10 best veggie and vegan burgers for BBQ season, tried and tested

Score: 83/100

Co-op's meat-free burgers lived up to their name, topping our test of vegan burgers. More than a meat replica, these well-seasoned, juicy patties deliver a nice balance of sweet soy protein with notes of tangy tomato and earthy chickpeas.

Score: 81/100

Made from a vibrant combination of sweet potato, red pepper and kale, Tesco’s vegan burgers are packed with Sri Lankan-inspired herbs and spices – think ginger, garlic and coriander. Try them in a bun with a drizzle of chilli jam for a real taste of summer.

Score: 80/100

This convincing meat-free burger had many of our testers thinking they were eating the real deal, making it the ideal choice for those following a plant-based diet, but who still enjoy the taste and texture of meat.

Moist, dense and chewy – just like a good quality beef burger – there’s even a slightly red middle from the beetroot juice. Testers were impressed by the likeness to meat and thought this would be delicious stacked with pickled beetroot and crispy lettuce.

Score: 78/100

These veggie patties are loaded with fragrant herbs — including cumin, coriander and mint — and aren’t trying to replicate real meat. Instead, they use potato, aubergine, lentils and chickpeas to create a falafel-esque texture.

Feta adds a tasty salty note, and we suggest serving it in a burger bun or pitta with a dollop of hummus.

Score: 78/100

Testers loved that this patty is stuffed full of vegetables including earthy sweet potato and creamy avocado, instead of being a meat replica. The contrast between the soft veg and crunchy pumpkin seeds also proved popular, with one tester telling us, “This is a fab, natural and fresh burger.”

Score: 75/100

Created with wholesome kale, quinoa, potatoes, carrots and onions, these simple patties have a lovely crispy shell. You might want to add a little extra seasoning, but they’re a good, filling base for you to elevate with extra toppings.

Score: 74/100

It’s always wise to have a frozen burger on hand, and this one — made with a comforting veggie base of carrot, sweetcorn, green beans, red pepper and potato — is coated in a crisp golden crumb for a nice texture contrast. A versatile choice, it’s ideal in a burger bun or with a garden salad.

Score: 73/100

Testers enjoyed the “fresh and vibrant” appearance of this veggie burger and thought it tasted healthy. It's made with a well-balanced blend of salty feta, earthy spinach and crunchy pumpkin seeds, but the spicy jalapeño element came as a surprise for some!

Score: 70/100

Beyond Meat has topped our meat-free burger taste tests in previous years, but it seems plant-based development has caught up, and tastes are favouring real veg over soy protein, proving tough competition.

However, these vegan patties are still a good choice when you want an authentic replacement for a traditional meat burger. They achieve an impressive BBQ char and smoky aroma. The flavour is equally convincing, with rich, umami notes, “spot on” seasoning and a juicy “bleeding” middle.

Score: 70/100

Get in on the smash burger trend this summer with ASDA’s meat-free version. These thinner patties deliver a crispy, caramelised crust, cook quickly, and stack easily in a bun. While our panel found them slightly overly processed, when paired with all the classic burger fixings, they make a satisfying veggie alternative.

Available 19 May