Every year on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day is celebrated in the U.S. to honor the brave people who gave their lives while serving in the military. Memorial Day also unofficially marks the beginning of summer, and in typical American fashion, many fire up their grills for some good ole American eats. We’ve gussied up the standard grilling fare with these stellar vegan recipes for a perfect Memorial Day grilling party.
If you don’t have any outside space to have a barbecue, you may want to consider an indoor electric grill. An outdoor grill can’t be used inside; not only is it a fire hazard, but charcoal and gas grills also produce deadly carbon monoxide gas. Instead, consider trying out one of the many indoor electric grills on the market, like this Chefman Smokeless Indoor Grill or this George Forman Family Size Open Grate Smokeless Grill. Indoor grills are usually easier to clean than outdoor options and you can use them all year round too.
When you have your (outside or inside) barbecue ready to go, try making one of these nine vegan recipes to celebrate Memorial Day this year.
9 Vegan Grilling Recipes for Memorial Day
1. Grillable Veggie Burgers
The vegan Beyond Burger is a stellar option for barbecues, but for those who want to impress their friends by making a veggie burger from scratch, this is your go-to recipe. A combination of brown rice, mashed black beans, and chopped walnuts gives these patties a meaty texture that won’t fall apart on the grill. These burgers will earn you the title of Grill Master, no questions asked.
Recipe creator Minimalist Baker says: “each burger (one of five) has nearly 10 grams of protein … trust me, you’re going to go home satisfied after eating one of these.”
Get the recipe here.
2. Carrot Hot Dogs
Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. Again, there are plenty of quality vegan hot dogs on the market, but for a whole food and homemade option, try out the carrot dog. It may raise a few eyebrows at first, but once people take a bite out of these juicy marinated veggies (courtesy of liquid smoke and smoked paprika) topped with all the fixings, you might just become their short-order cook for the entire party.
Get the recipe here.
3. Elote
Gussy up the traditional grilled corn by making elote (Mexican grilled corn). Get a good char on your corn, then add a dusting of vegan parmesan, a drizzle of dairy-free crema, and a squirt of fresh lemon or lime juice for a sweet yet savory handheld barbecue snack.
Get the recipe here.
4. Grilled Veggie Skewers With Chimichurri Sauce
These tasty, healthy grilled veggie skewers are super easy to make. All you need are seven ingredients, which come together in just 30 minutes. If you feel like making something extra for dipping, Minimalist Baker’s recipe for vegan citrusy, spicy chimichurri sauce can be whipped up in the space of 10 minutes.
Get the recipe here.
5. Baby Potatoes With Rosemary
Potatoes are always a crowd-pleaser, let’s be honest. From the very young to the very old, everyone in the family loves potatoes. If you fancy something a little different from the usual grilled jacket potato, try A Virtual Vegan’s recipe for grilled baby potatoes with rosemary. They’re nice and charred and crispy on the outside, with a perfectly soft, creamy inside.
Get the recipe here.
6. Grilled Nectarines With Balsamic Basil Reduction
In the mood for something sweet? Grilling isn’t only reserved for savory recipes. Try these juicy grilled nectarines by Fried Dandelions. Add balsamic sauce to make them super sticky and sweet.
Get the recipe here.
7. Lemon Garlic Grilled Zucchini
This lemon garlic zucchini will make the perfect grilled side dish for your barbecue. Jessica Hylton of Jessica in the Kitchen says: “zucchini is not only one of the best veggies to grill, but it’s also one of the best ways to enjoy zucchini, other than delectable zucchini noodles of course. Trust me, you’re going to want to keep this recipe.”
To make, all you need is zucchini (of course), olive oil, lemon juice, sea salt, black pepper, and herbs. If you fancy, garnish with some vegan cheese.
Get the recipe here.
8. Vegan Italian Seitan Sausages
Really craving some meaty sausages? There are plenty of vegan meaty sausage options available to buy, but it turns out, you can also make them yourself with seitan. A
According to Sam Turnbull of It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken, the “secret to taking these vegan sausages from good to really damn good is to add bits of sun-dried tomato and sautéed onion.” Serve in a hot dog bun with your favorite condiments and your meat-loving family members won’t be able to taste the difference.
Turnbull adds: “it’s actually a bit weird how meaty these turn out, but because I made them in my own kitchen, I know they are also 100 percent vegan.”
Get the recipe here.
9. BBQ Black Bean and Jalapeño Burger
If you like your food spicy, these BBQ black bean and jalapeño sausages could be right up your street. They’re easy to make, coming together with simple, whole-food ingredients, including black beans, spring onions, and jalapeños for that extra spicy kick. Serve in a bun with dairy-free cheese, salad, and some creamy avocado.
If you give these a try and you enjoy them, next time you whip up a batch make extra and freeze them. The future you will appreciate it.
Get the recipe here.
