Vegetarian BBQ food is taking grills by storm. They offer incredible flavors and textures that even meat lovers can’t resist.
Today we cover hit recipes such as grilled vegetables, smoky tofu, and creative vegan BBQ ideas. They’re perfect for long-time vegetarians or those looking to add more veggies to their outdoor cooking.
So get ready for crowd-pleasing vegetarian barbecue recipes that’ll make your next cookout unforgettable.
Vegetarian Barbecue Ideas
The following veggie BBQ ideas prove that plant-based grilling can be just as satisfying as traditional options.
1. Grilled Tofu
The secret to perfect grilled tofu is all in the prep. Start with extra-firm tofu, pressed for 30 minutes to remove excess moisture. Cut into 1-inch thick slabs for optimal grilling.
Ingredients
- 1 block extra-firm tofu
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Steps
- Press tofu between paper towels with a heavy weight (like a burger press)
- Mix marinade ingredients
- Marinate tofu for at least 2 hours
- Preheat grill to medium-high (400°F)
- Oil grates well to prevent sticking
- Grill 5-7 minutes per side until golden with nice grill marks
Pro Tips: Freeze tofu beforehand for a meatier texture and make sure not to flip it too early – wait for proper grill marks to form. While grilling, brush the tofu with the remaining marinade.
2. Veggie Burgers
Homemade veggie burgers beat store-bought or frozen every time. These hold together much better on the grill and form a delicious crust.
Ingredients
- 2 cans of black beans, drained
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 grated carrot
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg (or flax egg)
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp cumin
- Salt and pepper
Steps
- Mash the beans but leave some chunks for added texture
- Mix in all the ingredients thoroughly
- Form the dough into 6 patties
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow them to firm up
- Grill on medium-high for 4-5 minutes each side
Reminder: Don’t skip chilling time as it helps the burgers hold shape. Make the patties slightly thinner in the center as well for even cooking.
If you’re worried about the ‘meat’ sticking, use a grill mat. Also, make sure the burger develops a good crust before flipping.
3. BBQing Halloumi
Halloumi is a Mediterranean cheese that’s truly a grilling superstar, thanks to its high melting point and ability to form a gorgeous golden crust. It pairs well with the veggie burgers we made before or on their own.
Ingredients
- 2 blocks halloumi
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Fresh herbs for serving
Steps
- Slice halloumi into ½-inch thick slabs for grilling
- Pat dry with kitchen paper towels
- Brush each piece with the olive oil mixture
- Preheat grill to medium-high
- Grill for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden
- Watch closely as halloumi burns rather quickly
- Serve and drizzle with lemon juice and fresh herbs
Heads up: Many make the mistake of salting the halloumi. It doesn’t need it! It’s naturally salty. It also needs to rest for 1-2 minutes after grilling before digging into it.
4. How to Grill Veggies
First, you should know that each veggie has its own cooking time and temperature. Knowing those times will help you grill the perfect plate of barbecue-roasted vegetables every time.
For our grilled vegetables recipe, we cover the vegetables most people pick when deciding to grill.
Ingredients
- Asparagus
- Brussels sprouts
- Corn on the cob
- Eggplant
- Sweet peppers
- Basic marinade:
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Garlic
- Italian herbs
Steps
- Cut vegetables uniformly for even cooking
- Toss with oil and seasonings. Make sure everything is coated.
- Preheat grill to medium-high (400°F)
- Place the veggies directly on the grates or use a grill basket. Keep similar veggies together.
- Quick-cooking veggies like asparagus take 4-6 minutes
- Medium veggies such as peppers take 8-10 minutes
- Dense veggies, in this case the brussels sprouts, cook for 12-15 minutes
Pro Tip: Don’t move the veggies too much while cooking and only use a fork to check their doneness.
5. Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
Take your grilled veggies recipe to another level with these meaty mushrooms. They’re perfect as burger substitutes or as a main dish. Plus, they absorb marinades beautifully and have an amazing smoky flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 large portobello caps
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp Italian herbs
- Salt and pepper
Steps
- Rinse, drain, then clean mushrooms with a damp paper towel
- Once fully dry, remove the stems
- Mix marinade ingredients well
- Score the tops/caps in a crosshatch pattern
- Marinate the caps for 15 to 30 minutes
- Grill gill-side up first for 5-7 minutes
- Flip and grill for 3-5 minutes more
- Brush with remaining marinade or top with cheese or pesto
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving
Heads up: Don’t wash mushrooms under water! As they’re already mostly water, you don’t want to dilute their flavor. Only rinse off any dirt residue you may find.
6. Vegan Kebabs
These colorful skewers are packed with flavor and perfect for any BBQ gathering. The key is choosing vegetables that cook at similar rates.
Ingredients
- Cherry tomatoes
- Mushrooms
- Bell peppers
- Red onion
- Zucchini
- Marinade: olive oil, garlic, herbs, balsamic
- Metal or soaked wooden skewers
Steps
- Cut vegetables into similar-sized chunks (this is important to ensure even cooking)
- Marinate cuts for 30 minutes
- Soak wooden skewers during those 30 minutes before using them
- Thread the veggies onto skewers, alternating colors and leaving space between pieces
- Grill on medium-high for 12-15 minutes
- Turn the skewers every 3-4 minutes
- Brush with remaining marinade while cooking
Tip: Keep similar-density veggies together so everything is cooked evenly. Afterward, serve with tahini sauce or chimichurri.
Popular Vegan BBQ Ideas
Let’s take your plant-based grilling up a notch. These creative vegan BBQ recipes will surprise and delight even the most dedicated meat-eaters.
1. Grilled BBQ Watermelon Skewers
Believe it or not, you can turn watermelon into a savory-sweet BBQ sensation. When grilled, watermelon takes on a meaty texture and smoky flavor that’s absolutely addictive.
Ingredients
- 1 firm watermelon, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- ¼ cup liquid smoke
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Metal skewers
Steps
- Press watermelon cubes between paper towels. Don’t skip this step as it’s crucial.
- Mix marinade ingredients
- Marinate cubes for 1 hour, periodically draining excess liquid
- Thread onto skewers carefully
- Grill on high heat for 2-3 minutes per side
- Brush with BBQ sauce in the last minute and serve immediately while hot
- (Optional) Garnish with fresh mint and lime
Important Tip: Choose firm, slightly under-ripe watermelon so it handles the heat well.
2. Grilled Pineapple Tofu Skewers
Here’s another delicious, sweet-and-savory recipe: Hawaiian-inspired vegan/vegetarian BBQ skewers. The pineapple juice naturally tenderizes the tofu while it cooks.
Ingredients
- Extra-firm tofu pressed and cubed
- Fresh pineapple chunks (Canned doesn’t taste the same)
- Red onion pieces
- BBQ marinade:
- ¼ cup pineapple juice
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Steps
- Press tofu for 30 minutes minimum
- Whisk together marinade ingredients (clockwise so they ‘blend’ well)
- Marinate tofu for at least 4 hours or overnight if you can
- Alternate tofu, pineapple, and onion on skewers (think shish kebabs)
- Grill for 12-15 minutes, rotating every 3 minutes
- Brush with reserved marinade while cooking so it stays moist and doesn’t burn
- For a complete meal, serve over coconut rice.
Chef’s note: Keep some chunks of pineapple larger for a dramatic presentation. Try adding bell peppers or cherry tomatoes as well.
3. BBQ Tempeh
Tempeh’s firm texture and nutty flavor make it perfect for grilling. When marinated in BBQ sauce, it develops a delicious caramelized crust while staying tender inside.
Ingredients
- 2 (8 oz) blocks tempeh
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp liquid smoke
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Steps
- Steam tempeh for 10 minutes to remove bitterness
- Cut into ½-inch thick slices
- Mix marinade ingredients in a bowl
- Marinate tempeh for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight
- Preheat grill to medium-high (400°F)
- Grill tempeh for 4-5 minutes per side
- Brush with extra BBQ sauce while grilling
- Cook until nicely charred with grill marks
4. Vegan Kebabs with Avocado Dressing
These colorful kebabs get a creamy upgrade with a rich avocado dressing. It’s a different twist on our previous tofu recipe. It’s also perfect for summer entertaining!
Ingredients
- 1 block extra-firm tofu, cubed
- 2 zucchini, chunked
- 2 red onions, quartered
- 2 bell peppers, chunked
- Cherry tomatoes
- Metal skewers
For the avocado dressing:
- 2 ripe avocados
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
- 1 clove garlic
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Water to thin
Steps
- Press tofu for 30 minutes, then marinate in olive oil and spices
- Make the dressing in the meantime, blending all ingredients until smooth
- Thread vegetables and tofu onto skewers
- Grill on medium-high for 12-15 minutes
- Turn every 3-4 minutes until charred
- Drizzle with avocado dressing before serving
- (Optional) Garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges
BBQ Sides
No BBQ is complete without amazing sides. These fresh, flavorful dishes pair with your grilled mains perfectly. They’re also easy to make ahead so you won’t be slaving away in the kitchen.
1. Italian Pasta Salad
This crowd-pleasing pasta salad is perfect for hot summer days. It pairs beautifully with grilled veggies on BBQ and holds up well at outdoor gatherings.
Mix rotini pasta with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, black olives, and cubed mozzarella. Toss with Italian dressing, fresh basil, and a splash of your preferred vinegar.
And here’s a secret: cook pasta just past al dente so it’ll firm up when chilled. Make it a day ahead to let flavors meld too.
Here’s another tip: add a pinch of sugar to balance acidity, and save some dressing to refresh before serving. It’s great with grilled portobello mushrooms or tofu skewers.
2. Red Cabbage Coleslaw
This vibrant slaw adds beautiful color and crunch to any BBQ spread. The tangy dressing and purple cabbage make it stand out from traditional coleslaw.
Shred red cabbage, carrots, and green onions. Mix with a dressing of mayo (or vegan mayo), apple cider vinegar, celery seeds, and a touch of maple syrup. Pro tip: massage the cabbage with a pinch of salt for 5 minutes to soften it.
Let it sit for at least an hour before serving as it helps mellow the cabbage’s bite. This dish is perfect alongside grilled halloumi or veggie burgers. Keeps crisp for days in the fridge as well!
3. Tangy and Sweet Baked Beans
These aren’t your ordinary canned beans. This homemade version balances sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors for the ultimate BBQ side dish.
Mix navy beans with sauteed onions, molasses, brown sugar, mustard, and a touch of liquid smoke. The secret ingredient is a splash of apple cider vinegar that adds brightness.
Slow-cook until thick and rich (at least 2 hours for best results). Make them a day ahead; they taste even stronger overnight. For extra depth, add some finely diced carrots and bell peppers.
This dish is perfect with everything from grilled tofu to veggie burgers. You can also make it vegan by swapping the honey for maple syrup.
4. Avocado and Green Bean Salad
Now here’s a fresh, crisp salad that adds a modern twist to your BBQ spread—creamy avocado paired with crisp-tender green beans.
Blanch green beans until bright green, then shock in ice water to keep their crunch. Toss with cherry tomatoes, ripe avocado chunks, and red onion slivers.
Dress the salad with a light lemon-dijon vinaigrette and fresh herbs. Chef’s note: toss the avocado in lemon juice first to prevent browning and add toasted almonds for extra crunch.
This side dish is best made within an hour of serving. We recommend pairing it with grilled mushrooms or plant-based kebabs.
Vegetables On The Grill: Final Thoughts
Mastering barbecue vegetarian dishes opens up a whole new world of grilling possibilities. Our recipes today showed that there’s something for everyone!
Final reminders: preheat your grill properly, oil your grates well, and learn each vegetable’s optimal cooking time. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different marinades and seasonings too.