Digging into the veggie burger
While many people love hamburger, there are also plenty of people who are not fans of the beef that is used to make the burger. Whether they have chosen a vegetarian lifestyle or simply want less fat in their hamburger meat, veggie burgers have become a popular alternative.
However, veggie burgers are not perfect. While they do have far less fat and calories than a typical beef burger, they also tend to be higher in salt and lack the protein that beef can deliver. Plus, many veggie burgers suffer in comparison to beef because they lack the texture that makes a beef hamburger special.
Still, there are valid veggie substitutes for standard beef hamburgers that taste good, are low in calories and fat, and provide plenty of healthy nutrients and fiber, as well.
The different types of veggie burgers
There are many different types of vegetables and meat substitutes that have been used to create veggie burgers. From mushrooms to corn, you can find a world of different veggie-type burgers available around the country.
- Corn
- Mushrooms
- Soy
- Legumes or Beans
- Tofu
- Nuts
- Wheat or Flax Seeds & More
Quite often, veggie burgers are a mix of different vegetables as well as fungi like mushrooms that mimic the general taste of a beef burger. However, in most cases beef does have the more appealing texture and will hold up better in the bun compared to certain vegetables which can fall apart or become mushy rather quickly.
How veggie burgers can be seasoned
There are many different types of seasonings that can be used on veggie burgers. While veggie burgers do have plenty of inherent salt, they can be seasoned with a number of other products including the following;
- Pepper
- Red Pepper
- Cayenne Pepper
- Marmite & More
However, instead of trying to make the veggie burger taste like a regular beef hamburger, you would be better off going more exotic and creating a regional flavor to the meal. For example;
- Tex-Mex: Vegetarian Chili
- Indian: Sauté Onions, Green Peppers
- Caribbean: Jerk Chicken Sauce, Crumbled Blue Cheese
- Southwestern: Black Bean and Corn Salsa
- French: Brie-Hollandaise Sauce
- Italian: Marinara Sauce & Provolone Cheese
- Mexican: Green Chiles, Salsa & Cheddar Cheese
You can also spice up your veggie burger in a number of ways. The key is to find a theme for your veggie burger and spice it to that taste rather than putting all of your efforts into making a traditional tasting burger.
A few extra tips
There are a few things you will need to remember while eating your veggie burger so that you can get the most out of your meal. For example, if your intent is to cut calories, then you should start with finding a whole wheat bun since bread and the gluten can add considerably to the calorie content.
Keep experimenting until you find the right combination of vegetables or meat substitutes until you get the right effect. You may never duplicate a traditional meat hamburger, but you can come very close.