30+ Vegan Recipes For Grilling, Barbecue, & Picnics

Celebrate the summer with these vegan recipes perfect for grilling, BBQs, and picnics. Lots of great ideas for mains, sides, salads, and desserts!

Summer is here and that means barbecues and picnics – lots of them! It also means it’s time to fire up the grill and enjoy the fresh, warm weather summer has to offer and some delicious food.

We all love a good barbecue as much as the next person, but that doesn’t mean compromising your diet. These recipes are sure to make your next summer gathering a delicious plant-based adventure.

To help you facilitate your menu I’ve put together this collection of amazing vegan summer recipes. From veggie burgers, vegan ribs, sauces, sides, and dairy-free desserts, there’s something here for all your guests.

Whether it’s potlucks, vegan picnics, or backyard BBQs get ready to drool. And, no one will ever know they’re healthy.

Best Vegan BBQ Recipes For Summer

These recipes are full of flavor and perfect for warm-weather get-togethers with friends and family. Find ideas for vegans and non-vegans alike here.

No grill? No problem! These vegan recipes work on the stove, in the oven, and can be made in the slow cooker, too! So, let’s do it!

Snacks and Appetizers

A good assortment of snacks and appetizers is a must at any summer gathering. They’re like an opening act before the main event. Yes, you could just serve up a tray of vegetables but if you want people to hang around I would suggest the recipes down below.

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

The best Buffalo Cauliflower Wings recipe. Baked crunchy and tender cauliflower, tossed in buffalo sauce, and served with a cooling ranch dip. Vegan, healthy, and so easy to make! No one is going to miss the chicken with these babies on the table.

Easy Vegan Black Bean Meatballs

Meatballs are mandatory for parties and these Easy Vegan Black Bean Meatballs are a delicious plant-based alternative to regular meatballs. They’re hearty, savory, and the perfect party appetizer.

The Best Vegan French Onion Dip

French onion dip is a favorite food at parties, tailgates, and food events. This vegan French onion dip is a healthy, dairy-free alternative to the original and just as delicious!

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Savory Side Dishes

You can never have enough sides for outdoor summer cookouts. And, you can easily “veganize” all the classic favorites without sacrificing taste or health.

The Best Vegan Potato Salad

This classic vegan potato salad recipe is healthy and so easy to make! Made with creamy cashew mayo, it’s a must for any potluck or gathering. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and oil-free!

Vegan Macaroni Pasta Salad

The BEST Vegan Macaroni Salad is so easy to make and ready in less than 30 minutes. A classic side dish loaded with crunchy colorful veggies, covered in a rich and creamy dressing, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The best cold pasta salad for a summer barbecue, cookout, and any gathering with family and friends.

Classic Vegan Coleslaw

This Easy Vegan Coleslaw is creamy, delicious, and so easy to make. Made in one bowl with 5 ingredients, it’s the perfect vegan slaw for BBQ dishes, picnics, and summer potlucks! Oil-free, gluten-free, and healthy.

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

Healthy broccoli cauliflower salad recipe that’s creamy and crunchy! Filled with red onion, apples, and carrots, and covered in a tangy-sweet cashew mayo dressing. Vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free!

Easy Vegetarian BBQ Baked Beans

Vegetarian BBQ Baked Beans are smoky, sweet, and spicy. They are quick, healthy, and delicious! You can’t go wrong with this recipe.

Maple Roasted Carrots

These Maple Roasted Carrots are sweet, a little salty, and so easy to make. All you need are 7 simple ingredients to make a delicious side dish even kids will love! They’re also great for the grill.

Grilled Corn

Grilled Corn On The Cob is a great summer side dish! It’s so easy to make and ready in 10 minutes. Slather it with my vegan Cashew Mayo, a sprinkle of smoked paprika, and a little squeeze of lime juice for amazing flavor.

Easy Vegan Kale Slaw

Delicious easy vegan kale slaw recipe made with carrots, red onion, and a creamy oil-free dressing. Healthy and full of flavor, it’s a great alternative to coleslaw. Dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free!

Brown Rice and Lentils

Brown rice and lentils is a delicious meal or easy side dish requiring only 5 ingredients and one pot. Healthy whole grains and legumes packed with protein and fiber and perfect for feeding a crowd.

Summer Salads

Salads can be a great option at BBQs and don’t have to be boring and bland. Check out these hearty and savory green machines. Don’t be surprised when there’s nothing left.

Quinoa Black Bean Salad

This Quinoa Black Bean Salad is super hearty. It’s perfect as a meal all by itself but goes nicely with the main course as well and is great for a large gathering. It’s vegan, gluten-free, loaded with protein, low-fat, and ready in 20 minutes!

Chipotle Chickpea Salad

This delicious vegan chickpea kale salad recipe is so easy to make, ready in 20 minutes, and guaranteed to “WOW” everyone. It’s made with spicy chipotle chickpeas, kale, and avocado, and topped with a creamy garlicky tahini dressing.

Tomato Cucumber Salad

This simple Tomato Cucumber Salad recipe is bright, light, fresh, and delicious. It’s an easy summer salad made with English cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and crunchy red onion, and covered in a sweet and tangy oil-free dressing.

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Veggie Burgers & Sandwiches

A good selection of hearty veggie burgers and sandwiches slathered in a healthy vegan mayo is a must. And, extra points if they can survive the grill.

Easy Vegan Black Bean Burgers

if you’re looking for flavor and something you can take off a grill and stick between a bun you’ve come to the right place.

This wholesome combination of black beans and spices makes these vegetarian burgers super tasty and satisfying. And, they’re excellent for your oven or grill. Make them!

Barbecue Sweet Potato Chickpea Burgers

Barbecue Sweet Potato Chickpea Burgers are flavorful, healthy, and so easy to make! Great on a bun or eaten alone with avocado slices. Oil-free, gluten-free, and vegan.

Vegan BBQ Tempeh Sandwiches

This Vegan BBQ Tempeh Sandwich is full of flavor and topped with creamy kale slaw. Healthy, meaty, so satisfying, and absolutely delicious! Guaranteed to please any meat-eater.

Sauces

Sauces make food come alive. Everything from veggie burgers to salads can be enhanced with the right sauce or dressing. And, even better, these recipes are not only delicious but also oil-free.

Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce

This Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce is delicious as it is simple. Sweet, tangy, vegan, and ready in 5 minutes. And, it’s made with super simple ingredients you probably have right now. 

Vegan Ranch Dressing

This is the easiest vegan ranch dressing recipe. It’s creamy, full of flavor, and completely oil-free! Perfect for salads, vegetables, sandwiches and my buffalo cauliflower wings.

Mains and Grill Friendly Recipes

It’s not hard to find grill ready plant-based recipes. These wonderful dishes are meaty, satisfying, healthy, and super easy to throw together and take to the grill.

Vegan Ribs

Easy Vegan BBQ Seitan Ribs are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. Slathered in a homemade barbecue sauce, these ribs are sticky, succulent, meaty, and guaranteed to satisfy your vegan BBQ desires. Oil-free!

Blackened Cauliflower Steaks

Blackened Roasted Cauliflower Steaks are the perfect plant-based main or side dish. Requiring just 30 minutes and 3 ingredients, these steaks are easy to make, vegan, crisp-tender, satisfying, and full of intense flavor.

Carrot Hot Dogs

Summer means the weird uncle serving up crusty hamburgers, and limp hot dogs, and always saying things like, “How’s my meat?” or “Put another dog on the barbie!” while ending every sentence with that creepy obnoxious laugh.

Sorry, I can’t help with the family dynamics. But, you can make my amazing vegan carrot hot dogs and avoid the aforementioned food disaster that awaits.

Marinated Tofu

This Marinated Tofu recipe is so easy and absolutely delicious! It’s high in protein, low in fat, and requires just 5 ingredients and 30 minutes. A simple recipe that’s sure to make you a tofu fan for life.

Blackened Seasoned Tofu

These crispy Blackened Tofu steaks are marinated in soy sauce, coated in a spicy blackened seasoning, and then cooked to perfection. They’re hearty, delicious, and so easy to make!

Vegan Portabello Steaks

Vegan Portobello Mushroom Steaks with Garlic Basil Aioli are so easy and the perfect main dish. Made with just 6 ingredients and ready in as little as 20 minutes from start to finish, this recipe is sure to be a favorite around the holiday table.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

Delicious Vegan Stuffed Bell Peppers filled with smoky chipotle-flavored rice and black bean filling. Hearty, healthy, filling, and easy to make.

Dairy-Free Desserts

Last but not least, a few vegan desserts that are sure to blow everyone’s mind! People will have a hard time wrapping their heads around these rich, decadent plant-based desserts!

Avocado Chocolate Mousse

This Avocado Chocolate Pudding is so easy to make, requires only FIVE ingredients, and 5 minutes. It’s rich, creamy, and incredibly decadent. You’ll never taste the avocado and its kid approved!

Raw Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

This Easy Vegan No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie is rich, dark, creamy, smooth and absolutely delicious. Only 8 simple ingredients and no baking.

Classic Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies

These Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies are so easy to make with just 1 bowl and 3 ingredients. They’re soft, crumbly, and melt in your mouth delicious. Ready in less than 15 minutes and sure to be a family favorite.

Vegan Coconut Whipped Cream

This vegan whipped cream recipe is made with canned coconut milk and so easy to make. Perfect for topping all your non-dairy and vegan desserts, 1 bowl with 3 ingredients and 5 minutes is all you need.

Vegan Blueberry Crisp

The best Vegan Blueberry Crisp made with frozen blueberries and covered in a chewy, crunchy oat topping. Easy to make, gluten-free, and delicious.

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Here’s to a great summer and I hope you enjoy these amazing recipes. And, if you’re looking for a little something extra check out the recipes down below.

Related Recipes

Enjoy these BBQ & Grilling Recipes and please leave a comment below with a star rating. And, be sure and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #shaneandsimple. I want to see your work. Enjoy!

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