Hi everyone! Sorry for my month long absence from the blog & youtube, but you know how life goes. Today, I'm doing a BzzAgent review on MorningStar Frozen Food tiems. As a BzzAgent I sometimes receive free products or coupons to purchase products to review them. BzzAgent is free to join, and if you like to try new things, sign up!
This particular campaign was for Morning Star Frozen Food items, I received a coupon for a free box, and several other coupons to share with others. I just thought I should mention, that I am by no means a vegetarian nor do I plan on ever becoming one by choice, but it is nice to know that there are healthier alternatives out there for us meat lovers without too much sacrifice involved.
This has not been my first experience with items like this, I have tried Boca and GardenBurger each which I have my favorites in. They are nice alternatives to heavy meat based burgers and with less of the guilt. I like them for the taste and convenience. I was introduced to them through a vegetarian friend of mine back in college and I found them so yummy, I got them from time to time.
Now, on to the review...
MorningStar Farms: Original Sausage Patties
Here's what MorningStar has to say: (taken from the MorningStar website) Our juicy, bestselling veggie sausage patties are seasoned with a savory breakfast blend of herbs and spices. MorningStar Veggie Breakfast Sausage Patties contain 77% less fat than cooked pork sausage. Cooked pork sausage patties contain 13g total fat per serving (38g). MorningStar Veggie Breakfast Sausage Patties contain 3g total fat per serving (38g).
I have to admit, I was a little skeptical at first, that they had veggie sausage patties. I was really expecting the worst, but I was definitely more than pleasantly surprised. I cooked these up in a skillet on the stove, and as you cook them they really do smell like sausage without that greasy heavy smell, and it still manages to make your mouth water. These patties are pretty small, smaller than the palm of my hand. For 80 calories that's pretty tiny! This has a mild sausage taste, and it is not heavy. It does have a different consistency than a regular sausage patty, which is to be expected. Also, it can be a little on the dry side, but nothing that is really unpleasant. These patties are nicely seasoned and have a good flavor to them. This is not a bad "vegetarian" alternative to sausage. It doesn't leave you feeling gross and greasy after eating it. I did find that this was on the pricey side at $5.79 for a box of 6 small patties.
How I like them: I ate this sausage patty like I would any other, with a fried egg and a slice of cheddar cheese on whole wheat toast. Of course, I ate 2 patties at one time, which I guess defeated the whole purpose, but OH WELL!! hehehe. I must admit it is a delicious alternative.
Pros:
Cons:
MorningStar Farms: Spicy Black Bean Burger
Here's what MorningStar has to say: (taken from the MorningStar website) These bestselling, veggie burgers are made with black beans, roasted corn, brown rice and chili pepper for a little kick. MorningStar Farms Spicy Black Bean Burgers contain 73% less fat than regular ground beef. Regular ground beef contains 15g total fat per serving (67g). MorningStar Farms Spicy Black Bean Burgers contain 4g total fat per seving (67g).
After having such a great experience with the sausage patties, I ventured into the burgers. I went ahead and purchased the Spicy Black Bean Burger. I must admit that in comparison to the sausage, this fell flat for me. The patty is very thin and dry. This does have a nice flavor to it, you do get a bit of spice mixed with some black beans and the sweetness of the corn kernels. I have to admit, although it was tasty, it was far from my favorite of the 2. It is a nice alternative to a heavy greasy burger, but I am not sure I will find myself reaching for these again.
How I like them: I prepared this one in the microwave and put it over whole wheat toast with a slice of cheddar cheese. This is also nice on top of some rice or a salad.
Pros:
Cons:
This particular campaign was for Morning Star Frozen Food items, I received a coupon for a free box, and several other coupons to share with others. I just thought I should mention, that I am by no means a vegetarian nor do I plan on ever becoming one by choice, but it is nice to know that there are healthier alternatives out there for us meat lovers without too much sacrifice involved.
This has not been my first experience with items like this, I have tried Boca and GardenBurger each which I have my favorites in. They are nice alternatives to heavy meat based burgers and with less of the guilt. I like them for the taste and convenience. I was introduced to them through a vegetarian friend of mine back in college and I found them so yummy, I got them from time to time.
Now, on to the review...
MorningStar Farms: Original Sausage Patties
Here's what MorningStar has to say: (taken from the MorningStar website) Our juicy, bestselling veggie sausage patties are seasoned with a savory breakfast blend of herbs and spices. MorningStar Veggie Breakfast Sausage Patties contain 77% less fat than cooked pork sausage. Cooked pork sausage patties contain 13g total fat per serving (38g). MorningStar Veggie Breakfast Sausage Patties contain 3g total fat per serving (38g).
I have to admit, I was a little skeptical at first, that they had veggie sausage patties. I was really expecting the worst, but I was definitely more than pleasantly surprised. I cooked these up in a skillet on the stove, and as you cook them they really do smell like sausage without that greasy heavy smell, and it still manages to make your mouth water. These patties are pretty small, smaller than the palm of my hand. For 80 calories that's pretty tiny! This has a mild sausage taste, and it is not heavy. It does have a different consistency than a regular sausage patty, which is to be expected. Also, it can be a little on the dry side, but nothing that is really unpleasant. These patties are nicely seasoned and have a good flavor to them. This is not a bad "vegetarian" alternative to sausage. It doesn't leave you feeling gross and greasy after eating it. I did find that this was on the pricey side at $5.79 for a box of 6 small patties.
How I like them: I ate this sausage patty like I would any other, with a fried egg and a slice of cheddar cheese on whole wheat toast. Of course, I ate 2 patties at one time, which I guess defeated the whole purpose, but OH WELL!! hehehe. I must admit it is a delicious alternative.
Pros:
- Nicely seasoned
- Does taste like the real thing
- Not greasy, like regular sausage
- Vegetarian
Cons:
- Price: $5.79 for a box with 6
- Different texture than regular sausage (but this is to be expected)
- Can be a little dry
MorningStar Farms: Spicy Black Bean Burger
Here's what MorningStar has to say: (taken from the MorningStar website) These bestselling, veggie burgers are made with black beans, roasted corn, brown rice and chili pepper for a little kick. MorningStar Farms Spicy Black Bean Burgers contain 73% less fat than regular ground beef. Regular ground beef contains 15g total fat per serving (67g). MorningStar Farms Spicy Black Bean Burgers contain 4g total fat per seving (67g).
After having such a great experience with the sausage patties, I ventured into the burgers. I went ahead and purchased the Spicy Black Bean Burger. I must admit that in comparison to the sausage, this fell flat for me. The patty is very thin and dry. This does have a nice flavor to it, you do get a bit of spice mixed with some black beans and the sweetness of the corn kernels. I have to admit, although it was tasty, it was far from my favorite of the 2. It is a nice alternative to a heavy greasy burger, but I am not sure I will find myself reaching for these again.
How I like them: I prepared this one in the microwave and put it over whole wheat toast with a slice of cheddar cheese. This is also nice on top of some rice or a salad.
Pros:
- Not that spicy
- Tasty flavorful - has a 'Santa Fe' style flavor to it.
Cons:
- Price: $5.79 for a box with 4 patties
- Different texture than a regular meat patty
- Thin Patty
- Dry
Overall, I thought that these MorningStar items were overpriced for what you are getting. The price is one of the reasons that I will probably not repurchase these. However, I must admit I really did love the flavor of the Sausage Patties, and I may make an exception for these if they ever go on sale at my local grocery. On that note, flavor wise, these are nice, not greasy, and lighter alternatives to the originals. I would say if you are wanting to make the switch, these patties may make the transitions easier, or if you want to have 1 vegetarian day a week, definitely give these a try.
Let me know if any of you have tried any MorningStar Farms products, and how you liked them?
Stay Beautiful!!
Love,
Helen
I eat this products quite often. My favorites are the: 1) Original Griller Burger, 2)Original Sausage Patty and 3)Breakfast Links. They are much cheaper in Florida (3.99 a box) but I still buy them mostly when Publix has their BOGO sale (then I buy it in bulk). If I can find a coupon it's even better, lol!
ReplyDeleteI can't compare the taste to real meat as I have been a vegetarian all my life. But Morning Star Farm products are my favorite meatless options in the freezer section.
Cheers!
Hi Zaneta! Thanks for taking the time to comment and sharing your favorites with me. I think the next one I'm going to try is the Breakfast Links, they have been calling my name since I started venturing into the Morning Star Brand. I also have to give you props for the vegetarian life style, I have tried and miserably failed at it, lol. But I am trying to do at least 1 vegetarian day a week, just not sure if I can cross over completely. Thanks again for commenting! Enjoy the Florida weather for me!
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