We Ate All of It So You Wouldn't Have To: The Definitive Plant-Based Meat Rankings
Let's be honest with each other. The plant-based meat aisle at your local grocery store has become genuinely overwhelming. What started as a noble experiment in getting Americans to eat fewer animals has mushroomed (ha) into a multi-billion-dollar industry full of products making claims that range from "pretty accurate" to "audaciously aspirational." Some of these things are genuinely delicious. Some of them taste like a gym mat that briefly visited a smokehouse.
The Dead Beet Eats team spent two weeks — and consumed an embarrassing quantity of fake meat — testing ten of the most widely available plant-based protein products at major US grocery chains including Whole Foods, Kroger, Target, and Walmart. We evaluated each one on four criteria: texture, flavor, cooking versatility, and value. We also subjected each product to what we call "the taco test" and "the burger test," because those are the two applications where plant-based meats are most commonly asked to perform and most commonly fail.
Here's what we found. Some of it will surprise you.
The Testing Methodology (We Were Very Scientific About This)
Each product was prepared according to package instructions first, then tested in at least two additional applications. Tasters included omnivores, long-term vegans, and one person who eats plant-based for environmental reasons but remains deeply suspicious of anything that tries too hard to mimic meat. This last perspective proved extremely useful.
Products were purchased at regular retail price. No sponsorships. No free samples. Just receipts and a lot of dishes to wash.
Tier One: The Ones That Actually Deliver
Beyond Meat Beyond Burger (patties) — Score: 9/10
Look, you've heard of it, you've probably tried it, and the hype is mostly justified. The Beyond Burger patty holds up remarkably well on a grill or cast iron, develops a real crust, and has enough fat content (hello, coconut oil) to stay juicy. In a burger application, it's genuinely excellent — especially with sharp cheddar (dairy or vegan, your call) and something acidic to cut through the richness. Where it loses points: in a taco, it's a little too "burger-y" in its fat profile. The flavor reads as slightly off when you're expecting the leaner, spicier profile of seasoned ground beef. Still, as a burger, it's the benchmark everything else is measured against.
Impossible Burger (ground) — Score: 8.5/10
The ground Impossible is arguably more versatile than the Beyond patty precisely because it's less pre-formed and more ingredient-like. In tacos, seasoned with cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika, it's frankly excellent — the texture mimics ground beef closely enough that we served it to a skeptical omnivore taster who didn't notice the switch until told. It also works well in pasta Bolognese and chili. The slight "metallic" aftertaste that some people detect is real but fades with bold seasoning. Cook it hot and fast for best results.
Trader Joe's Hi-Protein Veggie Burger — Score: 8/10
The sleeper hit of this entire test. At roughly half the price of the big national brands, this TJ's option holds together beautifully, has a pleasantly "beany" flavor that doesn't try to pretend it's something it isn't, and crisps up wonderfully in a pan. It's not trying to fool anyone, and that honesty is refreshing. In a burger with strong toppings, it's outstanding. Not ideal for crumbling into tacos, but as a standalone patty? Genuinely impressive value.
Tier Two: Solid Performers with Caveats
Lightlife Plant-Based Ground — Score: 7/10
Lightlife's ground product has improved considerably in recent years and performs admirably in applications where it gets heavily seasoned — tacos, stuffed peppers, meat sauce. On its own, the flavor is somewhat flat. Think of it as a blank canvas rather than a finished painting. If you're the type of cook who seasons aggressively and builds flavors through the cooking process, this is a great choice. If you're planning to eat it with minimal intervention, look elsewhere.
MorningStar Farms Incogmeato Burger — Score: 6.5/10
MorningStar has been in the game longer than almost anyone, and the Incogmeato line represents their attempt to compete in the "bleeds like meat" category. The result is competent but not thrilling. The texture is slightly springy in a way that reads as processed rather than meaty, and the flavor has a faint sweetness that works against it in savory applications. It's perfectly fine on a weeknight when you want something quick. It's not what you're serving at a cookout if you want people to be impressed.
Quorn Meatless Grounds — Score: 6.5/10
Quorn's mycoprotein-based products have a devoted following, and the grounds are genuinely useful in certain applications — shepherd's pie, chili, anything with a rich sauce. The texture is distinct from the soy- and pea-protein competitors in a way that takes some getting used to. In a taco, it works reasonably well. In a burger? Not recommended — the texture doesn't hold up to the format. Worth having in your rotation if you like variety, but not a desert-island choice.
Sweet Earth Awesome Burger — Score: 6/10
Sweet Earth makes some of our favorite frozen burritos (see our upcoming frozen food roundup), but the Awesome Burger is a bit of a misnomer. It's fine. It cooks evenly, it doesn't fall apart, and the flavor is inoffensive. But "inoffensive" isn't exactly a ringing endorsement when you're competing against products that are actively delicious. The protein-to-price ratio is good, which might make it a pantry staple for budget-conscious shoppers.
Tier Three: Proceed with Awareness
Gardein Ultimate Beefless Burger — Score: 5/10
Gardein is a beloved brand with genuinely excellent products in other categories (their fishless filets are exceptional), but the Ultimate Beefless Burger is stuck in a previous era of plant-based meat development. The texture is noticeably more compressed and less "meaty" than the current top tier, and the flavor relies heavily on added seasonings that taste a bit artificial. It's not bad. It's just outdated.
Dr. Praeger's All American Burger — Score: 4.5/10
Dr. Praeger's occupies an interesting niche — their products are made with recognizable whole-food ingredients and are genuinely more nutritious than most of the "bleeding" competitors. But in the context of a taste test focused on meat-mimicry, this one comes up short. The veggie-forward flavor (you can taste the quinoa) is either a feature or a bug depending on your expectations. For someone transitioning to plant-based eating who wants something that tastes like a burger? This will disappoint. For someone who wants a veggie patty that's honest about what it is? It's actually pretty good.
Boca Original Vegan Burger — Score: 4/10
Boca has been around since the early days of the plant-based movement, and unfortunately it shows. The texture is rubbery, the flavor is aggressively seasoned in a way that feels like it's compensating for something, and the overall experience is one of nostalgia more than satisfaction. There's a place for Boca in the history books. In your freezer? There are better options.
The Verdict: What Actually Goes in the Cart
For burgers: Beyond Burger patties or Trader Joe's Hi-Protein (for value). For tacos and crumbles: Impossible Ground, no contest. For pasta and hearty sauces: Lightlife Ground or Quorn. For impressing omnivores: Impossible Ground, seasoned well, cooked hot. For everyday weeknight cooking on a budget: Trader Joe's wins again.
The plant-based meat category has come a genuinely long way in a short time, and the best products today are legitimately impressive. But the category is also full of marketing hype that outpaces reality, and not every product deserves equal shelf space in your life. Shop smart, season boldly, and remember: no amount of heme protein will save an unseasoned taco.
You're welcome.