Whether you’re a grill master, a complete beginner, or just someone who appreciates the summery vibes of a meal served straight off the barbie, these easy vegan grilling recipes are perfect for your next barbecue or backyard get-together. And they’re not just for people who follow a vegan diet. These recipes are great for accommodating your guests or simply incorporating more plant-based meals into your life. Plus, they involve one of life’s greatest joys: grilling.
There are so many things to love about grilling. Spending time outdoors, the deliciousness of a smoky meal—plus, it means spending time with family and friends outside the kitchen. Taking your gathering to the backyard or patio gives you the time and space to truly be part of the party. Enter: a new appreciation for hosting. And who doesn’t love that magical campfire smell? One whiff and you’re transported straight into summer. So, whether you’re hosting an outdoor dinner party, a backyard game night, or a good old-fashioned barbecue, these easy vegan grilling recipes are a must-try. They might just earn a spot on your warm weather rotation.
8 Easy Vegan Grilling Recipes
Smashed Grilled Sweet Potatoes With Chimichurri
Why We Love It: Ever-versatile sweet potatoes are my favorite root vegetable to enjoy year-round. They’re full of flavor, can be sweet or savory, and hold all kinds of nutrients. In this case, throwing them on the grill with an olive oil and garlic coating sets the scene for those absolutely dreamy char marks to take center stage. Topped with an herby chimichurri sauce and toasted pumpkin seeds, these smashed sweet potatoes are the perfect entree or side for any meal.
Hero Ingredient: Tangy, vibrant chimichurri sauce is the perfect counterbalance to the sweet potato’s caramelized top. Round of applause for this impressive dose of flavor.
Get the recipe for Smashed Grilled Sweet Potatoes With Chimichurri.
Grilled Peach and Asparagus Salad with Spicy Pepitas, Cashew Mozzarella, and Goji Chipotle Dressing
Why We Love It: Dynamic salads are a great way to pack a variety of nutrients into one delicious meal. Grilled peaches bring a touch of sweetness to this salad that’s accompanied by spicy pepitas, creamy cashew mozzarella, and earthy asparagus—all married by the zesty, sweet, and spicy flavors of its goji chipotle dressing.
Hero Ingredient: Spicy roasted pepitas top off this salad with a salty crunch that you’ll want in every bite. Pro tip: double your batches of dressing and pepitas to have on hand for a quick repeat of this scrumptious salad.
Grilled Zucchini With Chile Mint Vinaigrette
Why We Love It: Move over, lifeless, soggy squash. This grilled zucchini is the best way to prepare our favorite summer vegetable because of the structure they maintain. It’s the perfect chargrilled bite every time.
Hero Ingredient: Smoky fresno chile and mint vinaigrette bring the heat and acidity to this polished veggie side. Not following a vegan diet? Try serving this dish alongside grilled new york strip steak with chimichurri.
Get the recipe for Grilled Zucchini With Chile Mint Vinaigrette.
Grilled Artichoke With Lemon Garlic Aioli
Why We Love It: Despite their tough exterior, artichokes are a tender, earthy-flavored treat. They have a great flavor on their own and those dippable petals are the perfect vessel for any sauce or seasoning.
Hero Ingredient: The lemon garlic aioli in this recipe is a must. Sub in your favorite vegan mayo to make the creamy counterpart vegan-friendly. Trust me… you won’t want to nix it.
Get the recipe for Grilled Artichoke With Lemon Garlic Aioli.
Smoke-Infused Beet Spread
Why We Love It: With its gorgeous reddish-purple hue and rich smoke-infused flavor, this beet spread has it all. Serve it with pita or crackers or as a bright addition to any crudités platter.
Hero Ingredient: Beets! Regardless of your stance on the root veggie, it’s hard to dislike them in this delightful dip because of the flavor (and color) they bring. And like many other once-hated vegetables, beets have reaped the benefits of today’s creative cooking techniques and earned their rightful place in a variety of delicious recipes.
Get the recipe for Smoke-Infused Beet Spread.
Grilled Avocado With Veggie Ceviche from Love & Lemons
Why We Love It: This lightly charred avocado topped with acidic veggie ceviche has a lot going for it. Grilling the avocado introduces a smoky flavor and just-crisp texture to the tops that will quickly become your new favorite thing.
Hero Ingredient: Veggie ceviche is the unexpected avocado filling that brings two parts together to form a whole dish full of different flavors, textures, and nutrients. Serve these yummy avocado halves on their own or alongside these pita tostadas for a vegetable-forward meal perfect for any time of day.
Get the recipe for Grilled Avocado With Veggie Ceviche.
Roasted Corn, Chickpea, and Avocado Salad With Poblano Vinaigrette
Why We Love It: This chickpea-based salad is a great way to shake up your routine. Although there’s no denying that kale and spinach are picture-perfect bases for salads, this chopped salad is a refreshingly unique change of scenery. Hearty and flavorful, it packs all kinds of taste and nutrients into each perfect bite.
Hero Ingredient: The poblano vinaigrette that tops this salad is almost too good for words. It’s salty, sweet, acidic, and basically everything you could ask for in a dressing and more. It’s just the right match for this salad’s richness and adds so much complex flavor to the dish.
Get the recipe for Roasted Corn, Chickpea, and Avocado Salad With Poblano Vinaigrette.
Grilled Eggplant With Chimichurri Sauce from Foodie Crush
Why We Love It: Tender-but-not-mushy eggplant takes on a delicious umami flavor that’s only enhanced by the grill marks that color it. Finished with garlicky chimichurri sauce, this veggie superstar can shine as a main course, stand on its own as a side dish, or elevate almost any grain bowl.
Hero Ingredient: Grilled eggplant might be my new favorite vegetable for a few reasons. First, you don’t have to worry about getting rid of any extra moisture because of the grill’s natural drying tendency. Goodbye, time and effort! And secondly, it takes on a great flavor and texture from the grill. It’s the perfect easy, healthy, and delicious addition to any barbecue. Your guests will thank you (and maybe us!) later.