Think that the words “vegan” and “BBQ” don’t go together? Think again! A drool-worthy, satisfying, and totally delicious plant-based meal is easier to create than you might think. When you’re prepping a vegan BBQ, the first thing to know is what makes a product vegan. To be considered vegan, foods must contain zero meat, dairy, and eggs. Many vegans will also eschew any animal byproducts as well, including honey. (For the mixologists among us, that means sweetening your cocktail or mocktail with agave nectar or simple syrup instead.)
However, that still leaves plenty of delicious options for a tasty BBQ! From grilled veggies as your mains to crave-worthy dips to the sweetest of plant-based desserts, we have everything you need to create the ultimate vegan BBQ menu. Stop by your local Farm Boy store to grab everything you need for these dishes and be sure to check out the flyer page for the tastiest deals! Let’s get cooking!
BBQ Drinks
Having a glass (or can, or bottle) of something crisp, cool, and refreshing is a must for any BBQ, including a vegan BBQ. To make everyone’s life easier, fill up a cooler or bucket with ice and nestle in some cans and bottles for guests to grab and enjoy at their leisure. If you’re feeling a bit more ambitious, you can also whip up some drinks! We suggest making big batches of mocktails, with optional alcohol for guests to add if they wish. Some of our favourite products and recipes for a summer BBQ are:
Recipe: Strawberry Frosé
Fresh and fruity, this low-maintenance mocktail only needs four ingredients and a blender! Made with strawberries and our Non Alcoholic Sparkling Rosé, it’s a deliciously seasonal sipper that’s perfect for summertime. You can also make this recipe with other seasonal fruits like peaches, raspberries, and watermelon.
Recipe: Pomegranate Fizz
Fresh and fizzy, this quick drink is sophisticated and low-sugar. An easy one to make for your guests, you can also offer up the juice, agave nectar (if using), and sparkling water for your diners to prepare themselves. For a vegan BBQ, you’ll want to nix the honey in this recipe and go for agave nectar, which dissolves well in drinks.
Recipe: Strawberry Mojito Kombucha Mocktail
The classic mojito gets a juicy twist with this kombucha mocktail. Made with our small-batch-brewed Organic Canadian Berry Kombucha, this beverage is refreshing, funky, and not too sweet. (If you’d like it a little sweet, agave nectar works well in this drink and dissolves easily.) Perfectly thirst-quenching, it’s a great beverage for a summer vegan BBQ.
Recipe: Sparkling Watermelon Drink
Prepare a big batch of this watermelon drink and say cheers to summer! You can easily prep the watermelon mixture ahead of time and keep it in a pitcher until you’re ready to serve. Top with our Carbonated Natural Mineral Water and the fresh fruit or herb garnishes of your choice and enjoy!
Farm Boy™ Non Alcoholic Beers
Crack open a cold one on a hot summer’s day with either of our Non-Alcoholic Beers. Available in both IPA and Pale Ale styles, they’re refreshing, aromatic, and easy to drink.
Farm Boy™ Cold Brew Herbal Iced Teas
Both organic and caffeine-free, our Cold Brew Iced Herbal Teas are still fully loaded with flavour. Free of artificial flavours, colours, preservatives, and sweeteners, enjoy them in the can or over ice.
Farm Boy™ Retro Soda-Pops
Step back in time with our small-batch craft sodas in three retro flavours! Sweetened with cane sugar and packaged in glass bottles, offer them to guests on ice at your BBQ.
Farm Boy™ Organic Sparkling Waters
The perfect choice for adults and kiddos alike, you’ll want to have plenty of our Organic Sparkling Waters on hand at your summer BBQ. Naturally free of soda, sodium, and calories, they come in a wide variety of fruity, refreshing flavours.
Vegan BBQ Appetizers
While you’re waiting for the grill to heat up, you’ll want to have some snacks on hand for your guests to munch on. If you’re crunched for time, you can pick up some chef-prepared dips from our Chef’s Market. Some of our favourite plant-based dips are our beloved Eda-Yummy Spicy Kale Edamame Dip, Fresh Salsa, and Hummus. Pair them with chips or crackers and you’ll keep your guests from going hungry.
If you have the time, energy, and kitchen space, we also have a couple recipes that will help tide everyone over. These vegan dips can be made ahead of time and brought out when everyone begins to arrive. Easy to make and totally vegan, any of the below options are sure to be a hit at your summer BBQ.
Recipe: Tangy Avocado Hummus
Our Hummus is vegan all on its own, but if you want to jazz it up a bit for your vegan BBQ, add some avocado! Make this dip mild or spicy with the help of jalapeño peppers and garnish it with our beloved Everything Bagel Seasoning Blend. This no-cook dip recipe only requires a food processor or blender and comes together in under 15 minutes.
Farm Boy™ Tortilla Chips and Chef-Prepared Dips
No time to make a dip from scratch? Our Chef’s Market has you covered! Our Chef’s prepare our dips daily with only the highest quality of ingredients and in small batches to ensure that everything is as delicious as you deserve. Choose from fresh salsas, guacamole, hummus, and our irresistible Eda-Yummy Spicy Kale Edamame Dip. Pair with any of our gluten-free Tortilla Chips and serve!
Recipe: Vegan Roasted Red Pepper and Harissa Dip
Make this simple vegan dip before your BBQ and have it chilling in the fridge until guests arrive. Tangy, slight sweet, with a hint of spice, its vibrant colour and flavour will have guests begging for the recipe. Serve with assorted freshly cut veggies or your chips and crackers of choice!
Vegan BBQ Sides & Salads
Looking for easy vegan side dishes for your BBQ? We have recipes for that! Sides can sometimes be the best part of a BBQ and these plant-based dishes are no exception. Like the appetizers and plenty of the drinks, most of these recipes can be made ahead of time. (You can also toss some veggies on the grill, like grilled corn, for an easy and crowd-pleasing plant-based side. Learn more about corn season at our blog.)
Recipe: Crunchy Rainbow Salad with Peanut Dressing
Nothing says “summer BBQ” quite like this rainbow salad! Similar to a classic coleslaw but with “A Farm Boy Fresh Twist”, this brightly coloured salad is sweet, spicy, crunchy, and delicious. Prep your creamy peanut dressing ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Chop up your veggies and toss them together or simply drizzle the dressing on top before serving.
Recipe: Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Spicy Toum
Potato salad is a common side dish at most BBQs, but we wanted to try something a little different for this vegan BBQ menu. These crispy smashed potatoes are simple, delicious, and mostly hands-off. Seasoned with a delicious blend of za’atar and sumac, they have a Middle Eastern flair that goes great with our vegan Spicy Toum. (You can also use the regular version if your guests are spice-averse.)
Recipe: Vegan Grilled Broccoli Caesar Salad
Caesar salad is a classic dish at any BBQ. Try this vegan version to satisfy your plant-based needs. Grilled broccoli gets kisses by the barbecue flame and mixed with a delicious vegan dressing made from our Lemon Garlic Hummus, Lemon Garlic Dressing, and Vegan Parmesan-Style Shredded Cheese Alternative. Prepare your “bacon” bits ahead of time for even more convenience. We promise that even meat eaters will be blown away by this plant-based salad!
Vegan BBQ Main Dishes
The stars of the show, the giants of the grill, it’s the BBQ main dishes. In addition to your standard veggie burgers with the required toppings (think: fresh veggies, plant-based cheeses, and condiments), we have some suggestions that’ll help elevate any vegan BBQ.
Recipe: Vegan Grilled Cabbage Steaks
Cheesy and smoky, cabbage and/or cauliflower can get a kiss of heat from an outdoor grill with this recipe. Portobello mushrooms would be another delicious choice. Brush your veggies of choice with canola oil and place them on the hot grill until they’re browned and cooked through. Then, top with our Vegan Pesto and your preferred Vegan Cheese Alternative and allow to cook until the cheese is deliciously melty.
Recipe: Chipotle BBQ Chickpea Sandwiches with Pineapple Salsa Slaw
These vegan sandwiches use our Organic Chickpeas for a protein-packed base that’s sure to be a hit at your vegan BBQ. Sweet, tangy, and a little bit spicy, these sammies hit all the right flavour notes. Be sure to use our Vegan Mayonnaise-Type Dressing in this recipe to make it completely plant-based and serve it with some tangy Farm Boy™ Organic Pickles on the side for added crunch.
Farm Boy™ Vegan Gluten-Free Pizza
Maybe you’re a novice when it comes to BBQ or perhaps you’re short on time. Whatever the reason, you can always throw a frozen pizza on the grill and dig in! Simply cook your pizza low and slow until the cheese is melty and the crust is browned. At Farm Boy, we have three vegan pizza options that also happen to be gluten-free: Cheese Lovers, Margherita, and Roasted Vegetable.
Plant-Based Desserts
The finishing touch for any vegan BBQ is, of course, dessert. Throwing some fruit on the grill (peaches and pineapples taste especially delicious with a bit of heat) is always a great option, but any of the below Farm Boy products would be great, too!
Farm Boy™ Oat-Rageous Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert
Creamy, dreamy, vegan goodness! Our line of luscious dairy-free frozen desserts is crafted in small batches with Canadian oats. They come in four delicious flavours perfect for summertime. Serve them in cups, cones, or smooshed between two of our Plant-Based Cookies for a totally vegan ice cream sandwich! (Make things even easier on yourself by prepping them ahead of time, wrapping them tightly, and storing in the freezer until you’re ready to enjoy.)
Farm Boy™ Sorbet
Fruity and frozen! Perfect for cleansing your palate and sweetening your tastebuds at the end of a vegan BBQ is our line of sorbets. Tangy and smooth, they’re made from real, delicious fruits like raspberries, mango, blueberries, and watermelon. Enjoy them as-is or transform them into a fruity float with the help of our Organic Sparkling Waters or Sparkling Lemonades.
Plant-Based Cookies
Sometimes the most delicious desserts are the simplest. Whether you’re a meat eat or totally plant-based, cookies are always a good idea. Our homestyle Plant-Based Cookies are soft, sweet, and have that fresh-baked flavour you love. They’re available year-round in our Bake Shop in classic flavours like Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Raisin, as well as tasty seasonal variations. Crumble them over ice cream or sorbet, use them in an ice cream sandwich, or enjoy them just as they are.
Tips for Hosting a Vegan BBQ
- Prep as much as you can ahead of time. Prepare dips, marinades, and dressings beforehand so that they’re in the fridge and ready to go. Having everything ready and accessible will make it easier for you to spend more time with guests and less time running around.
- Offer drinks that can be grabbed by your guests. While playing bartender can be fun, during a summer BBQ your guests can get thirsty! Have buckets filled with ice and canned or bottled beverages that are easily accessible for your guests to help themselves.
- Season your grill! Whether you’re grilling veggies, fruits, kebabs, or vegan proteins, seasoning your grill will make it easier to clean, prevent food from sticking, and make your food taste better. Use oiled paper towels and tongs to properly season and coat your grill.
- Have a combination of grilled items and grill-less items. You don’t want to be sweated behind your BBQ the whole time you’re hosting. Plan your menu to have a mix of items that need to be made on the grill and those that can be made inside or require no cooking at all.
- Offer snacks to keep guests satisfied. Bowls of chips, popcorn, and nuts are all vegan-friendly snacks that will keep your guests munching without making them too full for the main event.
