When it comes to plant-based meat alternatives, burgers are the OG. Burger culture in the vegan community has become this booming, innovative industry with sustainable production to create amazing food. Vegan burgers have been the driving force to introduce many individuals to the plant-based culture and lifestyle. So what are the top ten to look out for in 2023?
The restaurants mentioned aren’t in any particular order, we’d give them all number one if that were the case. Vkind is here to just shed light on the best vegan burgers in the US this year.
Unable to make it to any of the restaurants featured? Read to the end to see which retailers you can find in-store and delivered.
Plant Power Fast Food
California-based Plant Power Fast Food is an innovator in the quick service restaurant field with 100% plant-based food, biodegradable packaging, solar energy, and recycled material to build the store.
Plant Power features a menu that ranges from burgers, fries, shakes, and ‘chicken’ tenders – to wraps, salads, juices, raw items, and a kid’s menu. Plant Power has often been referred to as a vegan version of McDonald’s – but better.
Plant Power’s “Big Zac” burger is a meatless riff on one of the great American fast food icons. Triple bun, two patties, two slices of cheese, pickles, onions, Thousand Island dressing— the Big Zac is a winner of nostalgia and fast flavor. Most people would have a hard time telling the Mac from the Zac.
Changing the World, One Burger at a Time ™️ 100% Plant Based Burgers, Fries, and Shakes.
Green: New American Vegetarian
Located in Phoenix and Tempe, AZ, Green is a vegan restaurant that brings a healthier spin to comfort foods. Defining meals as new American vegetarian is an idea created and influenced by different cultures and cooking styles.
At Green, you can find plenty of veganized American classics such as wings, chili fries, burgers, and cheesesteaks, and some culturally inspired additions like samosas, hummus, and tahini coleslaw.
Owner Damon Brasch emphasizes using fresh and organic ingredients for the best results. His mission is to provide good food for vegans and vegetarians and open the hearts and minds of meat eaters everywhere because Green is for everyone.
They offer online ordering, catering, gift cards, and fun coloring pages with puzzles designed by artist Shawn Hebrank.
Slutty Vegan
You’ve probably already heard of Slutty Vegan and rightfully so as it’s grown a small empire in the vegan community. It is a black-owned, women-led business based in Atlanta, GA.
Owner Aisha “Pinky” Cole launched Slutty Vegan in 2018 after being inspired by a late-night craving for vegan junk food, which wasn’t common then. She turned this inspiration into reality in 2018 with her food truck which quickly turned into her first restaurant in West End, Atlanta. She has experienced unfathomable, rapid success since. After just five years, Slutty Vegan now has five locations in Georgia, one in Alabama, and one in New York .
Along with their vulgarly-alluring food names, a quick browse of their menu will have you craving junk just like Pinky. This is the only place where one-night stands and ménage à Trois are risk-free, wrapped, and served on a tray.
Never Caged
A vegan mac ’n cheese burger? I’ll take three!
This Los Angeles gem serves up plant-based tex-mex-inspired cuisine from their Nashville hot chicken sandwich to their authentic, fan-favorite tacos.
If you are a local or traveler, this restaurant should be on your list to support. You can visit in person obviously, book them for catering or purchase wholesale items offered on their website.
They have been proudly serving delicious food to greater Los Angeles and aren’t stopping anytime soon.
Vegan Junkie
Have you ever heard the saying that the best food comes from food trucks? Well, it’s true, and Vegan Junkie Burgers upholds the standard.
Starting in 2019 in Fort Lauderdale Florida, owners Ricardo and Martha Tabola make all burgers from scratch using fresh ingredients and vegetables to promote their idea of gourmet and artisan fast food. Their mission is to set a new tradition for fast food by offering original, authentic, flavorful food appealing to all, regardless of their dietary preferences, while keeping sustainability and ethicality top priorities.
Their unique menu features a Bakon Cheeze burger, Shicken sandwiches, a Caribbean BBQ burger, and much more. All can be ordered online for pick up or in-person Thursdays through Sundays at their pop up location in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Santana’s Vegan Grill
Very few vegan drive-thru options in the US, but Santana’s is elite.
Wait, an entire deliciously memorable vegan meal and I don’t have to get out of my car? Are we sure this isn’t number one on the top ten vegan burgers in the US in 2023?
Santana’s Vegan Grill is a plant-based, classic American combo located in Colorado Springs, CO It is Latina owned, established by Dusty Hernandez who wanted to provide a vegan hang-out where we can get quick, delicious, timeless vegan meals.
Their deluxe cheeseburgers seem to be a fan favorite, loaded with mustard, mayo, ketchup, LTO, and pickles, with add-ons to make your head spin – bakon and bbq sauce being the go-to. They also serve chicken sandwiches, meatball subs, hot dogs, brats, and tacos.
They have a loaded breakfast menu, some of which is served all day, with breakfast burritos, pancakes, and other familiar breakfast foods. If you have the opportunity to try, Santana’s is a must.
Burger Patch
Eating plant-based on the go in a busy city can be difficult since most vegan food is made fresh or from scratch and it tends to take longer to prepare. To remedy this problem, Philip and Danea Horn decided on a restaurant that would quickly serve delicious, competitive plant-based fast food.
Burger Patch is a vegan, quick-serve establishment that started in Midtown Sacramento and is now also in Downtown Davis and East Sacramento, CA. Each one offers grilled burgers, chicken sandwiches, bac’n mac’n cheese, ice cream, and more. They also have a weekend breakfast menu featuring sandwiches, hash browns, and milkshakes.
Burger Patch focuses on sustainability by using paper bags, recycled containers, and compostable straws, cups, and dipping containers.
Beleaf Burgers
Beleaf Burgers is another must-see burger joint located inside Cravings 99 Ranch Market in Chino, CA, making inclusive food courts the new hangs.
Co-owner Johny Tran told BeondTV that Beleaf was founded with the dream to build attractive and transitional foods for flexitarians and every other label you can muster.
The exclusive menu is full of mouthwatering flavors like house-seasoned Beyond patties, various chicken sandwiches, beleaf nuggets, milkshakes, and their coast-loving fish sandwich and “nozzerella” sticks.
RETAIL OPTIONS
Understandably, many people still aren’t traveling or live too far to indulge in one of the top ten vegan burgers in the US. 2023 just started though, don’t knock the idea yet. To make it easy, here are some of the best vegan burgers that can be delivered or located in most recognizable grocery stores. Grab some for home and build your own best vegan burger!
Beyond Meat
Beyond is a delicious, all-vegan burger made with our health, animal rights, and sustainability in mind. Beyond burgers are made from pea and rice protein, mung bean protein, oils, and beet juice.
Beyond as a whole is widely used in fast-food restaurants, in fact, they just launched in all Burger King’s in the UK and in late 2022 were selling vegan orange chicken in Panda Express in the US. We can agree Beyond is a hot commodity and becoming easily accessible as a healthier option in non-vegan fast food.
You can also find Beyond meatballs and meat crumbles in stores, and a variety of sausage links all at a very reasonable price.
BUY IT HERE: VKind, Vejii, NoPigNeva, Gtfoitsvegan, Beyond Meat
Hilary’s Eat Well Burgers
Hilary’s Eat Well provides quality plant-based foods, all of which are non-GMO verified, certified gluten-free, vegan, and free of top allergens like nuts and soy.
Hilary’s is known for its World’s Best Veggie Burger made with Whole Grain Millet, leafy greens, sweet potato, and potato starch. They have a variety of others such as spicy Thai veggie, hemp and greens, southwest adzuki bean, and fiesta black bean.
If you are wanting a more down-to-earth veggie burger, then Hilary’s unique flavors are a must try.
BUY IT HERE: Hilary’s Eat Well, Gtfoitsvegan
Gardein Garden Veggie Burger
Gardein’s veggie burger is perhaps the most affordable but is not cheap. Made simple and flavorful with roasted peppers, corn, carrots, onions, peas, and brown rice the garden burger is definitely one of their best.
Their black bean chipotle burger comes in at a close second with its spicy and delightful smokiness. Gardein has other creative and unique burger options such as their falafel burger, chickpea burger, ultimate beefless sliders, and more.
What’s great about Gardein is you can find their products at most commercial grocery stores including Walmart, Kroger, Publix etc, and it’s kosher!
BUY IT HERE: Vejii, NoPigNeva, Gtfoitsvegan, Gardein
