Plant-based burgers have taken the food world by storm in recent years, appealing to dedicated vegans and environmentally conscious consumers. Costco has emerged as a significant player among the diverse array of plant-based options available.
Costco plant-based burgers boast a harmonious blend of flavors, textures, and nutritional benefits and offer alternatives to traditional meat-based hamburgers. With a focus on sustainability and ethical sourcing, these burgers have garnered attention for their positive impact on our palates and the planet.
This article will delve into the enticing world of Costco plant-based burgers, exploring taste, nutrition, and features.
Want to know what is the best plant-based burger at Costco? Read on.
What Plant-Based Burger Does Costco Carry?
Costco carries two types of plant-based burgers, Impossible and Beyond Burgers. Both are in the freezer section of the warehouse near the hamburgers.
Each frozen pouch contains ten four-ounce plant-based patties. Beyond Burgers are slightly cheaper at $15.49, while Impossible Burgers cost $15.99.
Both brands are plant-based and suitable for vegetarians and vegans. They are also certified Halal, Kosher, gluten-free, peanut-free, and tree-nut-free. Beyond Burgers are also soy free.
Costco Beyond Burgers
Costco Beyond Burger Nutrition — Is Beyond Burger Plant-Based Healthy?
Beyond Burgers are highly processed. They have added sugar, salt, and other processed ingredients like protein isolates. They contain fewer vitamins and minerals than whole foods, such as homemade veggie burgers.
The two Costco plant-based burgers have similar nutrition profiles. Beyond Burgers have more sodium and fewer calories than Impossible Burgers.
One Beyond Burger patty contains the following.
| Calories | 230 |
| Total Fat | 14g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g |
| Monosaturated Fat | 6g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 390mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 7g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Total Sugars | 0g |
| Protein | 20g |
Beyond Burger Ingredients
Beyond Burgers derive protein from peas, mung beans, and brown rice.
Beyond Burger Ingredients:
Water, Pea Protein, Expeller-Pressed Canola Oil, Refined Coconut Oil, Rice Protein, Natural Flavors, Dried Yeast, Cocoa Butter, Methylcellulose, Contains 1% Or Less Of: Potato Starch, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Beet Juice Color, Apple Extract, Pomegranate Concentrate, Sunflower Lecithin, Vinegar, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Vitamins And Minerals (Zing Sulfate, Niacinamide Vitamin B3), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride [Vitamin B6], Cyanocobalámin (Vitamin B121 Calcium Pantothenate).
Beyond Burger 10 Pack Costco Price
Costco sells a ten-pack of four-ounce Beyond Burgers for $15.49. That’s slightly cheaper than a comparable pack of Impossible Burgers, which cost $15.99.
The Costco price is significantly lower than our local grocery store, where a two-pack of four-ounce Beyond Burgers costs $5.99. Going by price per patty, the grocery store costs $2.99, while Costco costs $1.54. That’s nearly double the cost! These prices are current as of July 2023.
Costco plant-based burgers are a great deal.
Beyond Burger Costco Review
The Beyond Burger is ok. While it resembles a hamburger, it tastes more like vegetables; this is most likely thanks to the mung beans and peas that provide the protein. If you want something more aligned with a veggie burger, try the Beyond Burger. It has an earthy, veggie taste.
It does NOT taste like a hamburger.
As for looks, added beet coloring makes the patties seem more realistic and creates a red juice similar to meat. It took a lot longer to cook than its competitor.
Consider buying Beyond Burgers over other plant-based burgers at Costco if serving vegans. While Impossible Burgers are also considered free from animal products, PETA indicated that Impossible Burgers tested their protein isolate on animals. Beyond asserts they never tested their products on animals.
Costco Impossible Burgers
Impossible Burger Nutrition — Is Impossible Burger Plant-Based Healthy?
Impossible Burgers are also highly processed. They have added sugar, salt, and other processed ingredients like protein isolates. The patties are fortified with some vitamins and minerals, including Phosphorus, Zinc, specific B vitamins, and Vitamins C and E. But overall, they contain less vitamins and minerals than whole foods such as homemade veggie burgers.
Even with the added vitamins, the two plant-based burgers at Costco have similar nutrition profiles. Impossible Burgers have 2 grams more saturated and ten more calories than Beyond.
One Impossible Burger contains the following:
| Calories | 230 |
| Total Fat | 13g |
| Saturated Fat | 6g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0g |
| Monosaturated Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 370mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 9g |
| Dietary Fiber | 5g |
| Total Sugars | 0g |
| Protein | 19g |
Impossible Burger Ingredients
These Costco plant-based burgers get their protein from soy.
Impossible Burger Ingredients:
Water, Soy Protein Concentrate, Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil, Natural Flavors, 2% Or Less: Methylcellulose, Cultured Dextrose, Food Starch Modified, Yeast Extract, Soy Leghemoglobin, Salt, Mixed Tocopherols (Antioxidant), L-Tryptophan, Soy Protein Isolate,
Vitamins & Minerals: Zinc Gluconate, Niacin (Vitamin B3). Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6). Riboflavin Vitamin 82), Vitamin B12
Contains: Soy
Impossible Burger 10 Pack Costco Price
Costco sells a 10-pack of four-ounce Impossible Burgers for $15.99. That’s slightly more expensive than a comparable pack of Beyond Burgers which costs $15.49.
The Costco price is significantly lower than our local grocery store, where a two-pack of four-ounce Impossible Burgers costs $6.49. Going by price per patty, the grocery store costs $3.25, while Costco costs $1.60. These prices are current as of July 2023.
Costco plant-based burgers are a great deal.
Impossible Burger Costco Review
Impossible Burgers look less like meat-based burgers but taste more like one than their competitor. We found it had a neutral taste and a crumbly texture. We stopped short of saying it tasted like meat, but we did like it.
It grilled nicely, although the texture was a little crumbly. Impossible Burgers are the plant-based option we recommend.
What Is The Best Plant-Based Burger at Costco?
My carnivorous family tried both Costco plant-based burgers, Beyond and Impossible. The results split the middle; two liked Beyond Burgers, and two liked Impossible. Overall the consensus was these do not taste like burgers.
While the Beyond Burger looks the most like a hamburger, it tastes more like earthy vegetables; this is most likely thanks to the mung beans and peas that provide its protein. Added beet juice makes the patties seem more realistic and creates a red juice similar to meat. It took a lot longer to cook than its competitor.
Impossible Burgers have a more compact patty. They have a crumbly texture similar to ground beef. These are easy to overcook and dry out, so watch the timing. They taste closer to ground beef, but I wouldn’t say that they taste like a hamburger; although, if you put on cheese, ketchup, and all the fixings, it’s almost like having a burger.
As for the best Costco plant-based burger, cost and nutrition are similar; it really comes down to taste.
If you want the look of a burger but more of a veggie burger taste, Beyond Burger is best.
Impossible is best if you want a more neutral flavor that is a little closer to the taste of a traditional burger.
For strict vegans, we recommend Beyond Burgers. PETA indicated that Impossible Burgers tested their protein isolate on animals. Beyond asserts they never tested their products on animals.
Are Plant-Based Burgers Highly Processed — Are Plant-Based Burgers Healthier For You?
Yes, plant-based burgers are highly processed. Beyond and Impossible versions of plant-based burgers have added sugar, salt, and other processed ingredients like protein isolates. They also have fewer vitamins and minerals than whole foods.
Compared to ground beef, plant-based burgers have more fiber. At a glance at the package of Beyond and Impossible burgers, you may notice that there’s more sodium than in ground beef. This number is because plant-based burgers are pre-seasoned. Once you add some seasoning to your burgers, the difference is negligible.
While many assume that plant-based foods are healthier than other alternatives, that’s not always true.
What Costco Plant-Based Burger Tastes Like Meat?
We didn’t find either Impossible or Beyond Burgers tasted like meat. Beyond tasted like a veggie burger, and the Impossible burger had a neutral flavor. If you load up on fixings, the Impossible Burger comes closer to meat flavors.
We stop short of asserting that either Costco plant-based burger tastes like meat.
