Match Meat Burger Review

I've been hearing about MATCH Meats for a few years now. And when I saw they were featured in a number of recipes in Betty Goes Vegan, I got super sad that MATCH isn't sold in Memphis. I'd heard it was an amazingly realistic plant meat, and I'm a vegan-meat-and-potatoes kind of gal. I like my plant meat to taste like, well, meat.

But then MATCH emailed me a few weeks ago to ask if I'd review some samples of their products. Hell yeah! When they said "samples," I had no idea I'd get all of this!!!

Look at all this fake meat (I know some vegans don't like the phrase "fake meat," but I'm owning it)! I'm set for months!

I'll be breaking reviews of these meats into multiple posts as I try things. But of course, I tried the burgers first because these aren't just any old vegan burger. These are stuffed burgers!

Out of the whole "sample" haul, I was probably most excited for the Vegan Stuffed Pimiento Burger. In my cheese-eating days, I loved pimiento cheese, and I've created a tasty (and healthier) vegan version for my cookbook. This MATCH burger is freakin' stuffed with pimiento cheese.

I'd never had a stuffed burger (meaty or vegan) in my life, so this was a new concept. But I'm a sucker for anything with surprise center. The creamiest vegan pimiento cheese mushed out of these little guys, and I was scared to push my bun down for fear of losing my cheese. It's made from Tofutti vegan sour cream, Daiya, and some other stuff, and it really tastes like pimiento cheese. Oh, and the meaty part was delicious too. It was very realistic. I'd say this plant protein rivals Gardein for the meatiest, most realistic vegan burger.

Next I tried the Vegan Stuffed Mushroom Burger.

Also wonderful! Same great burger meat but stuffed with a creamy mix of porcini mushrooms in a vegan cream cheese sauce. It really has that wild mushroom taste. I topped mine with avocado and a slice of Daiya Swiss.

These are the only two MATCH products I've tried so far, but judging by how perfect these were, I'm certain MATCH will become my new favorite plant meat. I wish I could buy this stuff in Memphis, but it looks like it is sold on Pangea and Vegan Essentials.

Stay tuned for future MATCH meat reviews. And just FYI: I'm heading to Chicago Veggie Fest this weekend, where I'll be signing books and doing a couple of food demos on Saturday and Sunday, along with Miyoko Schinner, Jennifer Cornbleet, and lots of other vegan authors and chefs. Come see me if you're in the area. And if not, I'll be posting plenty of Veggie Fest pics when I return on Monday.