Disclaimer: I was given product by Sunshine Product, free of charge in exchange for this review through their partnership with FitApproach. All opinions are mine based on my experience. I was not compensated monetarily for this review.
My experience with veggie burgers hasn’t been a pleasant one. Over the years, I’ve tried several different brands from the grocery store without much success. Mostly because the veggie burgers I have tried always end up very dry and tasted like cardboard.
I was excited to sample the Sunshine Burgers because unlike other veggie burgers, Sunshine burgers are organic, non-GMO and vegan. They are also free of gluten, wheat, soy, corn, oats, dairy, eggs, tree nuts and peanuts. Sunshine burgers are made from sunflower seeds and brown rice. After researching Sunshine Burgers, I found out it was started by Carol Debberman. A mom who wanted to feed her family a soy-free veggie burger without fillers or preservatives. A woman after my own heart!
Sunshine Burgers’ philosophy is to bring a nutritious alternative for those seeking a healthier diet. With eight different varieties; Garden Herb, Black Bean Southwest, Hemp & Sage, Shiitake Mushroom, Quarter Pound Original, Barbecue, Falafel and Loco Chipotle, they range in protein content from 7 to 10 grams per patty.
My review
I tried the Black Bean Southwest first because I thought it would be fun to do a “huevos rancheros” take on it like the ones I had when I visited San Antonio, Texas. My breakfast turned out great. Most importantly it was not dry or tasteless. You can really taste the sunflower seeds, black beans and rice in this burger.
Next, I tried the Garden Herb. While it looked very green, I could definitively taste the sunflower seeds, rice and carrots in it. Being able to read the ingredients listed on a nutritional panel is important to me. I feel comfortable when I know what I’m feeding my family is something I would use in my kitchen.
Lastly, I chose the Hemp & Sage breakfast veggie burger. I followed the instructions on the package to bake them for 5-7 minutes at 375. I’m not very hungry in the mornings, so I grabbed a couple of bites and finished getting my girls ready for school. After my morning run, these patties were an amazing treat to refuel. They were moist and tasty and most importantly they were easy to grab and eat on the go.
Closing Thoughts
Out of these three, the Hemp & Sage tasted very similar to the Black Bean Southwest. They both had a great black beans and rice flavor topped with sunflower seeds, which I loved. The Garden Herb reminded me of a spinach souffle visually but it tasted like carrots, which I also enjoyed.
I can see myself buying these burgers to supplement my caloric intake while training or as post-run fuel. Thank you Sunshine Burgers and Fit Approach for the opportunity to review your product.
Click here to see if Sunshine Burgers are available in your area. You can also connect with them on Twitter and Facebook.
I’m new to veggie burgers – reading reviews and trying out different brands. I just tried the Sunshine ones (Quarter Pound burger), because it’s rated one of the healthiest, most natural/organic. I will say it’s better than The Dr. Praeter equivalent, but that’s not saying much. It still tastes like cardboard – just better-tasting cardboard. As a hamburger substitute, it doesn’t work for me, but I would certainly eat it as a substitute for a breakfast sausage patty, with scrambled eggs and a dash of pepper sauce.
Thanks for stopping by! I think you hit the nail in the head. Don’t give up, you’ll find one you love!