We Tried the New “Meatier” Beyond Meat Burger 2.0. Here’s What We Thought
It’s safe to say we’ve achieved total vegan burger mania in this country, and Beyond Meat is here to keep the craze going. The company just introduced the Beyond Burger 2.0 in stores nationwide today, and we were lucky enough to get our hands on a few plant-based patties to try!
The Beyond Burger 2.0 is billed as "even meatier" than the original, with marbling and a juicier bite. This new burger isn’t all that different nutritionally. It's actually slightly lower in calories and higher in sat fat. But we’ll let you take a look for yourself.
Original Beyond Burger
Calories: 270
Total Fat: 20g
Sat Fat: 5g
Sodium: 380mg
Potassium: 340mg
Carbohydrates: 5g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 20g
Iron: 30% DV
Calcium: 2% DV
Beyond Burger 2.0
Calories: 250
Total Fat: 18g
Sat Fat: 6g
Sodium: 390mg
Potassium: 300mg
Carbohydrates: 3g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 20g
Iron: 25% DV
Calcium: 8% DV
Those on our staff who had tried the original Beyond Burger didn't have the best experience with it, so we were interested to see how the flavor of the latest version stacks up. We oiled up a cast-iron grill pan and cooked these babies on the stove. The cook time did take longer than expected, but as opposed to the last time, they seared right up, getting a good char on the outside and definitely looking very burger-y.
The burger also held up well during cooking, which isn’t true of a lot of veggie burgers—many of us have had the unfortunate experience of cooking a veggie burger that ends up falling through the cracks of a grill. Like many of the "bleeding" burgers still had a slightly spongy, veggie-protein chew. But the taste was definitely much more meaty than the previous iteration.
Interested in learning more about the vegan burger craze?
The overall consensus was that the Beyond Burger 2.0 would be pretty tasty served up with all the fixings of a normal burger. One staffer even thought it tasted too much like raw meat. All in all, the Beyond Burger 2.0 got pretty good reviews!
Now how does this new Beyond Burger stand up to a traditional beef burger? Compared to the USDA calculations for four-ounces of 80/20 ground beef, the Beyond Burger 2.0 is slightly lower in calories and fat, about equal in protein, and has only about 2/3 the sat fat. The Beyond Burger also has 2g fiber and lacks dietary cholesterol, so all in all, it is slightly healthier—though not nearly as much as a traditional veggie burger.
But that’s not really the point.
Both Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods aren’t working solely to create a healthier patty, but rather to create a healthier planet. While they do tout improving human health as one of their goals, Beyond Meat is also on a mission to positively impact climate change, address global resource constraints, and improve animal welfare through their plant-based meat substitutes.
That being said, we have to remember the word “vegan” is not synonymous with “healthy.” While the Beyond Burger may be a better option for those who eat beef burgers several times a week, vegans, vegetarians, and other healthy eaters trying to reduce their meat intake should see the Beyond Burger 2.0 as an indulgence just as much as an omnivore would a regular burger. It’s definitely a fun and tasty option on occasion but shouldn’t be served up at home every night!
Be on the lookout for the Beyond Burger 2.0 in Whole Foods, Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Target, Sprouts, and more this month!
