As the host of a summer barbecue, it’s important to accommodate the dietary preferences of all your guests, including the vegetarians. This is where Beyond Meat’s plant-based burgers and sausages come in handy. Not only are they delicious, but they also closely resemble the taste and texture of real meat, which can confuse even the most seasoned grill master. So, how do you grill Beyond Meat products to perfection? Let’s find out.
Getting Started
Before you start grilling, make sure to follow these essential steps to achieve the best results:
Heat the Grill
To get that iconic smoky flavor that screams summer, opt for a charcoal grill. Preheat the grill for about 15 minutes until the grates are nice and screaming hot. This will ensure a beautiful sear on the outside of your “meat.”
Bring the Meat to Room Temperature
Although Beyond Meat products are generally found in the freezer section, it’s crucial to bring your burgers and brats to room temperature before grilling. This ensures even cooking and prevents a fully cooked exterior and a frozen interior.
Oil the Burgers/Sausages
To prevent sticking, lightly oil the surface of the burgers and sausages. Brushing them with canola oil works wonders and guarantees a hassle-free grilling experience. You can also oil the grill grates themselves using an oiled paper towel or grilling spray, but remember to do this when the grill is cold to avoid burning yourself.
The Grilling Process
Now that we’ve covered the preparation steps, let’s dive into the actual grilling process:
Cook Over High Heat
The secret to any grilled meat, or in this case, plant-based meat, is achieving that smoky char. Ensure your grill is blazing hot before placing your Beyond patties or sausages on it. Cook them for a few minutes on the first side, around two minutes should be sufficient. Check for a brown and caramelized bottom, then flip the burgers or turn the brats and cook for another few minutes.
A Word of Caution: Don’t Press Down!
This tip mainly applies to the burgers. Just like with regular meat burgers, resist the temptation to press down on your Beyond patties with a spatula. While the sizzle sound may be enticing, doing so will cause the fat (in this case, coconut oil) to squish out, resulting in less juicy burgers.
Delicious Results and Extra Convenience
Grilling Beyond Meat is surprisingly similar to grilling regular meat, with a few minor adjustments. You might worry that the burgers will fall apart when flipped or that the sausage casings will stick, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how easy they are to cook.
Additionally, Beyond Meat offers more flexibility in terms of timing. Overcooked Beyond burgers are still enjoyable, whereas overcooked beef burgers can become tough and dry. During our tests, the plant-based sausages remained moist and juicy, even when left on the grill for longer than the recommended cooking time.
Now, let’s address any concerns about food safety. While Beyond’s website suggests cooking the burgers and sausages to an internal temperature of 165°F, the plant-based nature of these products eliminates the same risks of salmonella or E. coli found in pork or beef. So, undercooking them isn’t as much of a concern.
The Final Verdict
As taste testers, both meat eaters and I agreed that while Beyond’s products don’t exactly replicate real meat, they are undeniably delicious. In fact, they are so satisfying that we would actively seek them out at restaurants or grocery stores.
With availability in over 15,000 restaurants, including national chains like Carl’s Jr. and Del Taco, as well as over 35,000 grocery stores, Beyond Meat products are becoming increasingly accessible. And based on Beyond’s recent earnings call, we can expect even more expansion in both the retail and restaurant sectors.
Next time you plan a summer barbecue, don’t hesitate to include Beyond Meat on the menu. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved, and your guests will surely appreciate the effort you put into catering to their dietary needs.