Today I’m sharing a collection of 40+ delicious vegan BBQ party recipes that are perfect for all of your summertime entertaining needs. Better yet, this collection includes vegan cookout recipes from every party food “group”, from appetizers and salads to grill-friendly foods and of course, dessert.
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NOTE: This post originally included 35 recipes, but I have since expanded it by adding even more recipes.
Ever found yourself in search of vegan summer recipes when invited to a summertime potluck or a BBQ party? Or planned an all-vegan cookout at your place and searched for vegan barbecue recipes with the goal of impressing both vegan and omnivore friends?
Ever since we moved to Whidbey Island five years ago, my family has been attending monthly vegan potlucks hosted in summer by our friend Jill at the beautiful Someday Vegan Bed and Breakfast.
You’d think that by now I’d have a list of go-to recipes to make whenever the potluck day comes around – yet I still find myself scratching my head about what to make almost every time 🙂
That’s why putting together this list of vegan summer recipes is going to be helpful not just for you, but for me too. These recipes are perfect for Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day parties and other summertime parties in between!
I love the fact that a lot of these recipes don’t require firing up the good ol’ oven or even the stove top. Who wants to do that anyway on a hot summer day?
If you make any of these recipes for an upcoming barbecue party or a potluck, please let me know! Come back here to leave a comment, or give me a shout-out on Instagram at @vegan_runner_eats.
More vegan holiday recipe collections from the blog:
- 80+ vegan Thanksgiving recipes to please a crowd
- Recipes + survival tips for your first vegan Thanksgiving
- 45 epic vegan Christmas dinner main course recipes
- 30 best vegan Valentine’s Day dinner recipes
- 25 vegan recipes for a memorable Mother’s Day brunch
- 53 vegan Halloween recipes for the spookiest party ever
Just a note: some of the recipes below are from my blog, while others are not. Also, not all of the blogs that provided these recipes are fully vegan, but all of the below recipes are vegan.
Appetizers
Flavorful veggie-based finger foods and fun dips are always a great addition to summertime potlucks and cookouts. These delicious vegan summer appetizer recipes are here to impress both vegans and omnivores.
1
Buffalo-style Grilled Corn on the Cob with Vegan Blue Cheese
Photo Credit:cadryskitchen.com
A well-known summertime cookout classic, corn on the cob is a must-try when it's in season. For this recipe, fresh corn on the cob is grilled, drizzled with buffalo sauce, and then topped with homemade vegan blue cheese sauce.
2
Vegan Queso Stuffed Mini Peppers
Photo Credit:soupaddict.com
A fun and delicious way to use colorful mini bell peppers is to stuff them with delicious vegan nacho cheese! This creamy, slightly spicy nacho cheese is made with cauliflower rice, raw cashews and salsa, and makes a generous amount to please a crowd.
3
The Creamiest Instant Pot Hummus
Photo Credit:recipesfromapantry.com
This classic summertime dip is deliciously creamy, and can be made from unsoaked dried chickpeas using an Instant Pot! Okay, you'll need a few other traditional ingredients to finish it up, but you get the picture.
4
Muhammara — Roasted Red Pepper Dip
Photo Credit:www.frieddandelions.com
A deliciously rich dip or sandwich spread, muhammara is a traditional Middle Eastern appetizer made with roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and pomegranate molasses. Serve it with warm flatbread, veggies, or chips.
5
Vegan Ricotta Stuffed Tomatoes (Gluten Free)
Photo Credit:www.spabettie.com
These vegan ricotta-stuffed tomatoes make a yummy and festive appetizer that can be served raw or baked. The mild tofu and cashew-based ricotta is accentuated by the bright and tangy flavors of ripe tomatoes.
Veggie-based Salads
Salads make a popular summertime vegan party recipe staple. With so many recipes out there, I split them into two groups for this recipe collection:
Veggie-based salads (starchy components aren't the main ingredients); and starch-based salads (think pasta, potato, grain salads, etc.).
Below are the veggie-based vegan salads that make flavorful and refreshing vegan side dishes at vegan barbecue parties, or can be served on their own as a healthy plant-based snack at vegan picnics.
6
Carrot and Coriander Side Salad
Photo Credit:www.hungryhealthyhappy.com
This easy side salad is bursting with flavors of grated fresh carrots, shallots, coriander (a.k.a. cilantro), and a simple lime juice-based dressing. Top with some sesame seeds for added calcium.
7
Easy Vegan Poppy Seed Coleslaw
This vegan poppy seed coleslaw is easy and quick to make from simple everyday ingredients. A perfect summer barbecue side dish that both vegans and omnivores would love.
8
Creamy Chipotle Coleslaw
This easy vegan chipotle coleslaw makes a great topping for sandwiches and tacos, or can be served as a delicious and spicy side for your favorite barbecue staples.
9
Watermelon Salad with Cucumber and Mint
Photo Credit:www.knowyourproduce.com
This refreshing watermelon and cucumber salad makes a perfect side dish for summer entertaining. It can be made sweet by following the recipe directions, or savory with the addition of crumbled vegan feta cheese, fresh greens, and balsamic vinegar.
10
Sweet and Sour Carrot Salad
Photo Credit:itsnotcomplicatedrecipes.com
The simple sweet and sour dressing takes the flavors of this roasted carrot salad to new heights. Roasted pine nuts complement the dish without overpowering the taste.
11
Vegan Asian Slaw Salad Recipe with Homemade Peanut Dressing
This delicious Asian slaw salad makes a fresh vegetable accompaniment of any Asian-style meals, vegan barbecues, etc. The brightly flavored peanut dressing can also be used as a dip for other foods.
12
Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad
Photo Credit:happykitchen.rocks
Delicious and festive, this vegan Waldorf salad combines crispy apples, sweet grapes, and crunchy walnuts with a creamy cashew-apple cider vinegar dressing. Serve on a bed of lettuce leaves for rustic presentation.
13
Nectarine Panzanella Salad with Homemade Garlic Basil Croutons
Photo Credit:www.mykitchenlove.com
A summery twist on the classic panzanella salad, this fresh panzanella is made with nectarines, homemade croutons, and quick pickled red onions. Easy to prepare and a truly family-friendly salad!
14
Vegan Kale Salad with Gluten-free Croutons
Photo Credit:justinecelina.com
This nutrient-rich vegan Caesar salad combines kale, a tahini-based vegan caesar dressing, protein-rich chickpeas, tofu and pepitas, capers and nutritional yeast, and is topped off with gluten-free croutons. A simple, crowd-pleasing recipe that can be prepared in 15 minutes.
Pasta, Potato or Grain-based Salads
Vegan summertime salads are a perfect cookout-friendly vegan dish to introduce skeptical omnivores to flavorful vegan foods. Thankfully, a lot of pasta and grain salads are vegan by default.
These vegan grain, potato, and pasta salad recipes will please your guests with their healthy ingredients and bright flavors.
15
Italian-style Vegan Macaroni Salad
This festive Italian vegan macaroni salad is mayo-free, loaded with crunchy veggies, and full of vibrant, fresh flavors. Includes gluten-free and oil-free options.
16
Oil-free Southwest Pasta Salad
Photo Credit:www.glueandglitter.com
A yummy Southwestern take on the traditional pasta salad. Make it a day ahead to let the flavors blend, and wow your picnic or potluck guests with delicious Tex-Mex flavors.
17
Easy Vegan Pesto Pasta Salad
This delicious and easy vegan pesto pasta salad is made with homemade kale cashew pesto and fresh veggies. It boasts having 4 green vegetables!
18
Veggie-Loaded Balsamic Pasta Salad (Hot or Cold)
This this delicious yet simple vegan pasta can be served cold as a pasta salad, or hot as a dinner entree. The original version calls for using vegan Italian sausage by Field Roast, but you can keep things gluten-free by omitting the sausage and using gluten-free pasta.
19
Easy Vegan Dill Potato Salad
This simple vegan potato salad with dill and pickles is as easy as it gets! Mix cooked potatoes with crunchy vegetables and fresh herbs, and dress them with a simple mayo-based dressing. Even the omnivore guests of your potluck or summer party won't be able to tell that this salad is vegan!
20
Mediterranean Farro Salad Recipe With Champagne Vinaigrette
Photo Credit:www.tastyeverafter.com
Make some room on your plate for this delicious Mediterranean grain salad made with farro - a true nutrition superstar loaded with plant protein, fiber, and nutrients. Artichoke hearts, kalamata olives and sun-dried tomatoes add even more yum, while the champagne vinegar-based dressing takes the flavors to the next level.
21
Quinoa Tabbouleh
Photo Credit:midwestfoodieblog.com
This surprisingly quick tabbouleh comes together in about 15 minutes, and uses quinoa in place of the traditionally used bulgur wheat to add nutrition and keep things gluten-free. Make it ahead of time to let the flavors blend.
22
Vegan Orzo Pasta Salad
Photo Credit:theliveinkitchen.com
Any pasta salad made with orzo pasta is bound to be elegant yet fun. In this vegan orzo pasta salad, orzo is mixed with a variety of fresh or lightly cooked veggies, and tossed with a simple lemon-Dijon dressing.
Side Dishes
A few grill or skillet-friendly plant-based side dishes make a welcome addition to any barbecue party, vegan or not. You can never go wrong with potatoes and beans, right? 🙂
23
Smokey Grilled Sweet Potato Fries
Photo Credit:www.goodlifeeats.com
These flavorful sweet potato fries are cooked on a grill, and call for only four ingredients. Serve them as a side to juicy plant-based burgers for a full summertime cookout experience.
24
Vegan Warm Potato Salad Recipe with Spinach and Chickpeas
Summer heat calls for lighter potato salads that are made without mayo. Enter this mayo-free vegan potato salad that can be served hot or cold. Spinach, chickpeas and finely chopped bell peppers add nutrition, while fresh rosemary and basil bring out fantastic flavors.
25
Grilled Green Beans with Cumin and Smoked Paprika
Photo Credit:pinchandswirl.com
Another delightful grilled veggie side dish for your vegan cookout or potluck! Crunchy green beans are tossed in a simple mixture of oil, herbs and spices, then grilled over open fire until gorgeous charred marks appear.
26
Vegan Fried Green Tomatoes (Stovetop OR Air Fryer)
These easy vegan fried green tomatoes are deliciously crispy on the outside, and melt-in-your-mouth tender on the inside. Serve them with my flavor-loaded vegan remoulade sauce for the complete experience.
27
Easy Southern-style Black Eyed Peas in the Instant Pot
These simple vegan Instant Pot black eyed peas make a tasty alternative to baked beans. Best of all, they are very easy to make - you don't even need to pre-soak the dried black eyed peas! Gluten free, soy free, low fat, high protein, high fiber.
Main Event
Grill-friendly foods are always the star of any barbecue party. From burgers and hot dogs to delicious barbecue tofu and fantastic veggie kabobs, plant-based barbecue recipes are hot right now 🙂
28
Baked BBQ Tofu Sandwich + Vegan BBQ Sauce Recipe
This vegan BBQ tofu sandwich delivers the taste and feel of summer barbecue cookouts any time of the year. Inspired by McRib sandwich, it's made with barbecue sauce-smothered baked tofu, pickles, onions, plus optional avocado or vegan mayo.
29
Sesame Ginger Grilled Tofu
Photo Credit:veganhuggs.com
Grilled tofu makes a delicious alternative to vegan burgers at a summer cookout party. This recipe takes the flavors to the next level with a zesty ginger glaze that creates nice caramelization during grilling. No outdoor grill - no problem! Use a stovetop grilling pan to make this recipe.
30
Divine Grillable Vegan Burger
Photo Credit:lovingitvegan.com
This flavorful and healthy vegan burger has a hearty texture perfect for cooking on the grill or pan-frying. Baste it with a bit of barbecue sauce to reach a divine, fresh of the grill flavor.
31
Gluten-free BBQ Chickpea Walnut Burgers
Photo Credit:www.moonandspoonandyum.com
These delicious and healthy plant-based BBQ burgers are hearty, filling, and can be made on a grill or stovetop. The combination of chickpeas, walnuts and BBQ sauce packs a nice flavor punch.
32
Jacked-Up Vegan Ribs
Photo Credit:blog.fatfreevegan.com
When I recently made these vegan ribs from Susan Voisin's blog, my husband couldn't stop raving about them! He wanted to eat them by themselves, put in sandwiches, cut them into snack-sized bites, you name it. These jackfruit-seitan ribs are way leaner than what your uncle cooks at family cookouts, but they're just as flavorful.
33
Vegan Hot Dogs with Currywurst Ketchup Sauce
Move over, mustard and relish! German-inspired homemade vegan Currywurst Ketchup sauce makes a fine stand-in for those classic hot dog condiments. Store-bought vegan hot dogs are an easy, quick, and surprisingly flavorful option for an all-vegan grill-out.
34
Lentil Carrot Hot Dogs
Photo Credit:veggiedesserts.co.uk
If you're not a fan of store-bought hot dogs, making your own is always an option. These veggie hot dogs are made with lentils, carrots, onions, and a combination of savory spices that give them that classic hot dog aroma and taste. Serve with your favorite condiments for a delicious experience.
35
Ginger Garlic Teriyaki Mushroom Skewers
Photo Credit:www.platingpixels.com
Mushrooms make a flavorful stand-in for meat in these delicious grilled mushroom skewers. Crimini mushrooms are marinated in a ginger and garlic-spiked teriyaki sauce, then grilled to perfection until gorgeous grill marks appear.
36
Grilled Eggplant Tahini Satay Kebabs (Gluten-free)
Photo Credit:www.deliciouseveryday.com
A fun twist on the traditional satay recipes: eggplant cubes are marinated in a tahini-based sauce, then grilled to perfection and topped with more sauce before serving. The recipe includes instructions for cooking these both on the grill or stovetop.
37
Veggie Kabobs with Plum BBQ Sauce
Photo Credit:bowl-me-over.com
The flavorful homemade plum BBQ sauce is the star of this veggie kabob recipe. Vegetables of your choice are grilled with a generous amount of the plum BBQ sauce until beautifully charred, then served with more sauce on the side.
Desserts
Few things make a more refreshing summer treat than delicious vegan ice cream and fruit popsicles. These scrumptious vegan dessert recipes make a great finish to any memorable summertime party.
Prefer fruit to ice cream? Serve it alongside a delicious and healthy chocolate dip, and watch it go fast!
38
Maple Bacon Ice Cream with Bourbon and Walnuts
Photo Credit:www.frieddandelions.com
A decadent vegan take on the fancy bacon ice cream trend: this vegan maple bacon ice cream is a perfect combination of sweet and salty. Bourbon adds a beautiful depth of flavor, and gives you an excuse not to give any of this ice cream to your kids 🙂
39
Vegan Mango Coconut Ice Cream
Photo Credit:thebellyrulesthemind.net
This refreshing vegan ice cream bursts with flavors of fresh mango and coconuts, making it a perfect treat on hot summer days. Bonus: it's surprisingly easy to make, and doesn't require churning!
40
Easy 3-Ingredient Watermelon Popsicles
Photo Credit:hellolittlehome.com
These beautiful watermelon popsicles are delicious, refreshing, and easy to make in a blender from only 3 simple ingredients! A yummy treat perfect for for kids or adults at summer parties or any day.
41
Healthy Chocolate Fruit Dip
Photo Credit:wholenewmom.com
A delicious treat to satisfy your chocolate cravings without weighing you down: this healthy chocolate dip is made with creamy avocados and coconut milk, and comes together in about 10 minutes. Dip your favorite fruit, or just eat by the spoonful - I won't tell 🙂
Whether your vegan barbecue party is happening on Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, or any day in between, these delicious vegan summer recipes will help you put together a summertime cookout that you and your guests will remember for the rest of the year!
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Alina Zavatsky - Vegan Runner Eats
Alina first made a switch to a vegan diet in 2013 to optimize her athletic performance as a marathon runner. Eventually she embraced veganism as a way to be kinder to fellow living beings and the environment. Alina hopes that this blog helps its readers on their path to becoming vegan and making this world a better place.
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