I have a confession to make: I’ve been visiting the frozen section of Whole Foods more often lately. I would have NEVER, mark my words, found this new product on my own. I usually grab frozen fruits, veggies and ezekiel bread and I’m out of there, not giving a second look to all the pre-made foods available. My thoughts about the freezer section at the grocery store have now been changed forever thanks to Hilary’s Eat Well – The healthiest frozen store-bought veggie burger currently on the market.
The Ingredients
Below is the full list of ingredients for all the Hilary’s Eat Well burger varieties. As you can see, every ingredient is Food Babe approved. The ladies at Hilary’s Eat Well were already fans of Food Babe before they sent their burgers to me to review, so they knew that I was not going to be an easy critic when it came to the ingredients! Hilary’s Eat Well ingredients speak for themselves, but were their frozen hockey pucks going to taste good? I was skeptical at first. Sorry to call them hockey pucks, but let’s be honest, that’s what frozen veggie burgers look like straight out of the package, right?!
These burgers went fast in my house – the entire Food Babe team loved them. They were so good, that I continue to buy them on my own and get frustrated when they are out of stock. One of the problems that I have found with various frozen veggie burgers, is the texture. Hilary’s got the texture of their burgers perfect, with nice bites of bigger pieces of vegetables and grains. The ingredients were not all mushed up into a patty, if you know what I mean.
My favorite way to prepare them is baked in the oven, then garnished with sprouts, avocado and tomato. You can also put the burgers in the toaster, which makes them a great item to leave in the house for loved ones who are slightly food-preparation-challenged, or for kids. I also love that the microwave is “not recommended” for this product. (Just another reason to throw out your microwave, right?)
Out of all the flavors I tried, Adzuki Bean, Hemp & Greens, and the Original Veggie – Adzuki Bean is my favorite, with Hemp & Greens as a close second. They also have a new “Root Veggie Burger” that has an abundance of yummy root vegetables. I tried a bite of this at the Natural Product’s Expo East show, and it is fantastic too. I have yet to see the “Root Veggie Burgers” in stores, but when I do, I’ll definitely be taste testing them more with all my favorite toppings.
Hilary’s Eat Well created a spin off product called “Original Veggie Bites” too. These little bites of goodness are dynamite and are actually perfectly sized for children. They are full of the superfood quinoa, and other nutritious ingredients like coconut oil. They toast up to be golden brown and are like the healthiest form of tater tots you could ever buy. They are also really really good dipped in organic ketchup! Hilary’s Eat Well is so skilled at making these bites perfectly crispy on all sides.
Before I go, I just have to mention the care and attention this company gives to to their suppliers who source their high quality ingredients, as well as for their support for GMO Labeling. Not only is this company feeding the world the healthiest store-bought veggie burger, they are also going the extra mile as an advocate to safeguard the food supply.
Where To Find Hilary’s Eat Well & Giveaway
You can order Hilary’s Eat Well online or use the website to find a store near you. They are also offering a YEAR SUPPLY of burgers to a lucky reader. All you have to do is enter to win on their facebook page here to get your chance.
We all know finding store-bought meals that are actually good for you and not full of additives is HARD to do. But we all experience those days where the last thing we want to do is cook. Knowing about this hidden gem will make your life easier, save you time and get your belly fed fast with the most nutritious foods on the planet when that type of day strikes again.
I’m so thankful for this company and the work they are doing.
If you’ve tried Hilary’s Eat Well before or plan on trying them, I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below. Also, if you know someone who could use a little assistance in the frozen veggie burger department, please share this post with them.
Good Luck!
Food Babe
P.S. If you want to learn more about store-bought veggie burgers and the dangers lurking behind many of them, don’t miss my full investigation here.
I just finished eating a Root Veggie Burger with hummus, avocado, tomato, hummus and hot sauce. Soooo yummy!
Hot sauce? girl, no you didn’t! 🙂
Hot sauce on everything for me! I forgot to say that I had it in a collard wrap – the best way…
You’re just so healthy. I can hardly stand it Food Babe.. I got to pace myself just keeping track of half the helpful hints you give me that I usually neglect to follow. I do try to read the ingredient list at home…
I could juice from now to doomsday and I still wouldn’t go under 200 pounds.
Clownin…
will be trying them for sure (as soon as I can get my hands around one) 🙂
YES! We had discovered this brand a while back and we LOVE them! We get them all the time for a quick dinner option. Yes, I am sure many will post how great and easy their patty recipe is, but as a full-time working mom who also has a freelance business and does 4 day a week of CrossFit, and is a semi-professional singer, some days I don’t have but 15 minutes to make dinner before I need to get son in bed. Like the evenings he has soccer practice and swimming lessons. One of those evenings is egg night and the other is many times “burger” night where we use these patties. I slice an avocado and melt some Organic swiss on there and YUMM-O dinner served!
So yummy and the only pre-made veggie burger I buy!
Thank You !
I didn’t mind liking the Facebook page. I didn’t mind putting in my email address. For it to be processed, though, I would have to agree to let them have my profile info., entire friends list, and my LIKES.
Vani, this is ridiculous. I don’t give that info. out to ANYONE. Could you contact them? We should not have to sacrifice privacy to enter a contest.
Hi Linda,
The platform we’re using to run the contest requires that info, but if you want to email us directly at [email protected], we can enter you in the contest without using that platform. We totally understand the privacy concern, and want you to know that we never use your information, or give your email to anyone.
Shoot us an email and we’ll get you entered!
Thanks! I’ve sent an email!
Hi,
Just thought I’d also like to express my opinion. Not everyone even has facebook or twitter accts. and many times I can’t sign up for things because of this and feel it’s unfair. I’ve supported many types of websites and then can’t participate because I won’t have a facebook acct.
On top of not having time to spend on another feature, I just don’t see any advantages to having something that’s become another security concern, when there are already enough concerns just being online.
As soon as I see all that language about accessing my friends, wall, etc etc, I also cancel. Don’t understand why that’s necessary. Although I think I let it go through for DWTS so I can vote on FB, which is very convenient, and I have no indication of any problem or annoyance with that. Still, I cancel all the others.
All that said, I’m going to go like this product. Sounds wonderful. And yes, wrapped in a green. No bun for me!
I work in an organic market and we do sell Hilary’s burgers, and I tried one, along with my daughter. We both could not believe how superior they were compared to other veggie burgers on the market. My daughter LOVED the fact that she could toast her burger in the toaster – so fast and tasty.
Thank you FoodBabe for all the great information you post and for looking out for the health and well being of others!!
I agree , these are better than most veggie burgers. But, they are still high in carbs and high in hard yo digest grains and legumes. Why not just eat natures perfect food: grass fed burgers? BTW I do enjoy your blog!
I too eat grass-fed beef, but if you’re worried about ‘hard-to-digest’ foods, meat is one of the most difficult foods for your body to digest, plus it is highly acidic.
I have to disagree with you. We humans have been eating meat for 100’s of thousand years – we evolved that way. Grains have only been in our diet the last 10,000 years. Grains and legumes contain phytic acid and not only are difficult to digest, they also prevent one from absorbing nutrients.
I can’t wait to get the bites for my little one. she loves to feed herself but it’s hard to find nutritious things that a 13 month old can hold and chew herself. Thanks!
I will definitely be looking for Hilarys. I don’t usually like veggie burgers because of the taste of most of them. Plus, I never cared for actual burgers so I’m not looking to replace that taste. However, I did find a burger in the frozen section that seems to be fairly similar to Hilarys. They’re called Qrunch Quinoa Burgers. They have very similar ingredients and really taste awesome. Has anyone tried these? Would like to know if they are healthy to eat, or should be avoided. Thanks so much.
Just bought these yesterday at Whole Foods. Can’t wait to try. I’ve read many good things about these veggie burgers and the company. I think they will fit perfectly on an Ezekiel english muffins. They are tough to find though.
I discovered these about a week ago and they have immediately become my favorite veggie burger. And i have tried a LOT of veggie burgers. VERY tasty, and huge bonus is that i can make them in the toaster which means I can eat them at work. (it can be hard to find vegan, organic, non-microwaveable options that can be taken to work for lunch!)
We recently tried these when I found them at our local health food store. Amazing! Tasty, crispy goodness! And ingredients we can eat! My daughter loves them and it is a quick, easy, healthy meal for her. I was hoping when I saw the title of this blog that you would be talking about these wonderful burgers. So glad you are giving these guys props! They deserve it!
We have been getting these veggie burgers for a while now!
John
What is the protein content of these burgers? When I eat a meat or meat substitute I always want to know the protein content.
Thanks.
I think questions of that type are best answered by the creators.
Best to check their website; most companies have a great deal of nutritional information on their sites now.
(Look up the individual ingredients — I mean the unpronounceable ones, mainly — on a number of third-party sites to get a more objective picture.)
Thank you for this! I’ve been experimenting with making my own “burger” patties, and they are really tasty and healthy, but… these would be great for last-minute barbecues! And as much as I love to cook, let’s face it, sometimes it’s nice to have a night off from making dinner from scratch. Thanks again!
p.s. – @Steve: I agree that organic, grass-fed beef is great… unless you’re vegetarian or vegan. 🙂
i keep a few of the adzuki bean or root veggies in the freezer in case i am out of my pre-made ones. this vegetarian will not go hungry at any cook outs. 😀
I have not seen this brand in stores near me but recently bought a box of quinoa burgers called “Qrunch”, they are vegan, soy free, gluten free, USDA organic and GMO free. I was pleasantly surprised how good they are – no hockey pucks, thankfully. They have different flavors. I got the plain ones at my local Publix store. The ingredients list is: millet, quinoa, coconut oil, onion, carrots, broccoli, arrowroot starch, apple cider vinegar, psyllium seed powder, sea salt, garlic, canola oil. And their website is http://www.qrunchfoods.com
Mar – looks good except the canola oil – which is terrible for your body. I’d choose Hilary’s over them any day because they use coconut oil.
Thanks!
Yes, I wish they didn’t use canola oil but at least it is GMO-free and it’s the very last ingredient on the list, so it might be minimal – not really sure why they need the canola oil when they’re already also using coconut oil.
The thing about Hilary’s is that the sodium is way too high, and most people don’t need to add any more to their diet. Qrunch does have lower sodium levels, more reasonable levels for the average person.
But sometimes it all comes down to what’s available in your local stores – unless you’re willing to buy frozen food online, which I rather not do.
These sounds great! Fast good that is healthy is exactly why Wildtree has been taking off so fast. If you have not heard of them, you should check them out. You will be very impressed! No bad stuff in any of their products, low sodium and low suger. We offer freezer meal workshops where busy families can socialize and whip together 10 healthy meals to throw in their freezers. Everyone has been raving about them! I invite you to check it out and let me know any questions you have. Thank you for your great detective work! Love it!
Great tip. I won’t eat veggie burgers. My wife buys these horrible tasting ones made with kind of soy protein that tastes like dog food. Not that I’ve ever eaten dog food! Can’t wait to try these. Maybe I’ll feed her’s to Fido?
These sound amazing! The one thing that bugs me about most store-bought veggie burgers is that I kinda want them to taste like delicious roasted veggies and not gross fake-out meat…I’m not a vegetarian, it’s just the principle, right? If your veggies taste like meat, there is something wrong there.
Those sound amazing! I grew up a vegetarian and did not eat meat until I was about 12. However I quite eating vegetarian protein because
Those sound amazing! I grew up a vegetarian and did not eat meat until I was about 12. However I quite eating vegetarian protein because if all the processed ingredients! Yum! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing! I’m excited to try these!
are there any other brands that you recommend for frozen entree’s? or do we not have any selection? we love your research! Thank you, food babe 🙂
Haha, I haven’t found much else yet, but if I do, I’ll let you know. I want more stuff I can go to too 🙂
Thank you, we do appreciate your research and would LOVE to eat more than veggie burgers lol I do cook but as you said there are times it’s difficult or are just too tired and where we live the nearest place that carries any limited organics is over an hours drive so much for spontaneity!! lol blessings of gratitude~
The ingredients look great. What’s the sodium level? That is usually the catch with any frozen prepared foods.
Sodium is a nonfactor if you have a mostly plant-based diet that is rich in potassium 🙂
The sodium in Hilary’s is way too high, and the average person doesn’t need to add any more to their diet – plant based diet or not.
The Qrunch quinoa burgers have lower sodium levels, more reasonable for everyone – qrunchfoods.com
I’m with Steve. Too many carbs! A nice grass fed beef burger would be so much better.
These sounds YUMMY, but I have to say, I love, love love ASHERAH’s Burgers. All organic, yummy! Quinoa based, flavors. And so very filling. My whole family adores them! Also made by earth loving women who use wonderful, healthful ingredients.
One of the challenges I think most of us have is that we love these products but find their cost prohibitive. Many of these products come in tiny little boxes or portions that assume people eat like birds. Totally unrealistic, especially for men. Soups, for example, always say they are based on two servings. What guy eats a half cup of soup? Or one small veggie burger? We have a long way to go – or we all have to become millionaires fairly quickly!
Hi Parke! Providing affordable, convenient, high quality food is part of our mission. A two pack of our burgers retails on average for around $3.50 each–that’s about $1.75/burger. (Sometimes you can even get them on sale–2 packages (4 burgers) for $5.00!) Cook a couple up, put it on a bed of greens with some toppings and you’ve got a really quick, satisfying, organic, non-gmo meal for just a few bucks. 🙂
Our recipe page has some ideas on how to use the products to make them go a bit farther, too: http://hilaryseatwell.com/recipes Hope that helps!
Thank you, Hilary’s Eat Well. I appreciate the information. I should have included a compliment about your mission. Well done!
Wow! So excited to try these as well 🙂
In fact, are there any other frozen/convenient type foods that you recommend? (ie. frozen burritos, etc.)
Really appreciate all your help!
Thanks again Food Babe, this is what I have been looking for because there is not much here where I live. So I can buy it on line with them. It would be great to have their products. What a treat to find this.
Thanks
I’ve been eating Hilary’s for the past year…it is the only veggie burger I will buy, but recently decided to stop because the label said sunflower oil, not coconut oil. Are the made differently now? l will have to keep checking the label at my Whole Foods.
Hi Patty! You are correct that we did used to use organic sunflower oil but have shifted our ingredients to what we currently use- expeller pressed organic coconut oil!
I was SO EXCITED just now reading this post!! I have tried every frozen veggie burger known to man. About a year ago, I stumbled on Hillary’s in the little white package, and I was curious. They are AMAZING!!! The only veggie burger I buy now. 🙂 I like mine grilled with regular burger toppings, but I’m definitely going to try some different stuff next time. Soooooo happy to know you approve Food Babe!!!!
Hey Food babe! Do know if I can purchase these anywhere in Canada?
Thanks,
Eldon..
Sigh…I SO wish I lived in a town with a Whole Foods!
I discovered Hillary’s about 6 months ago at my local Earth Fare in Charlotte and ABSOLUTELY love them! I used to eat those other “soy” veggie burgers years ago and thought I was eating healthy….yuck, was I fooled! This is the real deal and a great and healthy product! They know what they are doing, the product tastes great and they are non GMO! Hooray for this product line!
I haven’t tried Hillary’s but now I want to. I usually buy Sunshine Burgers, I just haven’t perfected making my own. Not to mention working 44 hours a week and trying to plan a wedding leave me with little time to experiment. Thanks Vani for all you do!
My husband loves these burgers (all flavors). Since, I do most of the cooking they are quick and easy for him when I’m not around. It’s one of the few frozen foods allowed in my house. We just recently tried the veggie bites, they are pretty tasty too.
We LOVE Hilary’s. We cook them in coconut oil until they are a little crispy.
My 10 year old vegetarian loves them too. We used to buy the Adzuki bean burgers by the case when HIlary had a restaurant in town. (we miss Local Burger!)
I love these burgers. I found them in Whole Foods. My lunch at least twice a week are just the Adzuki Bean Burgers with Whole Foods Organic Spelt Bread. I usually grill them in a small portable grill and add organic hummus and a slice of tomato and a slice of cucumber. Makes a yummy sandwich with the toasted spelt bread.
I will stick with Elk and Venison and leave that packaged stuff to you guys! I also live on trout and salmon and I think it all digests pretty dang good for me and I am the proud owner of a Gastric by-pass and also a 2006 recipient of a Double Lung Transplant so I am immune suppressed also . Yes ,I am a hunter and PETA stands for ”people eating tasy animals!” at least in my point of view .Of course I also love veggies and fruit as long it is non-pesticide bearing .
I am also a tree hugger, animal rights supporter and a conservation minded individual . I mean know disrespect to any anti whatevers .I just live well and try to stay away from all those chemicals that the FDA deems safe .Thanks Vani!!!
That’s my story and it ani’t no Baloney!
james
I LOVE these burgers! Been eating them for awhile now. The ingredients are clean and they are delish!
Dear Vani,
thanks for all this highly interesting information, but: something’s puzzling me. My mother used to say: “when it’s too good to be true, it’s most likely not true”.
So I’m wondering: what drives you to do this? I believe that there are people filled with altruism, but are you in close contact with some of the companies you recommend here? Do they pay you for being so positive about them? And on the other hand: what about the ones that get negative attention, are you in trial with some of them? I got interested a while ago, with the article of the pesticide-ridden tea brands: them must not be amused, how do they handle this? I may be a bit too sceptical here, but it would help a lot if you would find some time to answer me. After all, all companies mentioned are private, and as such want to make a good profit, even if it means selling food with inferior or even dangerous ingredients.
Thanks for the info so far, hopefully some of your investigations will also benefit Europeans a bit more often because I’m surely not the only Belgian who has discovered this very interesting site!
They look and sound delicious! I just entered the contest!
Hilary x thehealthycollective.com
Love these veggie burgers! I first tried them over a year ago after finding them at a gluten-free (I’m have Celiac) grocery store in Burbank. Have them on GF buns, greens wraps, and as a paddy. The taste and texture is lovely and very satisfying. True the sodium content is a little high, so I make sure to load my meal up with lots of veggies and water and keep my consumption of these to once a week at the most.
Like you, Food Babe, and many of your readers, I prefer to eat foods in their natural state but on those days when time does not allow or I simply do not feel like cooking, these products are a great go to item.
I am so excited and can’t wait to go grocery shopping and grab these! I’m always looking for health options to take for lunches, and these sound perfect!
Yes! I discovered these at Whole Foods about 6 months ago and love them. I keep a pack of the hemp & greens and adzuki bean in my freezer at all times. I haven’t seen the root veggie yet but will keep an eye out for it. I’m so happy to see this review because when I first found them and read that they are non-gmo, corn-free, soy-free, etc., I wondered if Food Babe would approve. I usually throw mine in a skillet to brown on each side, then top with avocado and tomato, sometimes sprouts and if I have a little more time, I’ll add some tahini, cucumber and a pita and eat it like falafel. So yummy! Thanks, Food Babe!
Love almost all the ingredients in this burger but am a little concerned to see psyllium husk powder on the list as it can act as a fairly potent laxative agent depending on individual sensitivity.
I enjoy Sunshine Burgers, my favorite being the hemp & sage flavor. Ingredients are: Organic cooked brown rice, organic ground raw sunflower seeds, organic cooked adzuki beans, organic hemp seeds, organic onion, organic green pepper, organic paprika, sea salt, organic sage, organic black pepper.
Just wish Sunshine had a wider range of veggies it incorporated into its ingredient list. I like to make my own chickpea burgers chock full of veggies and some tahini/cilantro. They freeze and reheat very well.
These look great! Can’t wait to try them. Love the clean ingredients.
Can not wait to try these!!
We don’t have a Whole Foods near us and I don’t recognize that brand. Amy’s California veggie burgers are my “go to” when I’m in a hurry and hungry. Any problems with those?