If there’s one thing everyone can agree on, it’s that summertime is the best time to venture outdoors to reconnect with family and friends! This year, ensure that nobody goes hungry with varied meals made for every type of diner. We all know that drippy burgers and saucy ribs are required at potlucks, BBQs and cookouts, but make way for vegan BBQ recipes, and you’ll be everyone’s favorite host!
If you’re used to loading your shopping cart up with meat before every summertime gathering, it’s time to consider plant-based options as part of your usual menu. Every bit as tempting, they range from colorful, produce-filled sides to flavorful mains and, of course, flame-licked barbecue that delivers spice, smoke and flavor, without an ounce of animal protein. Made with RiceSelect® grains and pasta, they’re also incredibly delicious and varied, ensuring that repeat guests never get bored. No matter what you’re making—from appetizers to mains and sides—you’ll find inspiration in every jar of rice, pasta and quinoa, along with the type of quality and reliability that puts every host at ease.
This year, make every diner feel welcome with bold, creative vegan dishes that rival their meaty counterparts in flavor, allure and satisfaction. Just make sure to cook enough of each one—when your vegan dishes are this good, you can bet that every guest will want a taste!
Shareable BBQ Snacks & Appetizers
Every great party should begin with delectable snacks! Try these plant-based options and get things off to a tasty start.
Vegan Crispy Kimchi Rice Fritters
Delicious snatched straight from a hot pan, these crunchy snacks are just as good once they’ve cooled to room temp. Made with vegan kimchi, RiceSelect® Premium Jasmine Rice, sesame, soy and flax, they’re funky and aromatic with deep umami flavor. On the hunt for vegan cookout ideas? Consider your search a success!
Couscous Avocado Boats
A couple of easy tweaks—replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth, use maple syrup instead of honey—turn this sophisticated salad into a welcome vegan starter. Beautiful on a buffet table, these avocado boats can also be served to each guest at the table. The definition of warm-weather comfort food, these are light and bright, thanks to creamy avocado, seasoned RiceSelect® Couscous, and plenty of citrus and fresh herbs.
Vegan BBQ Main Dishes
Any vegan outdoor dining menu should revolve around mains that pack a bold punch of flavor. Lean on summertime stars—from peak fruits and vegetables to fresh herbs, and smoke-kissed ingredients—to add depth and interest to every dish.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom Steak
Stumped for meatless BBQ ideas that stand out in a sea of meaty mains? Look past the steaks and sausages, beef patties and wings and land on this genius dish of umami-rich lion’s mane mushrooms that are marinated, then finished on the grill for maximum impact. Side these substantial steaks with RiceSelect® Pearl Couscous with Turmeric combined with spinach for a warm-weather dinner that your guests won’t soon forget.
Grilled Veggie Burger
Hearty burgers you have to grip with both hands, these spice-rubbed crowd-pleasers deserve a spot on every list of best plant-based BBQ recipes. With a zingy mix of spices—including paprika, chili powder and coriander—RiceSelect® Royal Blend® Rice, black beans, walnuts and more transform into satisfying patties that are ready for the grill. Top these anyway you like and indulge in one of summer’s simplest pleasures.
Satay Tofu Skewers with Spicy Peanut Sauce
Spicy, sweet and dangerously addictive, these tofu skewers are a dream—for harried hosts and hungry diners! Prep the creamy peanut sauce ahead of time and marinate the tofu. Once dinnertime rolls around, all you have to do is lightly char the skewers on the grill and serve them alongside a warm, fluffy pile of RiceSelect® Tri-Color Quinoa. You’re likely to love this recipe so much, you’ll make it part of your weekly meal plan! Just remember, if cooking for vegan diners, make sure your curry paste does not contain animal-derived ingredients.
Grilled Eggplant and Rice
A frequent find in vegan grilling recipes, eggplant is the star of this savory grilled and stir-fried dish. An ingredient that combines a meaty texture with a neutral flavor, eggplant is also incredibly easy to barbecue, making it a perennial plant-based favorite. We pair it with RiceSelect® Premium Jasmine Rice, for a meal that tastes like it came out of a restaurant kitchen. For vegans, replace the shrimp paste in the recipe with miso paste.
Veg Mexican Burgers with Adobo Sauce
Whole grain RiceSelect® Texmati® Brown Rice and mashed kidney beans form the base of über-savory patties in this cookout-ready recipe. With chipotle peppers, sautéed aromatics, walnuts, spices and herbs, they’re ideal companions to carefree days and unhurried get-togethers. Set out a slew of Mexican-style garnishes—think vegan cheese, tomatoes, guacamole, salsa, pickled jalapeños, etc.— and invite guests to garnish their burgers however they like.
Vegan BBQ Sides & Salads
Some of our favorite vegan summer recipes are for sides and salads good enough to steal the show! For an unforgettable feast, serve these alongside your vegan mains.
Roasted Vegetables with Herbed Tahini
A side that could double as a light entrée, this dish centers on colorful, caramelized roast vegetables drizzled in luxurious tahini sauce. Though the recipe calls for carrots, cauliflower and red onion, feel free to switch things up with seasonal finds, such as asparagus, zucchini and eggplant. Simply adjust the roasting time, as necessary.
Vegan Asian Rice Salad
Best served at room temp, this bright and zippy side is a boon for busy hosts. Topped with a riot of colorful veggies—from purple cabbage to carrot, red bell pepper to green onion—golden, crisp RiceSelect® Premium Jasmine Rice is an irresistible addition to any summertime menu. Top the rice with the dressed veggies just before serving so that it retains its crunchy texture.
Charred Broccolini with Saigon-Style Tofu
If tofu strikes you as bland, just wait until you try it in this zesty dish! Flavored with ginger, lime juice, chili flakes, mustard and soy sauce, it becomes a bold, pungent vegan must-have. We love it paired with peppery charred broccolini and nutty RiceSelect® Texmati® Brown Rice. For a completely plant-based dish, replace the fish sauce in this recipe with soy sauce.