No matter what your dietary style is, being a self-proclaimed grill master means you have to cater to a wide variety of palates at your summer barbeque. Gone are the days of slapping burgers and hot dogs on the grill and calling it a day.
These are different times we live in, so as the grill master, you need to evolve your skills. Whether you’re a vegan or you have friends who are, take some time to digest these following vegan recipes for the ultimate backyard barbeque.
Did You Know Vegans Love Steak?
Yes, it’s true! Vegans love steak. Grilled portobello steak, that is. Sure, it’s not meat, but replacing a hefty slab of beef with a portobello mushroom makes for a surprisingly filling dish that everyone can enjoy.
Just like a real steak, this portobello steak is best if you marinate it first. Take some balsamic vinegar, paprika, and steak sauce to make a nice marinade for your mushroom. Then just throw it on the grill and top with a simple pesto aioli using avocado as your base instead of mayo.
Cheap Beer Has Multiple Uses
Cheap beer isn’t just for getting drunk. It’s surprisingly good for cooking beer can chicken. Since this is a vegan barbeque, though, let’s try our hand at beer can cabbage.
The recipe is surprisingly similar to that of the chicken variety. Start by hollowing out the inside of a purple cabbage and then baste it with barbecue sauce. Stick an open car of beer—the cheaper, the better—inside the hole and set the cabbage on top of the grill.
When finished, you can either slice it up for a succulent side dish or pile it into some buns with vegan cheese, jalapeños, and crispy coleslaw for a vegetarian take on pulled pork.
Give Veggie Burgers Some Respect
For years, veggie burgers have always been the number one target for meat lovers. It’s true that the majority of frozen veggie patties you’ll find at the supermarket are tasteless pieces of rubber, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
It’s time to give the veggie burger the respect it deserves. Try this one on for size. Using sweet potatoes, faro, walnuts and Panko bread crumbs, form a hearty patty, chock full of flavor.
Meatless In Mexico
Try to find someone who hates tacos—they are few and far between! Adding tacos to your grill menu is a surefire way to impress. Even without meat, these tasty pockets of love will blow everyone’s mind.
To start, grill up some avocado halves and veggies, spiced with traditional taco seasoning. Stick those in your grilled corn tortillas, top with hot sauce, vegan cheese, and cilantro, and you’re good to go.
If you want to get even crazier with it, grill up some extra-firm tofu for an extra helping of protein.
Yellow Polka Dot Zucchini
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaH6O89h3qA/?tagged=zucchiniboats
Ok, these zucchini boats aren’t yellow, nor are they covered in polka dots—but let’s just pretend they are for the sake of sticking with the summer theme.
These grilled zucchini boats are incredibly easy to make. Simply cut a zucchini in half and then add a bit of olive oil. Grill them to perfection (like you always do) and top with the vegetables of your choice.
For example, some vegan cheese, green onion, and pearl tomatoes make for a nice Mediterranean-inspired meal. Go crazy!
