It’s so super easy to create, customizable, and features everything you’d expect in all healthy vegan burgers. Enjoying some substantial and epic comfort food is one of life’s simplest joys, especially when it’s not only very tasty but also nourishing and shockingly excellent for you.
Gone are the years when eating a vegetarian or vegan hamburger was reserved only for those who followed this lifestyle, or those who wanted to lose weight at the cost of sacrificing flavor. Today, much progress has been made in the texture and flavor of vegetarian burgers, which can be as tasty as meat burgers but are much healthier and, above all, fairer to animals. If you are one of those who like the aroma and taste of meat, you may want to consider switching to a veggie burger. Before we list 5 of the best vegan burger recipes, here are 4 reasons why you should consider making the switch:
4 Reasons to choose a veggie burger vs. a meat burger
1. Low in fat and low in calories
If you want to lose weight without changing your diet drastically, a veggie burger is an ideal option for you. Breaded veggie burgers are low in saturated fat, making them a good choice. Conventional beef patties contain about 10 grams of fat, while the average veggie burger is around 3 grams. However, not all veggie burgers have a low-fat content, so don’t trust and read the labels, some being even fatter than beef burgers.
Calorie-wise, meat burgers contain on average more than 200 calories per serving, while most veggie burgers do not exceed 70 calories, that is, one-third!
2. Fewer preservatives and additives
Preservatives are additives commonly found in processed foods. Preservatives are added for the purpose of extending shelf life. This may be an advantage for food manufacturers, but there is a big health-related downside for you. And that is, some beef patties contain sodium nitrites, which can lead to life-threatening diseases such as brain cancer or leukemia. While it is optimal when consuming vegetarian burgers that they are made with homemade ingredients, even processed ones are much healthier.
3. Rich in fiber
Veggie burgers not only help you maintain weight and avoid bacterial infection, but they can also help prevent such serious diseases as colon cancer. This is because a veggie burger contains a high amount of fiber. This fiber is not only good for the colon but is also beneficial for your heart. The consumption of red and processed meat may be linked to colon cancer, as stated in the WHO report a few months ago.
4. They help prevent disease
Some veggie burgers can benefit your health by helping to prevent disease. For example, soy (which is often an ingredient in veggie burgers) is known to contain phytochemicals that help reduce your body’s LDL cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol. This cholesterol can clog arteries and block blood flow, causing heart disease or a heart attack. The soy in veggie burgers can also help prevent osteoporosis and other bone diseases by helping your bones retain calcium.
5 Best Vegan Burger Recipes
Beet & Kidney Bean Burgers
It’s simple to make, forgiving, brightly coloured, and has the perfect texture. The beets lend a lovely magenta colour, the kidney beans provide gratifying plant-strong protein, and the spices add a rich umami taste.
Then there are the mushrooms, which lend part to that “beefy” flavour and texture. When this is sautéed with onion and garlic, it releases its fragrant earthy flavour and radically changes its texture. So you don’t want to miss out on it.
Kale Pesto Burgers
These Kale Pesto Burgers are quick to prepare, flavorful, and ready to serve in under 30 minutes. These burgers are loaded with Kale, Basil, Garlic, and every Vegan’s favourite condiment, Nutritional Yeast, and are guaranteed to please. Everything is gluten-free and nut-free, so everyone can enjoy it.
Supreme Nacho Burger
It’s loaded with a chip-crusted black bean burger, thick cashew queso, guacamole, crunchy romaine, and spicy peppers!
A crowd-pleaser for the Super Bowl! Set up a build-your-own-burger bar with all of the necessary accouterments using this recipe. A slow cooker for the cheese, bowls for lettuce, guacamole, chopped veggies and peppers, and plates for toasted buns and heated burger patties
Tempeh, Quinoa, and Sweet Potato Burgers
This burger’s filled with so much protein and flavour that no one will miss the meat! Toppings like kimchi, sauerkraut, avocado, cashew cheese, and mustard can be added to these burgers for a lively dinner that everyone will enjoy. We like to serve these tempeh burgers with oven-baked sweet potato fries or crispy smashed potatoes and homemade ranch dipping sauce.
Smoky Mushrooms Burgers
These burgers have a delicious savoury flavour and a hearty texture. They’re also grillable!
Unlike many packaged veggie burgers, its wonderful texture and flavour are derived from basic, plant-based ingredients, so it isn’t only tasty — it’s also healthy!
