When the warm weather rolls around you’ll quickly notice all the barbeques that start to fill the air with their enticing aroma. There is nothing like freshly cooked food straight from the grill. From it’s smokey flavor to crispy outer layer, you’ll be drooling just thinking about it.
If you’re new to veganism or testing out the plant-based diet or want to incorporate more meatless meals into your life, you might quickly ask yourself – how can you enjoy the barbeque season? What about the hot dogs, and the burgers where does that all fit in? I assure you we are here to help. There are so many great grilling options out there for you that offer flavor and texture like you may not have experienced before! We dug deep for the best 15 grilling recipes to satisfy your sense of smell your taste buds too, giving you heart eyes all day long. Fire up that grill and let’s get cookin’!
If you have enjoyed a plant-based diet for some time now, odds are you don’t miss actual steak, but for those who DO miss their beloved barbecued steak, this is a great option! It won’t taste like steak but the flavors might just be better, and it’s certainly a lot better for you.
The smokiness of the barbeque combined with the chipotle spices will give these cauliflower steaks a flavor like they have never seen before. Don’t forget to add freshly squeezed lime juice and cilantro to add to the bold flavor. To ensure this recipe remains 100% vegan use agave syrup instead of honey.
https://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-chipotle-lime-grilled-cauliflower-steaks-recipes-from-the-kitchn-204490 PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE KITCHN
Tofu is an excellent alternative to meat especially because it’s a great source of lean protein. These skewers have savory flavors of teriyaki which becomes even more enhanced from cooking on the grill.
The great thing about this recipe is you can eat these tofu skewers on their own or you, serve as an appetizer or you can eat them with cooked veggies and rice. The options are endless. It is, however, recommended that you choose a firm to extra firm tofu for texture and so that it won’t fall apart on the grill.
http://thenutfreevegan.net/easy-tofu-teriyaki-skewers/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE NUT FREE VEGAN
Alluring aromas can really captivate your attention, especially when it comes to cooking but so can food that is aesthetically pleasing. These rainbow veggie skewers are definitely not lacking any flavor nor any color. Better yet, your kids will probably love these too! After all, rainbows and unicorns are all the rage right now.
The awesome thing about this recipe is it takes simple fresh ingredients but creates a bold impact on your grill. To make your own rainbow skewers you’ll want to use fresh veggies such as tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, red onion and purple potatoes. They’ll quickly set in a simple marinade made of olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, minced garlic and a dash of salt and pepper. The secret to ensuring your potatoes become fully cooked along with your other veggies is to boil them for 10 minutes prior to barbequing so they have a chance to soften.
https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/rainbow-veggie-skewers-recipe/#_a5y_p=1792495 PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: GIMME SOME OVEN
Choosing a plant-based diet doesn’t mean you have to miss out on fun barbecued food like hamburgers. This portobello mushroom burger shows you how you can still enjoy the wonderful flavors of burgers but without the meat.
Portobello mushrooms won’t taste like a ground beef patty but they’re an excellent substitute. I personally have had one and it has a tender almost meaty texture. What makes these portobello mushroom burgers extra special is the simple marinade that transforms their flavor. After you grill these to perfection add all your favorite plant-based friendly burger toppings for an excellent burger dupe.
http://www.wholesomelicious.com/grilled-portobello-mushroom-burgers/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: WHOLESOMELICIOUS
Alright, this recipe took me for a whirlwind becomes come on, it looks so similar to steak! However, I assure it is not. This “steak” is actually a homemade seitan. Seitan is considered a great source of protein and is made from cooked wheat gluten, so if you have a gluten allergy or intolerance this isn’t for you.
This meal takes a bit of work and preparation but if you follow the tips and tricks such as making the seitan and shallot gravy a day in advance it will help you cut down on some of the prep time. Make sure to brush a thin layer of oil over your steaks so they don’t stick to the grill. Before you grill your seitan to perfection you’ll want to start cooking the mash potatoes. This meal will surely shock all your meat-lover friends and family.
https://www.thecuriouschickpea.com/grilled-homemade-seitan-steaks-with-mashed-potatoes-and-shallot-gravy/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE CURIOUS CHICKPEA
Grilling mushrooms are some of the best ways to enjoy them. The slightly charred outer layer yet tender inside is what makes them so addictive. These mushroom skewers are a great side dish idea to go alongside your next BBQ meal.
You could throw mushrooms in a grilling basket but by adding them to skewers makes them delicious finger food that everyone will enjoy. Plus it’ll be easier to caramelize which in the end will bring it out even more flavor. This recipe is so simple and only requires 4 ingredients for seasoning and will make a great addition to your meal.
https://www.closetcooking.com/2016/07/balsamic-garlic-grilled-mushroom-skewers.html PHOTOS AND RECIE HERE: CLOSET COOKING
It wasn’t until a few years ago that I started grilling corn on the cob and let me tell you, it is life changing. You still get that sweet and juicy flavor that boiling corn gives you but the charred bits and slightly smoky flavor make them extra delicious.
To grill corn you’ll want to pull back the husks, this will act as a handle to help you rotate the corn as it cooks. Corn is fairly filling on its own or you could grill this for a side dish with your meal. This recipe even comes with a homemade creamy avocado and dill dressing. You’ll never want to eat corn the same way again!
https://happykitchen.rocks/grilled-corn-on-the-cob/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: HAPPY KITCHEN. ROCKS
Foil packs are some of the most fun food items to add to the grill. First of all, they are SO easy to throw together and they allow a bunch of flavors to mesh and morphe into one delicious bite. These grilled potato foils packs will definitely not disappoint.
The foil packs will help the potatoes cook to a golden and tender perfection all the while soaking up flavors of rosemary, paprika, garlic, and onion. As a bonus, if you’re watching your calorie intake each serving is only 99 calories. You could even pair these grilled potatoes with the portabello mushroom burger for a stellar meal.
https://www.cookincanuck.com/grilled-potatoes-recipe-with-rosemary-smoked-paprika/?m PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: COOKIN CANUCK
If you’re like me and haven’t experienced cooking with eggplant than you definitely have to try this. There’s something about the beautiful deep plum berry looking fruit that is so intimidating. This recipe proves that eggplant is easy to cook and it’s delicious too.
This recipe promises spicey flavors and a saucy savory dish that can come together in just 30 minutes. You’ll want to start by preparing the marinade. Then you’ll want to slice the eggplant in verticle steak thick slices. Before you add the slices to the grill make sure to brush each side generously with the marinade. While the eggplants are grilling you can get started on the unforgettable sauce. To complete the meal you can serve these eggplant steaks over a bed of rice.
https://minimalistbaker.com/jamaican-jerk-grilled-eggplant-30-minutes/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: MINIMALIST BAKER
Flatbread makes awesome appetizers, especially if you’re hosting an outdoor party. Realistically you could cook these indoors but to spend more time with your guests and to achieve a crispy texture like no other it’s recommended you cook them on the grill.
For this flatbread, you’ll make your own homemade ricotta cheese. It is made from cashews, soy milk, lemon juice and a few seasonings. This recipe also comes with instructions on how to make your own balsamic drizzle from balsamic vinegar and coconut sugar to help give these flatbreads a bold flavor. To save a bit of time you can use store-bought flatbread and then it’s as simple as assemble, grill and dig in!
http://www.specofgold.com/spring-time-flat-bread/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SPEC OF GOLD
If you haven’t heard of the Beyond Meat Burger you have to try it. Popularly found in many stores in America, this vegan burger is completely plant-based yet looks like red meat. The secret, beet juice. It’s new to Canada at the popular fast food joint, A&W and we tried it and reviewed it. You can read that HERE. When I stumbled upon this recipe, it quickly reminded me of that burger so I knew it had to make the grilling list.
The beets are what give this burger its color, breadcrumbs, and oats are used to help give the burger substance and chickpeas provide the burger with protein. You have to handle many veggie burgers delicately because they don’t contain eggs (a binding agent) they can quickly fall apart. The secret in this recipe is to use aquafaba (liquid from a chickpea can) to hold the burgers together so you’re safe to grill them without them crumbling to pieces.
https://www.veganosity.com/vegan-beet-burgers-wont-fall-apart-grill/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: VEGANOSITY
Some plant-based lovers don’t enjoy when food resembles meat and that’s okay too. If the beet burger didn’t excite you, no need to worry we got another one for you. These quinoa kale veggie burgers are just as exciting. You can enjoy them on a bun like a traditional burger or they taste great cut up into a salad too.
These burgers are also nut-free and gluten-free (make sure to use gluten-free oats) so you’ll be able to feed to them to almost everyone. The protein in these burgers come from the quinoa and white cannellini beans. You’ll only need a few seasonings to give them flavor while the kale, cilantro, and carrots provide added nutrition. Make sure to handle these burgers with care on the grill so they don’t fall apart.
https://www.theglowingfridge.com/quinoa-kale-veggie-burgers/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE GLOWING FRIDGE
Finding a veggie dog that has the right flavors and textures that pleases your palate can be tricky. If you’re up for trying something unique and fun then you have to try these carrot hot dogs. They look pretty bang on to real hot dogs but are actually good for you!
You’ll want to start out by choosing carrots that are similar to a hot dog size so that they can fill out the bun. After they have been peeled you’ll need to boil them until tender. While they’re boiling you can mix up the marinade. The marinade is made of liquid smoke, maple syrup, tamari and a few seasonings to help give these veggies dogs an authentic flavor. You’ll want to prepare these ahead of time so they can marinate for up to 24 hours, the longer the better. Then it’ll be as simple as firing up the grill and then loading them with your favorite toppings.
https://www.whereyougetyourprotein.com/carrot-hot-dogs-vegan/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: WHERE YOU GET YOUR PROTEIN
Avocados are so creamy and delicious I could literally eat them by the spoonful. This recipe shows how you take an avocado, give it a little makeover, and turn it into a delicious vegan meal.
Not only will you give the avocados perfectly charred grill lines but you’ll cook the chickpeas on the grill too. To help you do this you’ll want to use a grilling basket. Since avocados will only spend about 5minutes on the grill you’ll want to crisp up the chickpeas first. Then while everything is cooking you can mix up the tomatoes and cucumber with fresh lemon juice. The final touch is the assembling and make sure to not forget the tahini drizzling for a creamy sauce and added flavor.
https://www.foodfaithfitness.com/mediterranean-grilled-avocado-stuffed-with-chickpeas-and-tahini/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FOOD FAITH FITNESS
Grilling food doesn’t have to stop at main courses or sides dishes, you can make delicious dessert on your barbeque too. This is a very easy recipe yet produces a whole lot of sweet flavor. Once you try these you’ll be dreaming about them for days after.
From start to finish this dessert will only take you 12 minutes to make. It’s as simple as cutting the pineapple into 1 inch thick circles. Make sure you rub each side with a bit of coconut oil to help prevent it from sticking to the grill. While the pineapples are grilling you can whip up the delicious coconut cream to serve on top.
https://www.veganosity.com/grilled-pineapple-cinnamon-coconut-cream/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: VEGANOSITY
