Summer barbecues aren’t just for meat-eaters to enjoy. There are plenty of delicious and creative ways to enjoy outdoor cooking and eating with completely plant-based recipes, or that require only minor modifications. Whether you’re hosting plant-based friends and family or simply looking to try new recipes, we have exactly what you need.
Barbecue recipes typically feature a protein, savory sides, and, of course, a sweet ending. Luckily, we’ve included all our favorite plant-based recipes for every course—so tasty, even meat-eaters will want to dig in. Keep reading to discover your next go-to plant-based recipes for a summer gathering.
Grilled Vegetable Pizzas
Christopher Testani
Pizza on the grill is all the rage this summer, and what better addition to your barbecue menu? Everyone loves pizza, and this vegetable version is packed with flavor, featuring store-bought flatbread for convenience. To make it vegan, substitute the mozzarella and blue cheese with a dairy-free cheese alternative.
Grilled Cauliflower With Spiced Yogurt Sauce
Jacob Fox
This grilled cauliflower can be your meatless main or a flavorful side dish. It’s roasted whole, resulting in a tender, charred finish. We serve it with a refreshing cucumber salad and a spiced yogurt sauce on the side for those who eat dairy.
Pinto-Bean Burgers
Bean burgers are an easy way to pack in the protein and flavor. They’re incredibly filling when layered with avocado slices, sprouts, caramelized onions, and a perfectly toasted bun. For a lighter variation, you can use a lettuce cup as a bun, or eat it plain—it’s just as delicious.
Grilled Zucchini with Miso
Grilled vegetables take on a rich umami flavor that’s simply irresistible. Thick slices of zucchini are brushed with a miso-soy glaze and grilled until marked with char lines, then sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds.
Dijon Potato Salad
Jacob Fox
This mayo-free potato salad is the perfect addition to your display of sides. It comes together in just 35 minutes and requires only five ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.
Sautéed Asparagus With Lemon
If you’re in charge of bringing the vegetables to the barbecue party, try our sautéed asparagus with lemon. It’s a simple dish that everyone will love paired with meat or plant-based main dishes.
Tomato, Corn, and Avocado Salad
Every barbecue needs an appetizer to kick it off, and this tomato, corn, and avocado salad will do just the thing. Serve it with tortilla chips or on its own for a refreshing plant-based dish to add to the spread.
Vegan Blueberry Crisp
Everyone deserves to enjoy something sweet at the barbecue, and this delicious vegan blueberry crisp delivers. Bubbling with juicy, in-season blueberries and baked to golden perfection, it’s the kind of dessert that disappears fast. The crisp topping gets its crunch from coconut oil instead of butter, making it completely dairy-free.
Barbecue Pulled Mushroom Sandwiches
Prepare for a juicy, delicious mess with this barbecue pulled mushroom sandwich. Maitake mushrooms are grilled to perfection and shredded with a fork, just like pulled pork, and then doused in barbecue sauce. For a tasty crunch, we top it off with a vinegar-spiked slaw.
Grilled Potato Slices with Salt and Vinegar
Make your favorite salt and vinegar chips from scratch. Crispy, tangy, and addictive, they’re an impressive side dish that is sure to keep guests coming back for more.
BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich
Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that is high in protein and takes on a braised meat-like texture similar to pulled pork. Its natural flavor is neutral, allowing it to absorb all the rich flavors of the barbecue sauce. Add all your favorite toppings—like lettuce, tomato, onions, and more—for the perfect sandwich.
Berry Sorbet
Instead of serving ice cream to cool off, try our berry sorbet. It only requires two ingredients and enough time to chill in the freezer before serving. This refreshing dessert is a fan favorite and the perfect make-ahead dessert to always have on hand for a sweet treat.
Tropical-Fruit Juice Salad
Fruit salad is an easy, vibrant plant-based option to have out on your barbecue display. Perfect as a light appetizer or a refreshing dessert, this tropical twist features juicy kiwi, sweet pineapple, and zesty citrus.
Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes
Chocolate cupcakes are always a hit, and this decadent vegan version is no exception. Rich, moist, and frosted to perfection, they’ll hold up well at room temperature for a few hours. Not serving them right away? Just pop them in the fridge to keep them fresh.
Smoky Black-Bean Salsa
Chips and salsa never disappoint—but this hearty, bean-based version takes it up a notch with a boost of protein and bold flavor. It’s the perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer, especially when paired with refreshing summer cocktails or a chilled glass of wine.
Pecan, Oat, and Dark-Chocolate-Chunk Cookies
These hearty cookies are like a granola bar and a cookie all in one. Featuring sweet and savory flavors from the oats and pecans, paired with a generous amount of dark-chocolate chunks. They’re completely plant-based, making them a safe and ideal sweet option to bring to a barbecue party.
Marinated-Artichoke and Green-Bean Pasta Salad
Ren Fuller
A hearty pasta salad is a great addition to any barbecue—and this one is completely plant-based as long as you swap out the Parmesan for a dairy-free alternative. It’s full of fragrant flavors from artichokes, red onion, and lemon juice, while red pepper flakes add a little kick to each bite.
