🍔 The Best Vegan BBQ Recipes (Smoky, Saucy & Delicious!)

🍔 A Guide to the Ultimate Vegan BBQ Feast 🍔

Barbecue is a beloved culinary tradition, all about smoky, savory, and tangy flavors. It is a style of cooking that is almost entirely centered on meat. This can make it seem like an impossible meal for anyone on a vegan diet. But the fantastic news is that a delicious, hearty, and satisfying vegan BBQ is 100% possible!

The secret is to use the right plant-based ingredients that can deliver a "meaty" texture and act as a perfect vehicle for a rich, smoky BBQ sauce. This guide will provide five easy and delicious ideas for your next cookout. Let's get grilling! ✅

🤔 What's the Secret to a Great Vegan BBQ?

The secret to a fantastic vegan BBQ is twofold. First, you need a bold, flavorful, and vegan-friendly BBQ sauce (always check the label, as some can contain honey or anchovies). Second, you need a plant-based substitute that has a great, shreddable, or chewy texture. These recipes deliver on all fronts.

1. How to Make BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches?

This is the undisputed king of vegan BBQ. It is the most convincing and delicious substitute for pulled pork. The key is to use young, green jackfruit in a can (not the sweet, ripe fruit in syrup).

How to make it: Drain and rinse the jackfruit. Sauté it in a pan with a little onion and garlic, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until it's shredded. Add a generous amount of your favorite vegan BBQ sauce and let it simmer until the sauce is thick and the jackfruit is tender. Serve piled high on a bun with some vegan coleslaw.

2. What's a Good Recipe for BBQ Tofu 'Ribs'?

This is a fantastic, high-protein option that is perfect for the grill. The tofu becomes wonderfully chewy and caramelized. It is a true crowd-pleaser.

How to make it: Press a block of extra-firm tofu for at least 30 minutes to remove all the water. Slice it into "rib" shaped pieces. Marinate the tofu in a mixture of BBQ sauce, soy sauce, and liquid smoke for at least an hour. Bake or grill the tofu, basting it with more BBQ sauce, until it is firm, browned, and the edges are crispy.

3. How Do You Make Classic Black Bean Burgers?

A hearty, homemade black bean burger is a classic at any cookout. It is packed with protein and a smoky, savory flavor.

How to make it: In a bowl, mash a can of rinsed black beans with a fork. Mix in 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, some finely chopped onion, and spices like chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Form the mixture into patties and pan-fry or grill them until they are crispy on both sides. Serve on a bun with all your favorite toppings.

4. How to Make BBQ Vegetable & Tofu Skewers?

This is a fresh, vibrant, and colorful option that is perfect for the grill. It is a light and healthy way to enjoy those classic BBQ flavors.

How to make it: Cut a block of extra-firm tofu into large cubes. Chop your favorite grilling vegetables (like bell peppers, red onions, and zucchini) into similar-sized pieces. Thread the tofu and vegetables alternately onto skewers. Brush them generously with BBQ sauce and grill, turning, until the vegetables are tender and the tofu is charred on the edges.

5. What's a Good Recipe for Smoky BBQ Lentils?

This is a hearty, savory, and "meaty" dish that is perfect as a main or a side. It has the rich, deep flavor of a classic BBQ baked bean dish, but with the protein of lentils.

How to make it: In a pot, sauté a chopped onion and garlic. Add 1 cup of rinsed brown or green lentils, 1 can of crushed tomatoes, and 2 cups of vegetable broth. Stir in 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce, a tablespoon of molasses, and a teaspoon of smoked paprika. Let it simmer until the lentils are soft and the stew is thick. ✨