Vegan Cheeseburgers

Vegan Cheeseburgers.

Did you hear that?

My entire audience just collectively groaned.

I’ll be honest with you. There is nothing sexy, delicious, or craveable about the idea of a vegan cheeseburger. You’re taking quite possibly the most delicious meat dish out there, that’s literally designed in the most effective way possible to be delivered to your gullet, and replacing it with vegetables. I mean why?!

But we can’t all be mainlining cheeseburgers into our gullets and not expect to have a physique that makes our spouse’s eyes bleed. So there’s a compromise, that’s the vegan cheeseburger. I mean there are other compromises, turkey burgers, chicken burgers, but this goes to the extreme, is super easy, requires zero prep, and tasted great.

Let me preface this by saying, that this in no way replaces eating a cheeseburger, it is however a satisfying alternative especially if you’re looking to cut meat/dairy out of your life.

So I came up with this idea when I was testing some recipes out with Whole Foods, and they had me try a product from the company, Engine 2, they make plant based products that are supposed to taste good. Sometimes they’re successful, sometimes they’re not. I decided to take my temporary veganism to the extreme, and I opted to try vegan cheese and vegan mayo. Both of which, much to my chagrin, did not suck.

First the patty, Engine 2 sells these all plant based veggie patties that are comprised of beans, rice, and other veggies that help create a meatyish consistency and flavor. Next, the vegan cheese which I would describe as having a similar flavor to a Kraft Single, without the same consistency. It’s firmer, but doesn’t melt the same, it has a cheesy flavor though which is achieved by some unholy cocktail of veggies, oils, and spices. When I looked at the ingredients I almost thought to myself, “Whats the point of all this? At least regular cheese has less weird ingredients.” But we were going for the vegan experience here people! Finally the vegan mayo, which I must say, I really like. It’s made from aquafaba which is chick pea water and some other ingredients, this chipotle style mayo had a serious kick that was ideal for the vegan cheeseburger.

If you look in my pictures, you’ll notice that these burgers were assembled sans bun, that’s because sometimes that #bloglife strikes and you’re not prepared with hamburger buns. But I improvised, there is always very little bread in my house but luckily I had some Persian Sangak bread, and it was actually PERFECT for this vegan cheeseburger. I topped the burgers with some pickles and pickled cabbage and I went to town, the end result was divine. I ate like three of these in one sitting, which defeats the purpose of eating healthy. I know. Portion control is a work in progress people!

This whole thing comes together in less than 15 minutes, and it’s a great weeknight treat if you’re jonesing for a regular cheeseburger.

Recipe – Vegan Cheeseburger

Ingredients

1 Package of Engine 2 Veggie Burgers

4 Slices of Vegan Cheese

2 Tbsp. Vegan Chipotle Mayo

4 Hamburger Buns

Pickles & Pickled Cabbage

1 Tbsp. Olive Oil

Method

Step 1- Heat the olive oil and then brown each side of the veggie patties.

Step 2- Warm the hamburger buns, then assemble your patties with the cheese, mayo, and pickles.

Step 3- Eat!

You literally can’t have an easier dish!