Veggie vs Plant Based Burger: What Are the Differences?

A well-formed, juicy patty, a sturdy, yet soft bun, dripping with condiments and piled high with toppings.

Who doesn’t love a good burger?

According to a new study, burgers are still one of America’s favorite foods. This isn’t surprising, but the kind of burgers people are ordering is changing. More and more, people are looking for meat-free, vegetarian options, making veggie burgers and plant-based burgers popular choices.

If you are curious to see a breakdown of the differences between a veggie vs plant-based burger, keep reading!

The Basics of Veggie vs Plant-Based Burgers

Veggie burgers and Plant-based burgers have their differences, but they also share certain characteristics. Neither of them contains meat of any kind.

They both come in vegan (no animal products) and vegetarian (may include dairy products and eggs) varieties. Both veggie burgers and plant-based burgers are meant to be eaten like traditional burgers—in between two buns and with all the classic toppings.

Veggie burgers are typically higher in fiber and it’s common for plant-based burgers to have more protein.

What Is a Plant-Based Burger?

Plant-based burgers are made to replace traditional beef burgers. They are often made with pea protein or soy protein, but they look, taste, and smell like a burger made with meat. The texture is also made so that when you bite into it, it feels like you are tucking into a burger made with ground beef.

People who choose plant-based burgers may prefer to stick to a non-meat burger that is similar in look and taste to a beef burger. Put on all the traditional hamburger fixings—ketchup, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles—you may have a hard time telling them apart from a “traditional” burger!

What Is a Veggie Burger?

There are many veggie burger benefits, but there is one element that stands out. A veggie burger showcases healthy veggies in all their glory. They are not meant to replicate the taste and texture of a beef burger. You cannot trick a beef burger lover with one of these!

Some of the vegetables used commonly used in veggie burgers are mushrooms, beans, peas, and carrots. They often use beans, rice, and/or quinoa or nuts and seeds as a binder to form the patties.

Here types of veggie burgers you might find are:

Black bean and veggie burger
Quinoa and veggie burger
Chickpea and veggie burger
Sweet potato and mushroom burger
Portobello mushroom burger
Falafel burger

Veggie vs Plant-Based Burger: Which Is Better?

If we have to decide on which of the two—the veggie burger or the plant-based burger—is better, there is no right or wrong answer! What really determines the “better” burger depends on the preferences of the burger eater!

People often choose a plant-based burger when they are trying to eat less meat and want something as close as possible to the real deal. Or they do not like vegetables and prefer not to eat them in their burgers

Veggie burgers are preferred by people who aren’t trying to hide their vegetables, grains, or beans! They might also choose a veggie burger because they like the wide range of options available.

Why Do People Choose Non-meat Burgers?

People choose non-meat burgers such as veggie burgers and plant-based for many reasons. Some people who eat them are full-time vegetarians, some are “occasional” vegetarians, and there is no denying the many veggie and plant-based burger benefits. Here are some of the reasons people choose to trade a regular beef or chicken burger for these non-meat burgers:

They are vegetarian (they eat dairy and other animal products, but not meat)
They are vegan (they don’t eat any animal products)
They want to cut back on their meat consumption
They are curious to try out the new, trendy “non-meat” burgers on the market
They are environmentally conscious (aware of the contribution of animal farming to global warming)
They are ethically driven (they don’t eat meat for animal welfare issues)
For religious reasons (some religions forbid the consumption of meat or specific kinds of meat)

Where to Get a Plant-Based Burger or Veggie Burger?

The popularity of plant-based and veggie burgers is on the rise. They were first available in the 1980s when a no-meat diet was less common and considered food for “hippies”. Nowadays, we find plant-based burgers or veggie burgers in many different places!

Veggie Burgers and Plant-Based Burgers in Restaurants

Veggie and plant-based burger options are found on more and more restaurant menus. The demand for them is rising. They are included on menus of fast food restaurants, cafeterias, pubs, and even high-end restaurants.

Even local hamburger joints known to make the best burgers in town are adding a veggie or plant-based burger on their menus.

Veggie Burgers and Plant-Based Burgers in Grocery Stores

Go to any grocery store these days and you will find a wide variety of veggie burgers and plant-based burgers on the shelves and in the freezer section. There are many varieties of non-meat burgers to be found in local markets, grocery stores, and even in big box stores. People adding more veggie burgers and plant-based burgers to their regular home dinner or lunch rotations.

And why wouldn’t they? They are tasty, convenient and the perfect comfort food for people choosing not to eat meat.

Making Veggie Burgers and Plant-Based Burgers at Home

There are many recipes for veggie burgers online. Making your own veggie burgers at home requires a delicate balance of ingredients, to make sure the burgers hold together.

What’s the best part of making your own non-meat burgers? That you can choose the veggies, binders, seasonings, and flavor profiles that you prefer.