Summer BBQ Ideas for a Meatless Diet

When the weather warms up, it is time to heat up the grill. Just because you choose to follow a meatless diet doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a BBQ just as much as someone who eats meat. With a little creativity and some help from meat substitute products, you can create healthy vegan recipes that are delicious, wholesome, and that even the biggest carnivores will enjoy.

 

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Burgers

No BBQ is complete without a big, juicy hamburger, but the patty doesn’t have to be ground beef or another animal product for it to taste good. Try replacing the patty with a vegan-friendly option in order to get the same taste without ruining your diet. Meat substitutes can be found easily on-line and make for a quick and easy meal. If you really want to wow your guests, whip up a flavorful sauce to top your burgers with, like a rich and smoky BBQ sauce that is the perfect complement to a tasty burger, such as the one found on the Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family website.

Pizza

Traditionally, pizzas are topped with melted cheese and lots of processed meats – two no-no’s for vegans. Grilling your own pizzas is easy and as a plus, they are completely customizable, giving all of your guests complete control of their toppings. Make or purchase whole wheat pizza dough and sauce and chop up a variety of healthy toppings, including:

• Tomatoes
• Fresh basil
• Bell peppers
• Herbs
• Onions
• Mushrooms

 

The topping possibilities are endless and you can create some one-of-a-kind pizzas that are free from any animal products.

Grilled Chicken

Many people enjoy grilled chicken at their BBQs and you can as well with a little creativity. Chicken substitutes give you all the flavor that you want and you can create some interesting dishes using them as a base. A marinade that uses oil, lime juice, garlic, chipotle chilies, and jalapeno peppers is a zesty, spicy option that can serve as the basis for a delicious scaloppini dish cooked up right on the grill.

Sides

BBQs are well known for their sides, and luckily for vegans and vegetarians, meat-free sides are often on the menu at most events. A simple salad of black beans, fresh corn, tomatoes, and herbs is the perfect complement to any entrée. Some other easy vegan side dishes include:

• Cut fruit
• Sliced tomatoes
• Quinoa salad
• Grilled vegetable kabobs
• Corn on the cob

By keeping your sides basic, you and your guests can really focus on the main dishes that you have created.

Desserts

A BBQ dessert is the perfect time to offer something cool and refreshing to your guests and it doesn’t have to be ice cream. Sorbet is a yummy option for vegans, especially when you use fresh fruits that are at the peak of ripeness. A creamy option involves mixing lime juice and zest with avocados and a little sugar to create a frozen treat that everyone is sure to enjoy.

Don’t give up on hosting summer events because of your vegan lifestyle. Your dinners can be just as delicious as ever by incorporating good quality meat substitutes with tried and true BBQ recipes that will stand the test of time.