Top 8: the best alternative burgers to beat the beef

From other meats to spicy beans, there's more to the humble burger

Picture: iStock 

Burger Friday is a good way to start the weekend, but it can be a bit tedious if we stick to the classic beef version. Today we look at alternatives, not all non-meat, but emphasising juiciness, interesting textures and tastes. 

Start with good bread – for our tests we used superb, rich brioche buns from ABC bakery. Italian-style breads such as ciabatta and rounds of thick sourdough work well too. Just make sure the bread is substantial enough to take the weight of the burger and toppings, and can soak up the juices without leaking through the crust.