Cookout recipes don’t have to mean meat and cheese piled on everything. These are all plant-based, and yeah—they still hit the mark. Whether you're grilling out with friends or putting together a laid-back backyard spread, these are great if you want things to taste good without making it a whole thing. No fake food vibes, no weird swaps—just solid stuff that works.
Dill Potato Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.
Pesto Tortellini Salad
This tortellini pasta salad comes together in about 20 minutes with under ten ingredients. It’s a solid pick for cookouts when you want something quick, cold, and meat-free.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Salad
No Mayo Coleslaw
Crunchy cabbage and fresh veggies pair with a creamy peanut dressing in this Asian summer slaw. It’s a great side for showing how plant-based dishes can be bold without needing mayo.
Get the Recipe: No Mayo Coleslaw
Mexican Corn Salad
This Mexican corn salad is easy to make and fits well with most mains. It’s proof that plant-based sides can still bring real flavor to the table.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Corn Salad
BBQ Walnut Chickpea Veggie Burgers
These BBQ chickpea walnut burgers are grilled or pan-fried and hold their shape well. They're filling and flavorful, making them a strong pick for a meat-free main at a cookout.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Walnut Chickpea Veggie Burgers
Corn Chaat (Masala Corn Salad)
Corn chaat is sweet, spicy, and full of texture, made with chopped veggies and bold seasoning. It works well as a plant-based side that adds color and heat to your spread.
Get the Recipe: Corn Chaat (Masala Corn Salad)
Grilled Veggies Pasta Salad
Grilled veggies mixed into pasta make this salad colorful, fresh, and satisfying. It’s a great example of how plant-based grilling can work for full meals, not just sides.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Veggies Pasta Salad
Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad
Tofu pasta salad with summer vegetables and balsamic dressing is light and filling. It’s a smart option when you want something chilled, easy, and fully plant-based.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad
Eggplant Tomato Stacks
These eggplant tomato stacks grill up fast and look great on a plate. They’re a simple way to show how vegetables alone can stand out at a cookout.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Tomato Stacks
Grilled Zucchini Stack
Zucchini, green tomatoes, and ricotta layer together in this grilled dish with no need for heavy prep. It shows how grilling can bring out a lot with just a few fresh ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Zucchini Stack
Dill Potato Salad
This creamy dill potato salad works as a vegan or vegetarian side without losing any of the texture or bite. It’s one of those cookout classics that happens to be plant-based.
Get the Recipe: Dill Potato Salad
Korean BBQ Baked Beans
Korean-style BBQ baked beans bring in sweet, savory flavor with a slight kick. This one’s good for switching things up without skipping comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Korean BBQ Baked Beans
Pasta Salad without Mayo
This mayo-free pasta salad uses Italian dressing and fresh vegetables to keep things light and quick. It’s a practical plant-based side that works with just about anything.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Salad without Mayo
Grilled Ratatouille
Grilled ratatouille brings together vegetables with olive oil, garlic, and thyme for a simple but flavorful dish. It’s a strong example of how grilling builds flavor without needing meat.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Ratatouille
Grilled Scallops with Lemon, Mint, and Pinot Grigio Sauce
These grilled scallops use a lemon mint sauce and cook fast for a light plant-based dish. They’re a good choice when you want something different that still fits the cookout vibe.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Scallops with Lemon, Mint, and Pinot Grigio Sauce
Grilled Elote Corn Ribs
Elote corn ribs cook quickly, with bold flavor and just enough spice. They're an easy way to bring something fun and fully plant-based to the grill.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Elote Corn Ribs
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