Dinners · 5 min read
Burger King Impossible Whopper (Copycat)
Make Burger King's Impossible Whopper copycat at home with this plant-based recipe. Juicy Beyond Burger patty, classic toppings, ready in 20 minutes.
★ 5.0 (4)
When Burger King introduced the Impossible Whopper in summer 2019, it changed what people expected from a fast-food burger. The plant-based patty looked like beef, cooked like beef, and even charred like beef, which made it an instant hit with vegetarians and curious meat-eaters alike. This Burger King Impossible Whopper copycat brings that same experience home, using Beyond Burger patties that you roll thin and grill until the edges get that familiar smoky crust.
The magic is in the details. The patties are seasoned simply with salt and pepper, then cooked hot and fast so they stay juicy. Stacked on a toasted sesame bun with pickles, onions, tomato, ketchup, lettuce, and mayo, it tastes remarkably close to the drive-thru original. The best part is you can control the toppings and make it exactly the way you like it.
What Makes This Plant-Based Burger Worth Making
- It uses Beyond Burger patties, which have a beefy, savory flavor and a texture that holds up on the grill without falling apart.
- Rolling the patties thin means they cook in just a few minutes per side, so dinner comes together faster than takeout.
- You get the full Whopper experience at home, with all the classic toppings and a toasted sesame bun, for a fraction of the cost.
Key Ingredients for an Authentic Impossible Whopper Recipe
- Beyond Burger patties are the base here. They mimic beef closely in both taste and texture. If you prefer the actual Impossible Burger brand, those patties work too, but Beyond is easier to find in most grocery stores. Look for the 4-ounce patties and let them thaw in the fridge before rolling.
- Sesame seed buns are essential for the classic Whopper look and flavor. A soft brioche or potato bun works as a substitute, but the sesame seeds add that familiar fast-food touch.
- Dill pickle slices bring the tangy crunch that cuts through the creamy mayo and rich patty. Use the thin, crinkle-cut kind if you can find them, or slice your own from a whole dill pickle.
Kitchen Tools for Making a Beyond Burger Copycat
- A rolling pin to flatten the thawed patties evenly to 1/4-inch thickness.
- Waxed paper or parchment paper to sandwich the patties while rolling so they don't stick.
- A cast-iron skillet or griddle for toasting the buns and cooking the patties if you don't have an outdoor grill.
- A grill or grill pan for cooking the patties over medium-high heat, which gives them those char marks and smoky flavor.
Tips for Cooking the Best Homemade Impossible Whopper
- Don't skip the rolling step. The patties come thick, and rolling them to 1/4-inch ensures they cook through in the short grill time without drying out.
- Press gently when rolling. Pressing too hard can make the patties crack or become too dense.
- Season the patties right before they hit the grill. Salt draws out moisture, so seasoning too early can make them weep and lose that nice crust.
- Add a dash of salt to each patty while it cooks. This builds flavor in layers, just like the fast-food version.
Getting the Char Right on a Plant-Based Patty
Plant-based patties brown differently than beef, so a hot grill is key. Heat your grill to medium-high and let it get fully hot before the patties go on. You want a sizzle the moment they hit the grates. Cook them for 2 to 3 minutes per side without moving them, which lets a dark crust form. That crust is where the smoky, grilled flavor comes from, and it's what makes this taste like a real Whopper instead of a veggie burger.
If you're using a grill pan indoors, brush it with a little oil first to prevent sticking. The patties will release easily once they've formed a crust, so don't try to flip them early. A wide, thin spatula works best for turning them without breaking the patty.
Ways to Change Up This Vegetarian Whopper
- Make it dairy-free by using a vegan mayo and a plant-based butter for toasting the buns. The rest of the ingredients are already dairy-free.
- Add a slice of vegan American cheese during the last minute of cooking so it melts over the patty, for a cheeseburger-style twist.
- Turn up the heat with a few dashes of hot sauce mixed into the mayo, or add sliced jalapeños along with the pickles.
- Swap the Beyond Burger for the Impossible Burger brand patties if you want to match the original even more closely. The cooking method stays the same.
What to Serve with a Homemade Impossible Whopper
Classic Toppings to Layer On
- Extra dill pickle slices for more tang.
- Thin red onion rings instead of white onion for a milder bite.
- A smear of yellow mustard on the top bun if you like a little sharpness.
Side Dishes That Pair Well
- French fries, either oven-baked or air-fried, are the natural match.
- A simple side salad with ranch dressing balances the richness of the burger.
- Onion rings, if you want to go all-in on the fast-food theme.
How to Store Leftover Plant-Based Whopper Patties
If you have leftover cooked patties, let them cool completely, then place them in an airtight container. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The toppings are best stored separately, since lettuce and tomato get soggy quickly once assembled. To reheat a patty, warm it in a skillet over medium heat for a couple of minutes per side, or in the microwave for about 30 seconds. The texture won't be quite as crisp as fresh off the grill, but the flavor holds up well.
Can You Freeze These Beyond Burger Patties?
Yes, you can freeze the uncooked patties after rolling them out. Place the rolled patties between sheets of waxed paper and stack them in a freezer-safe bag. They will keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to cook, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, then season and grill as usual. Freezing cooked patties also works, but they tend to dry out a bit more when reheated, so it's better to freeze them raw if you have the choice.
Best Way to Reheat a Leftover Impossible Whopper
The best way to bring a leftover patty back to life is on a hot skillet or griddle. Heat a little oil over medium heat, then cook the patty for 1 to 2 minutes per side until it's warmed through and the outside crisps up again. This restores some of the charred flavor that the microwave can't. If you're reheating the whole assembled burger, take off the lettuce and tomato first, reheat the patty and bun separately, then rebuild. That keeps the fresh toppings from turning limp.
Source recipe: Burger King Impossible Whopper (Copycat) (SnapChef ID 8c3f1a2e-85ff-4b34-8008-0b2d785ede64). Nutrition is estimated per serving.
Ingredients
Directions
- Thaw the Beyond Burger patties if necessary. Lay the thawed patties between two sheets of waxed paper, roll out the patties with a rolling pin to 1/4-inch thickness. Do not press too hard. Season the patties with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and black pepper.
- Butter the hamburger buns and toast them in a skillet over medium heat until lightly browned. Set aside.
- Heat a grill to medium-high heat. Cook the burger patties for 2 to 3 minutes per side. While cooking, add a dash of salt to each burger.
- To build the burger, place the meat on the bottom bun. Then add 3 or 4 dill pickle slices, 3 or 4 onion ring slices, and 2 or 3 tomato slices. Squirt a small amount of ketchup onto the burger, add lettuce, and then spread mayonnaise onto the top bun. Place the top bun onto the burger and serve.
Tap a step number to check it off as you cook.
Nutrition Facts per serving · estimated
Amount per serving
% Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet (FDA).
Good to know
Questions, answered
Can I use Impossible Burger patties instead of Beyond Burger?
Yes, you can. The Impossible Burger brand patties are the ones used in the actual restaurant version, and they work well in this recipe. The cooking time and method stay the same. Just thaw them, roll them to 1/4-inch thickness, and grill over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes per side.
Why do I need to roll the patties thinner?
The Beyond Burger patties come fairly thick, and rolling them to 1/4-inch ensures they cook through in the short grilling time without becoming dry. A thinner patty also gives you a better meat-to-topping ratio, which is part of what makes the Whopper so balanced.
Can I cook these patties in a skillet instead of on a grill?
Absolutely. A cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat works great. You won't get the exact char marks from a grill, but you'll still get a nice browned crust. Just make sure the pan is hot before you add the patties, and don't overcrowd the pan.
Is this recipe dairy-free?
The patties, pickles, onions, tomato, lettuce, and ketchup are all dairy-free. To make the whole burger dairy-free, use a vegan mayonnaise and a plant-based butter for toasting the buns. Check the labels on your buns too, since some commercial buns contain milk or eggs.
How do I keep the patties from falling apart on the grill?
Handle the thawed patties gently, especially after rolling. Use a wide spatula to flip them, and don't press down on them while they cook. Pressing squeezes out moisture and can cause the patties to break apart. Let them cook undisturbed for the full 2 to 3 minutes on the first side.
