37 Best Vegetarian BBQ Recipes (Easy Grilling Ideas)
Open flame season is on, which means lots of get-togethers and smoky meals. Make space on the grate, chef, here comes our list of vegetarian BBQ ideas!
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The point of a barbeque is really standing outside in the summer weather, having a nice time with friends and family and having something smoky and delicious to bite into.
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How can I make a barbeque vegetarian?
While every vegetarian has met a meat-eater who likes to ramble about how they could ‘never give up burgers’, it turns out you can make a pretty fabulous barbeque with no meat at all.
To get on this list of vegetarian BBQ recipes, each recipe needs to have several things in common. It needs to be:
- Easy
- Tasty
- Be suitable to serve at a BBQ/grill
We’ve found that it’s not too tough to find recipes that fit these requirements once you’re looking for the right things!
Plus, it doesn’t matter what camp you fall under; the loyal meat-eaters or devoted vegetarians, you’ll find many of these vegetarian recipes incredibly appealing.
Whether you’re in the mood for a quick snack or picking out easy dinners, there’s something in here to suit any meal and satisfy every craving.
And for the vegans out there, we’ve got lots of easy recipes for you as well. Check out our mouth-watering vegan potato salad or try some black bean burgers that are sure to set those taste buds tingling!
Down below is a compilation of great vegetarian barbecue recipes (including veggies on the grill!) that’ll make staunch chicken lovers create some room for veggie skewers.
So, if you’re searching for easy meat-free options for your next bbq, look no further!
Here are some healthy vegetarian BBQ ideas to spice up your food menu.
Quick vegetarian (and vegan) meals made from simple ingredients exist, and they are pretty tasty too! Check out our list below. Included, of course, are our favourite vegetables to grill!
1. Black Bean Burgers
Black bean burgers that don’t fall apart, taste awesome and can even be made vegan (if this sounds good, we have more veggie burger ideas over here)! What could be more BBQ perfect?
2. Fresh Mango Kiwi Salsa
Ready in: 10 minutes
Recipe by: Vegetarian Gastronomy
This salsa has all the raw ingredients, fresh flavors, sweet & salty, with a little heat. It takes only 10 minutes to make this can’t-stop-eating salsa!
3. Vegetable Foil Packets
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: Happy Foods Tube
These vegetable foil packets are perfect for oven, grill or campfire. A mix of vegetables is seasoned with a simple homemade spice mix and cooked in foil. Quick prep, fuss-free cooking, and easy clean-up!
4. Jamaican Jerk Grilled Eggplant
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: Went Here 8 This
Skewers of eggplant marinated in a Jamaican jerk marinade and grilled for just a few minutes for the perfect BBQ side dish! One of our favourite vegan BBQ ideas.
5. Grilled Corn with Herb Butter
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: Peter’s Food Adventures
Just in time for summer entertaining. BBQ Grilled Corn on the Cob with fresh herb butter. Easy to make and full of flavour!
6. Damn Vegan Potato Salad
Damn Delicious Vegan Potato Salad – take your BBQ to the next level without oil or mayo in this delicious animal friendly classic.
7. Crispy Halloumi Burgers
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: Scrummy Lane
These crispy halloumi burgers might possibly be the quickest, easiest and best veggie burgers you’ll ever make (rivalled only perhaps by some of these awesome vegetarian burgers!). Just coat halloumi cheese slices in flour, shallow fry and assemble your delicious burger! An excellent vegetarian BBQ idea.
8. Grilled Paneer Salad
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: Joy Filled Eats
This Grilled Paneer Salad is the perfect way to satisfy your Indian craving in warmer weather. Paneer cheese, sweet peppers, and onions are coated with a cilantro-mint chutney and grilled to perfection.
9. Grilled Vegetables & Couscous Salad
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: Lemon Blossoms
This grilled vegetables and couscous salad is healthy and delicious! Balsamic marinated vegetables, toasted Israeli couscous, and fresh herbs are tossed in a simple and flavorful lemon vinaigrette.
10. Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: Apples for CJ
Cauliflower Steaks are so simple to prepare and a tasty meat-free addition to your cookouts. Lightly seasoned and then charred on the grill to perfection (Vegan & Gluten Free).
11. Tofu Skewers with Papaya Salsa
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: Tin and Thyme
Crispy yet succulent pieces of marinated tofu grilled with red peppers and onions and served with a sweet and sour papaya salsa.
12. Halloumi Skewers with Mushrooms
Ready in: 27 minutes
Recipe by: Kalyn’s Kitchen
These skewers with marinated and grilled Halloumi Cheese, mushrooms, and sweet onions are a unique idea for a summer side dish. Use the Diet-Type Index to find more low-carb recipes like this. One of many great vegetarian BBQ ideas.
13. Grilled Romaine Lettuce with Basil
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: Vindulge
Grilling romaine lettuce is easy to do and tastes incredible with some fresh tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. A great side for a BBQ or grill.
14. Vegetable Kabobs
Ready in: 15 mins
Recipe by: Yummy Mummy Kitchen
Fresh and colorful grilled vegetable shish kabobs with onions, zucchini, bell peppers, pineapple and tofu are going to be your new favorite vegetarian BBQ recipe.
15. Grilled Avocado With Quinoa
Ready in: 25 mins
Recipe by: Recipes From A Pantry
Fun veggie BBQ recipe – grilled avocado stuffed with veggie quinoa. This is vegan and gluten-free too.
16. Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad
Ready in: 30 mins
Recipe by: Salt&Lavender
This grilled vegetable pasta salad is healthy and full of flavor! Zucchini, asparagus, corn, and yellow bell peppers are grilled to perfection and tossed with a fresh, lemony dressing. Easy to make and feeds a crowd!
17. Lentil Carrot Hot Dog
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: Veggie Desserts
Make your own quick and tasty carrot hot dog with pureed veggies and lentils to give them a delicious taste and fine ‘veggie dog’-like texture. They’re fast, easy and full of goodness.
18. Smoked BBQ Tofu Bowls
Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: Vindulge
An easy and delicious (and healthy!) vegan and gluten free recipe for the smoker or grill. Smoked BBQ Tofu bowls will please vegans and meat lovers alike.
19. Grilled Veggies & Chickpeas Sandwich
Ready in: 22 minutes
Recipe by: Chef de Home
Chickpeas Sandwich is not just a scrumptious combination of ‘Mediterranean Veggie Flavors’ on plate…. But also has a balanced proportion of lean-veggie protein, whole-wheat carbs, and 2 daily recommended serving of vegetables.
20. Simple, Sexy, Salsa
Simple Sexy Salsa. Spice up your salsa life with this delicious recipe. Only takes 5 minutes and uses easy to find ingredients. Vegetarian and healthy. If only all vegan BBQ ideas tasted this good.
Ingredients
- 1 small onion
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 chili
- 1 tin tomatoes (chopped) (1 tin = 14oz)
- ½ cup basil, fresh (dried will do the trick too. ½ cup fresh = 2 tsp dried)
- ½ cup parsley, fresh (yep, you guessed it, dried is fine. You can buy dried parsley with crushed garlic already in it, and this works great too. ½ cup fresh parsley = 2 tsp dried)
- 2 dashes Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Dice the onion and garlic.
- Deseed the chilli if you don’t want it toooooo hot and chop it too (easiest way to do this is slice it length-ways then run a teaspoon down the middle, forcing the seeds out).
- Throw all ingredients, including the salt and pepper, into a large mixing bowl.
- Give it a good stir.
- Ready.
NOTES
Nutrition
21. Grilled Peach Summer Salad
Ready in: 11 mins
Recipe by: Healthful Blondie
A simple, naturally sweet, delicious, and fresh salad, ideal for a summer grill. If you’re looking for a light and fresh option, this gluten-free, grain-free, low-carb Balsamic Peach Summer Salad is perfect!
22. Grilled Caesar Salad
Ready in: 16 mins
Recipe by: Drugstore Divas
There’s nearly no limit to what you can grill, so why not get creative? Here’s a fun twist on a traditional Caesar Salad, the grilled Ceasar salad, garnished with homemade croutons because if you’re gonna go out, you might as well go all out.
23. Crispy Cheesy Grilled Potatoes
Ready in: 20 mins
Recipe by: Bet On Dinner
These grilled potatoes go with anything, and they couldn’t be easier! Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, a smoky flavor and topped with melty cheese. SO GOOD.
24. Grilled Baby Potatoes
Ready in: 35 mins
Recipe by: A Virtual Vegan
Grilled Baby Potatoes are a delicious addition to any meal! Slightly charred and crispy outside and creamy and sweet on the inside, they will be your most requested side this BBQ season!!
25. Grilled Mushrooms
Ready in: 27 mins
Recipe by: Kalyn’s Kitchen
Grilled Mushrooms are so ridiculously easy to make, so delicious, and so healthy, that you’ll want to make them at least once a week when it’s grilling season. And a recipe couldn’t get much easier than this one with only two ingredients!
26. Grilled Bruschetta with Mozzarella
Ready in: 15 mins
Recipe by: Gathering Dreams
This delicious Italian grilled bruschetta with mozzarella will make your summer BBQ special. And the best part is, it’s quick and requires little effort!
27. Grilled Vegetables
Ready in: 35 mins
Recipe by: What A Girl Eats
We love a grilled vegetable side dish on a hot summer day, and this grilled vegetable marinade is the best I’ve ever tasted. Made with lemon, butter, and thyme, it is the perfect marinade and hot sauce for summer! It’s also Paleo, Keto, low-carb and Whole30 compliant!
28. Grilled Garlic Scapes
Ready in: 20 mins
Recipe by: Homemade & Yummy
Grilling garlic is so delicious. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside with a mild garlic taste. You don’t want to miss this garlic scape season!
29. Grilled Pineapple Slices
Ready in: 35 mins
Recipe by: Dancing Through the Rain
This grilled pineapple slices recipe is going to be a new summertime treat. Who doesn’t love a fresh fruit recipe that can be an easy side dish or healthy dessert?
30. Thai Tofu Skewers
Ready in: 31 mins
Recipe by: Easy Cooking with Molly
Thai Tofu Skewers (Grilled, Baked & Air Fryer) delicious and flavorful Thai skewers using tofu, veggies (zucchini, onion, tomatoes, and bell pepper) and homemade sweet-spicy Thai-basil sauce. Grilled, Baked and Air Fryer options ~ Vegan + Gluten-free.
31. Grilled Watermelon Salad
Ready in: 12 mins
Recipe by: Don’t Go Bacon My Heart
This Grilled Watermelon Salad is absolutely bursting with flavour! Topped with Arugula, Pistachios, Blue cheese, and a balsamic Glaze. After trying this recipe, you won’t grill watermelon any other way!
32. BBQ Asparagus
Ready in: 35 mins
Recipe by: Fab Food 4 All
Asparagus coated in seasoned olive oil and garlic, grilled on wooden skewers – just delicious. BBQ vegetarian skewers – an easy recipe for this barbecue season!
33. BBQ Cheesy Rice
Ready in: 30 mins
Recipe by: This Wife Cooks
This quick and easy side dish is great for potlucks and casual family dinners!
34. Grilled Veggie Sandwich
Ready in: 35 mins
Recipe by: Lemon Blossoms
This Grilled Veggie Sandwich is a masterpiece! Loaded with marinated grilled vegetables, fresh mozzarella and a super flavorful and easy-to-make basil aioli.
35. Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
Ready in: 30 mins
Recipe by: Stacey Homemaker
Roasted vegan cauliflower steaks coated with harissa and topped with creamy cucumber mint yoghurt sauce, a wildly flavorful 30-minute meal to enjoy any night of the week. Serve with cilantro-lime quinoa and grilled veggies for a vibrant and filling dinner!
36. Sweetcorn with Salsa Dressing
Ready in: 25 mins
Recipe by: Cooking Odyssey
Instead of having plainly roasted sweetcorn, you can jazz up your corn on the cob with this Barbecued Sweetcorn with Roasted Pepper Salsa Dressing. Everything in the salsa gives the corn an extra kick, it is rich in flavor and color without being overpowering!
37. Grilled Corn & Zucchini Salad
Ready in: 25 mins
Recipe by: Salt&Lavender
This grilled corn and zucchini salad is fresh, fast, and bursting with flavor. And the good news is only a few simple ingredients are needed to make this delicious summer salad!
Veggie BBQ FAQ
Before you’re off to your barby, let’s answer some questions that might have brought you here as well!
What vegetables grill best?
Onions, asparagus, mushrooms, zucchinis, corn, and potatoes work best on a grill. Grilled aubergine (eggplant) is a base for the popular dip “baba ganoush”.
Grilling is a great way to cook veggies and according to Harvard Health, it dries them out, increasing the concentration of those veggie flavors.
Do you put oil on veggies before grilling?
The crowd is pretty much split when it comes to this. On one hand, we’ve got the “coaters” who brush or toss their vegetables with a bit of oil before placing them on the heat.
On the other, the “grate enthusiasts” who’d rather get their grates greasy instead.
What fruits can be grilled?
Apples and bananas, watermelons and cantaloupes, mangoes and pineapples, grapes and, who can deny the sweetness of some smoky caramelised peaches?
As long as they’re still firm, not soft and overripe, they’d be perfect grilled. Make the most out of the open-flame season with some warm singed fruits!
Is a vegetarian BBQ healthier?
As it turns out, the only really unhealthy part of a BBQ is all the high-fat meat that’s involved. So if you’re sticking to vegetarian BBQ recipes, you’re in the clear.
In fact, barbecued vegetables, vegetarian skewers and veggie burgers might be healthier than other cooking methods as you often use less oil!
And no matter what you’re grilling, you get that smoky flavour that makes barbeque so delicious because grilling can accentuate natural flavours.
What our readers are saying
There are some really good and creative ideas on here for sure, especially the vegetable foil packets, very cool. Thanks for sharing these great recipes!
Vanessa
Thanks for helping our family transition to vegan. It will be a while before we get there completely. But coming from a BBQ culture where chicken is almost seen as a vegetable, these recipes help a lot to make the experience fun. Thanks to all who share their knowledge here.
Melinda
I am loving all these recipes. So tasty and good for you! And who can resist a sexy salsa? Love them!
Kathy
There you have it, folks! A wonderful compilation of vegetarian bbq recipe ideas! Goes to show veggies can hold their own at a hot summer grill just as well as any beef cut.
So, when you’re planning your next outdoor event, there’s no need to rack your brain for healthy and tasty options to get your guests drooling. Some of these “grate” veggie bbq meals will do just the trick!
Dave Bell
I’m not a foodie, although I do love eating. I believe food should serve us and our goals, not hinder. Taking control and responsibility for what I eat is important to me. Lots of veggie protein is my way forward.
This article has been medically reviewed by James LeBaigue MSc Learn More
James LeBaigue MSc
James has a Masters Degree in Sport and Exercise Nutrition, as well as an Advanced Diploma in Human Nutrition.
He loves combining his scientific knowledge along with food in the real world, and these recipes are the result.
He’s on top of all the latest evidence and guidelines to make sure our nutrition advice on the website is as accurate as it can be.
By day he works as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner in a busy NHS GP Practice.
Each recipe is tested and then eaten (much to James’ delight), many times before it is deemed worthy to be published. Bon appetit!
Comments
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16 comments
These look fantastic. So many delicious options. Thanks for including me.
I’m glad you like the look! Thanks for letting us share your lush recipe!
There are some really good and creative ideas on here for sure, especially the vegetable foil packets, very cool. Thanks for sharing these great recipes!