Trying to figure out if Burger King’s Impossible Whopper is vegan can be tough.
Burgers often have many ingredients and some of them may come from animal products or by-products.
To make sure that you are only eating foods that align with your vegan lifestyle and ethics, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Burger King’s Impossible Whopper.
Here’s what I found.
Is the Burger King Impossible Whopper Vegan?
Yes! Burger King’s Impossible Whopper is 100% vegan.
The Impossible Burger or as Burger King likes to call it, the Impossible Whopper, uses a veggie burger patty from Impossible Foods. The patty is a plant-based patty made from plants, including soy protein concentrate, coconut oil, potato protein, and heme. Heme is a molecule that gives the burger its “meaty” flavor and color. It is derived from soybean plants.
The Impossible Whopper buns are also vegan because they don’t contain eggs as most buns do. Additionally, compared to other burger brands that are cooked on the same grill, Burger King’s Impossible Whopper has a dedicated grill for just cooking these burgers.
So, is the Impossible Whopper vegan? You bet!
If you’re craving a juicy burger but want it meat-free, the Impossible Whopper from Burger King is a great option!
Is Burger King Impossible Whopper Cruelty Free?
Yes! The Impossible Whopper is cruelty free.
All the ingredients are plant based, so no animals were harmed in the making of this burger. It also doesn’t contain any ingredients that are tested on animals, like artificial colors.
The Impossible patty from Impossible Foods initially went through some testing on animals, but after regulating bodies deemed the product safe for human consumption, no further animal testing has been conducted.
So, you can feel good about eating the Impossible Whopper knowing that no animals were harmed in its production!
Are Burger King Buns Vegan?
Yes! They are very much vegan. Compared to most buns, Burger King’s buns don’t contain eggs and milk, so it pairs perfectly well with the Impossible Whopper’s vegan patty.
Eggs and milk are common ingredients found in most buns, but not at Burger King. So, if you’re concerned about the buns on your burger being vegan, don’t worry! The buns at Burger King are totally vegan friendly.
What Is Heme?
Impossible patties are made to look and taste like real meat patties of traditional beef burgers. One of the key ingredients that give it a meaty flavor is heme. Heme is an iron-containing molecule that’s found in every single living creature on earth, including animals and plants.
The heme in the Impossible Burger comes from soybean plants. The heme molecule from soybean plants is identical to the heme molecule in animals. When you eat an Impossible Burger, you’re getting the same heme molecule that’s in animal meat, but from a plant!
What Are Impossible Whoppers Made Of?
Just like most burgers, the Impossible Whopper has two main components: The bun and the patty.
Here are the ingredients in Burger King Buns:
- Flour
- Water
- Sugar-glucose/fructose
- Yeast
- Vegetable oil
Here are the ingredients in the Impossible Whopper patty:
- Water
- Soy protein concentrate
- Coconut oil
- Sunflower oil
- Natural flavors
- Potato protein
- Methylcellulose
- Yeast extract
- Cultured dextrose
- Food starch modified
- Soy leghemoglobin
- Salt
- Mixed tocopherols (antioxidant)
- Soy protein isolate
- Vitamins and minerals (zinc gluconate, thiamine hydrochloride [Vitamin B1], niacin, pyridoxine hydrochloride [vitamin B6], riboflavin [vitamin B2], vitamin B12)
Let’s break down each ingredient of an Impossible Whopper:
Water
Water is used to hydrate the protein and bind the ingredients together. It is vegan.
Soy protein concentrate
Soy protein is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids that our bodies can’t produce on their own. It is used to make the burger patty hold together and have a “meaty” texture. The soy protein concentrate in the Impossible Whopper is vegan.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is oil that is extracted from the meat of coconuts. It is used in the Impossible burger to give it a moist texture. The coconut oil in the Impossible burger is vegan.
Sunflower oil
Sunflower oil is a type of vegetable oil that is extracted from sunflower seeds. It is used in the Impossible burger to help keep the patty moist. The sunflower oil in the Impossible burger is vegan.
Natural flavors
Natural flavors are chemicals that are derived from plants or animals. They are used to add flavor to food. The natural flavors in the Impossible burger is likely vegan as it is a product that is marketed as being vegan.
Potato protein
Potato protein is a type of protein that is extracted from potatoes. It is used in the Impossible burger to help bind the ingredients together and add texture. The potato protein in the Impossible burger is vegan.
Methylcellulose
Methylcellulose is a type of fiber that is derived from plants. It is used in the Impossible burger to add texture and help bind the ingredients together. The methylcellulose in the Impossible burger is vegan.
Yeast extract
Yeast extract is a type of flavoring that is made from yeast. It is used in the Impossible burger to add flavor. The yeast extract in the Impossible burger is vegan.
Cultured dextrose
Cultured dextrose is a type of sugar that is made from fermented glucose. It is used in the Impossible burger to add flavor. The cultured dextrose in the Impossible burger is vegan.
Food starch modified
Food starch modified is a type of starch that has been treated with an acid or enzyme. It is used in the Impossible burger to add texture and help bind the ingredients together. The food starch modified in the Impossible burger is vegan.
Soy leghemoglobin
Soy leghemoglobin is a type of protein that is found in soybean plants. It is used in the Impossible burger to add flavor. The soy leghemoglobin in the Impossible burger comes from genetically engineered soybeans and is not vegan.
Salt
Salt is used to add flavor to food. The salt in the Impossible burger is vegan.
Mixed tocopherols (Antioxidant)
Mixed tocopherols are a type of vitamin E that is found in plants. They are used in the Impossible burger as an antioxidant. The mixed tocopherols in the Impossible burger are vegan.
Soy protein isolate
Soy protein isolate is a type of protein that is made from soybeans. It is used in the Impossible burger to add protein and texture. The soy protein isolate in the Impossible burger is vegan.
Vitamins and minerals
Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients that our bodies need to function properly. They are used in the Impossible burger to add nutrition. The vitamins and minerals in the Impossible burger are vegan.
Zinc gluconate
Zinc gluconate is a type of zinc that is found in plants. It is used in the Impossible burger to add nutrition. The zinc gluconate in the Impossible burger is vegan.
Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1)
Thiamine hydrochloride is a type of vitamin B1 that is found in plants. It is used in the Impossible burger to add nutrition. The thiamine hydrochloride in the Impossible burger is vegan.
Niacin
Niacin is a type of vitamin B3 that is found in plants. It is used in the Impossible burger to add nutrition. The niacin in the Impossible burger is vegan.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a type of vitamin B6 that is found in plants. It is used in the Impossible burger to add nutrition. The pyridoxine hydrochloride in the Impossible burger is vegan.
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
Riboflavin is a type of vitamin B2 that is found in plants. It is used in the Impossible burger to add nutrition. The riboflavin in the Impossible burger is vegan.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a type of vitamin that is found in plants. It is used in the Impossible Whopper to add nutrition. The vitamin B12 in the Impossible Burger is vegan.
Why Is Burger King’s Impossible Whopper Vegan?
Burger King’s Impossible Whopper is vegan because it is completely free of animal products and by-products. The burger patty is an all-vegetarian product made by Impossible Foods, a company that exclusively makes plant-based meat products.
The patty being vegan wouldn’t matter if the buns had eggs or dairy in them, but Burger King Buns are vegan as well. Burger King also uses Heinz ketchup, a product that has been confirmed to be vegan by the company.
Burger King is also strict when it comes to the prevention of cross contamination. They use separate grill plates and tools for their Impossible Whoppers to avoid contact with meat products.
Are Burger King French Fries Vegan?
Yes! Burger King Fries are vegan. They are made with vegetable oil and are free of any animal products or by-products.
This product is vegan.
Are Burger King French Toast Sticks Vegan?
Yes! Burger King French Toast Sticks are vegan. They don’t have eggs as most French toast recipes do, so they are completely vegan friendly.
Are Burger King Hash Browns Vegan?
Yes! Burger King Hash Browns are vegan. They don’t have any animal products or by-products in them.
This product is safe for vegan consumption.
Final Words
Burger King’s Impossible Whopper is 100%, clear-cut, vegan. The patties and buns are completely plant based, as well as all the condiments. Burger King has strict policies to avoid cross contamination so you can be sure that your Impossible Whopper has not come into contact with any meat products.
So, if you’re in the mood for a juicy, plant-based burger, then head on over to Burger King! This meat-free option is delicious, nutritious, and most importantly—vegan.