This roundup of over 40 BBQ and Cookout Recipes is perfect for your next summer party or 4th of July! With drinks, sides, mains, and desserts, there is something for everyone on this list. Vegan and gluten-free options!
Nothing is better than celebrating in the summer with family and friends. This round up post contains all of my FAVORITE plant-based recipes for entertaining during a BBQ or vegan cookout. This includes drinks (alcoholic and non), side dishes, main courses, and certainly desserts. A lot of these are perfect for vegan grilling as well.
Whether you're hosting or attending, these ideas will serve you all summer long. Scroll to see the full list!
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Cocktail and Mocktail Drinks for a Cookout:
If you like piña coladas...you're going to love such a simple preparation! This vegan piña colada recipe with coconut milk, lime juice, pineapple and rum evokes classic beach-y flavors that are SO refreshing. Ready in just 10 minutes with four ingredients!
Cool down with a Cucumber Melon Gin Fizz! It's full of fruity flavor from cantaloupe and the refreshing quench of cool cucumber. Easily mixed with just 5 ingredients, you'll want to sip them all summer long!
This recipe for an Extra-Ginger Moscow Mule is refreshing and perfect for any time of year! It's a simple cocktail full of bubbly ginger beer, fresh ginger slices, tangy lime juice, and vodka. Serve in a brass mule mug and garnish with fresh & candied ginger slices for the ultimate ginger-lovers drink.
These Frozen Mojito Slushies are the perfect treat on a hot day! Easily made nonalcoholic, they're packed with refreshing flavor from fresh mint and citrus juice. Blend up a batch and watch how fast it's gone.
Strawberry Rhubarb Margaritas are a perfect celebration of summer! It is made with an infused simple syrup, tequila, and some fresh orange juice. These are easily made nonalcoholic as well.
This simple sweet/tart Strawberry Limeade will be your favorite refreshing drink! A perfect pair to classic cookout foods, it's bright, tangy, and easily customized. Top it with mint for a cooling spring or summer beverage.
Cool off this summer with some refreshing Lavender Ginger Lemonade! It's easily made with ginger root, freshly squeezed lemon juice, pure maple syrup, lavender, and water.
Cool off in style with this Strawberry Peach Frosé recipe! This perfect hot weather wine drink is blended with fresh fruit and lime juice to keep things tangy, refreshing, and delicious.
Strawberry Rhubarb Margaritas are a perfect celebration of summer! It is made with an infused simple syrup, tequila, and some fresh orange juice. This is easily made nonalcoholic as well.
Whip up a Garden Party Cocktail for a refreshing, colorful beverage that will please a crowd! It's easily made nonalcoholic and has a ginger sugar rim. Single glass and punch options are included.
This Blood Orange Screwdriver Cocktail recipe makes the most out of bright red winter citrus! This super-simple base recipe includes a nonalcoholic option to please everyone at your next brunch.
This refreshing Melon Agua Fresca is just what you need to beat the heat! Easily made with a base of cantelope, it's a bright and non-alcoholic drink to carry you through the end of summer.
Healthy Side Dishes:
This Creamy Pesto Potato Salad is the perfect picnic side and summer holiday dish! Made with crispy roasted potatoes and a simple basil pesto, it's a breeze to throw together and a great pair for burgers, grilled vegetables and more. No mayo is needed!
This recipe for Grilled Flatbread is SO simple and versatile! It's the perfect base for sandwiches, pizzas, wraps, and more. With an option using store-bought dough, you'll want to make this every week in the summer.
This recipe for Frozen Yogurt Dog Treats is made with just Greek yogurt, peanut butter, and water! Blend and freeze in cute molds for a delicious, no-bake, anytime dog treat that is healthy and delicious. As a note: Always consult with a veterinarian before feeding your pet something they have never tried.
This Peach and Tomato Caprese Salad is jam-packed with fresh summer flavors including juicy heirloom tomatoes, bright peaches, fragrant basil, and creamy cashew mozzarella cheese. It's a wonderful appetizer or side salad for any vegan cookout.
Looking for an easy packed lunch or picnic side? This Pesto White Bean Salad is a perfect option! It's ready in minutes and full of fresh, bright summer flavors.
For a unique appetizer, try Mediterranean Nachos, made with pita chips and Tribe Mediterranean Hummus! They're a delicious snack for any time of day and packed with flavor. Ready in just 5 minutes and totally customizable.
This Grilled Sweet Potato Salad with Minty Lime Dressing and Crispy Farro is a summer recipe winner! Ready in under 20 minutes, it's a perfect pack-along recipe for a picnic or summer plant-based cookout.
Watermelon Cucumber Salad with Feta
This salad is the definition of a refreshing summer meal! We pair crisp cucumbers with sweet strawberries, juicy watermelon, tangy vegan feta, and tons of fresh mint.
Hearty Vegan Mains:
Grilled Cabbage with Charred Dates and Tahini
This recipe for Crispy Grilled Cabbage with Charred Dates and Tahini Sauce is a hearty and satisfying plant-based dinner. It’s full of smoky flavor with sweet dates, refreshing herbs and crunchy nuts.
This hearty Grilled Veggie Party Sub is the perfect packable hoagie! Toasted ciabatta bread is stuffed with grilled vegetables, hummus and sun-dried tomato pesto for a delicious meal that is ready in under 30 minutes and serves 6 people at once.
These Quinoa Beet Burgers will hold their own at any BBQ! They are gluten-free and full of plant protein. Top with mango and avocado for a filling and satisfying main dish!
Ratatouille Couscous Pasta Salad
This recipe Roasted Ratatouille Couscous is such a simple weeknight dinner, full of fresh summer vegetables including zucchini, eggplant, red peppers, and cherry tomatoes. Flavored with fresh herbs and roasted garlic, it's a new take on a vegan grain salad the whole family can enjoy. This packs well for a picnic, too!
Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Salad
This Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Salad Recipe is full of flavor from sun dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and cheesy breadcrumbs. Similar to a Romesco sauce, this dish is delicious hot or cold and great for picnics and vegan cookouts.
Herby Quinoa Salad with Tahini and Blueberries
Say no to boring grain bowls! This Herby Quinoa Salad with Go-To Tahini Dressing is what all plant-based meal prepping aspires to be. It's full of unique textures, fresh flavors, and high in vegan protein.
This Strawberry Quinoa Salad is a perfect summer side dish, full of fresh berries, creamy avocado, refreshing mint, and high-protein quinoa. It's interesting, satisfying, and quick to make.
This Lemony Lentil Salad has a bright citrus dressing and is full of crunchy vegetables and fresh herbs! It's perfect when packed for lunch or a picnic. Vegan and gluten-free!
This Zucchini and Peach Pizza with herby white sauce is an unexpected and delicious way to celebrate summer flavors! Totally vegan and easily gluten-free, try it in the oven or on the grill.
Festive Summer Desserts:
This American Flag Slab Pie is a fun baking project that is much easier than it looks, using store-bought pie crust! Filled with sweet blueberries and strawberries, it's a perfect 4th of July dessert recipe that will feed the whole family. Serve with vanilla ice cream for a red, white, and blue treat. Totally vegan!
This flexible recipe for a Flaky Berry Galette works with any kind of berry! With the BEST flaky pie crust, we're using fresh fruit for a rustic-inspired dessert that is perfect for a spring or summer table.
This easy recipe for Bourbon Peach Crumble with Brown butter is full of fresh summer flavors! Made with juicy fresh peaches and a crispy oat topping, it's a simple and healthy yet decadent dessert that will wow anyone. Serve it with vanilla ice cream for a crowd-pleasing treat! The recipe includes vegan and gluten-free options.
This recipe for Brown Butter Rhubarb Crumble is tart, sweet, and slightly spiced with notes of cinnamon and cardamom. Flexible enough for a weeknight dessert, this customizable crisp recipe is a guaranteed crowd pleaser! A dish that is naturally vegan with gluten-free options.
These Brown Butter Rice Krispies are made with just three ingredients! This recipe is a perfect nostalgic dessert the whole family will enjoy, easily made vegan with no baking required.
Ginger Peach Crumble Ice Cream Floats
Have a taste of nostalgia with these Ginger Peach Crumble Ice Cream Floats! Made with sweet peaches, crunchy oat crumble, vanilla ice cream, and ginger beer, they're a fun but elevated dessert option that can be so easily customized.
Grand Marnier Strawberry Sundaes
The Grand Marnier Strawberry Sundae is an elevated dessert that feels fancy but is ready in minutes! Serve the infused fruit over your favorite vanilla ice cream for an elegant and convenient treat. Non-alcoholic options available!
Grilled Peaches with Cinnamon Sugar Crispies
Grilled Peaches with Cinnamon Sugar Crispies will be your new favorite summer dessert! Topped with creamy vanilla ice cream and oat crumble topping, this healthier treat can be made with just 3 ingredients. Ready in just 10 minutes!
Red, White, and Blue Olive Oil Cake
This Fluffy Vegan Olive Oil Cake Recipe is the definition of a pantry staple dessert, made with just 10 ingredients. No special equipment is required to bake!
S'mores Brownies are a decadent treat with a healthy substitute you'd never guess. A graham cracker crust topped with dark chocolate brownies coated with toasty marshmallows make this dessert irresistible, and just like a classic campfire treat, vegan.
Soft Batch Lemon Crinkle Cookies
These Soft Batch Vegan Lemon Crinkle Cookies are meltingly soft and full of fresh citrus flavor! They're ready in under 30 minutes as a bright & customizable dessert option that's also freezer-friendly.
Sorbet Orange Wedges are the EASIEST dessert you'll make this summer! Fruity raspberry and mango sorbet frozen in scooped-out citrus halves, this shareable treat is super cute and easily customizable. Mix up your ice cream socials with this delicious and heathy dessert.
This Vegan Strawberry Pretzel Cheesecake is perfect creamy, salty, and sweet! A dairy-free "cheesecake" filling made from coconut and cashews is swirled with bright strawberry jam and then poured into a crispy pretzel crust. this recipe is easily no-bake and gluten-free.
This recipe for Vegan Strawberry Shortcake is ready in just 20 minutes! It's a great spring or summer dessert idea filled with fresh, bright berries and fluffy coconut whipped cream.
Tessellated Rhubarb Almond Cake
Turn your dessert into art with this Tessellated Rhubarb Cake! This recipe includes a step-by-step guide to creating a perfect rhubarb design, along with a video. Tart rhubarb atop crunchy almond cake, this is an ideal vegan/gluten-free summer dessert that's surprisingly easy to make.
Want zucchini bread but trying to avoid the oven? These No Bake Zucchini Bread Bites are the answer! Full of that classic flavor (and a great way to use extra amount of summer squash), they're full of protein, date-sweetened, vegan, and gluten-free.
Celebrate late summer produce with this Vegan Peaches and Cream Tart! With a graham cracker crust and coconut whipped cream filling, this is a beautiful and super-simple dessert recipe.
This Vegan No Churn Wild Berry Pie Ice Cream is a new summer favorite! It's easily made with a salted cream base, swirled with fresh berry jam, and dotted with crispy, buttery, cinnamon sugar pie crust pieces.
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