Decent Market Veggie Burgers

[trimtab]

The cholesterol police have demanded that I reduce the fat in my diet. Hopefully a temporary situation. In the meantime any hounds out there have recommendations for good (I know, I know) store-bought veggie burgers? I've had the one at Houston's and found it quite acceptable. If I could find something similar, I think I'll be able to weather the storm.

[schrutefarms]

I'm not sure of the brand, but I bought some at Costco that were delicious! Quite large, refridgerated, packaged in a hard plastic double-shell. So good. Also, Morningstar Italian Chic Patties are really great (and I'm not a vegetarian).

[CucumberBoy]

I've always been oddly satisfied with Morningstar Farms Grillers(tm) brand fake burgers. They taste nothing like a real hamburger but have their own thing going on. They're a once-every-couple-years thing for me.

-cb-

[Greyghost]

CB,

I would give up the quest for a hamburger like product that parades as a hamburger. It is just not going to happen. I do think you can get or make healthy substitute sandwiches.

You can certainly make sandwiches which are not "burger imitations" The Portabello mushroom idea is actually a good idea...if you avoid the commercial products. These mushrooms are available fresh in every grocery store, saute in a little olive oil (or microwave for oil free) , add vegetable toppings of your choice. Buy big good bakery style rolls and enjoy.

You will not have to worry about the cholesterol issue nor about the GMO issue involved with fake burgers. This approach just might make you and your Doctor happy together.

[scurvy]

I was just about to buy some Boca Burgers at Costco for a Memorial Day BBQ when some random guy told me I just had to try Don Lee Farms veggie burgers. I don't know why I listened to this total stranger, since I rarely listen to anyone...but I did.

These things are really super tasty. All of the vegetarians at the BBQ went bonkers for these patties. I was only able to get a bite before they were gone, but I intend to get more and put them in the freezer for the future.

The Indian veggie burgers at Trader Joes also taste good when you put them in your mouth.

[trimtab]

These sound great scurvy. Like Dommy I generally find the taste and texture of these things less than enjoyable. Are the Don Lee Farms burgers also available at Costco?

[scurvy]

Yep - the Don Lee Farms burgers were at the Atwater Costco on Los Feliz Blvd. I can't promise that they will have them chain-wide so you may want to check.

[westsidegal]

boca burgers are are very low-cal and very high protein by comparison to any burgers that actually taste good.
the main reason to ever buy boca burgers is if you're trying to lose weight since
the high protein content is very effective at quelling hunger.

[Dommy]

Our favorite are the Portabello Burgers we get at Pavillions in the Refridgerated section...

--Dommy!

[trimtab]

Thanks Dommy. Are these frozen or just refrigerated?

[Dommy]

Just refrigerated. The brand is Veggie Patch... Lemme tell you, P. buy lots of faux meat products for reasons similar to yours. Personally though, I can not STAND faux meat by principal and I often find them too salty and texture awful... But if he makes me a burger with one of these, I will eat it... they come in a green package and are next to the tofu....

http://www.veggiepatch.com/contentmgr/showdetails.php/id/242

I also tolerate Quorn's Chik'n Patties... but no more than once a month...

http://www.quorn.us//cmpage.aspx?page...

--Dommy!

[exilekiss]

Hi Dommy!

Very nice. :) If I may ask, are the Veggie Patch Burgers only at Pavilions? Or have you seen them sold elsewhere (like Whole Foods, etc.)? Thanks.

[Dommy]

According to the store locator on their site they are available at Ralphs, Vons/Pavillions and Costco... We get it from the Pavillions in Culver City because we can ride our bike there (And P. gets airline miles... ;D)

--Dommy!

[westsidegal]

be aware that there is a huge range in the protein contents of the various store-bought burgers. if this matters to you, be sure to read the packages.

[trimtab]

Thanks all! I'm off to TJs.

[dendet]

try trader joes..they have an Indian one that is really good..a tad spicy..they have other choices too..there is a portobello mushroom one that can be found in regular supermarkets or whole foods..in the fridge area. Forgot the brand name. but they are good. Trader Joes also have their own meatless meatballs, italian sausages, soy chorizo and much more. good prices.

[westsidegal]

imho the trader joe's meatless meatballs are among the best. several years ago i did a comparative taste test between 4 or 5 different brands, and at that time TJ's was the clear winner.

on the other hand, the TJ imitation of the soyrizo product is horrid by comparison to the real thing. stick to the real SOYRIZO which can be obtained at WF and lots of other markets.

[exilekiss]

Hi westsidegal,

Thanks for the tip. I might need these for an event coming up. Do you know if the Trader Joe's Meatless Meatballs are Vegan, or just Vegetarian? Thanks.

[westsidegal]

the tj's meatless meat balls don't say 'vegan' on the package, but when you read the ingredient list, there are no animal products listed. . . .

despite the ingredient list, my cynicism and my palate say 'not vegan' because they hold together better than any of the vegan products i tried. i have NO true empirical evidence that they are not vegan though. . . . .