Beyond Beef and Impossible Beef have dominated the plant-based meat market for years, offering compelling alternatives to traditional ground beef. While both products aim to replicate the experience of eating meat, they do so with different ingredients, resulting in unique tastes, textures, and nutritional profiles. This comprehensive breakdown will help you understand the nuances of each product to find the one that best suits your preferences and dietary needs.
The foundational difference: Ingredients and sourcing
The most fundamental difference between these two plant-based products lies in their primary protein sources and the unique additives used to create their meaty characteristics.
Impossible Beef ingredients
- Protein source: Impossible Beef is made primarily from soy protein concentrate, with added potato protein.
- The secret ingredient (Heme): A key component is soy leghemoglobin, a protein molecule that contains heme. Impossible Foods produces this via genetically engineered yeast fermentation. Heme is responsible for the product's meaty flavor and the realistic pink-to-brown color change during cooking.
- Fat content: Coconut oil and sunflower oil are used to replicate the marbling and juiciness of traditional ground beef.
- GMO status: Impossible Foods uses genetically modified yeast to produce its heme. The company is transparent about this, while some consumers prefer non-GMO options.
Beyond Beef ingredients
- Protein source: Beyond Beef uses a mix of pea, mung bean, and rice proteins, making it a soy-free alternative. This is a major selling point for those with soy allergies or who prefer to avoid soy products.
- Realistic coloring: To mimic the color of meat, Beyond Beef incorporates beet juice extract. This ingredient provides the visual "bleed" without relying on genetically modified components.
- Fat content: The product uses expeller-pressed canola oil, coconut oil, and cocoa butter to create its fatty, juicy texture. The white specks visible in the raw product are cocoa butter and coconut oil, which melt during cooking to create a marbled effect.
- GMO status: Beyond Meat products are strictly non-GMO, which is often a significant factor for consumers when choosing between the two brands.
Taste and texture
Taste and texture are subjective, but side-by-side comparisons reveal clear distinctions between Beyond Beef and Impossible Beef.
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Impossible Beef: Many tasters report that Impossible Beef offers a more convincing, savory, and umami-rich flavor that closely mimics real ground beef. Its texture is often described as looser and more crumbly, similar to a traditional beef patty. When cooked, it can achieve a slightly pink interior, enhancing the beef-like illusion. This makes it particularly effective in recipes where ground beef texture is important, like burgers or crumbles.
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Beyond Beef: Beyond Beef has an earthier, plant-forward flavor, sometimes with a subtle pea or coconut aftertaste. The texture is typically denser and chewier than Impossible's, holding its shape firmly after cooking. Its color cooks uniformly and does not retain a pink center. This dense texture can work well in applications like meatballs or meatloaves.
Comparison of Beyond Beef vs. Impossible Beef
| Feature | Beyond Beef | Impossible Beef |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Protein | Pea, mung bean, and rice protein | Soy protein concentrate |
| Key Flavor Ingredient | Beet juice for color; pea-forward taste | Soy leghemoglobin (heme) for savory, metallic, meaty flavor |
| GMO Status | Non-GMO | Contains GMOs (for heme production) |
| Saturated Fat | Lower saturated fat (approx. 5g per 4oz) | Higher saturated fat (approx. 8g per 4oz) |
| Texture | Dense, slightly chewy, firm patty | Looser, crumblier, more like ground beef |
| Allergen Info | Soy-free, gluten-free | Contains soy, gluten-free |
| Nutritional Fortification | Less fortified with vitamins and minerals | Fortified with extra vitamins and minerals |
| Best For... | Recipes where firmness is preferred, like meatballs or meatloaf | Replicating a traditional fast-food style burger |
Nutritional content
While both products are designed to be nutritionally comparable to ground beef, there are some differences worth noting. Per a 4-ounce serving, both offer around 19-20 grams of protein, a significant amount of iron, and high sodium levels compared to unseasoned beef.
Impossible Beef often has a higher saturated fat content due to its composition, which contributes to its juicy texture. However, Beyond Beef contains slightly more fiber. Impossible Beef is also fortified with more added vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins and zinc. Neither product contains cholesterol. Consumers should remember that both are highly processed foods and should be enjoyed in moderation.
Environmental impact
One of the main drivers behind the popularity of plant-based meats is their significantly lower environmental footprint compared to traditional beef. Studies have shown both Impossible and Beyond Beef require substantially less land, water, and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than raising cattle for beef. Choosing either of these products over beef is a more sustainable option.
Cooking and versatility
Both products are versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes as a one-to-one replacement for ground beef.
- Impossible Beef: Because of its looser texture, it works especially well in dishes where you'd use crumbles, such as tacos, chili, or pasta sauce.
- Beyond Beef: Its denser composition makes it ideal for holding shape, perfect for meatballs, meatloaf, or hearty patties.
List of ideal recipes for each brand:
- Impossible Beef: Tacos, lasagna, chili, and sloppy joes.
- Beyond Beef: Burgers, meatloaf, and Italian meatballs.
Conclusion
Choosing between Beyond Beef and Impossible Beef ultimately depends on personal preference and dietary needs. If you prioritize a taste and texture that closely mimics traditional beef, can tolerate soy, and are comfortable with GMOs, Impossible Beef is often the preferred choice. For those with soy allergies, who prefer non-GMO ingredients, or desire a firmer, denser texture, Beyond Beef is the clear winner. Both offer a more environmentally friendly and cholesterol-free way to enjoy a meat-like experience. The key is to try both and see which one satisfies your cravings best.
For more in-depth nutritional information on these and other food products, visit the US Department of Agriculture FoodData Central database.
