Is Beyond Burger healthier than Impossible Burger?

Beyond Burger has a slight health advantage primarily because of its lower saturated fat content — 5g per patty compared to Impossible's 8g. Saturated fat is directly linked to increased LDL cholesterol and cardiovascular risk. Beyond also has 10 fewer calories per serving. However, Impossible Burger is fortified with B vitamins and zinc, which Beyond lacks. For vegans who don't supplement B12 separately, Impossible offers better micronutrient coverage. The overall differences are modest, and both products are significantly healthier than conventional beef burgers in most nutritional categories.

Does the Impossible Burger contain GMOs?

The Impossible Burger does contain a genetically modified ingredient. Soy leghemoglobin, the key component that gives Impossible its meaty flavor and pink color, is produced using genetically engineered yeast. The FDA reviewed this ingredient and granted it GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status in 2019. The soy protein used in the burger may also come from GMO soybeans, though Impossible Foods doesn't specifically label this. If avoiding GMOs is a priority for you, Beyond Burger does not use genetically engineered ingredients and is Non-GMO Project Verified.

Are Beyond Burgers and Impossible Burgers vegan?

Both Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger are entirely plant-based and contain zero animal-derived ingredients. They qualify as vegan from a dietary standpoint. The one ethical distinction some vegans raise involves Impossible Foods conducting animal testing on rats during the FDA approval process for soy leghemoglobin. This was done to satisfy regulatory requirements and is not ongoing. Beyond Meat has not been involved in similar animal testing. If your definition of veganism strictly excludes supporting any company that has conducted animal testing, this distinction may influence your choice.

Which plant-based burger has more protein?

Beyond Burger contains 20g of protein per 4 oz patty, while Impossible Burger has 19g. The difference is just 1 gram, which is nutritionally insignificant. Both burgers provide complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids. Beyond gets its protein from pea protein isolate, rice protein, and mung bean protein. Impossible uses soy protein concentrate and soy protein isolate. Soy protein scores slightly higher on the PDCAAS digestibility scale, but in practical terms, both deliver excellent protein for a plant-based meal and are comparable to a standard beef patty.

Can you eat Impossible Burger or Beyond Burger if you have a soy allergy?

If you have a soy allergy, you should avoid the Impossible Burger entirely. It contains both soy protein concentrate and soy protein isolate as primary ingredients. Beyond Burger is soy-free and uses pea protein as its base, making it a safe alternative for soy-allergic individuals. Always read the most current ingredient label before purchasing, as formulations can change between product versions. Both burgers contain coconut oil, so neither is safe for those with coconut allergies. Beyond Burger also contains pea protein, which some people with legume sensitivities may need to avoid.

Is soy leghemoglobin safe to eat?

Soy leghemoglobin received GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status from the FDA in 2019 after a thorough review process that included toxicology studies. The protein is produced by genetically engineered yeast in a controlled fermentation process. It is structurally similar to hemoglobin found naturally in soy root nodules. No adverse health effects have been documented in human consumption at the levels present in Impossible Burger products. Some health advocates remain cautious about long-term data since the ingredient is relatively new to the food supply, but current scientific evidence supports its safety for general consumption.

How many calories are in a Beyond Burger vs Impossible Burger?

A standard 4 oz Beyond Burger patty contains 230 calories, while a 4 oz Impossible Burger patty has 240 calories. The 10-calorie difference is minimal and unlikely to affect your diet in any meaningful way. Both burgers are lower in calories than a comparable 80/20 ground beef patty, which typically runs about 287 calories for the same serving size. Keep in mind that total meal calories depend heavily on your bun choice, condiments, and toppings. A fully assembled burger with vegan cheese and sauces can easily reach 500-700 calories regardless of which patty you choose.

Are plant-based burgers better for you than regular beef burgers?

Plant-based burgers outperform beef in several key nutritional areas. Both Beyond and Impossible have zero cholesterol, less total fat, and fewer calories than a standard 80/20 beef patty. They also require dramatically less water, land, and energy to produce. However, beef has significantly less sodium — about 75mg per plain patty versus 370-390mg for plant-based options. Beef also doesn't contain processed additives like methylcellulose or natural flavors. Plant-based burgers are processed foods, not whole foods. They are healthier than beef for most metrics but shouldn't replace whole food protein sources like lentils, beans, or tofu as daily staples.

Beyond Burger vs Impossible Burger: Which Is Healthier?

Beyond Burger vs Impossible Burger: Which One Is Actually Healthier?

The Beyond Burger vs Impossible Burger debate is one of the most common questions in the plant-based world. Both patties look like beef, cook like beef, and taste remarkably close to the real thing. But when you flip the package over and read the nutrition label, the story gets more complicated.

These two brands take fundamentally different approaches to creating a plant-based burger. Beyond Meat builds its patty around pea protein. Impossible Foods uses soy protein concentrate and a unique ingredient called soy leghemoglobin (heme) to mimic the taste and aroma of real meat. Those different starting points lead to different nutritional outcomes.

This guide puts both burgers under a microscope. We're comparing calories, protein, fat, sodium, ingredients, and allergen concerns so you can decide which one actually deserves a spot on your plate.

How Do the Nutrition Labels Compare?

Let's start with the raw numbers. The comparison below is based on a single patty serving — the standard quarter-pound (4 oz / 113g) size you'll find in most grocery stores.

NutrientBeyond Burger (4 oz)Impossible Burger (4 oz)

Calories

230

240

Total Fat

14g

Saturated Fat

Cholesterol

0mg

Sodium

390mg

370mg

Total Carbohydrates

Dietary Fiber

Sugars

less than 1g

Protein

20g

19g

Iron (% DV)

25%

At first glance, these burgers look almost identical. The calorie counts are within 10 of each other, protein is nearly the same, and total fat is a dead tie. But the differences that matter hide in the details.

Which Burger Has Less Saturated Fat?

Beyond Burger wins this round clearly. At 5g of saturated fat per patty versus Impossible's 8g, Beyond delivers 37.5% less saturated fat. That's a significant gap if you're watching heart health markers like LDL cholesterol.

Impossible Burger gets its fat primarily from coconut oil and sunflower oil. Coconut oil is naturally high in saturated fat. Beyond Burger also uses coconut oil but relies more heavily on canola oil, which has a much better saturated-to-unsaturated fat ratio.

The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat to about 13g per day on a 2,000-calorie diet. A single Impossible Burger patty eats up 61% of that limit. A Beyond Burger patty takes about 38%. If you're stacking toppings like vegan cheese or avocado, those numbers climb fast.

Which Burger Has Less Sodium?

Impossible Burger edges ahead here with 370mg versus Beyond's 390mg. That's a 20mg difference — honestly, it's negligible. Both patties sit in the moderate sodium range for a single meal component.

For context, the daily recommended sodium limit is 2,300mg. Either burger accounts for roughly 16-17% of that target. Neither is a sodium bomb, but neither is low-sodium either. If you add ketchup, pickles, and a bun, your total sandwich sodium can easily hit 800-1,000mg.

Which Burger Has More Protein?

Beyond Burger has a tiny edge at 20g versus 19g. Practically speaking, this difference is meaningless. Both burgers deliver solid protein for a plant-based option.

The protein sources differ, though, and that matters for some people:

Beyond Burger: Pea protein isolate. Soy-free and gluten-free. Good option for people with soy allergies.
Impossible Burger: Soy protein concentrate. Contains soy. Not suitable for soy-allergic individuals.

Both proteins are complete, meaning they contain all nine essential amino acids. Digestibility studies suggest soy protein has a slightly higher PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score) than pea protein, but the real-world difference for most people is minimal.

What Are the Full Ingredients?

Beyond Burger Ingredients

Water, pea protein isolate, expeller-pressed canola oil, refined coconut oil, rice protein, natural flavors, cocoa butter, mung bean protein, methylcellulose, potato starch, apple extract, pomegranate extract, salt, potassium chloride, vinegar, lemon juice concentrate, sunflower lecithin, beet juice extract (for color).

Impossible Burger Ingredients

Water, soy protein concentrate, coconut oil, sunflower oil, natural flavors, methylcellulose, cultured dextrose, food starch modified, yeast extract, soy leghemoglobin, salt, mixed tocopherols (antioxidant), soy protein isolate, zinc gluconate, thiamine hydrochloride (vitamin B1), niacin, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin B12.

Key Ingredient Differences

Soy leghemoglobin (heme): Exclusive to Impossible. This genetically engineered yeast-derived protein gives Impossible its "bleeding" effect and meaty flavor. The FDA granted it GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status in 2019. Some people prefer to avoid GMO-derived ingredients — that's a personal call.
Protein base: Pea protein (Beyond) vs soy protein (Impossible). If you avoid soy for allergy or hormonal concerns, Beyond is the clear pick.
Added vitamins: Impossible fortifies with B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12) and zinc. Beyond does not. This makes Impossible a slightly better nutritional package for vegans who might be low in B12.
Color source: Beyond uses beet juice extract for its reddish hue. Impossible uses soy leghemoglobin.

Want to check specific ingredients for vegan status? Use our ingredient checker tool to verify any additive or compound.

Is It Vegan?

Both the Beyond Burger and the Impossible Burger are 100% vegan. Neither contains any animal-derived ingredients. No dairy, no eggs, no animal fats.

However, there's one nuance worth knowing. Impossible Foods tested soy leghemoglobin on rats during the FDA approval process. Some vegans consider this animal testing a dealbreaker and refuse to support the brand on ethical grounds. Impossible Foods has stated this testing was a one-time regulatory requirement and is not ongoing.

Beyond Meat has not faced similar animal testing controversies. If your veganism extends beyond diet into a strict anti-animal-testing philosophy, Beyond Burger aligns more closely with that position.

From a purely dietary perspective, both products are plant-based and contain zero animal ingredients.

Which Burger Tastes More Like Real Beef?

This is subjective, but the general consensus across food critics and blind taste tests leans toward Impossible Burger as the closer beef analog. The heme protein gives Impossible a savory, iron-rich, slightly metallic flavor that mimics ground beef remarkably well. It also "bleeds" pink when cooked medium.

Beyond Burger has a slightly different flavor profile — earthier, with a hint of coconut from the oil. Recent reformulations have improved its taste significantly, but many tasters still give Impossible the edge for beef authenticity.

If taste drives your choice and health differences are close (which they are), you might lean Impossible. If saturated fat and soy avoidance matter more, Beyond wins.

Are Plant-Based Burgers Actually Healthy?

Let's be honest. Neither burger is a health food in the way that a bowl of lentils and vegetables is a health food. These are processed products designed to replicate fast food. They serve a specific purpose: making the transition from animal meat easier and more enjoyable.

Compared to a standard 80/20 beef burger:

Nutrient80/20 Beef (4 oz)Beyond (4 oz)Impossible (4 oz)

Calories

287

230

240

Total Fat

23g

14g

Saturated Fat

Cholesterol

80mg

0mg

Sodium

75mg

390mg

370mg

Protein

19g

20g

19g

Both plant-based burgers beat beef on calories, total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Beef wins only on sodium — and it wins by a lot. Plain ground beef has very little sodium compared to these seasoned, processed patties.

The takeaway: plant-based burgers are healthier than beef in most metrics but are not equivalent to whole food plant proteins like beans, tofu, or tempeh. Treat them as an occasional option, not a daily staple.

What About Allergens?

This is where the choice gets clear for certain people:

Soy allergy: Choose Beyond Burger. It's soy-free. Impossible contains soy protein concentrate and soy protein isolate.
Gluten sensitivity: Both are labeled gluten-free. However, always check the latest packaging as formulations can change.
Coconut allergy: Both contain coconut oil. Neither is safe for coconut-allergic individuals.
Pea protein sensitivity: Avoid Beyond Burger. Choose Impossible instead.

Which One Is Better for the Environment?

Both companies publish sustainability data showing massive reductions in land use, water use, and greenhouse gas emissions compared to beef production. Independent studies back these claims up.

A University of Michigan study found that the Beyond Burger generates 90% less greenhouse gas emissions, requires 46% less energy, 99% less water, and 93% less land than a quarter-pound beef burger.

Impossible Foods cites similar numbers from a 2019 lifecycle analysis. The differences between the two plant-based options on environmental metrics are small. Either choice is a massive improvement over beef.

Price Comparison

Pricing varies by retailer and region, but here's a general snapshot as of 2024:

Beyond Burger (2-pack): $5.49 - $6.99
Impossible Burger (2-pack): $5.49 - $6.99
Beyond Burger (bulk, 8 patties): $14.99 - $16.99
Impossible Burger (bulk, 6 patties): $12.99 - $14.99

Prices are essentially the same for standard 2-packs. Bulk pricing favors Impossible slightly. Both are more expensive than conventional beef patties, though the gap has been shrinking year over year.

Beyond Burger vs Impossible Burger: Summary Table

CategoryWinnerWhy

Calories

Beyond Burger

230 vs 240 (marginal)

Saturated Fat

Beyond Burger

5g vs 8g (significant)

Sodium

Impossible Burger

370mg vs 390mg (marginal)

Protein

Tie

20g vs 19g (negligible)

B12 & Vitamins

Impossible Burger

Fortified; Beyond is not

Soy-Free

Beyond Burger

Uses pea protein instead

Taste (beef-like)

Impossible Burger

Heme gives it the edge

No Animal Testing

Beyond Burger

No rat testing controversy

Fiber

Impossible Burger

3g vs 2g

Final Verdict

If your main health concern is saturated fat and heart health, Beyond Burger is the better choice. It delivers 37.5% less saturated fat per patty with comparable protein and fewer calories. It's also soy-free, making it accessible to more people with dietary restrictions.

If you want better micronutrient value and the most beef-like taste, Impossible Burger has the edge. The added B vitamins and zinc are genuinely useful for vegans, and the heme-driven flavor is closer to real ground beef.

Neither burger is unhealthy. Neither is a superfood. Both are dramatically better than beef on cholesterol, environmental impact, and total fat. The "healthier" answer depends on what health metric matters most to you.

For most vegans eating a varied diet with adequate B12 supplementation, Beyond Burger is the marginally healthier pick thanks to its lower saturated fat content. That's the single biggest nutritional differentiator between these two products.

Whichever you choose, pair it with a whole grain bun, plenty of vegetables, and skip the processed vegan cheese if you want to keep the meal genuinely nutritious. And if you're ever unsure about a specific ingredient in either product, run it through our ingredient checker for instant answers.

Beyond Burger vs Impossible Burger: Which One Is Actually Healthier?

How Do the Nutrition Labels Compare?

Which Burger Has Less Saturated Fat?

Which Burger Has Less Sodium?

Which Burger Has More Protein?

What Are the Full Ingredients?

Beyond Burger Ingredients

Impossible Burger Ingredients

Key Ingredient Differences

Is It Vegan?

Which Burger Tastes More Like Real Beef?

Are Plant-Based Burgers Actually Healthy?

What About Allergens?

Which One Is Better for the Environment?

Price Comparison

Beyond Burger vs Impossible Burger: Summary Table

Final Verdict

Looking for More Vegan Products?