Amy’s Kitchen’s Veggie Burgers have long been a fan favorite for burger lovers looking to sink their teeth into a plant-based option that packs plenty of flavor.
In recent years, the popularity of veggie burgers has surged as more consumers embrace vegetarian diets or reduce their overall meat consumption. Among the myriad options available in supermarket freezer aisles, Amy’s Kitchen has emerged as a standout brand with Bon Appétit. The prestigious food magazine taste-tested eight popular brands and recognized Amy’s Kitchen’s California Veggie Burger as among the top three Best Veggie Burgers You Can Buy at the Supermarket, calling it the “Ultimate Umami.” And it’s not the only time this product was highlighted: It made Pure Wow’s Best Veggie Burgers list in 2023.
Here are five reasons why Amy’s Kitchen is cooking up award-winning patties.
- Quality Ingredients
Amy’s Kitchen has built a reputation for using high-quality, organic ingredients in its products. Amy’s Kitchen California Veggie Burger also happens to be the first veggie burger the brand ever made. The company’s commitment to sourcing non-GMO ingredients and avoiding artificial preservatives aligns with growing consumer demand for cleaner labels and more nutritious options. It is chock-full of mushrooms, bulgur, walnuts, organic onions, celery, and carrots. Bon Appétit lauded the burger for having this short, simple list of ingredients.
“There is a growing awareness among consumers about the potential health benefits associated with organic foods. Consumers desire cleaner, more nutritious food options. Many consumers, especially Generation Z members, are more conscious of the ethical implications of their food choices and are looking for products that align with their values, such as animal welfare, fair trade, and support for organic farmers,” Paul Schiefer, president of Amy’s Kitchen, told the website Vegetable Growers News.
- Flavor and Texture
One of the most significant challenges for veggie burger manufacturers has been replicating the taste and texture of traditional meat patties. Amy’s Kitchen has addressed this challenge by focusing on creating unique flavor profiles that celebrate plant-based ingredients rather than attempting to mimic meat.
“On taste alone, several people said that Amy’s ranks highest,” wrote Bon Appétit’s veggie burger-ologists.
Jesse Szewczyk, senior test kitchen editor, said he enjoyed how the outside of the burger got “especially crunchy.”
Emma Laperruque, Bon Appétit senior cooking editor, said she plans to indulge in her Amy’s California Veggie Burger with “a sauce on it.”
- Variety and Innovation
In addition to the California Veggie Burger, Amy’s Kitchen offers two other veggie burger options, including its Organic Black Bean Veggie Burger And Organic Sonoma Veggie Burger, the latter of which is gluten-free and dairy-free.
Such diversity in its dietary offerings among its products has helped them maintain a competitive edge in the increasingly crowded veggie burger market.
“There have been many wonderful moments over the years,” Amy’s Kitchen co-founder Rachel Berliner mentioned to the Talented Ladies Club website. “I do love reading letters from Amy’s fans who discover our ‘free-from’ foods and tell us things like: ‘Thank you — I thought my life was over’ and ‘I thought I’d never eat my favorite foods again.’ Often they say they were depressed and ‘You’ve saved my life!’ Some of these letters just make me cry. It’s wonderful that we can make food that really has such an impact on people’s everyday lives.”
- Sustainable Practices
You can feel good about purchasing Amy’s veggie burgers because the brand aims to be eco-aware too in its daily operations. Sustainability has become a key consideration for many consumers, particularly those opting for plant-based products. Amy’s Kitchen has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable food production with a goal of making its packaging more eco-friendly.
Although 75% of its packaging is already either compostable or recyclable, according to Schiefer, Amy’s Kitchen has plans to up that number to 100%, so the packaging itself is a truly closed loop and can be returned either to the soil as compost or to the recycler as fiberboard that can be used for another generation,” he explains.
- You Can Make It How You Like It
Getting creative and dressing up Amy’s veggie burgers puts the burgers in a league all its own! Amy’s shares ideas on how to spice up its veggie burgers in an even bigger way on amys.com. While it can be a blast to create a DIY topping bar with all your favorite burger accouterments, you can also summon your inner gourmet burger master and make Amy’s Sloppy Joe Mac & Cheese Veggie Burger.
What Consumers Are Saying About Amy’s Kitchen California Veggie Burgers
When it comes to feedback from fans feasting on Amy’s Kitchen’s California Veggie Burgers, its consumers are never shy about the details.
“I remember the first time I tried this burger when going vegetarian, I couldn’t believe what I was eating!” Amber W. shared on Influenster. “I don’t know if I’ve ever tasted anything so delicious and amazing before. The texture is perfect and it has the right amount of season.”
A reviewer named Celina G. also declared her love for this Amy’s Kitchen product. “Super delicious veggie burgers, I like to heat them up on a pan and use in a burger or have the party over a big salad or bowl of sauteed vegetables!”
On azurestandard.com, reviewer Cathy wrote “These meatless burgers were very tasty. The texture was pleasant, as some meatless burgers have an odd texture. My meat loving family even enjoyed them! I’d definitely buy again.”
