Summer is upon us, and with that comes the siren call of grilling season. It’s beckoning us outdoors with the allure of spending time with loved ones in sunny weather. Although barbecue season is associated with meat, these days a whole lot more is welcome at the grill, from meaty mushrooms to seasonal veggie skewers and even watermelon. But if you like it to keep it simple, you can’t go wrong with meat-free hamburgers and, of course, the grilling staple: hot dogs. So, fire up the barbecue, and let’s talk about the best vegan hot dogs and sausages to sink your teeth into this summer.
But before we get started, let’s take a look at what other delicious treats you can bring to your summer barbecue. This sweet and spicy grilled eggplant recipe makes a fantastic side-dish. You can also skewer up some jackfruit. And no one will be mad if you bring this jackfruit satay to the table. If you’re looking to spice up your table with something new, try the grilled sweet potatoes, grilled margherita pizza, or the sticky plant-based ribs here. Or, just keep it classic and bring some vegan burgers and dairy-free cheese.
The Best Vegan Hot Dogs for Grilling
Without further ado, let’s get right into the meat of things. Here are the best vegan hot dogs and sausages to throw on the grill. And remember to bring all the condiments: ketchup, mustard, relish, sweet chili sauce—you name it!
Tofurky Jumbo Hot Dog and Sausages
Tofurky may be best known for its iconic holiday roast, but you can get your summer sizzling with its Jumbo Hot Dogs. The ingredients include pea protein and organic tofu and each sausage packs 17 grams of protein per serving. It also makes several flavors of sausage, including Italian, Kielbasa, and Beer Brats.
These dogs pair well with any of your favorite toppings. Tofurky recommends relish, onions, peppers, hot sauce, guacamole, crumbled-up potato chips, or even kimchi. Let your imagination run wild.
Field Roast Classic Smoked Frankfurter
Bratwurst, smoked apple sausage, Italian, and Mexican chipotle are some of Field Roast’s offerings, but it’s possible that the best link to have on your grill this summer is its vegan frankfurter.
The ingredients include fresh garlic, fresh onion, and Field Roast’s traditional blend of spices. You can grill, sauté, steam, or microwave the plant-based frankfurter, which carries 21 grams of protein per link. Load it with fermented cabbage and cashew cheese, or any toppings your heart desires, and chow down.
Lightlife Jumbo Smart Dog
Go for Jumbo Smart Dogs if you’re after juicy, flavorful hot dogs that stay true to the “ultimate summertime classic.” The vegan dogs, which can be grilled, sautéd, or boiled, are made with soy protein and pea protein and contain no cholesterol. Each link contains 8 grams of plant-based protein.
Beyond Meat Sausages
Looking for variety? Beyond Meat carries three flavors of plant-based sausage: Brat Original, Sweet Italian, and Hot Italian. Each flavor is made from pea protein and features that signature “snap” you get when you bite into a pork sausage. These each pack 16 grams of protein per link and are also soy-free and gluten-free.
Loma Linda Big Franks
Plant-based protein brand Loma Linda, which makes vegan tinned tuna, sells vegan franks in a can. Its Big Franks offer the full-flavored taste of a conventional hot dog along with good amounts of protein—11 grams, to be exact.
Each 20 oz. can contains eight full-sized hot dogs, so there’s plenty to go around. These are also shelf-stable, so you don’t have to worry about keeping them refrigerated if you’re traveling for your barbecue.
Sweet Earth Jumbo Vegan Hot Dogs & Sausages
Nestlé-owned Sweet Earth Foods has plenty of options that are ready for the grill, starting with its Jumbo Vegan Hot Dogs made from pea and potato protein. Or, you can pick up a pack of its plant-based sausages, like Chik’n Apple, Ginger-Scallion, or Green Chile Chedd’r.
Yeah Dawg!
In 2013, this independent brand was founded by chef Marina Bendetto, who believes that “food is what engages us and allows us to connect with each other.” And, Yeah Dawg! vegan hot dogs incorporate that philosophy by being something that people with dietary restrictions can enjoy, too. They’re soy-free and gluten-free, and handmade with love from a blend of fresh beets, sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots, and sunflower seeds.
Upton’s Naturals Updog
This Chicago-based brand’s vegan hot dogs are made from a meaty blend of seitan and are expertly seasoned with Windy City favorites like mustard and celery seeds. They also feature an algae-based coating and are cured to deliver that tried-and-true classic hot dog experience.
High Peaks Plant-Based Sausage
This newcomer to the scene was founded by a third-generation sausage maker who loves sausages, but wanted to create an option that vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians alike would love. High Peaks Plant-Based Sausages pack 19 grams of protein per link, according to the website, and are made from a base of wheat protein and white beans. It comes in three flavors: Italian, Wild Mushroom, and Sweet Apple.
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