If you think of veggie burgers as poor imitations of the real thing, you might want to try one. At least a half-dozen companies now make them in a variety of tastes and styles. Some mimic meat; others are intentionally grainlike. All are lower in calories and fat than a conventional burger and higher in fiber. Many have a respectable amount of protein, too. Their weakness is sodium: The rated burgers have 250 to 500 milligrams. (The recommended daily limit is 2,300 milligrams.)

Our trained tasters tried 12 leading veggie burgers, discovering 10 that are very good and two with flavor and texture issues. The Ratings (available to subscribers) provide details.

CR's take. MorningStar Farms Garden Veggie Patties are a top choice, falling somewhere between meatlike and grainlike, and they're especially moist and flavorful. If you're looking for a meat wannabe, consider Boca All American, cheaper than most at 96 cents per burger. Eaten on a bun with condiments, it could be mistaken for ground beef. If you don't favor a meaty taste, try Dr. Praeger's, whose crisp vegetables and soft filling have a flavor that comes through best without toppings or bun, or Gardenburger Portabella, which stands up to bread plus trimmings. Lightlife, the priciest of all, is low in flavor and high in sodium.


Serving size is one burger, about 2.5 oz. cooked. Beef is 80% lean. Nutrition of veggie burgers varied by brands;
we've used median numbers.
Source for beef and turkey: USDA database.