Let me start off by saying I'm a big fan of the Beyond Burger. Although it is processed, as a vegan burger alternative, it tastes a lot like a beef hamburger — even my meat-eating husband likes them! The Beyond Burger is comparable in nutritional info to beef, offering tons of protein, is low in carbs, and you can cook it on a grill without it falling apart.
I was eager to see how these Trader Joe's Protein Patties compared in texture and flavour to the Beyond Burgers. At first glance, the very bright fleshy colour looked a little weird, but once the burgers cooked up, the pink colour dulled.
When I sunk my teeth in, I noticed these are softer, smoother, and much less textured and "meaty" as compared to the Beyond Burgers, which I actually preferred — vegans who are grossed out by meat will appreciate that. I immediately wanted to go in for my second bite, and I liked that the edges got a little crispy while cooking.
The flavour was slightly sweet thanks to the beets, but it didn't taste at all like veggies — I really liked it! It had a savory burger taste that was less beefy and less fatty than the Beyond Burgers.
These Trader Joe's plant-based burgers are a great option for those trying to cut back on meat and get a little extra fibre, but if you're going for the closest resemblance to beef in flavour and texture, the Beyond Burger is a bit more convincing.