Guy Fieri's Go-To Tip For The Best Veggie Burgers
There's no denying that the "Mayor of Flavortown” has no beefs with beef — or pork, or turkey, or chicken, or any other kind of meat. Guy Fieri's top recipes (per Food Network) call for a prime selection of carnivorous delights. His Dragon's Breath Chili alone calls for three meaty ingredients: chuck roast, ground beef, and Italian sausage. Grilled Tequila Lime Garlic Flank Steak is another fan favorite, and Fieri's Stuffed Double-Cut Pork Loin Chops contain an extra dose of meat in the form of pancetta, which adds extra "flava” and texture to the stuffing. Even Fieri's ultra-comforting Mac Daddy Mac n' Cheese has bits of crispy bacon for flavor and crunch.
Sure, the "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” host is all about meat and cheese and other rich, flavor-packed foods (but hold the eggs). But he also has a deep appreciation for the wholesomeness and nutritional value of vegetarian and vegan food. So if you think Guy Fieri and plant-based eating don't belong in the same kitchen or on the same menu, we're here to tell you about his think-outside-the-box veggie burgers (per Food & Wine).
Grains help vegetarian/vegan burgers hold their structure
Take a spin through the freezer section of any grocery store and you'll find multiple options for plant-based burgers, including long-standing brands like MorningStar Farms. Consumers are increasingly choosing plant-based grocery items for their health and for convenience (per Supermarket News), but Guy Fieri is a staunch advocate for homemade veggie/vegan patties that stand up to rolls and toppings like shredded lettuce and his famous Donkey Sauce. "Most veggie patties suck — that's a culinary term," the Food Network host said during a demonstration at the 2021 Food & Wine Classic (per Food & Wine).
At the time, Fieri said he avoids ingredients like beans and mushrooms, which can create sogginess and cause even the most stout veggie patties to lose their shape during cooking. He instead builds meat-free burgers using grains like brown rice and quinoa, ingredients that have structural as well as health benefits. If your patties seem wet, he advises adding some panko breadcrumbs to the mix. His preferred method of cooking: pan-fried on the stovetop, in olive oil.
Fieri's sister inspired some of his plant-based recipes
Guy Fieri seems steadfastly committed to the barbecue, cookout, and game-day carnivore lifestyle, but there's room on his plate for vegetables, plenty of them, and he has an appreciation for those who choose to live their lives as vegetarians and vegans. He might have surprised some people a couple years ago when he shared that his future plans could include a vegetarian cookbook (per People). "My cousin, who's a big vegetarian, tells me flat out, 'You're my favorite vegetarian chef,'" the celebrity chef and restaurant owner noted.
The "Guy's Grocery Games” host reportedly ramped up his vegetarian repertoire and cooking skills at the request of his now-deceased sister, Morgan Fieri, when she was undergoing cancer treatment more than a decade ago. She had grown tired of grilled vegetables and her own cooking, and challenged her brother to "make me some real meals,” according to Food & Wine. One of Fieri's top recipes on the Food Network website is one called Morgan's Veggie Patties, which, despite his stated preference for using grains in veggie burgers, are bean- and chickpea-based. These burgers are also loaded with ingredients to take you to "Flavortown,” including red onion, black olives, red bell peppers, and a spice list that includes chili powder, cumin, and Hungarian paprika.