A trip down the frozen-food aisle of any major supermarket confirms that the nonmeat burger is more mainstream than fringe these days. With dozens of choices at your fingertips, navigating the world of burger alternatives can be challenging. Moreover, what are all those ingredients listed on the package of your soy-based veggie burger? Rest assured, they’re not as scary as they sound. We explain the purpose of some mysterious ingredients commonly spotted on the labels of meat-free burgers.
Protein Packers: textured vegetable protein, soy protein isolate, soy protein concentrate (listed in order from least to most processed)
A source of high-quality protein, the soybean is the foundation for many vegetarian burgers. Manufacturers often blend less-processed (and more nutritious) forms of soy with more highly processed soy that contributes an appealingly chewy, meatlike texture.
Homemade alternative: Chickpea Burger & Tahini Sauce. Just one “burger” boasts 30% of your daily value for protein.
Binders & Stabilizers: vegetable gum, maltodextrin, methylcellulose
These ingredients help hold everything together in a neat, firm patty. Generally, they are starches or fibers derived from natural plants (including bushes, trees, seaweed) and bacteria. You’ll find them in nearly any processed food. Since they are added in such small amounts, their nutritional impact is negligible.