25 Vegan Summer Recipes for Cookouts and Barbecues

From vegan BBQ recipes to homemade veggie burgers, these 25 vegan summer recipes have you covered for all your picnics, barbecues and cookouts. Includes plenty of gluten-free options!

25 Vegan Summer Recipes for Cookouts and Barbecues

Al fresco season is in full swing and I am all about it!

I mean honestly, what’s better than eating outdoors with the sun on your face, your favorite people and maybe a drink or two? Whether it’s a backyard barbecue, an afternoon picnic or a poolside party, there’s gotta be delicious food.

Although as much as I love a good grill-out, if you’re a vegan or vegetarian you know there’s nothing worse than taking a peek at the food table and realizing the only things you can put on your plate are the carrot sticks and a few scoops of the fruit salad. Well my friends, it’s time to step away from the sad veggie tray put those days behind you!

This list of 20 Vegan Summer Recipes has you covered for all your outdoor dining this summer! From cookout classics like potato salad, cornbread and coleslaw, to homemade veggie burgers and picnic friendly sandwiches, you’ll have everything you need to share some delicious vegan summer recipes with your friends at your next outdoor party. Not only will you be covered with something delicious to eat (bye celery sticks!), but you’ll also get the satisfaction of watching your friends and fam dig into some vegan food and be surprised by how damn good it is.

PS – don’t forget dessert! You have to finish it all off with some of the vegan strawberry shortcake or vegan banana pudding linked below 🙂

Vegan BBQ Recipes

Whether you’re grilling in the backyard with friends or headed to your family’s annual cookout, these delicious vegan summer recipes are perfect for barbecues. The homemade veggie burgers, veggie dogs, and vegetable kebabs can easily be tossed on the grill, or the BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches and Lentil Sloppy Joes make for a great plant-based option that’s packed with the same bbq flavor you get in a classic pulled pork recipe.

Vegan BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches (GF)

vegan bbq jackfruit sandwiches topped with pineapple and lettuce

Smoky Wild Rice Veggie Burgers (GF)

a smoky wild rice mushroom and black bean burger topped with tomatoes lettuce and ketchup

Vegetable Kebabs with BBQ Tofu (GF)

pineapple bbq tofu vegetable skewers served on a white platter

BBQ Lentil Sloppy Joes (GF)

bbq lentil sloppy joe sandwiches topped with lettuce and purple cabbage

Vegan Hawaiian Chickpea Burgers (GF)

Hawaiian chickpea veggie burgers topped with lettuce, avocado, bbq sauce and pineapple slices

Taco Style Veggie Dogs

a lineup of four veggie dogs topped with lettuce, mustard, ketchup, jalapenos and salsa

Vegan Picnic Ideas

Salads and sandwiches are the perfect packable dishes for picnics in the sun. These are some of my dishes to load up in a picnic basket and share with friends in the park. They’re easy to make, easy to pack and easy to share. Grab a blanket, your favorite bag of chips, and pick one of these vegan summer recipes for the perfect picnic!

Cool Cucumber Avocado Sandwich with Tofu Cream Cheese

cucumber, avocado and tofu cream cheese sandwiches

Vegan Caprese Salad with Orzo

vegan caprese orzo salad with cherry tomatoes, basil and tofu feta

Pesto Couscous Salad

vegan pesto couscous salad with tomatoes, sliced vegetables and a dollop of pesto

Vegan Chicken Salad Sandwiches

a vegan chicken salad sandwich topped with lettuce

Tomato Basil and Artichoke Picnic Sandwich by Love and Lemons

a large vegan sub sandwich with sliced tomatoes, basil, pesto and artichokes

Vegan Muffaletta by Hot for Food

a vegan muffaletta sandwich cut into quarters and held together with toothpicks

Vegan Side Dishes for Cookouts

We all know that a cookout isn’t complete without killer sides. These are the perfect vegan side dishes to bring to your next backyard barbecue! Everyone loves the classic cookout side dishes – I’m talking pasta salad, coleslaw, and cornbread my friends. I’ve got you covered with the perfect vegan versions of your favorite cookout sides and I promise your loved ones won’t even notice that the side you brought is completely plant-based! Oh and of course you can’t forget to bring a big batch of vegan mac and cheese.

Hemp Ranch Vegan Pasta Salad (GF)

a vegan ranch pasta salad with macaroni noodles, olives, lettuce, tomatoes and coconut bacon

Classic Vegan Coleslaw by Simple Veganista (GF)

a large bowl of vegan coleslaw with wooden serving utensils

Crunchy Broccoli Salad by From My Bowl (GF)

vegan broccoli salad being tossed with wooden serving spoons

Vegan Mexican Street Corn by The Edgy Veg (GF)

Four Mexican street corn cobs topped with chopped cilantro

Vegan Seven Layer Dip by Minimalist Baker (GF)

vegan 7 layer dip topped with chopped tomatoes, cilantro and black olives

The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese (GF)

a bowl of vegan mac and cheese

Vegan Bacon Ranch Potato Salad (GF)

a large serving bowl of vegan potato salad topped with chopped green onion and coconut bacon

Jalapeno Zucchini Cornbread (GF)

vegan zucchini cornbread topped with slices of jalapeno

Vegan Summer Desserts

What cookout is complete without something sweet to finish it off? Impress your friends and bring one of these delicious vegan summer desserts to your next backyard party! These vegan versions of your favorite summer dessert recipes are sure to please everyone at the party. From vegan cobbler, to homemade ice cream cake and the ultimate summer classic – strawberry shortcake – all the vegan versions of your summertime faves are right here!