WE TRIED EVERY PLANT-BASED HOT DOG WE COULD FIND—THESE ARE THE 3 WORTH BUYING

Grilling season is just around the corner, and few things signal summer quite like hot dogs. Whether you prefer to top it with ketchup, mustard, or any other classic condiments, the salty snap of a hot dog is one of life’s simple pleasures.

Our plant-based pals have long been relegated to subpar options at the barbecue. But as the demand for vegan meat alternatives has skyrocketed and products have improved, there are more plant-based hot dogs than ever before. And, dare we say, some are just as good as the real thing.

But that’s not to say all plant-based hot dogs are worth buying. That’s why we tasted every plant based veggie dog we could find—from old school brands to the new dogs on the block. And after consulting vegans, meat eaters, and die-hard hot dog enthusiasts, we found the three that are worth your money.

Best Overall: Impossible Beef Hot Dogs

Impossible already makes brat-style sausage, and they recently rolled out their own veggie dogs that mimic beef franks. They’re not as widely stocked as other brands we tried, but it’s a new product, so we’ll give them a pass for now. For anyone willing to hunt for them, the Impossible Hot Dogs will instantly upgrade your plant-based barbecue.

These dogs were the best at simulating the meaty flavor of a classic dog. The texture isn't an exact match (no vegan casing will ever compare to the snap of the real deal), but it's still enjoyable. Our only gripe—and it's a minor one—is the lower fat content, which sacrifices some of the richness. But if you're covering your dogs in condiments, it doesn't make much of a difference.

Best Budget: LightLife Smart Dogs

Upscale hot dogs are great, but sometimes we just want an old school, nostalgic dog. LightLife has been selling plant-based dogs since 1993 and they've solidified themselves as the best-selling brand across the country. You can find them in the plant-based protein aisle of virtually every grocery store. You get eight veggie dogs for around five dollars—it's one of the few brands that costs roughly the same as their meat-based counterparts.

The texture of LightLife Smart Dogs isn't definitely not the same as the texture of a regular hot dog—but we still like it. It's chewy, satisfying, and feels substantial (something we can't say about many other brands we tried). And the flavor straight-up tastes like a cafeteria hot dog, which is a compliment to the highest degree.

Best Brat-Style: Beyond Meat Brats Original

It’s not quite a hot dog, but a meatless brat-style sausage is an elevated alternative to a standard frank. And, admittedly, they taste better than most vegan hot dogs. Impossible and Beyond Meat are the major players in this category, but the latter just barely edged out the other.

Beyond Meat’s bratwurst is deeply savory and has a deep golden brown hue that closely resembles meat. Our favorite part of these sausages, however, is their rich and juicy interior. If you're cooking for vegan guests with a more discerning palate, Beyond Brats are the brand to buy.

2024-04-29T20:40:40Z dg43tfdfdgfd