Whether you need an amazing vegan dish to bring to a BBQ or you’re attending an all-vegan BBQ, this list of 40+ Vegan BBQ Recipes has what you need. Browse the list below and get new ideas for a fun and delicious summer cookout.
Most people can agree that BBQ is one of the best things about summer. BBQ is to summer as soup is to winter: flavorful, comforting, and just what you need.
Vegan BBQ features all those bright summer flavors: smoky, sweet, tangy, spicy, and savory.
You’ll be surprised just how many different foods can be grilled, from zucchini and corn to watermelon and peaches!
And of course, we certainly can’t forget delicious vegan meat alternatives such as vegan burgers and bratwurst. Check out my favorite Beyond Meat recipes and Beyond Sausage recipes to pair with these Vegan BBQ recipes.
Even if you don’t own a grill, there are many ways to achieve grilled food, such as a grill pan, grill press machine, or even cooking items like corn and peppers over the gas flame on your stove.
Additionally, vegan BBQ recipes definitely don’t just consist of food you can grill. There’s appetizers and sides that make a cookout great too, not just grilled food.
There are more vegan meat alternatives on the market than ever before. Most grocery stores and health food markets carry at least one brand of vegan burgers, sausages, and/or hotdogs that can be grilled at a cookout. So many different fruits and vegetables can be grilled as well.
But vegan BBQ recipes don’t necessarily just include food that is grilled, it can also include all the foods you might find at a cookout such as appetizers and sides
In the list below you’ll find veganized classics such as coleslaw, macaroni salad, potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, BBQ sauce, and more.
There are also many naturally vegan foods often served at cookouts, such as fruit, veggies with hummus, grilled corn (without the butter), veggie skewers, etc.
All in all, vegan BBQ recipes are more common than you think!
How can I make a barbeque vegetarian or vegan?
A barbecue or cookout is very easy to make vegetarian, even vegan. No, not everything has to be a carrot dog (though some people love them!). Because there are so many delicious vegan meat alternatives out there (purchased and/or homemade), you can usually find quite a few convincing options to throw on the grill.
If you’re planning to host a vegan or vegetarian barbeque, I recommend offering a wide variety of grilled meat alternatives, vegetables, fruits, and non-grilled dishes like Vegan Pasta Salad, Vegan Potato Salad, and more. There’s tons of ideas below. Check them out!
Vegan BBQ Recipes
The list below features various vegan BBQ recipes that are perfect for a backyard bash. If you want to plan an all vegan event, take options from every category: plant based proteins, grilled vegetables, and side dishes.
But if you are just responsible for bringing a dish or two to someone else’s BBQ, I recommend taking a filling main dish and/or a pasta or potato salad. This way you’ll have contributed something delicious and you’ll make sure you have plenty to eat in case you brought the only vegan option.
Plant Based Proteins
The plant based proteins below are either cooked on the grill or they might be cooked ahead of time inside and served at a vegan BBQ for a delicious, satisfying main dish.
Vegan BBQ Tempeh
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Vegan BBQ Tempeh by Home-Cooked Roots
This sweet and smoky BBQ Tempeh is marinaded for 24 hours then smothered in homemade vegan BBQ sauce before searing and baking until tender. It's easy to make, hearty, and the perfect substitute for BBQ meats.
While this is not exactly a plant-based protein, it definitely fits in this section since you can take this delicious vegan BBQ sauce and use it with many of the vegan BBQ recipes you’ll find in the rest of this post!
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Vegan BBQ Sauce by Home-Cooked Roots
This homemade vegan BBQ sauce is the perfect sweet and smoky sauce to smother on your favorite vegan BBQ sandwiches, salads, BBQ tempeh, and more! It's naturally sweetened with date syrup and blackstrap molasses, making it a healthier alternative to most store-bought versions. All you need is 15 minutes to prepare this quick vegan condiment!
Meaty, tender, and flavorful, this Seitan BBQ Wings recipe is packed with protein and makes a convincing chicken substitute that shreds easily and is seasoned with BBQ flavors.
These vegan kabobs are made from seitan and are perfect for cooking on the grill or in a skillet. Serve these flavorful skewers with hummus and veggies for a delicious dish.
BBQ Vegan Pulled Pork Burger (Mushroom) by My Pure Plants
Shredded king oyster mushrooms are the surprising star in this vegan pulled pork sandwich. Top this amazing sandwich with your favorite vegan coleslaw and you'll be proud to see your guests enjoy it.
Realistic yet totally delicious, seitan ribs are made from jackfruit and seitan for an amazing texture. These vegan ribs are flavored with classic BBQ flavors so they're perfect for your cookout.
Gluten-free and a fun twist on BBQ, these BBQ jackfruit tacos only take 30 minutes to make. Bursting with fresh and delicious smoky flavor, these tacos will disappear at any gathering.
How to Make The Best Smoky Tofu by Sunglow Kitchen
Smoky tofu is an excellent choice for a cookout because it is the perfect sandwich filling (tastes like bacon!). This simple plant-based protein could be set out on the table next to sandwich fillings like lettuce, tomato, and avocado for a build-your-own sandwich or salad option.
Chickpea Meatballs are a perfect BBQ appetizer or main especially when glazed in vegan BBQ sauce and served with toothpicks! Set these vegan meatballs out on a plate and watch them disappear.
Roasted Butternut Squash Burgers by Healthy Slow Cooking
Butternut squash doesn't have to be just for summer, these delicious all veggie burgers are perfect for a cookout. Serve with a big dollop of hummus on top for extra flavor.
Tender, flavorful, and protein-packed, these vegan sausages are easy to make and perfect for all your sausage needs. Grill ‘em and serve in buns; this seitan sausage is a winner.
BBQ Grilled Seitan Chicken Style Recipe by Romy London
Tender and juicy vegan grilled chicken is made from seitan and perfect for a vegan BBQ. Make this delicious chicken alternative by washing flour for a high protein and impressive plant-based main.
These teriyaki tofu skewers combine your plant based protein and produce for a delicious and flavorful grilled plant-based main. Serve with rice, more veggies, or a fresh salad for a tasty meal.
Another fun BBQ flavored dish that could be made on or off the grill! This delicious vegan BBQ chicken pizza features jackfruit and definitely belongs in your vegan BBQ spread.
Chickpeas turn these vegan sloppy joe sandwiches into a fun and protein-packed main. These sweet and mildly spicy sandwiches are especially perfect for picky eaters.
It’s not always obvious how to grill some vegetables. You might worry about thinner veggies (like asparagus) falling through your grill grates, or how long to cook certain vegetables. Check out the list below for several fresh and healthy options.
BBQ Grilled Eggplant
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BBQ Grilled Eggplant by Strength and Sunshine
Eggplant slices are delicious on the grill. They get super meaty and are easy to make even for grilling novices.
If you've ever wondered how to grill asparagus, this guide is what you need. Tender asparagus are coated in garlic oil and threaded onto soaked wooden skewers to make sure you get delicious grilled asparagus without anything falling into your grill.
Simple Vegan Skewers (Mushrooms) by Let’s Go Tomato
These mushroom skewers are perfect for the grill and make a delicious and meaty plant-based meat substitute. If you're not into processed vegan meat alternatives, try these mushroom-based skewers.
These easy grilled veggie kabobs make it super easy to grill a wide variety of vegetables at once. Veggie skewers ensure now bits of veg fall through your grill grates and all that delicious char ends up on your food.
Grilled green beans make use of a grilling basket (or use a grill pan instead) to make delicious, tender, smoky green beans. This easy method turns any summer vegetable into the perfect side dish.
Vietnamese Grilled Corn with Scallion Oil by Delightful Plate
Vietnamese Grilled Corn with Scallion Oil (Bắp nướng mỡ hành) is a delicious side dish with a unique flavor from the homemade scallion oil. It's a lot easier than you'd think to construct this lovely plate.
If you've never grilled nectarines, you don't know what you're missing! They get soft, caramelized, even sweeter when grilled. Method works with peaches too.
Use regular bok choy or baby bok choy to make this simple and healthy side dish. Serve your grilled bok choy with those grilled Portobello steaks (above) and grilled baked potatoes (below) for a wonderful full meal from the grill.
Grilled Avocado Stuffed with Veggie Quinoa by Recipes from a Pantry
Ever tried grilled avocado? It's so good! This recipe for grilled avocado takes it a step further and stuffs those avocados with a delicious vegetable quinoa mixture for a satisfying dish.
Fresh, zesty, and delicious, this easy Vegan Elote is the perfect food to serve at a BBQ, potluck or side on your dinner table. You don’t need much time at all to make this delicious side dish.
As much as you might like to, you can’t make everything on the grill especially if others are using it. These tasty vegan side dishes can be made ahead of time in the kitchen and served at a cookout.
Vegan Coleslaw
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Vegan Coleslaw by Home-Cooked Roots
This creamy Vegan Coleslaw is whipped up in just 5 minutes and the perfect easy vegan side salad to serve with BBQ tempeh or topped on Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos. This dairy free slaw tastes just like the fresh summer classic you know and love!
Vegan Pasta Salad with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce by Rainbow Plant Life
This unique smoky roasted red pepper pasta salad is the perfect dish for any summer cookout. The flavors will go perfectly with grilled food, making this the perfect satisfying side.
Tabbouleh (Levantine Parsley and Bulgur Salad) by Sense and Edibility
Tabbouleh (sometimes spelled as Tabouli) is a bulgur (cracked wheat) and fresh herb salad with fresh vegetables and a zesty vinaigrette. This Levantine dish is a classic side dish perfect for any cookout.
For some reason, vegan macaroni and cheese just tastes great with BBQ food. The next time you make one of the above vegan BBQ recipes, try this vegan mac with it.
Chipotle Corn Ribs (in the Air Fryer) by World of Vegan
Spicy and flavorful, these chipotle corn ribs are made in the air fryer so you can make them even if the grill is full with all the other food. Corn ribs are relatively new to the scene and they are fun to eat.
Crunchy, refreshing, and super quick to make, this 5 Bean Salad is a delicious side. This cool and zesty salad is the perfect addition to your vegan spread.
Cool and refreshing sesame soba noodle salad is great to make in advance and is loaded with veggies and protein. This hearty side is made in only 15 minutes, making it easy to add this last minute dish to your roster.
Ensaladang Talong (Filipino Eggplant Salad) by Cinnamon Snail
Ensaladang Talong is a Filipino salad with smoky roasted eggplant, tomatoes, green mango, chilies & onions. This flavorful dish is a veg-heavy side that will go with virtually any plant-based protein.
Strawberry Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad by Naturallie Plant Based
Bright, fun, and full of flavor, this strawberry balsamic tofu pasta salad is loaded with strawberries, balsamic tofu, spinach & basil, and vegan feta cheese. The perfect side salad for a barbecue.
Best Crispy BBQ Roasted Cauliflower by Eating by Elaine
BBQ Roasted Cauliflower is made from a blend of spices you might already have and is a great healthy side for your cookout. Serve with a drizzle of plant-based ranch or throw it in tacos with your favorite sauce.
