Healthy and Easy Vegan Barbecue Recipes

 

 

While meat is often the star of the garden party, there are some excellent healthy and easy vegan barbecue recipes that will surprise you. Whether you are following a plant-based diet or just looking for some unique barbeque ideas to mix things up, there is a wide array of options out there that are far better than boring old burgers. Forget what you think you know about bland tofu and ultra-processed vegetarian burger alternatives! There is a world of flavour out there to explore.

 

To help you find the best vegan and vegetarian BBQ options, let’s dive into some impressive options that will delight your carnivore and veg guests alike. From smoky jackfruit sliders to grilled tofu skewers dripping with flavour, we've curated a collection of easy and healthy recipes that will make your next barbecue an unforgettable feast.

What Can I Use Instead of Meat for a Barbeque?

Before we dive into a list of recipes, let’s look at a simple garden party grocery list. These are some easy options that you can just throw on the grill with little to no preparation time.

 

On top of easy meat alternatives, there is a range of different fruits and vegetables that grill up gorgeously for the perfect vegetarian bbq picks as a main or a side.

Vegetarian Burger Alternatives

Veg burgers are one of the easiest vegan barbeque options. When it comes to vegetarian barbecue options, Beyond Burger brands reign supreme. You can get plant-based patties from Tesco or opt for the Aldi vegan burger alternatives. For a local alternative, look to locally-based Sons of Butchers for their famous veg burgers made with pea protein.

Opting for a meatless burger is an ultra-easy addition to a vegan barbecue menu. They come frozen or fresh in premade patties that you can throw on the grill with no preparation.

 

Menu planning tip: If you are looking to plan vegan options for barbecue, make note of the ingredients. Popular options like the Quorn Vegetarian Quarter Pounder are great for vegetarians but have eggs and milk protein in them so they aren’t suitable for vegans. If you want vegan BBQ options, make sure to check the ingredients to ensure there are no animal products like eggs and milk. 

Healthy Vegetarian Burgers

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the nutritional value of Beyond Burgers as well as other alternatives. The truth is that these vegan burgers aren’t particularly healthy, due mainly to their high saturated content. Just like those old-fashioned beef hamburgers, they are just not something that you can eat every day and have a proper diet. The good news, however, is that you can find plenty of healthy vegetarian burger options out there.

 

There are an endless array of readymade veg burgers made with chickpeas, lentils, mushrooms, black beans, zucchini, carrots, and soy. Each one is really quite different from the other so experiment until you find one that you like --- or just grab a variety for the perfect variety pack.

Grillable Cheeses

The days of tasteless vegan cheese are long gone. Today, there is a huge variety of delicious vegetable-based cheeses that are perfect for grilling. Each one melts a bit differently so you’ll want to experiment a bit to see how well they melt at the temperature you’re using (or simply stick them on a baguette for a gourmet toastie).

 

When it comes to vegetarian grilling picks, look to halloumi. Easily one of the best grilled cheese options, halloumi is easy to slice and throw on the barbeque. Unlike your typical cheddar that needs a solid foundation of burger or bread, you can just throw this cheese on the grill and it'll cook up without melting. While halloumi isn’t available everywhere, you’ll find it at Fresh, SuperValu, Tesco, and other speciality shops.

 

Love cheese? Hop over to our Garden Party Menu Inspiration: Easy + Impressive Raclette Recipes (which can be adapted with grillable vegan cheeses).

 

 

High Protein Vegan Grill Picks

When it comes to healthy vegan meat alternatives, look to Asia. They have created an impressive variety of soy and wheat-based options that are perfect for grilling guilt-free. Here is a couple that both vegans and meat eaters alike will love:

 

• Tempeh: Widely available at health food shops, tempeh is a soybean patty that you can quickly turn into patties and then grill with much prep. Tempeh is perfect for marinating so you can completely customise it.

 

• Seitan: Made from wheat gluten, this Asian meat alternative is ideal for vegetarian barbeque skewers.

Barbeque Tofu

Cooking barbecue tofu on a wood-fired grill infuses this plant-based protein with a smoky flavour. Putting it over an open flame will char the tofu to create an excellent crust and aromatic wood smoke. Top with a tangy BBQ sauce or marinade, and then let the natural essence of the wood-fired grill elevate your barbecue tofu and bring it a world away from the mushy bland stereotype of tofu.

 

Insider Tip: With proper handling, tofu cooks up like chicken or pork. You can whip up any marinade or sauce and create totally different textures based on the way that you choose to cook. When you’re grilling tofu, opt for extra-firm tofu for the best texture. If you have time, dry the tofu (here are a few different methods) to reduce moisture and create a meatier texture.

Choosing the Best Vegetable Grilling

People looking for good vegan barbeque options often make themselves crazy scouring the health food shops for meat substitutes --- but why? You can make a delicious and healthy meal with nothing more than vegetables and grains. Rather than buying processed hamburger alternatives, go back to classic whole foods. Let’s look at a few options that will be a surefire hit at your next garden party:

 

• Portobello mushrooms: As easy as can be, these mushrooms can be thrown on the grill and eaten in burgers or marinated and eaten as a side.

 

• Corn on the cob: Simply toss some corn cobs on the grill to brown them and serve them with a bit of butter. It’s a foolproof option for meat lovers and vegans alike.

 

• Asparagus: Another veg you can toss on the grill, these are delicious marinated or plain.

 

• Courgette: You can cut up courgettes and toss them on the grill but be careful, they will grill up quickly.

 

• Pineapple: Grilled pineapple is an underrated star of the barbeque world. Slice it up into hamburger size circles and get ready to be impressed.

 

Planning Tip: Love to grill veg? It’s well worth investing in an oven grill grid for your pizza oven. It’s an easy way to make your wood-fired oven more adaptable. 

Jackfruit Barbeque Ideas

Another unexpected fruit that is amazing on the barbeque is jackfruit. One of the hottest new vegan meat alternatives, this fruit can create a healthy and meatless alternative to shredded bbq pork.

 

Cooking barbecued jackfruit over a wood-fired grill transforms this tropical fruit into a savoury plant-based meat alternative. When you char jackfruit, it will create a tender texture with a meaty consistency. While jackfruit is tangy when it’s raw, it takes on the flavours of the wood for a perfect blend of sweet and smoky. Once it’s caramelised, grilled jackfruit is the perfect vegetarian pork alternative. Here are a couple of barbeque jackfruit recipes:

 

• Marinated Jackfruit: You can create a flavourful marinade using any spices, herbs, and seasonings so get as experimental as you like. Like tofu or chicken breast, it’s a blank canvas that’ll take on whatever flavours you add. For a classic barbeque taste, blend BBQ sauce, garlic, paprika, cumin, and soy sauce. Coat your jackfruit with the marinade and let it sit for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavours (but no longer than an hour or it can get soggy).

 

• Grilled Jackfruit: For a faster option, you can marinate your jackfruit pieces in a cast iron pan. Add the marinade you’d like into the pan with jackfruit pieces. Let them cook for about 10 to 15 minutes on each side to give the wood-fired oven time to infuse in that delicious smoky flavour.

 

Making Vegan Barbecue Recipes Work for You

Exploring the world of vegan barbecue opens up a world of possibilities. From veggie burgers and savoury jackfruit sliders to perfectly grilled tofu and creative grilled fruits, there are plenty of meat alternatives that cater to every palate.

 

Take advantage of the smoky flavours of wood-fired grills to bring a rich and complex flavour to your plant-based ingredients and elevate your barbecue experience. Whether you're a committed vegan or simply looking for healthier options, these easy and nutritious recipes will make your next summer garden party a delicious and guilt-free affair. So fire up the grill, savour the goodness, and delight in a delicious journey of plant-powered delights!

Meet Luhnasa.

 

We are passionate about helping you create unforgettable memories with your friends and family with the art of outdoor cooking and living. That’s why we design and build high-quality, durable pizza ovens and outdoor living spaces that inspire people to gather, connect, and savour life's simple pleasures.

 

Irish-owned and operated, here are Luhnasa we offer exceptional customer service, expert craftsmanship, and innovative design solutions that will exceed your expectations at every turn.