Hybrid and Plant-Based Burgers: Trends, Challenges, and Physicochemical and Sensory Qualities

Burgers have become a staple of global cuisine and can have several different versions and combinations. For example, hybrid burgers have a percentage of animal protein in their formulation, while plant-based burgers contain 100% plant-based proteins. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the emerging trends and challenges in the formulation of hybrid and plant-based burgers, with an emphasis on new ingredients and the evaluation of their physical, chemical, and sensory properties. An integrative literature review on alternative burgers to meat ones was carried out, focusing on hybrid products (meat + plant-based) and fully plant-based burgers. The studies analyzed show that plant-based and hybrid burgers can be developed with different protein sources, such as soybeans, white beans, textured peas, pseudocereals, and cashew nuts, with good nutritional and sensory characteristics. While hybrid burgers combine meat and plant-based proteins to reduce saturated fats, plant-based burgers show equal promise, with a high protein and fiber content, a lower fat content, and good sensory acceptance. However, despite the market potential of these products, there are challenges to be overcome, among which are their texture and flavor, which are essential characteristics of animal-meat burgers. Another point to take into account is the diversity of preferences among consumers with different beliefs or eating styles: vegans, for example, do not prefer a product that is very similar to meat, unlike flexitarians, who seek products which are similar to animal meat in all attributes.