Whether you're gathering with friends for a special event, or just spending your Saturday afternoon grilling with family, there's something special about summer cookouts. But finding the best vegan summer cookout recipes can be hard. When you first start eating plant-based, you might even wonder if you have to give up your BBQ. Thankfully there plenty of delicious vegan recipes that are perfect for grilling. From vegan ribs to meatless sausages, veggie burgers to carrot dogs, I've got you covered.
And since no summer cookout is complete without delicious side dishes, I've also collected those here. Pasta salad, macaroni salad, potato salad--they're all here and they're all vegan. Plus a few surprises that might just become your new potluck staple.
Best of all, these recipes will appeal to vegans and omnivores alike. That means you get to impress your friends and prove once and for all how delicious and amazing vegan food can be! No matter if you're planning a picnic, BBQ, cookout, or potluck these plant-based recipes are sure to please everyone.
Savory Sides!
Creamy Vegan Potato Salad (Oil-Free!) by No Sweat Vegan
This easy creamy vegan potato salad is so rich and delicious you’d never know it’s oil-free. Perfect for serving at a summer cookout or picnic. Made with a silken tofu aioli, your non-vegan friends and family won’t believe how much it tastes like the real thing!
Southwest Lentil Pasta Salad by Watch Learn Eat
This Southwest Lentil Pasta Salad is the perfect side for your vegan barbecue, plant-based potluck, or summer soiree. This flavor-packed side dish features gluten-free lentil pasta combined with an oil-free homemade vegan southwest ranch dressing tossed with black beans, veggies, and cilantro.
Spicy Mango Salad by Ministry of Curry
A flavor bursting, healthy mango salad with refreshing cucumbers and red onions, drizzled with sweet and spicy dressing and topped with crunchy roasted peanuts. Best of all it is ready in 20 minutes!
The Best Broccoli Salad with Potatoes and Herbs by Veggie Desserts
This healthy and delicious broccoli salad with potatoes, peas, spinach, and fresh herbs is a great barbecue side dish or main meal. Ready in just 15 minutes.
Vegan Pesto Pasta Salad by No Sweat Vegan
Fun fusilli pasta, creamy vegan pesto, earthy chickpeas, and bright roasted vegetables, combine for a quick, easy, and colorful vegan pesto pasta salad. This recipe is oil-free but full of flavor. Serve cold as a perfect side dish for a summer cookout or warm as your main course.
Easy Tabbouleh Salad by My Vegan Minimalist
If you haven't tried tabbouleh salad yet, you're seriously missing out. It's a traditional Lebanese dish that lifts up any meal while being absolutely packed with nutrients. Best of all? It's SO. EASY.
Easy BBQ Baked Beans by Shane and Simple
Easy BBQ Baked Beans cooked in a delicious homemade BBQ sauce that’s rich, savory, tangy, sweet, and smoky. Vegan, low-fat, delicious, and ready in less than 30 minutes!
Vegan Mexican Chopped Salad with Avocado Dressing by Happy Kitchen.Rocks
Delicious vegan Mexican chopped salad with avocado dressing makes the perfect lunch salad or an easy side dish to any Mexican feast. This gluten-free salad is packed with fresh veggies, dietary fiber, and plant-based protein.
Vegan Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing by Get Set Vegan
This easy Vegan Kale Salad features crunchy kale, fresh fruits, crispy chickpeas, and a super creamy Tahini dressing. Perfect for a summer side dish!
Creamy Vegan Coleslaw (Oil-Free!) by No Sweat Vegan
This creamy vegan coleslaw is bright and colorful, with a decadent yet healthy oil-free silken tofu dressing. Perfect for topping a BBQ jackfruit sandwich or enjoy as a side dish. It’s never been easier to eat your cabbage!
Vegan Corn on the Cob with Parsley, Chives, & Tahini by Ve Eat Cook Bake
Bring your next corn on the cob to the next level. This corn is dressed in a herb tahini sauce and grilled to perfection.
Vegan Caribbean Salad by That Girl Cooks Healthy
Enjoy a taste of the tropics with this delicious vegan Caribbean salad. Cooked gungo peas are combined with grated carrots, mixed bell peppers, scallion, and avocado, and drizzled in a vinegar free sweet lime dressing.
Foil Packet Potatoes by Healing Tomato
Foil packet potatoes and corn is the perfect way to grill veggies. Add the ingredients to a foil packet and place on the grill. It’s that easy!
Masterful Mains!
Vegan Andouille Sausage by My Quiet Kitchen
These spicy vegan seitan sausages are easy to prepare in advance and can be tossed right on the grill for reheating. The Andouille spice profile pairs nicely with summer's favorite side dishes.
Grilled Portobello Mushroom Steaks by Vegan Huggs
These Grilled Portobello Mushroom Steaks are perfect for indoor or outdoor grilling. It’s an easy recipe that takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish. Just marinate, grill, and enjoy!
Best Vegan Beet & Kidney Bean Burgers (Ultimate Veggie Patties) by Nutritiously
Flavor packed and beautifully colored, these vegan beetroot kidney bean burger patties are the star at every BBQ, picnic, or dinner table! Seriously hearty and secretly healthy, they are crispy, protein-rich, gluten-free, and so easy to make. Meal prep-friendly, kid-friendly, and easily customizable.
Grilled Lemongrass Tofu Skewers by Simply Ceecee
Crispy lemongrass-infused tofu and tasty grilled veggies skewers. The flavor profile is off the charts!
Vegan BBQ Ribs with Sticky Tamarind BBQ Sauce by Sunnyside Hanne
These smokey, toothsome BBQ vegan ribs will please even the most committed meat-eater! Make them ahead of time and then throw them on the BBQ when you arrive at your cookout.
Spicy Chickpea Veggie Burgers by Running on Real Food
Amazing, easy to make veggie burgers that hold together on the grill. Perfect for Summer BBQs!
The Best Vegan Seitan Chicken Recipe by Veganosity
This seitan chicken has a great flavor and texture. You can grill it as is or slather it with BBQ sauce. It’s super easy to make and perfect for someone looking for a simple seitan recipe.
Vegan Carrot Hot Dogs with Crazy Good-Slaw by Veg
Nothing says 'hello' to beautiful weather as much as when we fire up those grills for a plant-based "Slaw Dog" cookout! You won't believe the authentic hot dog taste that a simple, well-seasoned marinade creates.
Grilled Trumpet Mushroom Vegan Sushi by Proportional Plate
Vegan grilled mushroom sushi that’s dairy-free, soy-free, and the perfect grilled summer flavor bomb you've been looking for.
Grilled Tofu and Vegetable Skewers by Baum Ass Foods
These grilled tofu and vegetable skewers are a summer staple! Dressed in a sweet, unique island sauce, and cooked perfectly tender, you’ll be throwing tofu on your grill all season long!
If you're looking for delicious desserts to pair with your sides and mains, be sure to check out this roundup of the best Vegan Summer Dessert Recipes.
If these recipes for Vegan Summer Cookout Sides & Mains speaks your language, you might also love:
- Southwestern Salad with Chili-Lime Tofu Nuggets
- No-Bake Carrot Cake Bites
- Cilantro-Lime Avocado Dressing (Oil-Free!)
- Vegan Palak Paneer with Tofu (Oil-Free!)
- Vegan Chick-fil-A Style Tofu Nuggets with "Honey" Mustard
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