Review: Match Pimento-Stuffed Burger and Mushroom-Stuffed Burger

Last night for dinner I enjoyed a Match mushroom-stuffed burger that I baked in the oven at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes. I served it atop mashed avocado, grilled green onions, and carrot slices. I added cilantro for an extra kick. Cilantro helps remove mercury from your body.

Match Premium Vegan Meat burgers are "meaty" and flavorful. As with any product, my cooked burgers didn't resemble the pictures on the bag.

When I'm craving a burger and fries, I love to reach for more "gourmet" offerings than the thin veggie burgers sold in the frozen aisle at the grocery store. The conventional offerings will fill my belly just fine, but if I'm famished and want a hearty meal, these burgers from Match will have me patting my stomach before dozing off on the couch. 

Previously, I reviewed Match's Mediterranean Stuffed Vegan Chicken, and I was impressed with the texture and bold flavors. After tasting these two burgers, I still rate the stuffed chicken as first, followed by the mushroom burger, and then the pimento burger.

The gooey, "cheesy" center of the pimento-stuffed burger.

Although the pimento-stuffed burger (at top) has a center that looks moister and nice and cheesy, the flavors were dull when compared to the well-seasoned filling of the mushroom-filled burger (pictured above in between two pieces of bread).

Both burgers were very filling and had a great texture -- tender, yet chewy like meat. But the pimento burger fell flatter in the flavor department. It was as if someone forgot to season the burger or was just relying on the creamy center to provide all the taste (which it didn't). Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad burger, but if you have the opportunity to buy the stuffed chicken or the mushroom-stuffed burger, go with either of those offerings.

The mushroom-stuffed burger had a beautiful earthy flavor from the well-seasoned mushrooms. I enjoyed every bite of this burger. It held it's own against sandwich spreads and toppings, such as vegan cheese and raw onions.

Product Review: Instant Veggie Burger Mix from Great Life by Lucinda (Roasted Garlic, Dried Tomato & Chive)

I enjoy making my own veggie burgers from canned black beans: I drain and rinse the beans; mash them in a bowl with a fork; add a squirt of ketchup, mustard and relish and some spices; and then form the mixture into patties and bake in the toaster oven for 10-15 minutes -- flipping the burgers halfway through the cooking process.

It's fun to craft sandwiches and play around with different flavors and textures: 

• Greens: For a tender bite, add spinach; otherwise, kale adds a great chew, while lettuce gives that clean, crisp bite.
• Spreads: Nothing beats Follow Your Heart Veganaise and Earth Balance Original Mayo (which is soy-free), but I'm really digging the flavors of Viana's Organic Spreads (Stay tuned for product reviews of these spreads!)
• Pickles and Peppers: Sweet relish, sweet pickles, mild banana peppers, spicy chipotles, the list goes on and on.
• Cheese: I love a tangy cheese, so I make my own with almond flour, lemon juice, and Siracha. Door 86 makes awesome vegan cheese, and I'll be testing Treeline Aged Artisanal Hard-Style Treenut Cheeses soon.
• Bread: I avoid breads that can't hold up to all the sauces and veggies I add to my sandwiches. So far, a Turkish bread from Giant Farmers Market in Hackensack has been the best for my burgers and sandwiches. It even does a good job at keeping sliced avocado and tomatoes from sliding out.

I wanted to have another shelf-stable product in my arsenal when I was craving a veggie burger, so I ordered Instant Veggie Burger Mix from Great Life by Lucinda (Roasted Garlic, Dried Tomato & Chive) from VeganEssentials. 

The ingredients are simple, and you only have to add hot water to 1 cup of mix before forming your patties. 

The cooked patty had a subtle garlic and tomato flavor. It was drier than my bean burgers, but a slice of onion and Veganaise on the bread added moisture.

If you like to have shelf-stable products at your fingertips for when you and your family crave a burger, then give this product a try. Other flavors include: Smoky Chipotle, Garden Veg, Curry, and Cajun. They are priced on VeganEssentials for $7.99 for 8 oz. package (makes about six patties per package).