8 Vegetarian BBQ Recipes To Try This Summer
When the sun finally comes out on a British summer day, there’s nothing better than a BBQ. Food always tastes better when it has been cooked on an open grill outside on a hot day. But sometimes BBQ options seem to be very meat dominated with burgers and hot dogs usually being the main dishes. However, there are so many vegetarian options to put on the barbecue that both meat-eaters and vegetarians will enjoy. This summer, try out some new dishes on the barbecue with these eight vegetarian BBQ recipes.
1. Tofu Skewers
Tofu is a great substitute for meat as it has a hearty texture that is super satisfying and filling. Grilled vegetables on the barbecue are great, but sometimes you want something a little more, and this is when tofu skewers are your perfect recipe. These skewers only require two ingredients and they are so delicious. These are great as a main meal for vegetarians, or as a side dish. All you need is a block of tofu and barbecue sauce – this can be homemade or store-bought. The key to getting the best tofu skewers on the open grill is to brush them with the barbecue sauce as you cook them. This stops them from drying out and ensures that they are fully coated in the sauce. They should only need to be cooked for about twenty minutes (of course depending on the heat of your grill), so it’s a really quick recipe to include at your next BBQ.
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2. Grilled Rosemary Baby Potatoes
Potatoes are a great side dish for any BBQ that both vegetarians and meat-eaters will enjoy. They’re especially good for a vegetarian BBQ if your main dish is vegetable-based, as they’re a good source of carbs. Grilling small potatoes makes them crispy on the outside and then soft on the inside, so they’re a great alternative to the usual boiled baby potatoes. Whatever your main BBQ dishes are, baby potatoes go perfectly with them. They are so easy to make, and they can be prepared ahead of time so they’re all ready to throw on the grill at the last minute. These are especially great if you’re barbecuing for a big group – you can easily make a huge amount and they taste great as leftovers the next day. To make these, simply parboil the potatoes and coat them in oil and herbs before skewering and grilling. Follow this recipe for an easy way to make these incredible potatoes for your next BBQ!
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3. Cauliflower BBQ Wings
If you’re a fan of hot chicken wings, but you’re not a meat-eater, or you’re catering to vegetarians, you have to try these cauliflower BBQ wings. These are tangy and spicy, so perfect for anyone who likes hot wings! Cauliflower BBQ wings are great as either a side dish or an appetizer at your BBQ, but if you make a large quantity they can also be used as a main dish for vegetarians. Cauliflower is often overlooked, but when it is cooked like this, it takes on a really meaty texture, so it is a perfect vegetarian substitute. For this recipe, you’ll need to cut the cauliflower into florets so that they become almost bitesize. Here is a really easy recipe to make a delicious BBQ flavored coating that will go on your cauliflower before you grill it – this becomes almost a batter-like consistency of chicken wings, but is a much healthier and meat-free option! The easiest way to cook your cauliflower is to either lay the coated florets onto tin foil before cooking them or skewer them.
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4. Grilled Pineapple
Pineapple might seem like a strange item to cook on the barbecue, but either on its own or as part of a salad, it makes a great addition to any BBQ. The sweetness of the pineapple is really enhanced when you grill it, especially with this recipe which uses a brown sugar coating on the pineapple before it is grilled. Some recipes even pair it with a coconut rum sauce, as the creamy sauce goes really well with the tangy pineapple. This is a great side dish that goes great with any kind of tofu, vegetarian sausage or veggie burger, as the sweetness complements the savory dishes well. Give it a go and surprise your BBQ guests with this soft and sweet grill!
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5. Grilled Rainbow Peppers
Grilled vegetables are always a crowd-pleaser for both meat-eaters and vegetarians. These are so simple to make, they don’t need much explanation – they are just an easy addition to make to any BBQ. You can serve them alone as a side dish, or chop them up and add them to a salad. These can stay plain, or you can marinate the peppers in a BBQ sauce or a chipotle to add some extra flavor. Grilled rainbow peppers are a great way to add some color to your dishes as well, so make sure to throw some of these onto the grill at your next BBQ.
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6. Potato Salad
No BBQ is complete without potato salad. Again, this is a great carb loaded side dish to go with your vegetable based components when you’re catering for vegetarians. There are a lot of ways to make potato salad, but the best is a chunkier potato salad with mayo, pickles, mustard and paprika. This dish is always a crowd favourite at a BBQ, so try this recipe for the best potato salad that you’ll be reaching for all summer long. A lot of potato salad recipes include bacon, but this is just as easily left out for vegetarians. If you’re also catering for some meat eaters, you can still cook the bacon and just leave it on the side for anyone who wants to add it. Or, get some vegetarian bacon!
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7. Hawaiian Seitan Skewers
Seitan is such a great meat substitute that not a lot of people even know about. You can buy it pre-made in-store, or make it for yourself at home using vital wheat gluten (it is much easier than you think!) Seitan tastes so similar to chicken, so if you’re a vegetarian missing the taste of meat, this is your go-to recipe! Simply chop up any vegetables that you want and skewer them, interspersed with small pieces of your seitan. Follow this recipe, which also gives you a great soy sauce-based glaze that goes perfectly with the seitan! These are super healthy and colorful – all your guests will be reaching for them!
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8. Pulled BBQ Carrots
Pulled pork is a great dish for a BBQ, and vegetarians shouldn’t have to miss out on that. Instead, try making BBQ pulled carrots. These shredded carrots mixed with a thick BBQ sauce take on a very similar consistency to pulled pork, and when served as a sandwich are incredibly delicious. This is a much healthier alternative to pulled pork. but you still get that same BBQ taste. Follow this easy recipe for your next BBQ favorite!
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