I have been waiting for the Beast Burger from Beyond Meat for a VERY LONG time.  Ever since my friend over there told me it was in “the works” I wanted to try it out.

As a vegan, veggie burgers are crucial.  First, they give me a staple I can relate to from my meat days.  I know to some this may sound stupid, but that’s just how this vegan rolls.  On a nice summer day, I still like tossing something on the grill other than corn and asparagus.  Or, in the winter I may crave a bacon double cheeseburger.

There are a lot of contenders in this space too.  Companies like Gardein, Field Roast, and now Beyond Meat all produce decent burgers (in addition to the Boca and other large brands).  But it seems like each one trades off something.

Gardein’s burgers are good, but plain and oily.  Field Roast’s Hand formed burgers require you to refinance your home mortgage ($7.99 for 4 small patties) and companies like Morningstar add egg whites so they are not even vegan.

All of this meant I was really stoked to finally get my paws on a brand new burger.

As always, the retail packaging was designed well and the price was good.  Two 1/4 pound patties (frozen) per $6.49 box means a premium, all vegan, non-GMO burger patty for $3 and change.

I tossed them on the grill along with some asparagus.  I decided to pair them with some vegan bacon strips from Sweet Earth and Chao regular cheese slices.

These burgers grill up really nicely over a well seasoned propane grill.  I applied a little spray olive oil to each side (per the instructions) to help them out a little.

Watch them grill:

I heated them up really well, melted some Chao cheese on ’em, dropped the bacon on and had a GREAT lunch.

My first impression was yes.  Yes to a good-tasting,  hearty as heck, well made vegan burger.  The flavor was right in the middle of the “not so meaty but still meaty enough” scale that companies like Beyond Meat must navigate carefully.

While the taste is what really excited me, it were the nutritional claims that made me look twice.  Beyond Meat claims that the Beast Burger:

• Has more protein and iron than beef;
• Has more omega fatty acids than salmon;
• Is GMO free;
• Features a “beyond nutrient blend” which apparently makes me healthier.

All of this poses a question I will ask myself rhetorically,

“If I can eat more protein and iron, more omegas, less cholesterol (as in zero), less fat, and less cancer-causing meat stuff, while enjoying a great texture and flavor why wouldn’t I?”

The ingredient list, while long, is all natural, basic ingredients.  I see things like pea protein, canola oil, beet juice powder, onion powder, paprika, etc.

I mean when you look at the actual nutrient benefits of these burgers, combined with the taste and texture, relatively low cost, no worry of food-borne pathogens, ease of cooking, and a multitude of other benefits….shouldn’t’ we?

At least one thing is for sure.  My freezer will be full of these things, and I look forward to dragging some with me to Moab and the Rubicon later this Summer.