Burger King’s vegan Whopper has launched in Mexico. Called the Whopper Vegetal—which translates to Vegetable Whopper—it is the first plant-based burger available on the menu in the country.
According to the fast-food chain, the plant-based burger features “all the flavor and texture of the classic Whopper®.” The soy-based burger features a number of plant-based ingredients, including wheat, vegetable oil, and herbs. It is available in 201 locations across Mexico.
The vegan Whopper contains 30 percent fewer calories and 40 percent less fat compared to Burger King’s animal-based Whopper. The plant-based version also contains zero percent cholesterol.
The meatless burger features freshly cut lettuce, fresh tomatoes, pickles, and sliced onions. Although the company’s website doesn’t mention it, it does appear that the burger contains conventional mayonnaise, similar to the animal-based burger. It is also cooked on shared equipment with the company’s animal-derived meat.
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The Vegetarian Butcher
The Vegetarian Butcher is the mastermind behind the Vegetable Whopper. Multinational consumer goods company Unilever acquired the plant-based meat brand in 2018.
Adelma González, General Director of Unilever Food Solutions Mexico and North of Latin America, expressed the company’s excitement at partnering with Burger King.
“At Unilever, we are very excited to expand our partnership with Burger King. The Whopper Vegetal offers meat lovers a delicious option that is cooked and tastes like beef, but is 100 percent plant-based,” González said in a press release.
The company developed the vegan patty “specifically with flexitarians in mind.”
“Research shows that, in the last six years, the number of people looking for an alternative to animal meat has almost doubled in Mexico,” González continued. “We are bringing in The Vegetarian Butcher to meet this growing demand with history, performance, and flavor.”
Burger King’s Vegan Options
Burger King Mexico isn’t the first to get vegan options.
In April 2019, Burger King locations in the U.S. launched the Impossible Whopper. It features a plant-based patty made by Impossible Foods. The same month the plant-based burger was introduced, the fast-food chain saw its sales spike by 28 percent.
Earlier this year, Burger Kings across the country trailed The Impossible Croissan’wich. The breakfast sandwich featured an Impossible sausage patty, eggs, and cheese on a croissant.
In January, Burger King launched the plant-based “Rebel Whopper” in the UK. And in September, Burger King Germany added vegan chicken nuggets developed by The Vegetarian Butcher to the menu which The Vegetarian Butcher.
