Did you know that 1 in 10 Americans don’t include any meat in their diet? Because of this, it’s common to find veggie burger options and plant-based burger options on modern menus.
But what’s the difference between the two meatless burger options? It’s important to know if you’re vegetarian or vegan and you’re looking for the best burger in middle TN to try.
The following guide will explore what makes each option unique and help you order with confidence!
What Is a Veggie Burger?
The patty of a veggie burger consists of ingredients that are grown on plants. The base of veggie burgers typically blends together a combination of ingredients such as rice, beans, soy, vegetables, and different seasonings.
Specific ingredient examples include things like white beans, black beans, lentils, peppers, carrots, and mushrooms. These burgers aren’t trying to fool anyone into thinking they’re made from meat. Instead, they’re very veggie-forward and marketed as such.
You might think this is a new trend, but the first commercial veggie burgers debuted back in the 80s. Boca Burgers and Morningstar were the first mainstream brands but today there are tons of options to select from.
What Is a Plant-Based Burger?
Like veggie burgers, plant-based burgers are also made from plants as the name suggests. However, the main goal of a plant-based burger is to recreate the appearance, texture, and taste of real meat.
Plant-based burgers don’t contain the same type of fresh vegetables as veggie burgers. They are made in labs and contain highly processed ingredients such as soy protein concentrate.
If you’ve ever seen the word “Impossible” before the word burger on a restaurant’s menu, you’re looking at a plant-based burger. The same goes for the word “Beyond” which is another popular plant-based brand.
Key Differences
To make a Plant-based burger patty, certain plant parts like starch and protein get extracted and isolated. Then, those parts get combined to make a product similar to meat. Veggie burgers simply combine things like beans with vegetables using binders.
If you’re looking for the closest thing to actual meat, plant-based is the best burger choice for you. But if you’re looking for fewer additives and more flavor options, veggie burgers are the way to go.
Keep in mind that both options usually contain processed elements, but plant-based burgers are much more processed. Because of this, veggie burgers are typically the healthier option if that’s what you’re going for.
It’s hard to find organic options for plant-based burgers. But there are several organic veggie burger products that don’t contain any pesticides or GMOs.
Finding the Best Burger in Middle TN
Now you know how to find the best burger in Middle TN if you have a vegetarian diet. It really depends on if you want a burger experience that reminds you of real meat or a burger that’s vegetable-forward.
Check out the veggie and plant-based burgers on our menu and stop by one of our many locations to taste one for yourself!