice for all your summer events. And best of all, you know they’ll be a hit.
2. Beyond’s Cookout Classic
As much as we adore Impossible, it is worth considering the Cookout Classic burgers from Beyond. Beyond may be Impossible’s closest competitor, and when it comes to the grill, their Cookout Classic might have a slight edge.
These burgers seem destined for all your barbecue shenanigans. They’re juicy, meaty, and full of flavor, and something about them seems to scream summer. Gluten-free and soy-free, they can satisfy even the toughest customer, all while reminding us of summer memories gone by.
3. Chef’s Signature Plant Based Burgers
When it comes to plant-based meat (and cheese!) products, Field Roast is a favorite of ours. Though their products may not taste exactly like meat, they taste like something else we want to keep eating.
If you know your vegetarians are meat-averse – in other words, Impossible and Beyond might taste a little too much like meat for them – then we recommend these yummy, savory patties instead. They’re seasoned with carrots and onions, and they taste amazing on a bun with all your favorite burger toppings.
4. Future Burger
The burger of the future has got to be pretty good, right? Especially with an intriguing smiley face logo, like the one from Future Farms. But in all seriousness, Future Farm’s plant-based burgers are an option worth your consideration.
They have a particularly great texture – thick and “meaty” in exactly the right way. They cook on a grill in only four minutes, and they contain all the nutritional and environmental benefits that we’ve come to appreciate from our plant-based patties. Grab a few packs and give them a try.
5. Planet Based Food
These hemp burgers have been perfected over the past few years – based on feedback from real restaurant customers – and we have to tell you: we love where they’ve ended up. These are seasoned with garlic, onion, and paprika, giving them a greater pop of flavor than your average plant-based patty.
They are also vegan, soy and gluten-free, and packed with protein and Omega 3’s, 6’s and 9’s. And, of course, they are good for the planet too. If you’re looking to change up your cookout lineup, give these a try!
6. Akua Kelp Burger
Kelp is having a bit of a moment, so why not spread the love to your summer barbecue? Akua is the creator of the world’s first kelp burger, and we think these are something special.
While they may not taste like meat, they are rich with umami, and sparkling with savory notes of tomato and mushroom. And we promise, there’s no fish taste here. If you’d like to bring a little something different to the grill, these could be the stars of summer.
7. The Actual Truffle Burger
These chef-crafted shitake patties are made with white truffles, and boy are they sublime. We love the burgers made by Actual Veggies, because they are packed with – you’ll never guess – actual veggies, as opposed to ingredients whose names we don’t quite recognize.
We love a burger with nothing to hide. And these have all the right textural components – crunchy outside, soft, warm inside – and they’re absolutely delicious on the grill.
8. No Bull Burger
No Bull Burgers are made without bull – literal, and metaphorical. These are veggie-only, and perfect for any plant eaters who can’t stand the taste of meat. They’re handcrafted and made with premium, organic ingredients, marking them as a tasty and trustworthy choice.
Choose between original, savory mushroom, sun dried tomato, madras curry, and spicy Italian – five yummy flavors to keep your palate entertained all season long.
9. MorningStar Farms
Whenever we’re in the grocery store and see the burgers from MorningStar Farms, we breathe a sigh of relief. They’re delicious, they’re reliable, and they’re crowd-pleasers. There are also a lot of different choices – from the prime grillers (which taste the most like meat), to the tomato and basil pizza and the spicy black bean, which taste nothing like meat.
There are also vegan burgers, burgers with vegan cheese, and more. In other words, a little something for everyone. If you need quick, simple burgers to grab from the store, these are a winning choice every time.
10. Mooby’s Vegan Burgers and Fries Meal Kit
If you’re entertaining a small group, rather than looking for veggie burgers to have on hand all summer, we recommend trying this meal kit from Mooby’s. Mooby’s makes some of our favorite meat-free burgers in the tri-state area, and their meal kit is one sure way to get restaurant-quality veggie burgers in your own home.
And if you’d like fries with that… now they’re included! As are vegan buns, vegan cheese, and vegan sauce. It’s a vegan feast! These are a foolproof option if your need for veggie burgers is limited to a one-night engagement.
10 Plant-Based Protein Foods Perfect to Toss on the Grill this Summer
That’s our take on the best plant-based protein foods and meat for vegetarian and vegan summer grilling. Which one of these is at the top of your list, dear reader?
