This year marks the 5th Annual Blended Burger Project™ hosted by the James Beard Foundation. And voting for the BEST Blended Burger ends on July 31st! Vote here.

A Blended Burger is made up of a patty that contains at least 25% fresh mushrooms, and many will find that blended burgers are tastier while being more healthy and sustainable. This years blended burgers even include some completely plant-based burgers as well.

Over 340 restaurants across the country are competing to see who can make the best Blended Burger, and seven are from South Florida. 

From now thru July 31, be sure to check out Blended Burgers at the following South Florida restaurants and vote online for your favorite(s):

·       Cracked by Chef Adrianne

Chef Adrianne’s Blended Burger is an 8 oz. patty blend of chuck, short rib, shiitake and Portobello mushrooms. It’s topped with hot pepper jelly, American cheese, cracked sauce and shaved white onion served on a bun.

·       LaMuse Café

LaMuse Café’s ErthBurger™ is a guilt-free meatless burger that keeps our mother planet in mind by leaving a lighter footprint. Some of the goodness that makes up an ErthBurger™ includes mushrooms, tree nuts, sprouted grains, cheese, eggs and veggies.

·       La Placita

Chef Jose Mendin's 8 oz. prime blended burger features queso frito, mojo aioli, shiitake mushrooms , and guava ketchup. Topped off with lettuce and tomato on a toasted bun, with a side of tostones. .

·       Rusty Pelican Miami

The Rusty Pelican’s blended burger features wagyu ground beef mixed with wild mushrooms topped with smoked Vermont cheddar cheese, onion jam, rocket arugula, chanterelle mushrooms and whole grain aioli on a toasted buttered brioche bun.

·       United States Burger Service (USBS)

United States Burger Service (USBS) has dubbed their Blended Burger the "Snail Mail" Burger. This meatless burger patty is made with a base of chickpeas and farro, This patty also features a blend of Royal Trumpet, Cremini Mushrooms and Porcini Powder for that "meaty" taste. Their Aquafaba Mayo based "Priority Sauce" and Potato Bun will have you doubting there's no meat in this burger.

·       Vegan Junkie

Located in the Yellow Green Market on Saturdays and Sundays, the Vegan Junkie’s Blended Burger is 100% plant-based. Their “Superfood Burger” is handmade, organic, soy and GMO Free.

Other Florida contenders include The Ravenous Pig in Winterpark, The Shula Burger in Pinecrest and Courier City, and C.W.S Bar and Kitchen in Lake Worth.

The 25 entries that receive the most online votes will advance as finalists. A panel of food experts selected by the James Beard Foundation will determine 5 winners from the top 25 finalist entries with the most online votes. All voting and judging by the panel of experts will be based on the following equally weighted criteria: (1) culinary creativity, (2) best flavor profile and (3) presentation.

The chef with the most votes will have the opportunity to cook at the historic James Beard House in New York City, and this year in honor of the Blended Burger Project's 5th year, each winning chef will be awarded $5,000!

Voting is now open and concludes at 11:59pm ET on July 31 so be sure to vote for your favorite Blended Burger at https://www.jamesbeard.org/blendedburgerproject/vote.