Busting the Burger Bubble

Are you a vegetarian? Are you cutting back on red meat, or just wanting to try something new? We’ve done our homework and we’re happy to report that you no longer have to feel left out at your next cookout. Let’s get beyond the bun and take a look at some meat alternatives.

Just Like the Real Deal

Sales of plant-based foods have skyrocketed in the last year or so and show no signs of stopping. In a press release from the Plant Based Foods Association dated 7/30/18, the organization touted sales as an industry around $3.3 billion dollars with $670 million of that represented by plant-based meats.

So what’s the hype? Companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods pride themselves on burgers that they promise “looks, cooks and satisfies like beef.” And with veganism in the main stream and products that make it hard to tell the difference, even the most discerning of meat-eating palates have been swayed.

You can find Beyond Meat products including burgers, sausage, chicken strips and beef crumbles at your local grocery store. Beyond Meat’s “The Beyond Burger” is now offered at Carl’s Jr. on a meatless version of its Famous Star Burger.

We cooked up some Beyond Burgers at the office on GrillGrates and to be honest – they were a huge hit!

Impossible Burgers are now available at several restaurant chains including…. White Castle! We did a quick Google search and found this taste test video from the Chicago Tribune. Pretty impressive to think plant-based meats could impress the Tribune’s Food and Dining Reporter!

Eat Your Veggies

Faux meat not your thing? There are LOTS of other pescatarian, vegetarian and even vegan options out there.

For our vegan friends, Tofu and Seitan are both plant proteins that act as excellent vehicles for your choice of veggies and spices to create a variety of yummy, mind-blowing burger combinations. Both are widely available at grocery stores. Even Oprah has a recipe for a Sizzling Seitan Burger on her website.

There are also classic options – like salmon burgers, portabella mushroom burgers, and who doesn’t love a good black bean burger?

Chef Michael has whipped up both salmon sliders and black bean burgers in the past, and trust me when I say, we didn’t even miss the meat!

Get these recipes and more here.

The moral of the story is – there’s something for everyone. So don’t be afraid to go out on a limb and try one of these great meat alternatives. Just make sure whatever your burger is made of, you’re grilling it on GrillGrates!

Grill Grate and Eat Well!

-Meagan