How to Cook Beyond Burger? Your Favorite Plant-Based Burger
Beyond meat may sound like something fancy that only the astronauts eat, but it is becoming more common than you think. Beyond meat is metaphorically meat that has been taken away “beyond” its traditional boundaries to new heights. It is “meat” minus the cruelty and pollution. It is not meat but plant matter mimicking meat.
You’d be surprised at how similar its taste and texture are to real meat. You may be wondering what is this beyond meat and how to cook beyond burger? Let me answer that:
What is Beyond Meat? How is it Made?
Beyond Meat is a name given to a plant-based meat substitute. It is made entirely of plant material, making it a staple in vegan and vegetarian diets. It usually packs the same amount of nutrition you may receive from meat, if not more.
Protein sources like legumes and lentils are processed with other plant-based ingredients like potato starch, coconut oil, beet juice, etc to make a substance that tastes and feels similar to meat. It doesn’t contain any GMOs, soy, or gluten.
Recently there has been a rise in the popularity of this meat alternative, and it is seen more frequently on shelves of supermarkets. And there’s a legit reason for that.
Why Beyond Meat is so Popular?
The reasons for which Beyond Meat became so popular are:
- It is entirely plant-based. Perfect for vegans and vegetarians.
- It gives you the experience of meat without cruelty.
- It is sustainable.
- It is a much lower carbon footprint.
- It is GMO-free and organic.
- It is healthy and contains all the nutrition of meat and beyond!
- People have become self-conscious and are eating healthy.
- It is a small step in the right direction as Global Warming is an imminent danger.
What are the Benefits Beyond Meat?
The benefits and advantages of Beyond Meat are more than people generally think. Necessity is the mother of all inventions. And Beyond Meat was invented because it was necessary for us humans and the Earth itself; it sounds dramatic but let me explain.
Advantages and benefits of plant-based meat substitutes:
Good for the Environment
Did you know that animal farming and its byproducts make up 51% of the total greenhouse gas emissions worldwide? Plant-based meat alternatives emit 87% less greenhouse gas than the greenhouse gas emitted to produce the same amount of animal product.
Not only this but producing plant-based meat alternatives requires 94% less land!. This means we no longer need to cut down forests to make room for agricultural land.
Guilt and Cruelty-Free
The manufacturing and production of plant-based products require no killing and animal cruelty. Besides killing animals, people choose to be vegan or opt for a vegetarian diet because they are animal lovers.
Farmed animals are often kept under inhumane conditions such as limited and unsanitary living spaces, force-feeding, genetic modification, etc. Meat alternatives stop animal abuse and cruelty so you can enjoy the experience of consuming meat without feeling guilt or shame.
Nutritious, Healthy, and Tasty
Now, if you haven’t tried Beyond meat, then you may be wondering if it tastes like meat or not. Let me answer that for you. It tastes and feels like meat! Scientists have extracted the chemicals that give meat its meaty taste and texture from plants and nature to create Beyond meat. Plant-based alternatives have a much higher nutrition content than regular meat.
Moreover, spices and flavorings are added, making them more meat-like in taste and texture. In many blind and controlled tests, participants could not tell that they consumed Beyond meat and often claimed that Beyond meat tasted better than actual meat dishes.
Non-GMO
Non-GMO means without any genetic engineering. Farm animals are often fed chemicals and meds to alter their genetics and hormone levels. While this may result in more meat and yield in animal products, it harms the animals and us. When the normal biology of any animal is forced to alter without it occurring naturally, it is usually a bad thing. The animal suffers a lot, and consuming those animals often causes incurable diseases in humans like cancer, organ failure, heart attacks, and strokes.
Transparency
Beyond meat’s ingredients and manufacturing processes are available to the public. Frequently animal products like ground meat, sausages, cold cuts, etc., are made with scraps and leftovers. Cancer-causing substances like pink slime and other harmful substances get added without the general public knowing.
Beyond meat, on the other hand, is all-natural, and the extracts and chemicals used in their manufacturing are also natural and organic. Beyond meat is under the constant supervision of health critics and organizations like the FDA and food safety authorities.
How to Cook Beyond Burgers?
Beyond Burgers can be prepared and cooked in similar cooking methods to which regular burgers are cooked. I will list a few of the most common ways to cook Beyond burgers:
By Grilling
Grilling is the best way to cook Beyond Burgers.
- Start up your grill and preheat it. If it is a charcoal grill, use your favorite wood chips to add a smoky flavor to the burgers.
- Next, you may grease the grill with olive oil or oils with a high burning point.
- Next, grill and cook your Beyond Burger patties on each side. You should target an internal temperature of 165 Degrees Fahrenheit.
Tip :
Slather on some BBQ sauce or your favorite condiment while grilling to boost its flavor.
On the Stove
- Fire up your stove.
- Add a small amount of oil to it.
- Wait for the pan or skillet to get hot.
- Sear the burger on each side and cook it for 6 minutes, flipping it at the halfway mark.
Using an Air-Fryer
- To begin with, preheat your Airfryer to 375 Degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place your Beyond Burger patties inside the Airfryer.
- Cook it for at least 9-10 minutes depending on the thickness and package instructions
- Flip it halfway through.
On a related note, if you are worried about air fryer power consumption, don’t worry. They are affordable and, more importantly, healthy.
Using an Oven
- You can bake to cook your Beyond Burger patty in the oven. Use a preheated oven at 400 Degrees Fahrenheit.
- Let the burger cook for 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness.
- Flip the burgers halfway through.
Answering some FAQ
Can I cook frozen Beyond Burgers directly?
The answer is Yes! Even though it is recommended to thaw it out first, if you are craving a burger and can’t wait, cook it directly without thawing. However, make sure to increase the cooking time and monitor it closely.
How to cook a frozen Beyond Burger?
Follow any cooking methods I described in this article but remember to add 2 minutes on each side. Yes, also make sure to lower the temperature slightly to prevent it from burning outside.
Can you eat undercooked Beyond Burgers?
Yes! Beyond Burgers can be eaten raw as well because they are technically cooked. But the texture, taste, and feel of a raw or undercooked burger won’t be the same; I can guarantee you that.
Can you get sick from eating Beyond Burgers?
You can get sick from consuming EXPIRED, SPOILED, and CONTAMINATED Beyond Burgers. That being said, it is less likely to get sick from Beyond Meat when compared to real meat.
How long do Beyond Burgers last?
After opening the packaging, all Beyond Burgers should be consumed within 3 days and should be refrigerated. Un-opened packs will remain good inside the fridge for up to 10 days unless the package information states something else.
How do refrigerate and freeze Beyond Burgers?
Cooked burgers can remain fresh inside the fridge for up to 2 days. Opened and unopened packages can be frozen and easily kept inside the freezer for 6 months.
To Conclude
If you haven’t already tried Beyond meat, I highly recommend that you please do! It is not only a better alternative to meat; it is healthy, sustainable, and guilt-free. If you think about it, at the end of the day, we, too, are animals. And nothing can justify animal cruelty for personal gain. Just cause we are the dominant species doesn’t mean we should abuse other animals. That would be inhumane!
Regardless of your stance towards meat consumption, in whatever way you look at it, Beyond Meat is the better option. So please try it; who knows, you may even like it!
