When people think of a barbecue, they usually picture steaks, skewers and sausages. But grilling without meat is becoming more and more popular! Not only because vegetarian and vegan diets are on trend, but also because grilled vegetables are delicious and healthy. Meat-free options are versatile and anything but boring. Find out how a vegetarian BBQ works and which tasty variations there are.
How to Plan a Vegetarian BBQ
A vegetarian BBQ is simple and offers endless combinations. Here are some vegetarian BBQ ideas to make your next barbecue meat-free.
Grilled Vegetables Made Easy
Grilled vegetables are the classic of the vegetarian barbecue and incredibly versatile:
- Corn on the cob: Simply brush with a little butter or oil, season with salt and place directly on the grill. The light smoky note gives the corn a special flavour.
- Potatoes: Wrap pre-cooked potatoes in aluminium foil and put them on the grill. They turn soft inside and slightly crispy outside. Alternatively, season potato slices with rosemary and garlic.
- Peppers: Halve, deseed and brush with a little olive oil. Grilled peppers become wonderfully sweet and go perfectly with dips such as hummus.
- Courgettes and aubergines: Slice, marinate and place directly on the grill grate. Tip: a marinade of olive oil, lemon juice and Italian herbs adds a Mediterranean aroma.
- Mushrooms: Large mushrooms work especially well. Fill them with cream cheese, spinach or garlic butter before grilling.
- Asparagus: Green asparagus is easy to grill and tastes particularly good with a light lemon marinade.
- Beetroot: Cook thin slices in aluminium foil or roast them directly on the grill. An insider tip for an intense flavour.
Fruit such as pineapple, peaches or bananas is also excellent on the grill. The heat caramelises the sugar in the fruit and adds a sweet note. Grilled pineapple with cinnamon, for example, is a popular dessert. Try watermelon or figs too, to offer your guests something special.
Vegan BBQ with Meat Alternatives
Meat substitutes are now very popular and offer plenty of options for the grill:
- Tofu: Extra-firm tofu is ideal for grilling. Marinate it beforehand so it absorbs the flavours. A soy sauce marinade with ginger and garlic adds an Asian touch.
- Seitan: This plant-based source of protein has a meat-like texture and tastes great with spicy marinades. Seitan steaks grill well and go perfectly with vegetable sides.
- Burger patties: There are countless vegetarian and vegan patties that are perfect for the grill. Combine them with fresh buns, lettuce and dips such as guacamole.
- Sausages: Vegetarian barbecue sausages are a quick and tasty alternative to classic bratwurst. They come in many flavours.
- Skewers: Combine meat substitutes and vegetables on one skewer for a creative, versatile option. Tip: thread marinated tofu cubes with peppers, courgette and pineapple onto a grill skewer.
- Jackfruit: This tropical fruit is known for its meat-like texture. It is perfect for pulled jackfruit sandwiches from the grill.
Why Marinades Matter
Marinades are key to a successful vegetarian BBQ. They create intense flavour and stop the food from drying out. A few ideas:
- Asian: soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger and garlic.
- Mediterranean: olive oil, lemon juice, thyme and oregano.
- Spicy: chilli flakes, paprika, garlic and lime juice.
- Sweet: honey, mustard, balsamic vinegar and a splash of orange juice.
Leave the food in the marinade for at least 30 minutes for the best flavour. For an even more intense taste, brush on more marinade several times while grilling.
Tasty Side Dishes for a Vegetarian Barbecue
A great barbecue evening also needs the right sides. Here are some ideas that win over vegetarians and meat lovers alike:
- Bread: Garlic bread, ciabatta or flatbread go perfectly with grilling. Homemade focaccia with rosemary is another great option. Or try grill bread baked directly on the grate.
- Salads: Classic potato salad, couscous salad or a fresh green salad: the choice is huge. Try a pasta salad with pesto or a quinoa salad with pomegranate seeds. You will find ten recipes in our article on BBQ salads.
- Dips: Homemade dips such as guacamole, hummus, tzatziki or a fresh yoghurt dip are ideal companions. A tomato salsa or a spicy mango chutney adds variety.
- Grilled vegetables: Colourful vegetable mixes cooked on a grill plate. Tip: combine them with a light vinaigrette.
- Stuffed peppers or mushrooms: Filled with couscous, quinoa or cheese and cooked directly on the grill.
- Grilled cheese: Halloumi or feta in aluminium foil with tomatoes, onions and spices. Delicious and versatile.
With our plancha grills and fire plates, you can grill meat as well as vegan or vegetarian food. They are also a real eye-catcher in any garden!
Three Easy Vegetarian BBQ Recipes
1. Mediterranean Vegetable Skewers
Ingredients:
- 1 courgette
- 1 red pepper
- 1 red onion
- Mushrooms
- Cherry tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Italian herbs (e.g. oregano, thyme)
- Salt and pepper
Method:
- Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix olive oil with the herbs, salt and pepper in a bowl.
- Marinate the vegetables and thread them onto skewers.
- Grill for about 10 minutes, turning until cooked on all sides.
2. Grilled Tofu with Peanut Sauce
Ingredients:
- 200 g extra-firm tofu
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 garlic clove (chopped)
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 100 ml coconut milk
- 1 tsp lime juice
Method:
- Slice the tofu and leave it for about 30 minutes in a marinade of soy sauce, sesame oil, honey and garlic.
- For the sauce, stir together peanut butter, coconut milk and lime juice.
- Grill the tofu on both sides and serve with the peanut sauce.
3. Sweet Grilled Pineapple
Ingredients:
- 1 fresh pineapple
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Method:
- Peel the pineapple and cut it into thick slices.
- Mix honey and cinnamon and brush the pineapple slices with it.
- Grill the slices for about 5 minutes on each side until lightly caramelised.
These vegetarian BBQ recipes and many more are perfect on our premium grills:
3 Benefits of a Vegetarian BBQ
Health
A meat-free diet is rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals and low in saturated fat. Grilling vegetables, tofu and other vegetarian options makes for a healthy, nutritious barbecue. A plant-based diet can also support heart health, help lower cholesterol and improve digestion.
Environment
Eating less meat helps reduce CO2 emissions, save water and protect wildlife. Meat production is resource-intensive, while growing vegetables and other plant foods puts less strain on the environment. Studies show that a vegetarian diet can significantly reduce your ecological footprint and help preserve biodiversity. Even adding just a few vegetarian dishes to your everyday life makes a real difference.
Variety
Vegetarian food is incredibly varied and offers tasty, easy-to-make options for every taste. From colourful vegetables and meat substitutes to creative side dishes, the possibilities are endless. A vegetarian barbecue often calls for creative thinking, which leads to exciting new recipe ideas. Exotic ingredients such as tempeh or jackfruit are worth trying too. That way, even meat lovers get their money’s worth and broaden their culinary horizons.
Rediscover Meat-Free Variety on the Grill
A vegetarian BBQ offers a wide variety of dishes that are healthy, environmentally friendly and incredibly tasty. Vegetables, meat substitutes or sides: the choice is huge and guarantees variety on the grill.
With the right marinades, creative side dishes and good ingredients, grilling without meat becomes a real treat. Try the best vegetarian BBQ recipes, invite friends and family, and see for yourself: grilling without meat is anything but boring!
