Ten vegetarian BBQ recipes your carnivore pals will love
Our veggie pals can struggle when it comes to summer BBQs.
But that ends today.
Because with a little imagination, prep, and these lightbulb-lighting vegetarian barbecue ideas, you’ll host a summer cookout that’ll knock everyone’s socks off – even the staunchest carnivores!
Fast, tasty plant-based food is a doddle to make (we promise), and with our quickfire veggie barbecue recipes, you’ll cook up tantalising dishes your meat-free mates will savour.
So, grab a seat on the patio, fire up the barbie*, and use these veggie BBQ recipes to elevate your grilling game to new heights.
*You can barbecue on fire pits, too!
The soothing crackles; the charred goodness; the primal nature… Hot damn!
Check out our step-by-step guide here.
Okay, back to the veggie barbecue ideas, here we go…
Plan your BBQ theme
Start with a quick plan for your theme, as this will inform your menu, music, and anything else you plan to incorporate (cultural bits and the like).
Let’s take Mexican as an example.
You could cook up some black bean burgers, marinate vegetable skewers, and barbecue corn on the cob.
Put these alongside some plant-based Mexican mains like vegetarian chilli, cauliflower tacos, butternut squash, and bean enchiladas and you’re good to go!
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, the next tip has got you covered.
Pick your protein
A common misconception: meat-free means no protein.
But there are lots of plant-based protein sources if you keep your finger on the pulse.
Speaking of pulses – lentils, chickpeas, and beans are delicious in veggie burgers.
Not convinced?
We weren’t either, but we're officially plant-based converts after cooking up these minty lentil burgers (at veggie barbecues, at least!)
Minty Mexican veggie burgers
400g black beans
2 tsp chipotle paste
2 spring onions, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
100g wholemeal breadcrumbs
A handful of chopped coriander
1 tbsp tahini
Blend the above ingredients using a hand blender before shaping into four burgers.
Coat the burgers in extra virgin olive oil (ideal for its peppery flavour and fruity aroma) and barbecue each burger for 3 minutes on each side.
Serve with sweet potato chips, green salad, and of course, a creamy dollop of guacamole!
Tantalising tofu
We know tofu can be a tad uninspiring when grilled plain, but it works an absolute treat in veggie burgers and kebabs!
Try the VonHaus pack n’ whack method:
Pack your tofu on a stick alongside some fresh, crunchy veg, and whack it on the barbecue!
Add your homemade glaze (using the below ingredients), and voila, mouth-watering veggie kebabs are go!
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 clove of garlic
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp honey
½ tsp chilli powder
1 tsp cumin
3 tbsp olive oil
But if you’re big on burgers, give this easy veggie burger recipe a go:
Start by drying the tofu before cutting it into slices or cubes (max 3cm thick). *If you prefer a firmer texture, head to our VH chef’s tip below.
Combine a packet of marinated tofu with 2 chopped spring onions, 10g sesame seeds, 1 tbsp of soy sauce and 80g of chopped mushrooms.
Coat with extra-virgin olive oil (regular olive oil works well, too) and barbecue for 3 minutes on each side.
Serve with fresh noodles and a tangy coleslaw salad.
*For extra-firm tofu, wrap it in a few sheets of kitchen paper, put it on a plate and place something flat and heavy on it – wooden chopping boards are ideal.
Leave it for 20 minutes to drain the excess moisture, and you’re ready to gofu! (ahem, apologies).
Supercharge your seasoning
One thing to remember when cooking veggie dishes – treat your plant-based mains the same as you’d treat your meat.
And that means plenty of seasoning!
Veggies are super-versatile, and there are lots of ways to turn the flavour up to 11.
Here’s a quick tip to boost your veggies’ flavour:
Brush your sliced vegetables with olive oil and some of your favourite mixed spices before and during cooking.
This will boost your flavours and prevent them from sticking to the grill. Win-win!
Beet it
BBQs, even veggie ones, aren’t the same without burgers.
And this vegan beet burger really does take some beating.
Here's what you'll need for this super-simple vegetarian barbecue recipe:
2 beetroots
100g lentils
75g flour
1 red onion, chopped
1 tbsp peanut butter
Step 1. Put the above ingredients in a food processor, followed by a teaspoon of these ingredients to season:
Paprika
Cumin
Ground coriander
Salt and pepper
Chilli flakes
Step 2. Pulse the ingredients to a sticky dough consistency before emptying it into a bowl. Add another 40g of flour.
Step 3: Knead with gloves to form a dough, adding flour steadily until you form 6 patties.
Step 4: Grill each patty for 6 minutes on each side or until they’re golden brown.
Step 5: Add your favourite garnish and condiments and get stuck in!
VH Chef’s tip: Vegan mayo (more on this in a minute) mixed with chipotle paste, lettuce, avocado, and tomato tastes divine.
Step 1. Put the above ingredients in a food processor, followed by a teaspoon of these ingredients to season:
Paprika
Cumin
Ground coriander
Salt and pepper
Chilli flakes
Step 2. Pulse the ingredients to a sticky dough consistency before emptying it into a bowl. Add another 40g of flour.
Step 3: Knead with gloves to form a dough, adding flour steadily until you form 6 patties.
Step 4: Grill each patty for 6 minutes on each side or until they’re golden brown.
Step 5: Add your favourite garnish and condiments and get stuck in!
VH Chef’s tip: Vegan mayo (more on this in a minute) mixed with chipotle paste, lettuce, avocado, and tomato tastes divine.
Raise the steaks
If you’re new to veggie steaks, now’s the time to get stuck in. Sizzling on the grill with aubergine and cauliflower (or broccoli), they’re a veritable veggie treat.
Here’s an easy vegetarian steak recipe that veggies and meat-eaters will savour:
Slice cauliflower into 1cm slices, then coat them with the below ingredients, before barbecuing them for 2 minutes on each side.
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp honey
1 tsp turmeric
Homemade vegan mayo
Another vegetarian barbecue staple: potato salad.
But what are you to do without the mayo?!
Whip out the cashew cream!
Vegan cashew cream is a delicious, tangy dairy-free alternative, and slathering it on your veggie BBQ dishes will kick them up a notch.
Here’s how to make it:
Soak 120g of cashew nuts for 3-4 hours (or overnight).
Blend with 120ml water, 1 tbsp yeast flakes, and 1 tbsp lemon juice – this is your cashew cream base.
Finish by adding garlic, herbs, and your favourite spices to put your own spin on a classic.
Experiment in the kebab lab
Okay, so we’ve already lauded veggie kebabs, but today we’re double-dipping.
These vegan food staples are unbelievably scrumptious when marinated and guaranteed to keep every one of your veggie pals as pleased as (plant-based) punch!
For fast, tasty veggie kebabs, try this easy vegetarian barbecue recipe. And yes, you know we’re packing n’ whacking again:
Pack cherry tomatoes, cubed aubergine, courgette, peppers, and red onion onto a stick. Brush liberally with oil and grill for a few minutes on each side.
Boom, more tasty veggie kebabs!
Go nuts for salads and satay sauce
Protein-packed and full of flavour, nuts are plant-based diet staples.
Two VonHaus favourites: peanuts and walnuts. They’re super-versatile, topping salads with extra crunch and providing the base for a rich, kebab-enhancing satay sauce.
Satay, you say? Right this way:
Blend 3 tbsp of peanut butter, 3 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 200ml coconut cream.
Need a veggie barbecue idea to get that all-important omega 3?
Funny you should ask…
Get your omega 3 from seeds
While nuts are the best source of omega 3 for plant-based diets, seeds supercharge your omega-3 levels, too.
At your veggie barbecue, sprinkle them onto your buns and burgers, or mix them into your side salads for extra crunch and texture.
Now you’re all set for the perfect plant-based BBQ; we’d love to hear how it goes!
So, drop us a comment below or tag us on @vonhaus.uk.
And if you're craving more irresistible recipes, lifestyle hacks, garden guides, or interior inspiration, check out our blog.
We’ll see you soon!