Vegan Grilling Recipes for Summer Cookouts: A collection of mouthwatering dishes to get you excited for grilling season! You’ll find everything you need from the best vegetables to throw on the barbecue to easy ideas for topping veggie burgers. There’s something for everything to make warm-weather gatherings delicious and memorable.
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Do you love grilling as much as I do?
Oddly enough, I never spent much time around barbecue grills until after becoming vegan.
I know that seems strange since most people love preparing meat, burgers, and hot dogs outside, but I thought it would be too difficult for me to figure out how to cook things properly
But one summer, everything changed when I discovered my newfound love of grilling after making Grilled Tofu Steaks from the cookbook From the Kitchens of YamChops North America’s Original Vegan Butcher Shop: Mind-Blowing Plant-Based Meat Substitutions.
And I think you’ll be hooked, too, when you try these Vegan Grilling Recipes for Summer Cookouts.
Grilled Vegetables
When I first starting grilling vegetables, I was amazed by how easy they are to prepare outside on the barbecue.
And the dry heat applied to the surface of the veggies really brings out their sweet flavor.
Before we get to the specific recipes, I want to quickly mention some of my favorite vegetables for cooking on a grill (no recipe required!):
- Artichokes: Stem them first, then finish them on the grill for a smoky sweet flavor.
- Beets: Coat in a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Wrap in foil and grill until tender. My boyfriend makes these on a weekly basis!
- Carrots: Season with olive oil, salt and pepper, and grill, for super sweet yet slightly crunchy veggies.
- Corn on the cob: I like to use grilled corn in salads, but there’s nothing like eating it straight off the cob. Remove the husks and silk. Brush with olive oil and season with salt or your favorite dried herbs. Grill until nicely charred on the outside. The aroma of freshly grilled corn is enticing!
- Sweet potatoes: Cut in wedges like fries and season with olive oil, ground cumin, and a little salt. Finish with chopped fresh cilantro or your favorite herbs.
Grilled Main dishes
There’s no reason to reinvent the wheel when it comes to main dishes.
I like to stick with the classics and make them vegan-style!
Veggie burgers and sandwiches
These days it’s easy to find a variety of vegan burgers and hot dogs at most supermarkets.
While you can make your own, I prefer to purchase them at the store and focus my energy on preparing the toppings.
However, if you prefer to make your own from scratch, I recommend trying Vegan Richa’s Grillable Veggie Burger.
Unlike other patties made from beans, this one won’t fall apart on the grill.
One of my favorite crave-worthy sandwiches is a Guacamole Veggie Burger.
If you’re looking for a really easy vegan BBQ recipe, this is it.
Simply make your favorite homemade guacamole, melt some vegan cheese on your burger, and load it up with crisp lettuce, juicy slices of tomato, and pungent rings of onion.
It may be a little messy to eat, but to me this is often the sign of a great burger.
I also enjoy making a Greek-style sandwich by topping the veggie burger with Greek Yogurt Sauce.
Who says you can’t incorporate the Mediterranean diet into a summer cookout?
The tangy flavor of the vegan yogurt sauce perfectly compliments the crispy grilled burger and fresh vegetable toppings.
And speaking of Mediterranean food, check out the Grilled Ratatouille Sandwich from Dianne’s Vegan Kitchen.
Red bell peppers, eggplants, and zucchini are some of my favorite vegetables for vegan grilling.
These veggies are not only easy to work with on the grill, but this cooking method brings out their sweetness and reduces their water content without drying them out completely.
If you’re someone who isn’t a fan of summer squash and eggplant, you may change your mind when you try them grilled.
Vegan grilled tofu recipes
A great alternative to veggie burgers is tofu.
The neutral flavor makes it perfect for a wide variety of seasonings and sauces.
One of my favorite vegan BBQ recipes is Tofu Kabobs with Teriyaki Sauce.
The easy homemade sauce is delicious on the cubes of vegetables, pineapple, and tofu. Be sure to serve some extra sauce on the side for dipping.
Or swap out the teriyaki and make them with your favorite marinade.
And for more Mediterranean flavors, try the Grilled Tofu with Lemon & Rosemary from Cadry’s Kitchen.
Grilled Vegetable Recipes
There’s nothing like grilling to bring out the flavors of fresh vegetables.
Corn is one of the most popular veggies to grill.
While I usually prepare it with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, you can also make Vegan Street Fair Corn.
Besides serving grilled corn on the cob as a side, I love cutting the kernels off the cob and using them in recipes.
One of my favorite vegan BBQ recipes is Corn Tomato Salad.
I love the char on the outside of the corn, and the sweet onion and fresh basil give this salad a ton of summer flavor.
Or for a Mexican-inspired recipe, try Vegan Hugg’s Summer Grilled Corn Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing.
But corn isn’t the only vegetable that works well for vegan BBQ.
Grilled Vegetable Kebabs are always popular.
I like to make them with mushrooms, red bell peppers, and zucchini, but any combination of your favorite veggies will work.
And speaking of zucchini, the texture and flavor are perfect when grilled.
I like to use this Grilled Zucchini Recipe and add it to all sorts of recipes, from salads to tacos to pizza.
In addition, I absolutely love Grilled Potatoes with Lemon Herb Sauce.
The potatoes are already delicious on their own, but with the sauce, they are really something special.
First I parboil the potatoes, then place them in a grill basket and finish them off outside on the barbecue.
The outsides get browned and crispy while the insides stay soft and creamy.
What should a vegan bring to a BBQ?
The question of what a vegan should bring to a summer cookout always reminds me of my favorite comic featured on this t-shirt:
And while hummus is always a great choice, there are plenty of options when it comes to side dishes and appetizers.
Summer cookout sides
Sides are always a safe bet for bringing to a summer cookout.
You never know if the grill will be occupied with other food, and a combination of side dishes can turn into a delicious meal.
Veggie Inspired’s Mediterranean Pasta with Roasted Peppers and Artichokes is delicious served cold.
And I’m known for bringing Chickpea Avocado Salad with Mango to summer potlucks.
In addition, you can’t go wrong with Spinach Orzo Salad.
By the way, did you know you can make vegan desserts on a grill?
I predict you are going to love Fried Dandelion’s Grilled Nectarines with Balsamic Basil Reduction.
Vegan Grilling Recipes
When it comes to vegan grilling, there are so many options for everyone.
Enjoy your summer cookouts and be sure to show with me what you’re making by sharing your photos on Instagram and tagging them @veggiessavetheday!
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