If you’re cooking for vegetarians, vegans or people who eat less meat, the right food options can make a barbecue more enjoyable. Whether it’s a veggie burger, halloumi skewers or an easy side dish like this chargrilled butter cabbage salad.
Vegetables take on textures and flavors that mimic those of meat when grilled, and marinades made with umami-packed ingredients can help.
Best vegetarian barbecue options
There’s a lot of delicious meat-free barbecue food out there that will make vegetarians and vegans happy. From Peter Gilmore’s shiitake mushrooms doused in umami butter to La Casita’s pineapple wedges with mulato chili, there are many showstopping veggie dishes to try this summer.
If you want something easy but still impressive, try this grilled avocado stuffed with veggie quinoa – it’s also vegan and gluten-free too!
A lot of traditional barbecue side dishes, like potato and macaroni salad, can be made vegetarian and vegan with just a few tweaks. Try swapping the mayonnaise for a store-bought plant-based version, or replacing the dairy in coleslaw with shredded carrot and tahini.
What to cook when you have a vegetarian guest
If you have a vegetarian friend coming to your barbecue, there are plenty of delicious options to choose from. Vegetarian burgers, meat substitutes like seitan and soy, vegetables and halloumi cheese are all easy to grill and will impress your guests.
Remember that even if you’re planning on serving your veggie friends meat, it’s worth checking any recipes to make sure that they don’t contain any hidden ingredients. For example, pasta sauces may have chicken base; Caesar dressing might contain anchovies, and some Asian sauces are made with shrimp paste.
Keep in mind that it’s best to cook vegetarian foods separately from any meat products, so they don’t come into contact with any juices or residues. It’s also a good idea to use separate utensils for your meat and vegetarian dishes, so that you don’t accidentally mix up the flavour of one with the other. Try this simple marinated grilled portobello mushroom recipe for a quick and tasty meal.
Lighter options to grill
There’s no need to compromise on flavor when it comes to making healthy BBQ choices. With a few simple swaps, you can make dishes that satisfy vegetarian guests and your appetite for barbecue goodness.
Switch out traditional store-bought sides like cole slaw, baked beans and macaroni salad for lighter options that are packed with plant protein, veggies, fiber and less saturated fat. These healthy recipes can be prepared in no time, and they’ll provide you with a balanced meal that includes lean protein, whole grains and two daily recommended servings of fruits and veggies.
For a unique summer side dish, grill up a variety of vegetables and marinated tofu cubes on skewers. Peppers, zucchini, mushrooms and onions are great options. Toss them in a light oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, herbs and salt before grilling until tender and slightly charred. Pair these skewers with a light and refreshing papaya salsa to complete your dinner. These vegan grilling ideas are sure to impress everyone at your backyard party.
Recipes
There are many great vegetarian barbecue recipes that will please meat-eaters as well as those trying to cut back on their consumption. Jerk halloumi, a simple and flavourful dish that cooks in under 20 minutes, is one option. Another is grilled aubergine slices, tossed in pomegranate molasses, cinnamon, aleppo pepper and sumac before being threaded on to skewers with a garlic, onion, chilli and lemon salsa.
Other grill-friendly veggies include sliced bell peppers and red cabbage, seasoned with kosher salt, ground cumin, black pepper and smoked paprika and then grilled. Or try a veggie version of a taco, a delicious Mexican food staple. For a healthier approach to grilling vegetables, make use of a reusable foil envelope, which can be used like a pita bread and filled with rough cuts of any veg, oil, herbs and spices before being wrapped and grilled.
Aside from mains, there are also plenty of vegetable-based BBQ sides to choose from, including a quick grilled caesar salad and sweet soy and chili glazed zucchini. A smoky, rosemary and olive oil roasted vegetable side is another great option.
