The grill’s hot, but plant based recipes are what really grab the attention this time. Instead of leaning on the usual BBQ routine, these dishes bring big flavor without needing meat to make it happen. They're proof that you don’t need ribs or burgers to turn heads at a cookout. Let the fire do its thing—but let the food be the reason people stick around.
Korean BBQ Baked Beans. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.
Pesto Tortellini Salad
This tortellini pasta salad takes about 20 minutes and doesn’t need more than a few ingredients. It’s a quick, no-fuss option that works well when the food—not the grill—is meant to stand out.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Salad
Artichokes with Lemon Herb Tahini Dipping Sauce
Grilling artichokes with lemon tahini dip brings a punch of flavor and a new take on a basic vegetable. It’s a simple example of how plant-based dishes can lead the charge.
Get the Recipe: Artichokes with Lemon Herb Tahini Dipping Sauce
Pasta Salad without Mayo
Italian dressing and crisp vegetables keep this pasta salad light and easy to prep. It’s a strong pick when the focus is on fresh, plant-based sides that fit right into any cookout.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Salad without Mayo
Dill Potato Salad
This dill potato salad holds its own without mayo, thanks to texture and bold seasoning. It’s a classic side that still lets plant-based ingredients take the lead.
Get the Recipe: Dill Potato Salad
Scallops with Lemon, Mint, and Pinot Grigio Sauce
Grilled scallops with lemon mint sauce cook fast and keep things light. They’re a smart choice for when you want something fresh off the grill that’s not the usual go-to.
Get the Recipe: Scallops with Lemon, Mint, and Pinot Grigio Sauce
Korean BBQ Baked Beans
These Korean BBQ baked beans are sweet with a slight kick and take minimal effort. They’re a solid way to bring comfort food that doesn’t rely on meat to hit the mark.
Get the Recipe: Korean BBQ Baked Beans
Ratatouille
Grilled ratatouille keeps it simple with garlic, thyme, and olive oil while letting vegetables do all the work. It proves you don’t need meat to make something stand out on the grill.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille
Elote Corn Ribs
Elote corn ribs come together fast with bold seasoning and just enough spice. They're a fun, plant-based option that keeps the grill involved without stealing the show.
Get the Recipe: Elote Corn Ribs
Eggplant Tomato Stacks
Eggplant and tomato stacks grill up quickly and plate well with barely any prep. They show how vegetables can carry the meal without taking a backseat.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Tomato Stacks
Corn Chaat (Masala Corn Salad)
Corn chaat brings crunch, spice, and color with a mix of chopped vegetables and seasonings. It’s a sharp addition that shows plant-based sides can bring more than filler.
Get the Recipe: Corn Chaat (Masala Corn Salad)
Mexican Corn Salad
This Mexican corn salad is quick to make and holds up well with most mains. It proves sides can bring real flavor without needing the spotlight on meat.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Corn Salad
Veggies Pasta Salad
Grilled vegetables in pasta turn a basic salad into a full meal with color and texture. It’s a clear way to show plant-based grilling goes beyond just being a sidekick.
Get the Recipe: Veggies Pasta Salad
Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad
Tofu pasta salad with balsamic and fresh vegetables is light but filling. It works when you want something easy, cold, and strong enough to stand on its own.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad
No Mayo Coleslaw
Cabbage and fresh vegetables meet creamy peanut dressing in this summer slaw. It’s a bold, mayo-free side that keeps the focus on what plant-based food can really do.
Get the Recipe: No Mayo Coleslaw
Beet & Goat Cheese Salad
Beets, goat cheese, and walnuts come together fast in a salad that works for any meal. It’s a good reminder that grilled meals can still make room for plant-based variety.
Get the Recipe: Beet & Goat Cheese Salad
BBQ Walnut Chickpea Veggie Burgers
These chickpea walnut burgers grill or pan-fry easily and don’t fall apart. They’re a hearty, plant-based main built for cookouts where the food needs to hold attention.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Walnut Chickpea Veggie Burgers
Zucchini Stack
Zucchini, green tomatoes, and ricotta stack up in a grilled dish that skips complicated prep. It’s a great pick when you want simple ingredients to take the lead.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Stack
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