No Meat? No Problem! This Memorial Day, we’re getting creative with plant-based dishes that don’t just hold their own, they might even steal the show! Whether you’re fully vegan, vegetarian, plant-curious, or want to change things up, there are plenty of ways to bring bold flavors and delicious plant-based food to your unofficial start of summer Memorial Day BBQ! This guide is full of plant-based ideas, from main courses to sweet endings, that prove that not having meat does not equal not having flavor! So, fire up the grill and get ready to impress all your guests, even the meat-eaters!
Plant-Based Ideas for Your Memorial Day BBQ
Grilled Veggie Burgers:
Everyone loves a grilled burger, including those opting for the meat-free version! The best thing about this is that there is a world full of options out there right now, from Beyond Meat, Impossible, Garden, Morning Star, and more! These veggie burgers can be dressed up with almost anything your meat-eating guests will be devouring! One hot tip if you are making these veggie burgers from scratch is to freeze them for around 20 minutes, as it will help to hold them together!
Portobello Mushroom Steaks:
These plant-based steaks give a meaty texture to guests and hold up very well on the grill. You can get the nice sear marks by brushing them with a marinade and putting the mushroom cap side down first!
Cauliflower Steaks:
Slice up a cauliflower into 3/4 steaks, give them a good brush of oil and seasonings, place them on the grill, and wait until their tender; that’s it! One important tip is to determine what sauce you want to toss or brush the cauliflower steaks with, and do this toward the end to avoid burning! My go-to, as a vegetarian, is a buffalo, BBQ, or honey mustard sauce.
Tofu or Tempeh Skewers:
This fun option is versatile and full of protein! You’ll want to start by pressing the tofu for about 15 minutes to remove water from the tofu. You can use a tofu press, or if you’re like me, get creative with what you have around to help you do this! There are so many different vegetables you can combine this with, it might even make your meat-eating guests wonder if they’re worth a try!
Honorable Mentions
Vegan Sausage or Grilled Seitan:
Perfect options for traditional hot dog buns or even more skewers! Just oil them lightly and rotate them frequently while on the grill.
BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches:
The jackfruit has a shredded meat-like texture and soaks up the flavors brilliantly!
Sides & Salads
Vegan Pasta Salad:
This is a fully customizable and colorful option for your Memorial Day BBQ! This has the chance to be hit with everyone considering the typical ingredients, but you could also add vegan mozzarella cubes, feta, or even chickpeas for another dose of protein!
Vegan Potato Salad:
A nostalgic comfort food that can be made into a great plant-based option with only a few tweaks. Hot Tip: You’ll want to ensure you’re using vegan mayo if you know your guest is not just a vegetarian.
Coleslaw:
This crisp and refreshing option will probably be a hit with all your guests, but if you opt for a creamy slaw, use that vegan mayonnaise for your plant-based eaters! Hot Tip: This is a great choice to make ahead of time, as the flavors continue to develop as they rest in the fridge!
Desserts
Vegan S’mores:
When I think of Memorial Day weekend, I instantly think of the start of the camping season, making me think of a campfire and s’mores! If your mind takes a similar path, there’s a plant-based option, too. You’ll need to check for the honey-free version of graham crackers, which common brands like Nabisco already have, and use vegan marshmallows such as Dandies and dark, dairy-free chocolate!
Fruit Skewers with Chocolate Drizzle:
This is an excellent, simple, yet incredibly fresh dessert option for everyone!
Non-dairy Ice Cream:
While Ben & Jerry’s is my typical go-to, so many companies have now included non-dairy options with their ice cream that the hardest part about this is which flavor to pick!
Other Options:
If you love to bake, you can add so many plant-based options to the dessert table, from cookies, brownies, and even vegan cheesecake bites or bars that your guests are bound to love!
Hosting Tips
Create a dedicated “Plant-based Zone”!
Some guests probably will not even think to mention it, but small things to prevent cross-contamination can go a long way. For me, I always feel a pinch of guilt wondering about cross-contamination when eating elsewhere, but I always feel so much appreciation when I see that the host has already thought of something! It’s truly the thought that counts!
Hot Tip:
Use foil or a grill mat when cooking the plant-based foods to prevent cross-contamination, but it’ll also help keep things mess-free and prevent sticking. This way, you also don’t have to worry about doing a major deep clean on the grill ahead of time!
Vegetarian vs Vegan Clarifications:
Plant-based can be considered a very general term, and while used interchangeably with having a vegan diet, it also can mean that the diet mostly focuses on plants, but is not 100% animal-free. For instance, I’m a vegetarian, so I do not eat meat, poultry, or fish, but there are eggs and dairy in my diet from time to time. As a vegan, this would mean no animal products at all, including dairy, eggs, honey, and gelatin. It’s usually a safe bet that if your guest is being considered a plant-based eater, stick with keeping all animal products out completely, but the distinction is always something worth knowing!
Final Thoughts
Memorial Day is about honoring the past while looking toward the future, and what an incredible way to continue that trend than with a BBQ that feeds everyone and honors their choices? From jackfruit sandwiches that melt in your mouth and protein-packed tofu skewers to nostalgic potato salad and vegan s’mores, this year’s Memorial Day BBQ has a serious upgrade! So, get ready to wow your guests with a menu that might even have the meat-eaters asking for seconds, and your secret plant-based recipes!
