Trader Joe's has created many veggie burgers over the years, but their Pizza Veggie Burgers were one of the more unexpected releases. They are not pretending to be meat and they are not trying to mimic beef, turkey, or chicken. Instead, they lean into what they are and proudly taste like pizza in patty form. For a discontinued product, this one still lives in my memory as a fun twist that actually delivered on its name.
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Review
For $3.79 you received four frozen patties that cooked quickly and filled your kitchen with the scent of tomato sauce, cheese, and Italian herbs. The base was soy based which gave it a soft but cohesive veggie burger texture. The mix-ins were what made it shine. The mushrooms and peppers were the strongest vegetable flavors here, followed by a mellow heat from the seasonings. Nothing spicy, just enough warmth to remind you that pizza has a little personality.
I tried these in both the microwave and on the stovetop. Out of the microwave you do not get a sear, but you do get that glossy layer that suspiciously resembles pizza grease. As a New Yorker, that alone made me smile. On the stovetop they crisped beautifully and developed a light crust that made the tomato and cheese flavors pop even more.
These never needed a bun. They were great on their own, almost like a pizza flavored veggie cutlet. The flavor was familiar and comforting. You got tomato, cheese, a bit of herb, and that gentle veggie presence from the peppers and mushrooms. And in my household, we have a rule. Pizza, even when it is not its best, is still good. These are the veggie burger version of that rule. They are not pizza, but they are good.
If you approached them expecting a hamburger, you would be underwhelmed. If you approached them expecting flavor and a nostalgic little pizza moment, you would probably be pleasantly surprised.
Serving Suggestions
Here are easy ways people actually served these that worked well:
- Air fry for extra crisp if you want crustier edges.
- Serve on their own with a side salad for a quick lunch.
- Add a spoonful of marinara on top and melt a little mozzarella for a true pizza moment.
- Crumble into pasta for a veggie friendly "pizza topping" style dish.
- Slice and tuck into a wrap with spinach and tomato for a fast dinner.
FAQs about Trader Joe's Pizza Veggie Burgers
The following are commonly asked questions about this product:
No. They contain dairy which helps create the cheesy pizza flavor.
Yes. They have not returned to shelves, but discontinued TJ's items sometimes come back seasonally or revamped.
Trader Joe's Burger Options
The following are other options for a burger at Trader Joe's:
- Trader Joe's Veggie Masala Burgers
- Trader Joe's Quinoa Cowboy Burgers
- Trader Joe's Thai Sweet Chili Burgers
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe's Pizza Veggie Burgers were one of those whimsical products that only Trader Joe's could pull off. They tasted exactly like pizza, cooked quickly, and worked as an easy comfort food lunch. They were not trying to pretend to be anything other than a fun, flavorful veggie patty. If they ever return to shelves I would buy them again without hesitation. They were simple, tasty, and oddly delightful.
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Trader Joe's Pizza Veggie Burgers
Product Name: Trader Joe's Pizza Veggie Burgers
Product Description: Trader Joe’s Pizza Veggie Burgers taste exactly like pizza in patty form.
Price: $3.79
Currency: USD
Availability: Discontinued
Summary
Trader Joe’s Pizza Veggie Burgers taste exactly like pizza in patty form.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Tastes like pizza with tomato, cheese, mushrooms, and peppers.
- Quick cooking, whether microwave or stovetop.
- Great as a patty on its own, no bun needed.
- Good value, four patties for a low price.
Cons
- Not a meat replacement and not pretending to be.
- Microwave method lacks texture, no crispiness.
- Discontinued, so you may not see this return.
Barbara says
In Feb. 2017 you reviewed the Trader Joes pizza veggie burgers which are now discontinued.. Are there any other veggie burgers that are comparable in both taste and texture?
becomebetty says
Hey Barbara!
I've tried all their veggies burgers except for the recent addition of the high protein burger. They are all different in terms of both taste and texture. My personal favorite is the Quinoa Cowboy veggie burger. It does have beans in there so it is filling. You could also add some cheese to give you that missing flavor. It isn't exactly the tomato and cheese flavored variety, but worth a try. The Thai Sweet Chili burgers have a lot of Asian veggies, but were very good as well, but a sharp contrast in flavor and texture to the pizza veggie burgers. That does have a touch of heat to it. The most drastically different variety would be the Vegetable Masala which has potatoes and Indian spices.
So to answer your question are there anything comparable in both taste and texture, my answer is no. However, I think there are some good options out there depending on what you are willing to try. I've personally enjoyed the quinoa cowboy and Thai Sweet Chili the most, but those are my preferences.
I hope this helps!