Learn whether Beyond Burgers is keto-friendly and compare Impossible Burgers to MorningStar in the realm of low-carb meat substitutes.
Those on a plant-based diet, keto or not, can benefit from knowing the amount of carbs in each, their nutritional value, and which is best overall.1
In addition, we’ll review all Beyond Meat products, including Beyond Beef, Beyond Sausage, and Beyond Meatballs so get ready to find out which one is best once and for all.
Beyond Burger Carbs: Understanding the Carb Content of a Beyond Burger
Beyond Meat launched its first products in the US in 2012. Since then, they’ve become one of the most popular plant-based meat brands.
Reviewers rave about the taste and texture of Beyond Meat’s products, and many well-known restaurants now offer their products on their menus. Although the brand deserves praise for offering ethical and sustainable meat alternatives, low-carb dieters are curious if Beyond Burgers are suitable for a keto diet.
Source: Fiona Calisti from Unsplash2
Let’s explore the carb content of a Beyond Burger to determine the amount.
Beyond Burger sells two different burger products: Plant-Based Patties and Cookout Classic Patties. Plant-Based Patties are slightly lower in calories and fat, while Cookout Classic Patties more closely mirror the macronutrients found in a traditional beef patty.
One Beyond Burger Plant-Based Patty contains:
- 230 calories
- 14 grams of fat
- 20 grams of protein
- 7 grams of carbs
- 5 grams of net carbs
One Beyond Meat Cookout Classic Patty contains:
- 290 calories
- 22 grams of fat
- 18 grams of protein
- 4 grams of carbs
- 3 grams of net carbs
The main protein source in Beyond Burgers is pea protein, and the main fat sources are canola oil and coconut oil. Fortunately, Pea protein may be as effective as whey protein for muscle building.3
Are Beyond Burgers Keto-Friendly? (Can Veggie Burgers Fit a Low-Carb Diet?)
Here’s the good news: clocking in at 3-5 grams of net carbs, both of Beyond Meat’s Burger products are keto-friendly! The keto diet can be a positive way to lose weight, but having as many options as possible for meals makes it even more sustainable.4
Easily incorporate Beyond Burger carbs into a keto meal by pairing them with other keto-friendly foods like mayonnaise, cheese, mustard, keto ketchup, pickles, and lettuce, and find further information about the pickle diet here. Although Beyond Burgers won’t kick you out of ketosis, the question remains whether veggie burgers are suitable for a keto diet.
Let’s compare Beyond Meat with other popular plant-based products.
Beyond Burgers vs. Impossible Burgers vs. Morning Star: Which Is the Best Keto Burger?
Visit most grocery stores and you’ll typically find three plant-based burger brands: Beyond Meat, Impossible, and MorningStar Farms. While these three options are similar in size and shape, their calorie content and macronutrient profiles vary somewhat.
How Many Carbs in an Impossible Burger vs. Beyond Burgers
Let’s compare Impossible Burger Patties with Beyond Burger patties:
Impossible Burger Patties Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 230
- Carbs: 9 grams
- Net Carbs: 4 grams
- Protein: 19 grams
- Fat: 13 grams
Beyond Burger Plant-Based Patty Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 230
- Carbs: 7 grams
- Net Carbs: 5 grams
- Protein: 20 grams
- Fat: 14 grams
Beyond Meat Cookout Classic Patty Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 290
- Carbs: 4 grams
- Net Carbs: 3 grams
- Protein: 18 grams
- Fat: 22 grams
How Many Carbs in a MorningStar Burger vs. Beyond Burgers
Let’s see how the MorningStar Farms Vegan Meat Lovers Burger stacks up in terms of keto-friendliness.
MorningStar Farms Vegan Meat Lovers Burger Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 270
- Carbs: 9 grams
- Net Carbs: 4 grams
- Protein: 27 grams
- Fat: 16 grams
Beyond Burger Plant-Based Patty Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 230
- Carbs: 7 grams
- Net Carbs: 5 grams
- Protein: 20 grams
- Fat: 14 grams
Beyond Meat Cookout Classic Patty Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 290
- Carbs: 4 grams
- Net Carbs: 3 grams
- Protein: 18 grams
- Fat: 22 grams
Which Is the Top Low-Carb Plant-Based Burger Choice?
When it comes to keto-friendly plant-based burgers, these three options are neck and neck. These brands know that they’re competing to appeal to the same consumer base, so they strive to offer similar options while one-upping each other in key areas.
Thankfully, none of these burgers are too high in carbs to be compatible with a keto diet.
The choice of which is best for a given keto dieter comes down to four considerations:
- Subjective taste determines the best-tasting low-carb vegetarian burgers, usually a matter of personal preference.
- If protein is a high priority for you, then MorningStar’s burger is the best option.
- For most keto dieters, fat is a high priority, making the Beyond Meat Cookout Classic Patty a likely best choice due to its high-fat content.
- If you’re nearing the daily limit of 50 grams of net carbs to stay in ketosis, the Beyond Meat Cookout Classic Patty, with the lowest net carbs among the four options, is likely your best choice.
Carbs in Beyond Meat: All Keto Options Compared (Beyond Meat Carbs, Beyond Beef Carbs, Beyond Steak & More)
In addition to burger patties, the Beyond Meat brand sells many other plant-based meat products. The carbs in Beyond Meat vary, but most of their products are suitable for a keto diet.
All listed macronutrients are for one package serving:
Beyond Sausage
- Calories: 190
- Carbs: 5 grams
- Net Carbs: 2 grams
- Protein: 16 grams
- Fat: 12 grams
Beyond Meatball
- Calories: 190
- Carbs: 9 grams
- Net Carbs: 6 grams
- Protein: 19 grams
- Fat: 21 grams
Beyond Breakfast Sausage
- Calories: 180
- Carbs: 6 grams
- Net Carbs: 4 grams
- Protein:11 grams
- Fat: 12 grams
Beyond Beef
- Calories: 230
- Carbs: 7 grams
- Net Carbs: 5 grams
- Protein: 20 grams
- Fat: 14 grams
Beyond Chicken Tenders
- Calories: 210
- Carbs: 15 grams
- Net Carbs: 13 grams
- Protein:13 grams
- Fat: 12 grams
Beyond Jerky
- Calories: 90
- Carbs: 8 grams
- Net Carbs: 7 grams
- Protein: 10 grams
- Fat: 2 grams
Beyond Steak
- Calories: 170
- Carbs: 7 grams
- Net Carbs: 5 grams
- Protein: 21 grams
- Fat: 6 grams
Beyond Chicken Nuggets
- Calories: 190
- Carbs: 15 grams
- NetCarbs: 13 grams
- Protein: 14 grams
- Fat: 9 grams
Beyond Popcorn Chicken
- Calories: 210
- Carbs: 16 grams
- Net Carbs: 14 grams
- Protein: 14 grams
- Fat: 11 grams
Clearly, Beyond Meat carbs can fit well within a keto diet. However, the chicken products are on the high side due to the breading, though with careful planning they could work.
Their net carb content is much lower than most frozen breaded chicken products. The jerky is relatively high carb as well.
Always check if beef jerky is keto-friendly before consuming it while in ketosis.5
Keto-Friendly Plant-Based Meal Ideas
With all of these keto plant-based protein options, all that’s left is to use them to create delicious keto meals. Remember that when it comes to Beyond Burgers vs. Impossible Burgers vs. MorningStar Burgers, they are all very similar, so substitute as preferred.
Source: Paras Kapoor from Unsplash6
Here are twelve different ideas for Beyond Burgers Keto meals although some recipes may include another form of Beyond Meat:
Keto Vegetarian Breakfast Ideas
1. Scramble 3 eggs in 1 tablespoon of butter and serve with Beyond Breakfast Sausage and ½ cup fresh raspberries (8 net carbs)
2. Make a frittata with eggs, heavy cream, mozzarella cheese, Hot Italian Style Beyond Sausage, onions, and Italian herbs (approximately 5 net carbs per serving)
3. Serve sauteed Beyond Steak with fried eggs for a tantalizing version of steak and eggs (5 net carbs)
4. Make a quick breakfast sandwich in the toaster oven with the best keto bread, Beyond Breakfast Sausage, and cheese (4 net carbs)
Keto Vegetarian Lunch Ideas
5. Saute bell peppers and onions with sliced Sweet Italian Style Beyond Sausage and enjoy with a side of fresh mozzarella balls (5 net carbs)
6. Top a fresh salad with Beyond Steak, shredded cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing for an indulgent steakhouse classic (10 net carbs)
7. Use Beyond Beef Crumbles to make taco lettuce cups with cheese, guacamole, salsa, and diced onions (10 net carbs)
8. Create a burger quesadilla by using a Beyond Burger patty and a Carb Balance tortilla keto. Add sliced pepper jack cheese and serve with a side of ranch for dipping. Learn more about whether ranch is keto-friendly. (5 net carbs)
Keto Vegetarian Dinner Ideas
9. Serve Beyond Meat Cookout Classic Patties with cauliflower tots and a side salad (5 net carbs)
10. Make steak burrito bowls with Beyond Steak, cauliflower rice, sliced avocado, and hot sauce (10 net carbs)
11. Top creamy alfredo zoodles with Sweet Italian Style Beyond Sausage and grated parmesan cheese (8 net carbs)
12. Serve Beyond Meatballs with baked spaghetti squash and sugar-free marinara (13 net carbs)
For people trying to pair a plant-based diet with a keto diet, there are more options than ever before. Experiment with the different Beyond Meat products available and enjoy the delicious meals that result! Get creative with Beyond Burger keto meals today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do MorningStar Veggie Burgers fit into a keto diet?
With 9 grams of total carbs and 4 grams of net carbs, MorningStar Farms Vegan Meat Lovers Burgers are definitely keto-friendly! However, read the labels carefully on MorningStar’s other burger products – of the nine different burgers they sell, only some are keto approved.
Which Low Carb Vegetarian Burgers Taste Best?
Online reviewers typically vote Beyond Burgers as the best option, describing them as tasty and satisfying with no aftertaste. Thankfully, Beyond Burgers offers keto options abound!
Is Beyond Burger High in Carbs?
Beyond Burgers have 4-7 grams of carbs and 3-5 grams of net carbs. While regular beef burgers have 0 carbs, these numbers still don’t qualify as high.
What Restaurants Have Beyond Burgers?
Carl’s Junior, Dunkin’, Subway, Denny’s, TGI Fridays, A&W, Del Taco, and even Disney theme parks all offer Beyond Burgers at some of their locations. However, they’re often served with toppings and buns that are not keto friendly, so proceed with caution and be sure to check out Culvers keto options as well.
What Are the Best Fast Food Keto Vegetarian Meals?
The Carl’s Junior Beyond Burger with a lettuce bun has only 10 grams of net carbs and the restaurant brags about its superior taste. At QDoba, customers can build a tasty salad with Impossible Burger crumbles, veggies, cheese, salsa, and guacamole.
How Do I Make Beyond Burger Patties Keto-Friendly?
First of all, keep in mind that Beyond Meat products are highly processed, so they shouldn’t be a daily food choice. When building a keto meal with Beyond Burger patties, choose low-carb or zero-carb condiments and toppings such as mustard, mayonnaise, bacon (counter-intuitive, but delicious!), lettuce, pickles, and keto ketchup.
Does Beyond Meat Have Any Ingredients With a High Glycemic Index?
Beyond Meat contains maltodextrin in trace quantities. Maltodextrin has a high glycemic index, but the quantity in Beyond Meat products is so low that it’s not worth getting worried about.
Is Beyond Sausage Keto?
Beyond Sausage has just 5 grams of total carbs or 2 grams of net carbs per link, so it’s keto friendly! Choose from Brat Original, Hot Italian Style, or Sweet Italian Style.
References
1Clem, J., & Barthel, B. (2021). A Look at Plant-Based Diets. Missouri medicine, 118(3), 233–238. <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34149083/>
2Fiona Calisti. “three brown cookies on black surface photo – Free Food Image on Unsplash.” Unsplash, 23 April 2020. Accessed 11 April 2023. <https://unsplash.com/photos/367cMAtZ3qA>
3Banaszek, A., Townsend, J. R., Bender, D., Vantrease, W. C., Marshall, A. C., & Johnson, K. D. (2019). The Effects of Whey vs. Pea Protein on Physical Adaptations Following 8-Weeks of High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT): A Pilot Study. Sports (Basel, Switzerland), 7(1), 12. <https://doi.org/10.3390/sports7010012>
4Gillespie, R., & Ahlborn, G. J. (2021). Mechanical, sensory, and consumer evaluation of ketogenic, gluten-free breads. Food science & nutrition, 9(6), 3327–3335. <https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.2308>
5Shalabi, H., Alotaibi, A., Alqahtani, A., Alattas, H., & Alghamdi, Z. (2021). Ketogenic Diets: Side Effects, Attitude, and Quality of Life. Cureus, 13(12), e20390. <https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.20390>
6Paras Kapoor. “green vegetable on brown wooden chopping board photo – Free Singapore Image on Unsplash.” Unsplash, 14 June 2021. Accessed 11 April 2023. <https://unsplash.com/photos/DSGMraONNk8>