OZO Plant-Based Burgers
Planterra Foods, a Colorado-based start-up, has launched its first line of plant-based protein products with its new consumer brand, OZO™. The new line is available at Safeway with plant-based proteins including burger patties and a plant-based ground product.
OZO joins the plant-based protein movement started by Beyond Meat and Impossible in offering a sustainable plant-based protein that is better for the animals and better for the earth.
According to CEO, Darcey Macken “our goal is to delight people from vegans to flexitarians to meat-eaters by giving them more delicious plant-based protein choices. Our goal is to grow flexitarian consumption by offering a positive protein solution and reimagined protein sources for everyone.”
Growth of plant-based protein and meat alternatives is projected to increase from $4.6 billion in 2018 to a whopping $85 billion in 2030, according to investment firm UBS.
Unique to the category, OZO uses a high-quality pea and rice protein that relies on the fermentation of shiitake mycelia (root) to create a nutritionally superior product that enhances the taste and minimizes the flavor impact, while improving the digestibility of the plant-based protein.
OZO products contain no cholesterol and fewer calories, fat and saturated fat than 80 percent lean ground beef, as well as other leading plant-based protein brands currently in the market. OZO products also have up to 22 grams of protein per serving, are soy-free, non-GMO, and vegan.
OZO Burgers Review
OZO sent me a package of the burgers and the Mexican ground product to review. I have tried all the other plant-based burgers on the market, and I will say OZO has a delicious flavor that is unique to this brand.
By cooking in a skillet, you get a nice caramelization on the patty that brings out the rich umami flavors from the shitake mushrooms. The texture is similar to a ground beef burger, as it’s chewy, has a good bite to it, and doesn’t fall apart easily. The burger definitely does not taste like beef. To me, that is a benefit because the flavor is better than beef. It was juicy, full of seasoning, and delicious.
It even contains vegetable and fruit juices that seep out during the cooking process, so you get that feeling like you are cooking ground beef, which may be a benefit if you are making the transition to including more plant-based foods in your diet.
I topped my burger with pepper jack cheese, roasted Hatch green chiles, avocado slices, tomato, and red onion. I paired it with baked sweet potato fries. It was a perfect meal that was filling and satisfying. You can print a recipe card for the green chile burgers at the end of this post.
Be sure to also read our review of the OZO Mexican seasoned plant-based ground and get a recipe for delicious vegetarian enchiladas.
OZO Burgers Nutrition Info
OZO Burgers are made pea and rice protein and with non-GMO ingredients. Each patty contains 210 calories, 10 grams of fat, 350 mg. of sodium, 6 grams total carbs, and 22 grams of protein.
The ingredients are Water, Textured Pea Protein (Pea Protein, Pea Fiber), Canola Oil, Wheat Gluten, Sustainable Palm Oil, Pea and Rice Protein Fermented by Shiitake Mycelia, Methylcellulose, Malt Extract Flavor, Natural Flavors, Yeast Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Salt, Vegetable and Fruit Juice (color).
How to Cook Plant-Based Burgers:
The burgers are best cooked in a skillet, rather than on the grill.
Heat a non-stick skillet and spray with a non-stick cooking spray, or add a touch of oil to the pan. Cook the burger patty for 3-4 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°.
The OZO Plant-Based Burgers Retail for $6.99 a package at Safeway. You can use a new digital Just for U coupon to save $2.00 on the OZO products through October 11th.
You’ll find the OZO Burgers and ground product in the fresh meat case next to the other plant-based protein options.
Ingredients
- 1 package OZO Plant-Based Burger Patties
- non-stick cooking spray
- 2 slices pepper jack cheese
- 1/2 beefsteak tomato sliced
- 1/4 red onion thinly sliced
- 1 avocado sliced
- 2 tablespoons roasted, diced green chiles
- 2 burger buns toasted
- 1 leaf green leaf lettuce
Instructions
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and spray with non-stick cooking spray
- Add the burger patties and cook 3-4 minutes on each side. Turn off the heat and add the pepper-jack cheese. Cover the skillet to allow the steam to melt the cheese (about 1-2 minutes).
- Toast the buns over medium high heat in a skillet or grill pan.
- Remove the burgers from the skillet and plate by layering the bun, green leaf lettuce, sliced tomato, burger patty with cheese, red onion, sliced avocado, then top with diced green chiles.
Be sure to Pin this recipe to your Pinterest board for later.
Be sure to let us know what you think about the new plant-based burgers in the comments below. We love to hear from our readers.
This is a sponsored post on behalf of OZO Foods to introduce you to the new plant-based proteins available at Safeway. As always, opinions and images are my own and I appreciate and encourage your support of the brands that make this site possible.
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* Please note – Savings information is based on Colorado pricing and the Safeway Coupon Policy for the Denver Division which includes Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Wyoming and South Dakota. Your market may vary. *
PLEASE get them back in in Washington State
Don’t be like Amanda here! Make sure you cook these at lower temperatures and for shorter times than you would a hamburger patty. These are delicious and much juicier than other veggie burgers and, when prepared properly are really good! A must-try.
My son became a vegetarian about 2 years ago so I have adjusted cooking for him when he’s in town. Prior to Ozo the only burger I purchased was Beyond Meat. The last time he was in town, I bought the Ozo Burger and he raves about it. Says it beats Impossible & Beyond hands down.
We have also purchased the taco meat and it’s become a staple in our diet, even when he’s not in town. I love the lower calorie, less fat option Ozo provides.
Thank you for letting us know your thoughts! I agree – the flavor is superior to the Beyond Meat products.
They smell like canned cat food and taste precisely how you’d expect wet cat food to taste like.
I tried, I wanted to like these burgers. I thought it was all in my head and that I could get used to it. An hour later and every burn brings back cat food breath. 🤮
Disgusting! pan juices were like some sort of burn plastic goo and it had a back ground flavor of sweet over roasted wheat and coffee grounds… We were excited to try it, everyone in the family took one bite and had the yuk face… thew it all away…
Sounds like you had no idea how to prepare
it and blamed the burgers. They can’t be cooked like meat patties. You probably were trying to cook them at far too high a temperature and for too long. Done right, these are incredibly good.