Burger King has released a new plant-based version of its iconic Whopper burger. And, as typically in January most people are trying to eat healthier (after the indulgences during Christmas) we decided to give it a go.
Emily Sleight, a writer for the Liverpool Echo, has made a New Year's resolution to eat less meat, so it was a no brainer she give the vegan burger a go. It is part of the chain's new menu, which also sees the launch of the Vegan Royale Bakon King, made with crispy vegan Bakon and vegan Cheeeze.
But Emily had her sights set on the 'Plant-Based Bakon King'. As a disclaimer, the Plant-Based Bakon King is cooked on the same broiler as the original meat Whopper "to deliver the same unique flame-grilled taste", so it can't actually be classed as vegan, which is a real shame.
It's made with flame-grilled patty, a classic Whopper bun, layered with slices of vegan Cheeeze, strips of vegan Bakon, all topped with egg-free mayonnaise and ketchup. Sounds delicious, but let's get into the taste and look of it.
It looks appealing with the right amount of sauce, as to not make for a sloppy and messy eat. The vegan cheese looks artificial and doesn't melt right on the patty, like milk-based cheeses do.
As you'd expect it looks just like the meat one, and once Emma bit into it, it tasted like it too. Emily says: "I was actually really impressed by the taste of the burger; it had that juicy flame grilled vibe that Burger King is known for - but that could be because it's cooked on the same grill as the beef.
"I'm a little sad for my vegan and veggie friends that this can't really be an option for them, but for those looking for a lighter meat-free alternative, it's spot on in terms of taste. The vegan mayo was really nice and creamy and complimented the burger well.
"In terms of consistency, it was beautifully light which makes a change from the usual greasy heavy fast food burger. The bun was light and fluffy and the burger was filled with plenty of different flavours.
"I'd probably say my least favourite part of the burger was the cheese because it was quite rubbery and a bit of an odd consistency. It tasted absolutely fine, but the consistency was a bit off for me."
Emily says she loved the burger and prefers it to the McPlant (McDonald's plant-based burger). It had a smoky flame-grilled flavour and it just tasted a lot 'meatier'.
"I'd urge you all to give this a try if you're looking for a meat-free alternative because the flavours were unbelievable," she says.
