These 45 Vegetarian BBQ Recipes Will Have Everyone Running For Seconds (2024)

Meatless Monday can last all summer long.

By Camille Lowder
These 45 Vegetarian BBQ Recipes Will Have Everyone Running For Seconds (1)

What if, hear us out, grilling isn't just about burgers and ribs, and BBQS aren't just for omnivores? Whether you’re vegetarian for life or just looking to eat less meat, you don’t have to miss out this season. Please your plant-based partygoers with these creative, flavorful, and filling vegetarian BBQ recipes—we bet you’ll come back to them again and again this summer.

It’s FINALLY summer, so you’re going to want to put all that warm weather produce to the best use possible. That could mean grilling veggies directly on the grill, like our grilled carrots or grilled green beans; whipping up super-fresh sides, like our , our Greek chickpea salad, or our summer couscous salad; or assembling mini meals on skewers, like our Buffalo cauliflower kebabs or our tomato gnocchi kebabs. Trust us, fresh veggies are a MUST—they’re what turn a good outdoor BBQ into a great one.

Maybe grilling isn’t just about hamburgers, but there is something pretty wonderful about biting into a flavorful patty tucked between a soft and squishy bun. Lucky for you, we’ve got tons of options for meatless burgers, like our copycat Shake Shake shroom burger, our shroomami burger, or our meat lover’s veggie burger (making two thinner patties instead of one big one is the BEST hack to keep them from falling apart). Once you get the hang of making meatless patties, check out our fave burger toppings for ideas too (we think the lemon yogurt sauce from our lamb burger or the white cheddar and caramelized onions from our bison burger would go great with any of our meatless patties).

Looking for more meat-free ideas? Try our amazing grilled vegetables, our best veggie burger recipes, and our fave grilled fruit recipes too.

1

Grilled Tofu

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Miso and soy sauce are both high in umami, meaning they infuse the tofu here with savory depth. Once you've marinated the tofu, it takes less than 15 minutes to grill the planks, during which you can make the garlicky ginger-scallion sauce.

Get the Grilled Tofu recipe.

2

Shroomami Burger

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We here at Delish love a regular burger, but something about a flavor-packed veggie burger can be SO satisfying in its own way. This mushroom-based version is a symphony of salty, complex flavors. Paired with a bright citrus slaw and spicy vegan mayo, it might be our favorite plant-based burger ever.

Get the Shroomami Burger recipe.

3

Gnocchi Foil Packets

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These foil packs trap in steam from the wine and juices from the tomato and corn as everything grills, which in turn cooks the gnocchi to perfectly tender while infusing the pasta with all the flavors of the dish. Bonus: Some of the meal browns a bit on the bottom right before it finishes cooking, adding extra flavor.

Get the Gnocchi Foil Packets recipe.

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4

BBQ Tofu

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Who needs meat? Tofu isn't just for vegetarians and vegans. Be sure to serve the tofu with more of the spicy BBQ sauce on the side, and it will compete with all your classics like brisket, short ribs, and chicken.

Get the BBQ Tofu recipe.

5

Vegan Chili Dogs

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Sure, it's hard to replicate the snap of a true hot dog with plant-based ingredients, but this complex chili is world-changing. You're going to want to put it on way more than just veggie dogs. We see chili mac, tamale pie, and plenty of chili fries in your future.

Get the Vegan Chili Dogs recipe.

6

BBQ Tempeh Sandwiches

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The grill adds subtle, almost bacon-like smoky flavor to these tempeh steaks, but there's no meat in sight. Add a whiskey-infused homemade BBQ sauce, a cooling, creamy coleslaw, and a toasted buttered bun for the perfect summer sandwich.

Get the BBQ Tempeh Sandwiches recipe.

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7

Campfire Caprese Brie

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We used a big wheel of brie to fit perfectly inside a 10" skillet. It was almost THREE POUNDS. You can definitely use something a bit smaller, depending on the size (and brie obsession level) of your crowd.

Get the Campfire Caprese Brie recipe.

8

Eggplant Steak Frites With Chimichurri

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How do you successfully accomplish steak night without the steak? Sub in creamy eggplant for a grilled mash-up of the classic French combo. An Argentine herb sauce, chimichurri, transforms it to a fancy dinner, but feel free to sub in your fave sauce too.

Get the Eggplant Steak Frites With Chimichurri recipe.

9

Greek Orzo Salad

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Move aside plain ol' pasta saladorzo is here to shake things up. While we love it in comforting, warming dishes (we're looking at you, creamy Tuscan orz0), it also makes for a great salad base. This easy, fresh recipe is filled with bright Mediterranean flavors and mix-ins, but feel free to swap in and out your faves.

Get the Greek Orzo Salad recipe.

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10

Watermelon Quinoa Salad

We love to snack on bites of watermelon all summer long, but one of our favorite ways to enjoy the juicy, sweet fruit is in a refreshing salad. With mint, feta, red onion, cucumber, and a balsamic glaze, this one's got everything you love about traditional watermelon salad, but with an additional protein boost from one of our favorite grains, fluffy and nutritious quinoa.

Get the Watermelon Quinoa Salad recipe.

11

Nashville Hot Cauliflower

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Nashville hot chicken may be king in the land of regional American food, but Nashville hot cauliflower is coming to steal the crown. Coated in hot sauce-spiked buttermilk batter, fried to golden brown perfection, and drizzled with the iconic spicy oil, this entrée is so crispy, flavorful, and delicious that “vegetarian” is almost beside the point.

Get the Nashville Hot Cauliflower recipe.

12

Coleslaw

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When it comes to summer BBQs, potlucks, and picnics, coleslaw is a classic, staple side dish to rely on. Everyone needs a go-to recipe, and we happen to think that ours is the one you should reach for.

Get the Coleslaw recipe.

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13

Grilled Carrots

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Carrot's natural sweetness comes out during cooking, a complementary foil to the smoky char achieved on the grill. We love serving this veggie side atop creamy ricotta, with a punchy carrot top-based chimichurri sauce for some brightness.

Get the Grilled Carrots recipe.

14

Classic Macaroni Salad

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As a vegetarian, macaroni salad is too often one of the only non-meat options at a BBQ, which is why it's such a disappointment when it is too dry or soggy. Not to fear—this recipe guarantees perfection ever time.

Get the Classic Macaroni Salad recipe.

15

Summer Couscous Salad

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Here we're using couscous as the base for a confetti of colored vegetables (cucumbers! bell peppers! red onion!), doused in a creamy lemon Dijon dressing. We’ve also added tangy feta and sun-dried tomatoes, crunchy toasted almonds, and nutty, earthy chickpeas to give it a little added oomph. It’s simple and light, but still special enough for a celebration.

Get the Summer Couscous Salad recipe.

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16

Grilled Balsamic Mushrooms

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Grilled veggies can get sidelined at a barbecue as the lame side dish for vegetarians, but when tossed in a balsamic-soy glaze, these mushrooms will get all the attention.

Get the Grilled Balsamic Mushrooms recipe.

17

Grilled Pizza

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Here's our #1 tip for success: Prep everything you are going to need for your pizza before you start grilling. The grilling part goes fast. We're talking 4 minutes tops, so don't wait to, say, slice your tomatoes until it's is on the grill. Have everything ready and near you so that as soon as you flip the pizza crust, you can start topping and pull your pizza off the grill as soon as it's done.

Get the Grilled Pizza recipe.

18

Greek Chickpea Salad

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We’re no strangers to a great chickpea salad, so coming up with a Greek-inspired one was a no-brainer. It’s got all the flavors you love from Greek salad, turned into something more substantial and filling that pairs well with almost anything.

Get the Greek Chickpea Salad recipe.

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19

Tomato Gnocchi Kebabs

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Sure gnocchi is amazing served in a bowl with a sauce, but have you ever had nicely browned gnocchi taken straight off the grill? The gnocchi paired with blistered grilled tomatoes and tender red onion make for a perfect summer dinner or side dish.

Get the Tomato Gnocchi Kebabs recipe.

20

Black Bean Burger

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Listen, no one has ever bitten into a bean burger and said "Wait, is this meat?" Burgers made from black beans are never going to taste exactly like a hamburger, so why not get a little creative with the seasonings? We chose to lean in to the black bean vibe and add some cilantro, cumin, chili powder, and paprika for smokiness. Any chopped herbs or spices would be delicious here, so try out your favorites!

Get the Black Bean Burger recipe.

These 45 Vegetarian BBQ Recipes Will Have Everyone Running For Seconds (2024)

FAQs

What do vegetarians eat at BBQ? ›

That could mean grilling veggies directly on the grill, like our grilled carrots or grilled green beans; whipping up super-fresh sides, like our black bean & corn salad, our Greek chickpea salad, or our summer couscous salad; or assembling mini meals on skewers, like our Buffalo cauliflower kebabs or our tomato gnocchi ...

How do you cook a crowd on a BBQ? ›

We cook for big groups often, and our general rules is to allow 1/3 pound of finished meat per person. Plan on a 40% loss of weight to the cooking process. Here's an example. 20 pounds of pork shoulder will yield approximately 12 pounds of finished meat (20 x .

What vegetarian meats are good for BBQ? ›

Things like Halloumi, tempeh, and tofu are all sturdy enough to stand up to the heat of a live flame, and just as hearty and filling as meat when cooked on a grill. Nowadays there are also plenty of veggie burgers—both homemade and store-bought—that won't fall apart when cooked over high temps.

What BBQ sauce is vegetarian? ›

Kraft Slow Simmered BBQ Sauce

There are four flavors of Kraft BBQ sauce that are vegan: Original, Hickory Smoke, Sweet & Spicy, and Sweet Brown Sugar. These thick sauces are great for dipping vegan nuggets into or slathered over your favorite plant based protein or veggies.

What to serve 30 people at a BBQ? ›

Citrus and yogurt marinated grilled chicken thigh skewers are the perfect easy BBQ idea for a crowd.
  • Lemon-Marinated Grilled Chicken Thigh Skewers Recipe.
  • Mustard Chive Grilled Flank Steak Recipe.
  • Grilled Pork Chops Recipe.
  • Grilled Carne Asada with Cilantro Lime Marinade Recipe.
May 27, 2022

How do you plan a BBQ for 50 people? ›

How much BBQ for 50 people:
  1. 18 pounds (288 oz) of meat total (2 meats recommended)
  2. 2 XL sides of each side ordered.
  3. Drinks: 5 gallons.
  4. 50 buttery rolls.
  5. 1/2 relish tray pan.
  6. 5 pints of BBQ sauce.

What to bring to BBQ last minute? ›

10 Last Minute Summer Sides to Bring to Any Cookout
  1. Cowboy Beans. ...
  2. Easy Orzo Salad. ...
  3. Grilled Corn on the Cob with BBQ Butter. ...
  4. Southern-style Potato Salad. ...
  5. Quick and Easy New England-style Baked Beans. ...
  6. Fusilli Pasta Salad with Artichokes. ...
  7. Slaw with Lime Vinaigrette and Tortilla Strips. ...
  8. Texas Caviar.

How can I make my BBQ more fun? ›

Set the mood for your backyard BBQ with fun decorations that match the theme! Create themed centerpieces for tables, adorn the space with festive balloons, and hang signage or banners that welcome guests to your outdoor party. You should also find tablecloths, napkins, silverware, cups, and plates that fit the vibe!

How do you host a BBQ for a crowd on a budget? ›

1 tip for hosting a budget-friendly BBQ is simple: Make it a potluck-style party, and delegate. If you're hosting, focus on the main part of the meal (check out the best budget-friendly proteins for a BBQ to help you decide). Prepare something in advance to save you day-of stress, like our Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork.

What appetizer to bring to a BBQ? ›

BBQ Appetizer Recipes
  • Smoked Cream Cheese Dip.
  • Cranberry Jalapeño Poppers.
  • Carne Guisada and Cheddar Empanadas.
  • Pulled Pork Empanadas.
  • Bacon Jam Pizza from Christie Vanover.
  • Bloody Mary Smoked Deviled Eggs from Jacqueline Duffin.
  • Bacon-Wrapped Sausage Poppers from Brad Prose.

What is a cheap thing to bring to a BBQ? ›

Beans, chips, macaroni salad, grilled veggies, slaw, potato salad and watermelon are just a few examples of BBQ side staples that are budget-friendly crowd favorites.

What is the most popular side dish at a BBQ? ›

Most cookouts feature an assortment of a few essential BBQ sides: Corn on the cob, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, and pasta salad. We're not about to mess with perfection; because this barbecue side lineup is just that: perfect. But when it comes to the recipes themselves, you've got options.

Can vegetarians eat BBQ shapes? ›

Arnott's has also confirmed that although there are no animal-derived ingredients in Arnott's Barbecue Shapes, they are not labelled vegan or vegetarian due to the product potentially containing traces of animal or animal by-products from other items in the Shapes range (such as their Roast Chicken Shapes and Cheese & ...

What is vegetarian on a menu? ›

Approved vegetarian menu items allow eggs, dairy and honey. We do not allow fish, shellfish, mollusks, gelatin and animal by-products. Fried foods are excluded due to cross-contact. Approved vegan menu items do not allow eggs, dairy, fish, shellfish, mollusks, or animal by-products such as, honey and gelatin.

What do vegetarians miss from meat? ›

Previous reviews have indicated that vegetarians and vegans may risk vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, zinc and calcium deficiency as these micronutrients can mostly be found in animal foods or have a lower bioavailability in plant foods [8,9,10,11,12,13,14].

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