Impossible Burger Macros: Complete Nutrition Facts & Comparison

Impossible Foods made headlines with one claim: their plant-based burger could fool meat lovers. The secret weapon? Heme—the molecule that makes meat taste like meat. By producing heme from soy using fermentation, Impossible created a plant burger that actually bleeds and sizzles like beef.

For macro trackers, Impossible Burger offers beef-equivalent protein (19g) in a plant-based package. But the macros tell a more nuanced story—higher carbs than Beyond Burger, significant saturated fat, and ingredients that spark debate among health-conscious eaters.

This guide provides complete nutrition facts for Impossible Burger, compares it to beef and Beyond Burger, and helps you make informed decisions about plant-based meat.

Impossible Burger Macro Overview

Here’s the current Impossible Burger formulation:

Impossible Burger (4oz patty, 113g):

Macro	Amount	% Daily Value
Calories	240	-
Protein	19g	38%
Total Carbs	9g	3%
Fiber	<1g	3%
Sugar	<1g	-
Fat	14g	18%
Saturated Fat	8g	40%
Cholesterol	0mg	0%
Sodium	370mg	16%
Iron	4.2mg	25%

Macro ratio: 32% protein, 15% carbs, 53% fat

Key insight: Impossible Burger has more carbs (9g) and saturated fat (8g) than Beyond Burger. The heme-based “bleeding” effect may taste more authentic, but macros aren’t quite as favorable.

Other Impossible Foods Products

Impossible has expanded their plant-based lineup:

Impossible Beef Ground (4oz serving)

Macro	Amount
Calories	240
Protein	19g
Total Carbs	9g
Fiber	<1g
Fat	14g
Sodium	370mg

Use: Tacos, bolognese, meatballs—versatile ground meat replacement.

Impossible Sausage (2 links, 76g)

Macro	Amount
Calories	170
Protein	11g
Total Carbs	5g
Fat	11g
Sodium	480mg

Available: Spicy, Savory flavors; used in breakfast sandwiches at restaurants.

Impossible Chicken Nuggets (5 pieces, 95g)

Macro	Amount
Calories	220
Protein	13g
Total Carbs	14g
Fiber	2g
Fat	13g
Sodium	420mg

Note: Higher carbs due to breading. Similar to real chicken nuggets macros.

Impossible Meatballs (6 pieces, 115g)

Macro	Amount
Calories	220
Protein	19g
Total Carbs	8g
Fat	12g
Sodium	580mg

High sodium compared to burgers—watch intake if sodium-sensitive.

Impossible Burger vs Beef Burger

The fundamental comparison:

Impossible Burger vs 80/20 Beef

Metric (4oz patty)	Impossible Burger	80/20 Beef
Calories	240	287
Protein	19g	19g
Fat	14g	23g
Saturated Fat	8g	9g
Carbs	9g	0g
Cholesterol	0mg	80mg
Sodium	370mg	75mg

Impossible wins: Fewer calories, less total fat, zero cholesterol Beef wins: Zero carbs, much less sodium, less saturated fat (surprisingly close though)

Impossible Burger vs 90/10 Lean Beef

Metric (4oz patty)	Impossible Burger	90/10 Beef
Calories	240	199
Protein	19g	22g
Fat	14g	11g
Saturated Fat	8g	4g
Carbs	9g	0g
Sodium	370mg	75mg

Lean beef wins clearly: Fewer calories, more protein, less fat, less saturated fat, less sodium Impossible wins: Zero cholesterol only

Bottom line: Impossible competes with fatty beef, not lean beef. If health drives your choice, lean beef beats Impossible on most metrics.

Impossible Burger vs Beyond Burger

The plant-based showdown:

Metric (4oz patty)	Impossible Burger	Beyond Burger
Calories	240	230
Protein	19g	20g
Total Carbs	9g	5g
Fiber	<1g	2g
Net Carbs	8-9g	3g
Fat	14g	14g
Saturated Fat	8g	5g
Cholesterol	0mg	0mg
Sodium	370mg	390mg
Primary Protein	Soy	Pea

Beyond wins: Fewer carbs, less saturated fat, more protein, more fiber Impossible wins: Some prefer taste (heme effect), slightly less sodium

For macro tracking: Beyond Burger has objectively better macros—fewer carbs and less saturated fat for the same protein.

See our Beyond Burger macros guide for full details.

The Science of Heme

What makes Impossible unique is heme—here’s how it works:

What is heme?

• Iron-containing molecule in hemoglobin and myoglobin
• Found in all living organisms
• Concentrated in animal muscle (why meat tastes “meaty”)

Impossible’s heme:

• Soy leghemoglobin extracted from soy plant roots
• Produced at scale via yeast fermentation
• Creates the “bleeding” and meat flavor

Is it safe?

• FDA granted GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status
• Some debate exists about long-term consumption of engineered heme
• Extensive testing showed no safety concerns

The taste payoff: Heme is why Impossible often beats Beyond in blind taste tests against beef. The question is whether the macro trade-offs (more carbs, more saturated fat) are worth it.

What’s in Impossible Burger?

Understanding ingredients helps evaluate health claims:

Primary proteins: Soy protein concentrate, potato protein Fat sources: Coconut oil, sunflower oil Binders: Methylcellulose, food starch Flavor: Soy leghemoglobin (heme), natural flavors, yeast extract Color: Comes naturally from heme

Contains soy: Unlike Beyond Burger, Impossible is not soy-free. Important for soy allergies or those avoiding soy.

Genetically modified: Impossible’s heme is produced via genetically modified yeast. The soy is non-GMO, but the process uses GMO technology.

Where to Buy Impossible Burger

Impossible is widely available:

Grocery stores:

• Walmart, Target, Kroger, Safeway, Whole Foods
• Usually in meat section or plant-based freezer section

Restaurants (extensive presence):

• Burger King (Impossible Whopper)
• Starbucks
• Cheesecake Factory
• Red Robin
• White Castle
• Many others

Pricing:

• ~$8-9 for 12oz package (3 patties)
• More expensive than beef pound-for-pound
• Restaurant markups vary

Diet Compatibility

Keto Diet

Verdict: Not ideal 8-9g net carbs per patty is high for keto. Beyond Burger (3g net carbs) is better. Beef (0g carbs) is best for strict keto.

Low-Carb

Verdict: Acceptable with planning 9g carbs per patty fits moderate low-carb but not tight carb budgets. Budget accordingly.

Low-Calorie/Weight Loss

Verdict: Similar to beef 240 calories per patty is comparable to regular beef. Not a calorie-saving choice—just a substitute.

Use our macro calculator to see how Impossible Burger fits your targets.

High-Protein

Verdict: Good 19g complete protein per patty is substantial. Solid option for plant-based protein needs.

Vegetarian/Vegan

Verdict: Yes 100% plant-based. Core reason for choosing Impossible over beef.

Soy-Free

Verdict: Not compatible Soy is primary protein source. Choose Beyond Burger for soy-free needs.

Gluten-Free

Verdict: Yes Impossible Burger is certified gluten-free.

Paleo/Whole30

Verdict: Not compliant Highly processed with soy, seed oils, and engineered ingredients. Antithetical to whole food principles.

How to Fit Impossible Burger in Your Macros

1,800 calorie cut (150g protein):

• Impossible Burger = 240 cal, 19g protein
• 13.3% of calories, 12.6% of protein
• Higher carbs than Beyond—budget for 9g

2,200 calorie maintenance:

• Room for full burger meal
• Patty + bun + toppings = 500-600 cal
• Track the carbs (bun + patty adds up)

2,500 calorie bulk:

• Plenty of room
• Double patty = 38g protein, 480 cal
• Good plant-based bulking option

Best Impossible Products by Goal

Highest Protein per Calorie: Impossible Meatballs (19g/220 cal)

Lowest Carbs: Impossible Sausage (5g)

Lowest Calories: Impossible Sausage (170 cal)

Best for Burgers: Impossible Burger (designed for this)

Most Restaurant Availability: Impossible Burger (Burger King, etc.)

Cooking Tips for Impossible Burgers

From frozen:

• Best texture when cooked from frozen or cold
• Don’t thaw on counter—fridge thaw if needed

Cooking temperature:

• Medium-high heat for good sear
• Cook to 160°F internal temp (safety recommendation)
• Don’t press—keeps juices inside

Common mistakes:

• Overcooking (gets dry and rubbery)
• Not seasoning enough (milder than beef)
• Undercooking (should be fully cooked, unlike beef medium-rare)

The Bottom Line

Impossible Burger delivers an impressive beef-like experience from plants, largely due to heme technology. The 19g protein is complete and substantial. But the macros reveal trade-offs—more carbs (9g) and saturated fat (8g) than Beyond Burger, plus soy-based formulation.

Choose Impossible Burger when:

• You prioritize taste over macro optimization
• You enjoy the heme-based “bleeding” effect
• Restaurant availability matters (Impossible is everywhere)
• Soy isn’t a concern

Consider alternatives when:

• Lower carbs matter (Beyond has 5g vs 9g)
• You avoid soy (Beyond uses pea protein)
• Saturated fat is a concern (Beyond: 5g vs Impossible: 8g)
• You’re doing strict keto (both are marginal, beef is better)

For more on plant-based protein, see our guide on protein as a macronutrient and understand the full comparison in our Beyond Burger macros guide.

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Nutrition information sourced from Impossible Foods’ official website and USDA FoodData Central. Values may vary by production batch. Always check packaging for the most accurate information.