9 Meaty, Meat-Free Burgers Perfect for All of Your Summer Grilling

There’s no food that’s as quintessentially American as the hamburger. In fact, it’s safe to say that most of us grew up with a fondness for the iconic food—its savory patty topped with ketchup, mustard, crisp lettuce, and a juicy tomato slice, all sandwiched between a sesame seed bun. Thankfully, these days there are a plethora of vegan burgers fit for the grill. And, they’re so good that they’re sure to please all palates, whether you love a traditional-style, meaty vegan patty or you prefer a retro, vegetable-forward veggie burger. 

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Even as vegans, we often find our mouths watering when the smoky scent of a patty sizzling on a grill dances past our noses. This isn’t surprising—scent is deeply connected to memory, and that one, in particular, is often connected to warmer weather. Even better, vegan burgers are more sustainable, generally healthier, and kinder to animals than traditional patties.

RELATED: The 5 Top Veggie Burger Picks From a Nutritionist

Where to find vegan burgers

Once upon a time, vegan burgers were relegated to a tiny freezer hidden away in the corner of the grocery store or worse, a health food store that’s a 45-minute drive away. We’re so glad that things are different now. 

Beyond Meat

You can now find multiple options for plant-based burgers in just about every grocery store, from major chains like Kroger, Walmart, and Target to your local regional chain. Check the frozen aisle of your local grocery store, or use the store locator search function to find the nearest brick-and-mortar that carries the veggie burger you’re seeking.

RELATED: You’d Never Know These 7 Hot Dogs Are 100 Percent Meat-Free

Are hamburger buns vegan?

So, you’ve got your patties sorted, but what about the buns? The good thing is that a lot of hamburger buns are free from animal-derived ingredients by default. But, you should still check the label since some of the options on the market may contain milk, butter, or honey. If you’re looking for a gluten-free bun, keep an eye out for eggs. 

Some vegan hamburger buns include Dave’s Killer Bread (21 Whole Grains and Seeds Burger Buns and Burger Buns Done Right), Nature’s Own (100% Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns), Arnold (all options), Whole Foods’ 365 brand (all options), Ezekiel 4:9 (all options), and Ball Park (Hamburger Buns).

Vegan burgers for your next barbecue

Ready to kick off the unofficial start of summer with the first grilling session of the season? Here are nine vegan burgers to get for your barbecue. 

Beyond Meat

1 Beyond Burger Cookout Classic

The original Beyond Burger is a crowd-pleaser, but if you need to feed a group, get yourself the Cookout Classic version. This grill-ready, gluten- and soy-free patty is made from a blend of pea and rice protein, and it packs 18 grams of protein. It also comes in a box of eight, so it’s the perfect item to have on your grocery list while you’re planning your barbecue. 
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Impossible Foods

2 Impossible Burger

Vegan meat-maker Impossible Foods has that “tastes like the real thing” down pat. Soy protein delivers a whopping 22 grams of plant-based protein per patty, plus they give the burger its juicy texture. Its super-meaty flavor is thanks to heme, an iron-rich molecule derived from soybeans. It also contains the power duo of coconut and sunflower oils, which give it that succulent char when it’s grilled—yum! The Impossible Burger comes in packs of two, six, or 10, which we love to pick up for barbecues.
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Good Catch

3Good Catch Salmon Burgers

As we’ve proven through this guide, a burger can be made from so much more than just (vegan) beef. These plant-based salmon burgers by Good Catch are all of the best parts of salmon, without the actual fish. Instead, they’re made from the brand’s proprietary blend of pea, soy, chickpea, faba, lentil, soy, and navy beans. You’ll get all the flavor and flaky texture from these and none of the fishy smell. Serve it up with some grilled pineapple rings for a tropical twist.
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Gardein

4Gardein Ultimate Black Bean Burger

Call us old-school, but black bean burgers still hit the spot. And, Gardein really nailed it with the Ultimate Black Bean Burger. These legume-packed patties feature black beans, cauliflower, avocado, and bell peppers, plus guajillo, jalapeño, ancho, and serrano peppers for a slightly spicy kick. Pass the dairy-free cheese, please. 
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Akua

5 Akua Kelp Burger

Seaweed is a rising star in the vegan food world. It’s sustainable, rich in vitamins and minerals, and it happens to make a dang delicious burger. The Akua Kelp Burger’s key ingredient, as you may have guessed, is kelp. The company sources its key ingredient from New England-based regenerative ocean farmers, so it’s good to the planet, too. This kelp is combined with crimini mushrooms, pea protein, black beans, and quinoa to create an umami powerbomb. 
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Actual Veggies

6 Actual Veggie White Truffle Veggie Burger

For an elevated take on the classic veggie burger, reach for this luxe option from Actual Veggies. The chef-crafted, shiitake mushroom-based burgers are made with wholesome ingredients including onions, carrots, black beans, spinach, hemp hearts, and more. But what really makes these patties next level is the white truffle oil.
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Dr. Praeger’s

7Dr. Praeger’s BBQ Black Bean & Sweet Potato Sliders

If you’re not keen on making burgers the star of your barbecue, but still don’t want to miss out on this cookout classic, sliders are the perfect solution. These barbecue-flavored black bean and sweet potato patties deliver the classic barbecue taste while serving up four grams of plant protein. Plus, they’re the perfect option for those who prefer the classic veggie burger over the meaty, plant-based patties popular today. 

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TargetGood & Gather/Target

8Target Good & Gather Meatless Beef-Style Patties

We were ready to jump for joy when Target launched its line of plant-based meat through Good & Gather, its private-label brand. These frozen veggie burgers were designed to satisfy your craving for a beef patty, but on a budget. They get their meaty taste and texture from pea protein. The patties come in pack of two, perfect for smaller or even solo barbecues. 
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Hilary’s

9Hilary’s Super Cauliflower Veggie Burgers

This vegan burger is proof that cauliflower really can be anything, from rice to Buffalo “wings” and, yes, even a burger. The fine people at Hilary’s make these grain-, gluten-, and soy-free patties from a powerhouse blend of cauliflower, lentils, chickpeas, green peas, and red peppers—talk about eating the rainbow! These babies pair well with creamy vegan mayo and all of the veggie toppings. How about some caramelized onions and grilled, sliced mushrooms?
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