Impossible Burger has gained popularity in the last few years, and it is not your ordinary burger. This product is made entirely out of plants but tastes like meat…
Whether you follow a plant-based diet or not, it’s likely that you’ve heard of the Impossible Burger. Made by Impossible Foods, this plant-based burger took the US by storm after its release – and it’s not hard to see why!
Many vegetarians and vegans claim that this burger has a meat-like flavor and texture that other plant-based products are sorely lacking.
In fact, many meat-eaters have also been taken by surprise by the Impossible Burger!
But, is the Impossible Burger keto-friendly? Take a look at this in-depth guide to find out! The answer is likely to surprise you.
About The Impossible Burger
The Impossible Burger is a processed, plant-based burger that has been designed especially to taste like meat. After its release, the Impossible Burger quickly became a huge favorite amongst vegetarians and vegans due to its particularly realistic taste and texture.
How Is The Impossible Burger Made?
Generally speaking, before the Impossible Burger came along, most vegetarian and vegan ‘burgers’ were made using beans, soy, grains, and/or mushrooms.
The producers of the Impossible Burger significantly diverted from these traditional ingredients.
Instead, to create the Impossible Burger, ingredients such as soy protein concentrate, coconut oil, sunflower oil, potato protein, yeast extract, methylcellulose, gums, salt, and water were used.
Additionally, many useful vitamins and minerals are also added to the Impossible Burger. For instance, it includes vitamin B12 (which is particularly important for vegans and vegetarians, vitamin B6, thiamin, and niacin.
However, the standout ingredient that makes the Impossible Burger what it is is heme. Heme is a compound that contains iron.
Usually, it comes from animal products, but the manufacturers of the Impossible Burger used soy-based heme that is derived from yeast.
More specifically, to produce heme, DNA is extracted from the roots of soy plants. Then, this is inserted into genetically engineered yeast.
Following, that yeast is fermented. Once this process has been completed, you get heme! This makes the burger taste similar to beef.
Nutritional Profile Of The Impossible Burger
To better understand whether the Impossible Burger will work with your diet, it is necessary to take a closer look at its nutritional information.
Check out the table below – it described the nutritional profile for 4 oz of the Impossible Burger.
Calories
240
Fat
14g
Protein
19g
Total Carbohydrates
9g
Fiber
3g
Added Sugar
Less than 1g
Sodium
16% of Daily Value
Vitamin B12
130% of Daily Value
Folate
30% of Daily Value
Thiamine
2350% of Daily Value
Riboflavin
15% of Daily Value
Niacin
50% of Daily Value
Zinc
50% of Daily Value
Iron
25% of Daily Value
When looking at this table, it is important to understand that this nutritional information will differ depending on how it is cooked.
For instance, if you purchase the Impossible Burger at a restaurant, it’s likely that it has been cooked in oil and combined with sauces, which will alter the nutritional content.
How To Cook The Impossible Burger
So, it looks like a burger, it tastes like a burger… but, do you cook it like a burger?
In short, yes! You can cook the Impossible Burger using the same methods that you would when cooking a regular beef burger.
You can opt to grill, saute, or bake the Impossible Burger. You can also cook it to your own liking, just like you would with a regular burger, by looking at the color and firmness of the patty.
Pros Of The Impossible Burger
So, apart from being a delicious plant-based alternative to juicy meat burgers, you’re likely wondering, are there any benefits associated with eating the Impossible Burger?
Well, yes! Take a look at the best pros of the Impossible Burger below.
High In Nutrients
The Impossible Burger contains a great number of nutrients. As previously mentioned, some of the added nutrients in the Impossible Burger are particularly important for vegetarians and vegans.
It has been found that vegans and vegetarians tend to be at a higher risk of certain nutrient and vitamin deficiencies than people who consume meat and other animal products.
As such, the added nutrients in the Impossible Burger work to keep such people healthier.
Whilst many vegetarian and vegan products include extra vitamins and minerals, the Impossible Burger sets itself apart from others by using plant-based heme.
Heme is a great source of iron that is better absorbed by the body than non-heme iron.
Suitable For Many Different Diets
In addition to being suitable for vegetarians, vegans, and other people who are eliminating meat-based products from their diets, the Impossible Burger is also gluten-free.
As such, it is a great option for a huge range of people – regardless of their deity requirements, allergies, or intolerances.
Sustainable Alternative To Beef Burgers
It is also thought that the Impossible Burger is a more sustainable option than a beef burger. Impossible Foods claims that the burger uses around 87% less water than a regular beef burger.
It is also argued that the impossible burger generates 89% fewer greenhouse gases and uses 96% less land than traditional farming methods.
Cons Of The Impossible Burger
As with all processed foods, there are unfortunately some drawbacks to the Impossible Burger. To learn more about them so that you can make the most informed dietary choices possible, take a look at the sections below.
Plant-Based Heme
Despite its many advantages, there are some concerns regarding plant-based heme. It has been deemed safe by the FDA, however, little is known about its long-term effects and safety.
This is because current studies only tend to be conducted over short periods of time.
Whilst it is promising that these studies have shown plant-based heme to have no negative effects, more research is needed to confirm that it is safe for humans to consume over long periods.
Allergenic Ingredients
Whilst the Impossible Burger is a great option for gluten-free and dairy-free diets, it does contain some other ingredients that many people struggle to consume.
Specifically, it contains soy. Even though soy allergies are less common than gluten or dairy intolerances, it is still one of the eight most prevalent allergens amongst both adults and children.
GMOs
The Impossible Burger contains genetically modified ingredients. In fact, its main ingredients – plant-based heme and soy protein – have been genetically modified.
Whilst most scientists agree that GMO foods are safe, some are concerned about their use.
Specifically, some scientists are concerned about GMO crops that have become resistant to common herbicides, including glyphosate.
Some studies have concluded that glyphosate could pose harm to humans and animals as it can harm hormonal function.
Is The Impossible Burger Keto-Friendly?
Now that you’re equipped with all of the information regarding the Impossible Burger, you’re likely wondering, is it keto-friendly? Well, the answer is a little bit more complicated than you might have expected.
When looking at the nutritional information of the Impossible Burger, it seems as though it is very keto-friendly. With only 6 grams of net carbs, this burger should be easy to incorporate into a keto diet.
However, as previously discussed, the Impossible Burger is very processed. It also contains GMOs. These are two big no-nos when it comes to the keto diet. As such, if you follow a strict keto diet, you should steer clear of the Impossible Burger.
In fact, the Impossible Burger also contains other non-keto-friendly ingredients. For example, sunflower oil, cultured dextrose, and modified food starch should be eliminated or limited as much as possible when you are following a keto diet.
Although, it is worth mentioning that following a keto diet when you have additional diet restrictions or preferences can be tricky.
As such, if you want to incorporate the Impossible Burger into your diet so that you can enjoy a treat every now and then, feel free to do so.
Keto-Friendly Veggie Burger Recipes
If you’re feeling a bit deflated after finding out that the Impossible Burger isn’t keto-friendly, don’t worry!
There are many keto-friendly veggie burger recipes out there that will be just as delicious as the Impossible Burger. Take a look at our favorite keto-friendly veggie burger recipes below.
We love these vegan zucchini cauliflower fritters. They are the perfect option for any vegetarian who is hoping to follow a strict keto diet but still enjoy their favorite dishes.
This recipe is bean, meat, nut, and tofu-free! Instead, it is packed with highly nutritious and delicious keto-friendly ingredients that will leave you feeling full and satisfied.
If you’re looking for a keto-friendly veggie burger that has a meaty feel, you need to check out this low-carb portobello mushroom vegan burger.
It is an excellent source of protein and is bursting with flavor. For this recipe, you’ll need to stock up on nutritional yeast and lupin flour. However, it’s definitely worth it – once you’ve made this burger once, you’ll want it every day!
Finally, if you’re looking for a super easy but tasty burger to fill a gap in your weekly rotation, you will love these keto veggie burgers.
They are certain to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters around the table. The best part about this recipe is that you can prepare it in advance and leave the uncooked patties in the fridge or freezer for when you really need a quick dinner!
Conclusion
Following a keto diet can be tricky at the best of times. It can be even harder if you have additional dietary preferences or intolerances. It is unfortunate that many meat and dairy substitute foods don’t fit within the keto diet.
But, there are some really great keto-friendly recipes out there that are also vegan, vegetarian, and allergy-friendly.
We hope that this article has given you the information you need to make the most informed dietary decisions possible and inspired you to try out a new keto-friendly veggie burger.
Hi, I’m Aubrey, and I have been a chef for close to 8 years. Cooking has always been a passion of mine, as long as I can remember. I loved my play kitchen when I was a kid, and would offer my parents my own (albeit gross) cookie recipes to taste!
Here at ButterandSaltGatherings, I want to offer a wide range of ingredients, flavors, meals and recipes so that you can start living each day to the fullest, and enjoy only the best food.
