How To Cook Beyond Burger – Plant Based Burger Guide

To cook a Beyond Burger, simply preheat your pan, add the patties in and fry for approximately 4 minutes on each side. Thinner patties require less time to cook. The patties will be fully cooked after they reach a temperature of 165 degrees F.

No longer are plant-based diets referred to as “flavorless”, “bland” and “boring”. 

The biggest reason people have for not changing their diet to plant-based 'meats' is the fact that they don’t know how to prepare alternative meats. This is especially true in the case of meat-free hamburger patties.

Read on to see all the ways to cook Beyond Burger patties as well as other meat-free patties for burgers.

What Are Plant-Based Burgers?

Plant-based burgers are by no means new to the shelves of the supermarket, however, they’re not popular!

Have you ever encountered (or maybe accidentally picked up) Beyond Burger patties, or other brands like Morning Star, and actually tried them? Or do you just set them aside because you're unsure about what to do with them?

You may have heard people saying that plant-based burgers don’t taste as good as meat-based patties. But, you won't know until you try!

It’s not necessary to be vegan or suffer from dietary restrictions to take a pack of these delicious plant-based burgers home.

For plant-based burgers made of plant matter, manufacturers are always trying to find ways to make them look and taste like meat. 

For example, lentils are used instead of red meat and aquafaba liquid can assist in gluing the ingredients together. Coconut oil, a plant-based fat, is used to provide moisture and lots of spices are added to make the extra tasty. 

There are many plant-based burgers that are made in the same way as the renowned Beyond Burgers products. They may use different methods of preparation or ingredients and different flavors.

Today’s plant-based burgers also have an abundance of vitamins and minerals.

Benefits Of Burgers Made From Plants

Plant-based hamburgers are not just delicious, but actually provide a lot of benefits which could convince you that you should switch from meat to meatless.

• Plant-based burgers are healthier for the environment. We know, it may sound like something you’ve heard before, however, why not do something to help the environment while chowing down a hamburger meat substitute? Animal products produced in the agri-food industry contributes to nearly 51% of the world’s greenhouse emissions. We’re not suggesting that you eliminate animal products entirely but every alteration and change you make can assist in reducing this percentage. Burgers made from plants use 75 percent less water and generate nearly 87 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than a typical burger. That should make you think!
• They are non-animal products. The choice of burgers made from plant sources helps to fight animal cruelty. We’ve all seen the horrible videos on the web – chicken farms or pig pens, commercial feedlots for cows. We are aware that there are many farms that run like that but do you actually know where your food comes from? If you’re not prepared to make the effort to determine this, why not opt for a plant-based option to ensure that you’re not perpetuating an inhumane and cruel system.
• They’re truly delicious. We don’t even know who claimed that plant-based hamburgers are lacking in taste because, If you think about it, the sole ingredient that gives meat patties flavor is spices. Even burgers made from plant sources have spices, making them delicious. When they are smothered with an umami (meat-free) marinade, you may not even be aware that it’s not actually meat.
• Meat-free could be an option for a healthier lifestyle. Imagine eating a hamburger which is not laden with hormones, and is free of trans-fats! The plant-based burger is the solution. Because they don’t contain meat, there aren’t any worries about harmful hormones , or trans-fats/saturated fats. When you consider how natural vegetables are they must be better for your health than eating a hormone-laden burger. It is also possible to determine if the company used non-GMO ingredients or organic products.
• Higher quality protein. Numerous studies have proven that plant-based protein is superior to animal-based proteins. 
• High-quality ingredients. Burgers are made of ground beef, usually off-cuts as well as poor quality cuts. There’s no way to know the source of the meat or (sorry to make this statement, but you’ve heard the stories) to determine if it’s all beef or all-chicken! For plant-based products, the only thing you need to be looking for are organic ingredients. Even if the package does not specifically state this, the plant-based ingredients are assuredly of a higher quality than meat.
• We guarantee that it will be completely free of pink slime. Pink slime is an ingredient that is present in most processed meats. The leftovers from animals that are fatty are heated and spun prior to being treated with ammonia gas to eliminate bacteria. Although it is healthy to eat, however, why would you even want this added to your hamburger? Burgers made from plants free of pink slime!

The Nutritional Value of Plant-Based Burgers

If the mere thought of pink slime hasn’t convinced you to go with vegetarian burgers, then here are some nutritional facts that help you reconsider your choices.

Plant-based burgers offer the equivalent amount of calories, iron, protein, and micronutrients as a traditional beef burger. Though plant-based burgers may be higher in sodium, they offer many health and nutritional benefits.

• Plant-based burgers have more healthy fats, and they don’t contain saturated or trans-fats.
• The chances of contracting a food-borne illness is much lower because the ingredients don’t originate from animals.
• There’s a possibility that it could reduce the risk of getting cancer due to the absence of chemicals and hormones.
• Increases the good cholesterol (HDL) which, in turn, provides a number of cardiovascular advantages.

How To Make Burgers Made Of Plant-Based Ingredients

How To Cook Plant-Based Burgers

They are generally made from plant matter and are typically more dense than normal.

Ingredients

• 2 Beyond Burger patties
• Your favorite burger toppings
• 2 Burger buns

Instructions

1. Heat a grill or non-stick pan to medium-high. You may add a bit of grease to the skillet if would like, however, it’s not essential.
2. Put the patties on the grill, or the pan. They can be cooked for approximately 4 minutes per side, making sure you only flip them over once. Make allowances for thickness. 
3. Take them off the grill or pan, and then assemble the hamburger according to your preference.

I like adding garlic aioli and grilled mushrooms as well as a slice of vegan cheese. Or, go for the classic taste profile by adding crisp lettuce, tomatoes, and caramelized, or beer-battered onions.

I recommend defrosting the patties before cooking.

Read also: Best Burger Presses [2022].

How Do You Know If They're Cooked?

In contrast to burgers made from animal meat, it is difficult to be sure if the burger made from plant matter is cooked through to the core. When it comes to meat, color is generally the most reliable indicator however some plants don’t reveal too much.

The most reliable way to determine whether the burger is cooked is to test the temperature inside the thickest point of the burger’s patties. The ideal temperature is 165 degrees F.

Tips:

• Make Use of the Spatula!  The burgers made from plant-based ingredients are less durable than beef burgers, so make certain you use a spatula so your burger won’t fall apart or split.
• Don't Flip Too Many Times! Allow the burger to fully brown on one side prior to flipping it. Doing too many flips could cause it to break or extend its cooking duration. Simply allow it to sizzle for the appropriate amount of time and be patient.
• Make Sure The Pan is Hot before Making The Burger Patties! A little oil is always helpful in frying the burger to perfection. Don’t overcrowd your pan when cooking your burgers or else some may cook and others slightly less so.

Different Cooking Methods

Like any other beef burger, there are a variety of ways to cook a plant-based patty.

So, here is a variety of ways to cook burgers made of plant-based ingredients:

Airfryer

Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F. Place your preferred vegetable burger patties into the air fryer’s chamber and cook for nine minutes. Turn the patties during the cooking process.

Make sure you grease the air fryer basket with a small amount of oil or spray with non-stick properties to stop your patties from sticking.

The air fryer is a a fast and easy method, but it cleaning may be more challenging than a standard pan.

Microwave

You can cook vegan burgers using the microwave if the burgers are pre-cooked and need only to be heated.

The result is not the same as when you cook it in the grill pan or skillet. The microwave won’t provide that charred, crisp texture, and is more likely to give you the soft patty. It’s still a good alternative to keep in your fridge for emergencies.

Oven

Set your oven’s temperature to 400°F. Put your plant-based burgers on an oven tray and cook them for about 10 minutes, flipping them halfway.

Ovens can take a bit longer to cook than a pan, or an air fryer would, however, the result is still fantastic!

How To Store Plant-Based Burgers

The burgers made from plant-based ingredients should be consumed 3 days after the time of opening the packaging. They should be stored in the refrigerator until the time you are ready to use them.

A package that is not opened can be kept in the fridge for up to 10 days when stored in the fridge unless otherwise stated by the label.

Plant-based protein burgers last up to six months in the freeze. 

It is suggested that burgers be cooked after thawing however some, particularly the thinner burgers can be cooked from frozen.

After the patties are cooked, don’t keep them out too long. Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for two days or more.

What To Do With Burgers Made of Plant-Based Patties

The burgers made from plant-based ingredients are very flexible! Here are a few entertaining ideas for you to explore outside hamburgers.

• You can mold the patties into homemade meatballs and serve them with a delicious bechamel cheese sauce or tomato-based sauce.
• Split the patties into smaller patties, forming mini-sliders on which to serve canapes, appetizers, or for birthday celebrations.
• Crush the burgers and mix them in with small breadcrumbs or even other vegetables to substitute the meat in lasagna recipes dish or as a topping for Nachos.