101 Vegetarian BBQ Recipes for Delicious Summer Grilling

Updated On: October 4, 2025

There’s something truly magical about the smoky aroma of a barbecue wafting through the backyard. For many, BBQs are synonymous with sizzling meat, but vegetarians know the grill has so much more to offer.

From tender veggies bursting with charred flavor to creative plant-based skewers and smoky cheese-stuffed mushrooms, vegetarian BBQs can be just as exciting (if not more so!) as their meaty counterparts.

Whether you’re a lifelong vegetarian, a flexitarian, or simply looking to add more plant-based meals to your grilling repertoire, this colossal collection of 101 vegetarian BBQ recipes will transform your next cookout.

Get ready for a vibrant, colorful, and utterly delicious journey through the best meatless grilling ideas. Fire up the grill, invite some friends, and let’s turn the BBQ into a vegetarian feast to remember!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Variety for everyone: With 101 unique recipes, there’s something to please every palate, from classic veggie burgers to innovative global flavors.
  • Healthy and nourishing: These recipes are packed with fiber, vitamins, and plant-based protein, making your BBQ both delicious and nutritious.
  • Easy to customize: Most recipes can be easily adapted for vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-friendly diets.
  • Perfect for sharing: Vegetarian BBQs are crowd-pleasers that bring everyone together, regardless of dietary preference.
  • Impressive and satisfying: Wow your guests with dishes bursting with color, texture, and flavor—no one will miss the meat!

Ingredients

Below is a table featuring some of the most common ingredients you’ll need for vegetarian BBQ recipes. Exact quantities will vary by recipe, but this will stock your pantry for grilling greatness!

Vegetables Proteins Marinades & Sauces Other Essentials
  • Zucchini
  • Bell peppers
  • Eggplant
  • Portobello mushrooms
  • Red onion
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Corn on the cob
  • Broccoli florets
  • Firm tofu
  • Tempeh
  • Halloumi cheese
  • Paneer
  • Veggie sausages
  • Seitan
  • Chickpeas (for patties)
  • Barbecue sauce
  • Soy sauce
  • Olive oil
  • Lemon juice
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Paprika
  • Garlic powder
  • Cumin
  • Buns / flatbreads
  • Wooden skewers
  • Toothpicks
  • Aluminum foil
  • Salt & pepper
  • Fresh herbs (cilantro, basil)

Equipment

  • Grill: Gas, charcoal, or electric—any type works!
  • BBQ tongs and spatula
  • Grill basket: For smaller or delicate items
  • Skewers: Wooden (soak before use) or metal
  • Basting brush
  • Mixing bowls
  • Chopping board and knife
  • Aluminum foil: For grill packets or protecting delicate foods
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Food processor or blender: For dips and veggie patties

Instructions

Here’s a basic method that will work for most vegetarian BBQ recipes. Specific instructions may vary, but these steps serve as a general guide:

  1. Prep your grill: Clean the grates and preheat to medium-high. For charcoal, wait until the coals are ashy.
  2. Prepare your veggies and proteins: Wash and chop vegetables into even pieces. Slice cheese and tofu into grill-friendly shapes. Marinate as desired for deeper flavor.
  3. Assemble skewers or packets: Thread veggies, tofu, or cheese on skewers, or wrap in foil packets for delicate items (like mushrooms or small veggies).
  4. Grill in batches: Place items on the grill. Cook, turning occasionally, until tender and charred—usually 5-10 minutes per side depending on thickness.
  5. Baste and season: Brush with marinade or barbecue sauce during grilling for extra flavor.
  6. Serve hot: Remove from the grill and garnish with fresh herbs, a squeeze of lemon, or a final drizzle of sauce.

Tip: Always oil your grill grates before cooking to prevent sticking, especially with delicate veggies or cheese!

Tips & Variations

  • Try global flavors: Use spice blends from around the world—like za’atar, curry powder, or smoked paprika—to keep things exciting.
  • Go vegan: Substitute dairy cheese with vegan cheese or marinated tofu for a plant-based twist.
  • Use a grill basket: For small items like cherry tomatoes, broccoli florets, or sliced mushrooms, a grill basket prevents slipping through the grates.
  • Experiment with sauces: Chimichurri, romesco, tahini, and peanut sauce are fantastic on grilled vegetables.
  • Make ahead: Many marinades work wonders overnight. Skewer veggies and prep patties in advance for a stress-free BBQ day.
  • Explore more ideas: Check out Smoked Vegetarian Recipes for Flavorful Meatless Meals for smoky inspiration, or try Indian Vegetarian Barbecue Recipes for Flavorful Grilling for bold spices!

“The grill is not just for meat. It’s a canvas for veggies, cheese, and creative plant-based cooking!”

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition will vary based on the recipe, but here’s an average per serving for a typical grilled vegetable and tofu skewer:

Calories Protein Carbohydrates Fiber Total Fat Saturated Fat Sodium
180 12g 18g 4g 7g 1.5g 390mg

Many of these recipes are low in cholesterol, high in fiber, and rich in antioxidants from fresh vegetables. For more high-protein options, see Vegan Recipes for Athletes: Power Your Performance.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve with: Fresh salads, corn on the cob, or a crusty loaf of bread.
  • Pair with dips: Hummus, tzatziki, or baba ganoush make excellent accompaniments.
  • Finish with dessert: Try grilled peaches, pineapple, or check out Vegan Easter Dessert Recipes Everyone Will Love for sweet ideas.
  • Make it a meal: Add a cold grain salad (like quinoa or couscous) and a refreshing summer drink.
  • Family-style platters: Arrange a colorful medley of grilled vegetables and plant-based proteins for guests to pick and choose.

Conclusion

Grilling season is the perfect opportunity to showcase the vibrant flavors and textures of plant-based cuisine. With this ultimate collection of 101 vegetarian BBQ recipes, the grill becomes a playground for creativity and fun, offering endless ways to impress your guests and satisfy every appetite.

Whether you’re a new vegetarian or a seasoned BBQ pro, these ideas are here to inspire, delight, and feed a crowd—no one will be asking, “Where’s the meat?”

Don’t forget to explore even more inspiration, like Recipes Dehydrated Vegetables: Easy Meals and Snacks for make-ahead sides, or Turkish Veg Recipes: Easy & Flavorful Dishes to Try for Mediterranean flavors.

Happy grilling, and may your BBQs be full of color, taste, and good company!

101 Vegetarian BBQ Recipes: The Ultimate List

Ready to dive in? Here’s a listicle of the best vegetarian BBQ recipes, grouped by category for easy browsing.

Mix and match, or try them all throughout the summer!

Grilled Vegetable Skewers & Kabobs

  • Classic Mediterranean Veggie Skewers (zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, cherry tomato)
  • Halloumi & Vegetable Kabobs
  • Maple-Miso Glazed Eggplant Skewers
  • Corn and Zucchini Skewers with Cilantro-Lime Dressing
  • Spicy Tofu and Pineapple Skewers
  • Marinated Seitan and Mushroom Kabobs
  • BBQ Tempeh & Red Pepper Skewers
  • Indian-Style Paneer Tikka Skewers
  • Greek-Style Vegetable Souvlaki
  • Sweet Potato and Apple Skewers with Cinnamon

Stuffed & Grilled Vegetables

  • Grilled Portobello Mushrooms with Garlic Herb Butter
  • Feta & Spinach-Stuffed Bell Peppers
  • Cheesy Zucchini Boats on the Grill
  • Southwest Stuffed Avocados
  • BBQ Lentil-Stuffed Onions
  • Tex-Mex Grilled Jalapeno Poppers (with vegan cheese option)
  • Grilled Eggplant Rolls with Ricotta & Basil
  • Spicy Grilled Stuffed Tomatoes
  • Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Aioli
  • Garlicky Grilled Mushrooms Caps with Breadcrumbs

Veggie Burgers, Patties & Sandwiches

  • Black Bean Burgers with Smoky Chipotle Mayo
  • Chickpea & Quinoa Burgers
  • Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burgers
  • Sweet Potato & Lentil Sliders
  • BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches
  • Spinach & Feta Grilled Burgers
  • Falafel Burger with Tahini Sauce
  • Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with Garlic Sauce
  • Beetroot Burgers with Horseradish Cream
  • Halloumi & Roasted Red Pepper Sandwiches

Plant-Based Sausages & Hot Dogs

  • Grilled Vegan Bratwurst with Mustard
  • Carrot “Hot Dogs” with Dill Relish
  • Seitan Sausage Dogs with Pickled Onions
  • BBQ Tempeh Sausages
  • Smoky Eggplant Dogs
  • Chickpea Sausage Patties with Grilled Peppers
  • Italian-Style Veggie Sausage Hoagies
  • Vegan Beer Brats with Sauerkraut
  • Tofu-Apple Sausage Skewers
  • Portobello Mushroom Dogs

Grilled Cheese & Paneer Dishes

  • Grilled Halloumi with Lemon & Oregano
  • Paneer Tikka on the Grill
  • Grilled Cheese-Stuffed Peppers
  • BBQ Feta Skewers with Mediterranean Veggies
  • Crispy Grilled Quesadillas with Spinach & Beans
  • Mozzarella & Pesto Grilled Sandwiches
  • Greek Saganaki on the Grill
  • Curried Paneer Kebabs
  • Mexican Street Corn with Cotija Cheese
  • Grilled Ricotta-Stuffed Mushrooms

Creative Grilled Sides

  • Smoky Grilled Corn on the Cob (elote-style)
  • Charred Broccoli Florets with Lemon Zest
  • Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges
  • BBQ Cauliflower Bites
  • Crispy Grilled Polenta Slices
  • Maple-Glazed Grilled Carrots
  • Grilled Asparagus with Balsamic Reduction
  • Garlic Butter Grilled Mushrooms
  • Grilled Bok Choy with Toasted Sesame
  • Herbed Grilled Potato Packets

Grilled Salads & Bowls

  • Grilled Romaine Caesar Salad
  • BBQ Vegetable Quinoa Bowls
  • Charred Corn & Avocado Salad
  • Grilled Peach & Burrata Salad
  • Grilled Vegetable Couscous Salad
  • Halloumi & Watermelon Salad
  • Smoky Tempeh Buddha Bowl
  • Grilled Broccoli & Chickpea Power Salad
  • Grilled Vegetable Panzanella
  • Tofu & Rice Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce

Global-Inspired Grilled Dishes

  • Moroccan-Spiced Vegetable Skewers
  • Korean BBQ Tofu with Sesame Seeds
  • Indian Tandoori Cauliflower Steaks
  • Mediterranean Grilled Eggplant with Tahini
  • Mexican Grilled Street Corn Salad (Esquites)
  • Japanese Miso-Glazed Eggplant (Nasu Dengaku)
  • Jamaican Jerk Grilled Veggies
  • Thai Grilled Vegetable Satay with Peanut Sauce
  • Turkish Grilled Veggie Kebabs
  • Greek Lemon-Oregano Potato Packets

Fruit on the Grill

  • Grilled Pineapple Slices with Cinnamon
  • BBQ Peaches with Maple Syrup
  • Charred Watermelon Wedges with Mint
  • Grilled Banana Boats with Chocolate Chips
  • Grilled Mango with Lime & Chili
  • Caramelized Grilled Figs with Honey
  • Planked Strawberries with Balsamic Glaze
  • Grilled Apple Slices with Walnuts
  • Grilled Pears with Gorgonzola
  • Pineapple & Pepper Skewers

BBQ Dips, Sauces, and Spreads

  • Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
  • Grilled Eggplant Baba Ganoush
  • Charred Tomato Salsa
  • Smoky Chimichurri
  • Grilled Corn & Jalapeno Dip
  • Cilantro-Lime Yogurt Sauce
  • BBQ Ranch Dip
  • Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce
  • Herbed Tahini Drizzle
  • Avocado-Tomatillo Salsa

Bonus: Unique Ideas for the Adventurous Griller

  • Grilled Polenta Pizza with Veggies
  • Charred Lettuce Wraps with Tofu
  • Open-Fire Flatbreads with Grilled Vegetables
  • Smoked Garlic & Herb Stuffed Mushrooms
  • BBQ Sushi Rolls (grilled veggies in rice wrappers)
  • Grilled Tempeh “Bacon” BLT
  • Eggplant “Steak” Sandwiches
  • Grilled Avocado Toast
  • Charred Sweet Corn Fritters
  • Fire-Roasted Veggie Nachos
  • Smoked Stuffed Tomatoes

With countless flavors, textures, and combinations, these 101 vegetarian BBQ recipes will keep your grill sizzling all season long. Happy grilling!

📖 Recipe Card: Grilled Halloumi & Vegetable Skewers

Description: Colorful skewers loaded with halloumi, peppers, and zucchini, grilled to perfection. A delicious vegetarian BBQ option that's quick and easy to prepare.

Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT10M
Total Time: PT30M

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 200g halloumi cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 8 wooden skewers, soaked in water

Instructions

  1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
  2. In a large bowl, toss halloumi, peppers, and zucchini with olive oil, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  3. Thread halloumi and vegetables onto skewers, alternating pieces.
  4. Place skewers on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once.
  5. Grill until halloumi is golden and vegetables are tender.
  6. Serve hot.

Nutrition: Calories: 270 kcal | Protein: 13 g | Fat: 20 g | Carbs: 10 g

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Grilled Halloumi & Vegetable Skewers”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “Colorful skewers loaded with halloumi, peppers, and zucchini, grilled to perfection. A delicious vegetarian BBQ option that’s quick and easy to prepare.”, “prepTime”: “PT20M”, “cookTime”: “PT10M”, “totalTime”: “PT30M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“200g halloumi cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes”, “1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces”, “1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces”, “1 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds”, “2 tablespoons olive oil”, “1 teaspoon dried oregano”, “1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika”, “Salt and black pepper, to taste”, “8 wooden skewers, soaked in water”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat grill to medium-high heat.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a large bowl, toss halloumi, peppers, and zucchini with olive oil, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Thread halloumi and vegetables onto skewers, alternating pieces.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Place skewers on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Grill until halloumi is golden and vegetables are tender.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Serve hot.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “270 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “13 g”, “fatContent”: “20 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “10 g”}}

Photo of author

Marta K

Leave a Comment

X