Going meatless may have you worried about sacrificing some of your favorite dishes, especially around grilling season. BBQ brisket, pulled pork sandwiches and rib recipes are staples of summer ‘ques! But fear no more — you can still get your barbecue fix without binging on flavored chips. While vegan BBQ recipes are essential to have in your repertoire, most don’t address the iconic barbecue flavor you’re after. Here’s your guide to 17 must-have recipes to satisfy every sweet and smokey (vegetarian-friendly) craving.
1. BBQ Butternut Squash Steak: This dish is the closest you’ll get to a thick, grilled steak when you’re eating meatless. Liquid smoke is the trick to capturing the rustic flavor without needing a grill. Add lots of paprika and chili powder for some extra kick to this truly wholesome meal. (via Yuri Elkaim)
2. BBQ Tofu Sandwiches: A more traditional take on vegan BBQ, this sando combines extra-firm tofu with a homemade barbecue sauce that you’re going to want to keep on hand. Make up a big batch for wraps, tacos and salad toppers, and you’ve got lunch for the week. (via Yup, It’s Vegan)
3. BBQ Jackfruit Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: Jackfruit is a popular stand-in for pulled pork that’s not only meatless but takes a quarter of the time to prepare. This dish takes the flavor one step further by serving it in a baked sweet potato. You’ve just won Meatless Monday! (via Luminous Vegans)
4. Pineapple & Smoky Baked Tofu Pizza: This hearty pizza tops naan with pineapple, hoisin barbecue sauce, and home-baked tofu. Use store-bought smokey tofu and spicy BBQ sauce to cut the cooking time in half, and you’ve got a meal perfect for weeknights. (via Connoisseurus Veg)
5. Carrot Dogs: These aren’t your traditional veggie dogs. These carrots get treated with a unique marinade to give them the flavor you crave. Cook them on the stove or over the grill for a great new dish for your next outdoor shindig. (via Cupcakes + Kale)
6. BBQ Baked Sweet Potato Fries: If you’re always on the hunt for more ways to incorporate BBQ into your day, these fries are your new go-to. Mix up a batch of the honey mustard sauce and you’ll be in heaven. Look for smoked paprika if you can’t find pimentos, which have a more intense barbecue flavor. (via Modern Granola)
7. Best Ever Vegan Baked Beans: No BBQ is complete without a big, sloppy bowl of baked beans. Make them from scratch so you can customize the flavors to your liking — no one will even notice there’s no meat. Our favorite part? The bourbon! (via Connoisseurus Rex)
8. Pulled BBQ Carrots: If you can’t find jackfruit or it just isn’t your thing, shredded carrots also make a great substitute for the classic pulled pork. Roasting the carrots and onions brings out their natural sweetness, and the homemade sauce adds plenty of spice. (via Veganosity)
9. Easy Vegan BBQ Tofu Skewers: The easiest path from the BBQ to your mouth is to skewer up some of your favorite foods and slather on the sauce. Here you marinate tofu, mango and plantains in a zesty sauce of peanut butter and curry that doubles as a dip. (via Contentedness Cooking)
10. Smoky BBQ Veggie Burgers: Chickpea and quinoa patties get infused with spices and homemade vegan barbecue sauce for a super flavorful veggie burger. Since there are so many ingredients involved, we recommend making up a big batch of both and freezing for future dinners on tap. (via Girl Versus Dough)
11. BBQ Baked Tempeh: Tempeh adds a great texture to dishes, but can be a bit tricky in terms of flavor. BBQ sauce and peach jam cut the bitterness and add just the right amount of sweet and spicy. Bake up a big batch, because these sandwiches are great cold. (via Thyme & Love)
12. Meatless BBQ Enchiladas: Eggplant is another great substitute for when you need your BBQ pulled-meat fix. Char them under the broiler, on the grill or over the open flame of a gas stove to get a great smokey flavor. Toss with this amazing spice blend overnight before baking with your favorite sauce. The leftovers make great enchiladas. (via Natural Comfort Kitchen)
13. Korean BBQ Tofu Sliders With Kimchi Slaw: When you need a new twist to your BBQ fix, try this Korean-inspired version with soy sauce, sesame oil and Sriracha. Top the baked tofu with quick homemade kimchi and you’ve just leveled up your flavor game. (via Hello Little Home)
14. Slow Cooker Barbecue Chickpeas Recipe: Say a big *HELLO* to your new fave Sloppy Joe. This vegan update packs in tons of flavor with chickpeas, smoked paprika and molasses. The best part? You can set it up in your slow cooker in the morning and come home to dinner waiting for you. (via Real Food, Whole Life)
15. BBQ Chickpea Pizza: Chickpeas are a great and filling way to get more fiber into your diet. This pizza adds the fresh flavor of avocado with smokey, sweet BBQ sauce and a hearty whole wheat crust. It’s then topped off with a surprising garlic almond butter sauce that you’ll want to put on everything. Pro Tip: For the crispiest crust, preheat a cast iron skillet in the oven while you prep the rest of your pizza. (via Yup, It’s Vegan)
16. Barbecue Ranch Tempeh Burgers: Now that you know just how good tempeh is when baked in barbecue sauce, try this chipotle-infused recipe and kick your taste buds into high gear. The homemade ranch dressing makes a vegan slaw that helps cool things down. (via The Mostly Vegan)
17. Mexican Style Corn on the Cob: Though technically this corn isn’t BBQ-flavored, it reminds us so much of summer grilling season that we had to include it. If you don’t have access to a grill, try using your slow cooker to get perfectly juicy ears to slather in the chili-cheese spread. (via The Foodie Affair)
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Sarah James
With an MFA in Costume Design and a website dedicated to sous vide cooking, Sarah's been in the DIY space since long before it was cool. She was the Food + Living editor for Instructables.com where she produced three books including How to Do Absolutely Everything, and the Think Tank director at Betabrand where she designed the bestselling Dress Pant Yoga Pants. Sarah also worked as a make-up artist for Blue Man Group and has built costumes for film, theater and dance.
