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? ›

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.

How do you feed a lot of people 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 are the best vegetables to BBQ? ›

It's perfect for mid-late summer, when all sorts of veggies are coming into season, and it's too hot to turn on the oven. In my opinion, peppers, summer squash, onions, mushrooms, and corn are the best vegetables to grill. Cut into similar-sized pieces and skewered, they all cook at about the same rate.

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 at a BBQ for 50 people? ›

Cooking for 50 to 100 People

For this many people, you would plan on 4 to 6 approximately 10-pound pork shoulders. I also like to smoke Kielbasa sausages and cover them with barbecue sauce to serve along with the pulled pork. To cook this type of barbecue, you will need a smoker, such as an ugly drum smoker.

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.

How much BBQ do I need for 40 guests? ›

In general, each pound of BBQ feeds 3 to 4 people, especially if you're serving sides. You can expect most adult guests to eat ¼ to ⅓ pounds of meat each during your event.

What to serve at a BBQ for 20 people? ›

BBQ recipes to feed a crowd
  • Dill and buttermilk chicken legs. ...
  • Cherry s'more campfire cones. ...
  • Smoky skewers with parsley dipping sauce. ...
  • Blackened spiced spatchco*ck chicken. ...
  • Piri piri prawns with basil and lemon sauce. ...
  • Garlic pesto bread. ...
  • Barley, courgette and mint salad with barbecued halloumi. ...
  • BBQ sticky ribs.

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.

How many people will 1lb of BBQ feed? ›

— for delicious barbecued meats, so it's important you have enough for everyone. According to a catering manager at Deep Run Roadhouse, around 1 pound of meat will serve three people. But one kind of meat is rarely enough; after all, variety is the spice of life, so it's key to plan ahead.

What can I use instead of meat for BBQ? ›

There are a huge amount of vegetable-based barbecue dishes that taste delicious too. Barbecued vegetables such as corn on the cob, grilled aubergine and butternut squash are usually a good choice as they barbecue very well and can cater to your vegetarian guests as well as your meat-eating friends!

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? ›

Vegetarian items are made without meat, stock or gelatin from an animal, but may include dairy and/or eggs.

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