In recognition of the tremendous growth and popularity of veggie burgers, PETA is proud to present the first-ever Golden Bun Awards for veggie burger excellence! Sales of frozen veggie burger patties now exceed $200 million, and more than a dozen national and international restaurant chains offer veggie burgers on their menus.

During this summer’s celebrations, more North Americans than ever will be grilling veggie burgers instead of fat-laden burgers made of animals who suffered on factory farms and in slaughterhouses.

It’s no wonder that millions of North Americans are turning away from the traditional meat barbecue and toward the healthier, more compassionate veggie alternative. Meat is loaded with cholesterol, saturated fat, and concentrated protein—all of which contribute to heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, cancer, and many other diseases. The National Cancer Institute reports that barbecuing beef, pork, fowl, and fish causes the formation of at least 17 different carcinogens called heterocyclic amines or HCAs. These HCAs are found only in meats that have been cooked at high temperatures—never in vegetables or grains. With obesity-related health-care costs now rivaling the health-care costs for tobacco-related illnesses and an obesity epidemic sweeping the continent, there is no better time to jump on the veggie burger bandwagon.

PETA wants to show you how you can have fun at your summer holiday barbecue without the cruelty, carcinogens, and cholesterol associated with meat. Our deserving Golden Bun Award winners are ready and willing to make an appearance at your next cookout or dinner outing—and they’re really something to celebrate!

Click here to find out which patty our panel of meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans considered to be the best commercially available veggie burger in North America.

Click here to find out which patty our panel decided was the best veggie burger available in a major restaurant chain.

Click here to see which patty our panel chose as the best hometown veggie burger in North America.