Grilling season, baby! š„š (Vegan āmeatsā only, of course!)
Look, I know what youāre thinking ā āVegan grilling? Isnāt that just sad lettuce on a hot grate?ā NOPE! Iām about to blow your mind with 12 mouthwatering vegan grilling recipes thatāll make even the most devoted carnivore do a double-take.
As a long-time vegan and grill enthusiast (yes, we exist!), Iāve spent years perfecting these recipes. And let me tell you, theyāre so good, you might just forget youāre eating plants.
Weāre talking juicy burgers, smoky kebabs, and even some grilled desserts thatāll make you weak in the knees. Whether youāre a seasoned vegan looking to up your BBQ game or a curious omnivore dipping your toes in the plant-based pool, thereās something here for everyone.
Iāve teamed up with some of the best vegan chefs in the biz to bring you these crowd-pleasing recipes. From quick and easy weeknight dinners to show-stopping party pleasers, weāve got you covered.
So fire up that grill, grab your tongs, and letās get cooking! Trust me, your taste buds (and your non-vegan friends) will thank you.
Ready to become the vegan grill master of your dreams? Letās dive in!
Grilled Portobello Mushroom Steaks
Video Recipe
Holy shiitake, these are good! (Sorry, I had to.)
Marinate thick portobello caps in a blend of balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and herbs.
Grill for about 5 minutes per side until theyāre tender and juicy.
Slice and serve like you would a regular steak.
The meaty texture and umami flavor will satisfy even the most devoted carnivore.
I once served these at a family BBQ, and my steak-loving uncle asked for seconds!
Pro tip: Let them rest for a few minutes after grilling to lock in those juices.
Just like real steak, folks. Who says vegans canāt enjoy a good ābleedingā mushroom?
Grilled Corn on the Cob with Chili Lime Butter
Video Recipe
Okay, I know what youāre thinking. āCorn? Really? Thatās your big vegan grilling idea?ā
But hear me out ā this isnāt your grandmaās boiled corn on the cob.
Soak corn in husks for 30 minutes, then grill for about 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally.
While itās grilling, mix vegan butter with chili powder, lime zest, and a pinch of salt.
Peel back the husks, slather on that spicy, tangy butter, and prepare for a flavor explosion.
This dish is so good, it might just steal the show at your next cookout.
And letās be real, is there anything more satisfying than that perfect corn-on-the-cob bite?
Smoky Grilled Tofu Skewers
Video Recipe
Alright, tofu haters, itās time to eat your words (and these skewers).
Press firm tofu, then marinate in a mixture of soy sauce, liquid smoke, maple syrup, and spices.
Thread onto skewers with your favorite veggies (I like bell peppers and red onions).
Grill for about 5-7 minutes per side, basting with leftover marinade.
The result? Smoky, savory, slightly sweet tofu thatās crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
I once converted a self-proclaimed ātofu despiserā with these bad boys.
He now asks for them at every BBQ. Talk about a tofu triumph!
Grilled Pineapple with Coconut Caramel Sauce
Video Recipe
Who says grilling is just for savory dishes? Letās get tropical up in here!
Cut a whole pineapple into rings (leave the core in for easy handling).
Grill for 2-3 minutes per side until you get those gorgeous grill marks.
While thatās happening, whip up a quick coconut caramel sauce with coconut milk, brown sugar, and vanilla.
Drizzle the sauce over the hot pineapple and prepare for a taste of paradise.
This dessert is so good, you might forget youāre not actually on a beach in Hawaii.
Mai tai, anyone?
BBQ Jackfruit Sliders
Video Recipe
Get ready to fool your meat-eating friends with these pulled āporkā sliders!
Drain and rinse canned young jackfruit, then shred it with a fork.
SautƩ with onions and garlic, then add your favorite BBQ sauce and simmer until tender.
Grill the jackfruit mixture in a foil packet for about 10 minutes to infuse that smoky flavor.
Serve on toasted slider buns with coleslaw for the ultimate BBQ experience.
I once served these at a potluck, and people were fighting over the last slider.
Success? I think so!
Grilled Veggie and Halloumi Skewers
Video Recipe
āBut wait,ā I hear you cry, āHalloumi isnāt vegan!ā
Youāre right, eagle-eyed reader. But fear not, there are some great vegan halloumi alternatives out there now!
Thread cubes of vegan halloumi, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and red onion onto skewers.
Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with herbs like oregano and thyme.
Grill for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the veggies are tender and the ācheeseā is golden.
The combination of smoky veggies and salty, crispy ācheeseā is absolutely addictive.
These skewers are my go-to when Iām trying to impress non-vegan guests.
Works every time!
Grilled Avocado Stuffed with Black Bean Salsa
Video Recipe
Avocado lovers, unite! This oneās for you.
Halve avocados, remove the pit, and brush the cut side with lime juice and olive oil.
Grill cut-side down for about 5 minutes until you get those beautiful grill marks.
Meanwhile, mix black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice for the salsa.
Stuff the grilled avocados with the salsa and prepare for a flavor fiesta in your mouth.
This dish is so pretty, you might be tempted to Instagram it before eating.
VeganFoodPorn, anyone?
Grilled Eggplant Parmesan
Video Recipe
Who says you need an oven for eggplant parm? Not us!
Slice eggplant into rounds, brush with olive oil, and grill for about 3-4 minutes per side.
Top each slice with marinara sauce, vegan mozzarella, and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast.
Close the grill lid and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the ācheeseā is melty.
Stack the slices and garnish with fresh basil for a gourmet twist on this Italian classic.
I once made this for my Italian grandmother, and she gave it her seal of approval.
If thatās not a win, I donāt know what is!
Grilled Peach and Arugula Salad
Video Recipe
Letās class it up a bit with this fancy-pants salad.
Halve peaches and brush with a mixture of olive oil and maple syrup.
Grill cut-side down for about 4-5 minutes until caramelized.
Toss arugula with a simple balsamic vinaigrette, then top with the grilled peaches.
Sprinkle with candied pecans and vegan feta for a sweet-salty-peppery flavor explosion.
This salad is so good, you might forget youāre eating leaves.
And isnāt that the ultimate goal of any salad?
Grilled Pizza with Caramelized Onions and Fig
Video Recipe
Yes, you read that right. Weāre grilling pizza. Mind = blown.
Stretch out your favorite pizza dough (store-bought is fine, no judgment here).
Brush one side with olive oil and place oil-side down on the grill for about 2 minutes.
Flip, then top with vegan mozzarella, caramelized onions, and sliced figs.
Close the grill lid and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the crust is crispy and the ācheeseā is melty.
The combination of sweet figs and savory onions is chefās kiss.
Youāll never want to use your oven for pizza again!
Grilled Tempeh Tacos
Video Recipe
Taco Tuesday just got a whole lot more interesting.
Marinate tempeh slices in a mixture of lime juice, garlic, cumin, and chili powder.
Grill for about 4-5 minutes per side until nicely charred.
Serve in warm tortillas with grilled pineapple salsa and avocado crema.
The smoky tempeh paired with the sweet-spicy salsa is a match made in taco heaven.
These tacos are so good, you might just start celebrating Taco Tuesday every day of the week.
No judgment here!
Grilled Banana Split
Video Recipe
Letās end this list with a bang, shall we?
Split bananas lengthwise (leave the peel on for easy handling).
Brush the cut side with a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon.
Grill cut-side down for about 2-3 minutes until caramelized.
Serve in a bowl topped with vegan ice cream, chocolate sauce, and chopped nuts.
This dessert is so decadent, you might forget itās (somewhat) healthy.
I mean, itās fruit, right? That totally makes it health food.
ā¦Right?
And there you have it, folks! 12 vegan grilling recipes thatāll make you the star of every summer BBQ.
From savory main dishes to sweet desserts, weāve covered all the bases.
So what are you waiting for? Fire up that grill and get cooking!
Your taste buds (and your impressed dinner guests) will thank you.
Remember, grilling isnāt just for meat-eaters anymore.
Us vegans can play with fire too ā and we do it with style!
Now go forth and grill, my plant-based friends.
May your veggies be crisp, your tofu be firm, and your vegan marshmallows be perfectly golden.
Happy grilling!