25 Plant-Based BBQ Recipes to Make Your Omni Neighbors Drool
By Team Dirty
Jun 5, 2025,
By Team Dirty
Jun 5, 2025,
Going plant-based doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a good cookout anymore. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or bringing a dish to share, these 25 drool-worthy plant-based BBQ recipes will have your omnivore neighbors doing a double-take—and lining up for seconds. From bold, smoky mains to fresh, flavor-packed sides, this list has everything you need to wow the crowd at your next barbecue.
Or maybe you’ve been invited to a BBQ and need a plant-based dish that fits your lifestyle. Most of these plant-based recipes are perfect for traveling and sharing. So grab your go-to dish, pack it up, and let’s fire up the grill!
Mains
1. BBQ Pulled Jackfruit
When it comes to texture, you can’t beat jackfruit. Its mild flavor makes it perfect for marinating and drenching in mouthwatering barbecue sauce. It’s absolutely perfect served on a whole wheat bun with a few sides, and we know you’ll agree.
2. Tofu Veg Kabobs
Food on a stick is a cookout classic for a reason. In this simple dish, tofu cubes and chunky veggies are skewered after soaking in a sumptuous marinade. You can grill or roast them in the oven. Either way, they’re delicious.
“This is a good, versatile recipe. Grill, oven, or air fryer, these kabobs were easy to make and very tasty.”
Brenda, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
3. BBQ Portobello Steak and Island Slaw
Ditch the beef. These portobellos are marinated and roasted until tender. Serve them over a bed of lettuce and drizzle with a Sweet & Smoky BBQ Sauce, throw a fresh and fun slaw on the side, and you’ve got a plant-based BBQ meal that’ll be the envy of any omni.
4. Cell Fueling Plant Rich BBQ Bowl
Bowls deliver flavor, texture, and plant-powered nutrition in one convenient package. This one is loaded with savory grains, smoky BBQ beans, and lots of fresh veggies. The dressing and bacon-flavored pumpkin seeds send it over the top for a flavor explosion.
“This is an amazing dish. Make it, eat it, and enjoy it! I plan to show it off to omni friends.”
Claudia, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
“Very filling! My picky omni husband really liked this because of the BBQ sauce.”
Melissa, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
5. Plant-Based BBQ Sweet Potato Steaks
Roasted sweet potato slices are baked in sweet and tangy oil-free barbecue sauce, making family-friendly steaks that can be layered onto bowls or into burger buns for a wonderful summer party meal. What’s not to love?
“Really tasty, so nice with a side of salad and some edamame beans.”
Caroline, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
6. Pulled Jackfruit Sandwich, Brussels Slaw, and Corn on the Cob
This one is the whole shebang. Toasted buns are layered with cheesy sauce, well-seasoned baked jackfruit, and Alabama White Barbecue Sauce (if you haven’t tried it, it’s a must), then topped with Brussels and cabbage slaw. To complete the meal, fresh corn on the cob is served on the side. Done and done.
“So good! Hit with my omni husband and daughter.”
Rose, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
7. BBQ Soy Curl Sandwich
Soy curls are positively made for barbecue sauce. They’re savory, have a meaty texture, and they soak up sauce beautifully. If you’ve never cooked soy curls, consider this your invitation.
“This was SO good and easy to whip up quickly on a weeknight. I made it exactly as written and thought it was perfect. Highly recommend trying it!”
Darci, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
8. Sweet & Smoky BBQ Tofu Steaks with Greek Potato Salad and Dill Pickles
Roast up some barbecued tofu steaks and serve them with a refreshing take on potato salad, complete with Kalamata olives, herbs, veggies, and a Greek-style dressing. Dill pickle slices on the side complete the family-friendly meal everyone will love.
“Tasty tofu and the cherry BBQ sauce is great! The star of the meal is the Greek potato salad. Loved it!”
Laura, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
Go Greek >
9. Smoky Bean Burgers and Crunchy Corn & Cauli Salad
Black beans, red onion, bell pepper, and walnuts give these beefy burgers incredible flavor and texture. Our unique corn and cauliflower salad, with its massive crunch, makes this perfect for any barbecue.
“This one is delicious! The salad would be wonderful at any gathering, everyone will love it!”
Karen, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
10. Vegan Carrot Dogs
A savory marinade turns carrots into ‘dogs ready for grilling or pan-roasting. Oh, and they’re kid-friendly, too! Plus there are four fun topping ideas.
“I was skeptical and loved them!”
Christine, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
11. Black Cherry Burger and Green Bean Potato Salad
Black Cherry BBQ Sauce makes these burgers to die for! Pair these bad boys with a chilled potato salad loaded with green beans, olives, fresh herbs, and white wine vinaigrette for a sensational meal.
“Love both the burger and the salad!”
Sue, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
Say less >
Salads and sides
12. Classic Plant-Based Potato Salad
No barbecue or cookout is complete without potato salad, and when we tell you this one is the best, vegan or otherwise, we mean it. This omni-approved salad has been winning over mayo lovers for years, and we think it’s time you tried it.
“This is the best potato salad recipe I’ve tried.”
Barb, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
“Shockingly, my very picky, omni husband loved this. He had mayo on the table ready to add in, and never used it. I loved it, too!”
Laura, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
“This potato salad is the only one I make—because the omnis are always requesting that I bring it to functions. It has been a hit everywhere, even with picky kids. Absolute winner. I can’t count how many times I’ve been asked for this recipe.”
Mich, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
13. Vegan Coleslaw with Oil-Free Mayo
Love it or hate it, coleslaw is a staple on American tables for a reason. There are a hundred ways to make it, but at its core, it’s simple, affordable, forgiving, and we think it’s damn tasty. We also think you’ll love our recipe.
“Absolutely delicious!”
Susan, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
14. Chili Lime Corn on the Cob
Spice it up! This simple yet leveled-up side is a wonderful, flavor-packed addition to any summer potluck or barbecue.
“Great flavor! Would definitely make again!”
Kathy, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
Level up >
15. Creamy Macaroni Salad
Another classic. Our dairy-free, oil-free, and egg-free macaroni salad is made with a Tofu Mayo you’ll fall in love with, and it’s jam-packed with veggies for that nostalgic, retro taste you love. It’s a great kid-friendly, make-ahead dish for summer parties and picnics.
“This tastes amazing, very fresh. I plan to make this often. I make the basil sauce a lot, thrilled to have another recipe with it.”
Mellie, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
Go retro >
16. Creamy Basil Pasta Salad
A fun Italian twist on classic oil-based pasta salad—without the oil, of course. Fresh herbs and veggies are the star of this one. If you want to class it up even further, serve with a handful of toasted pine nuts on top. Delizioso!
“This tastes amazing, very fresh. I plan to make this often. I make the basil sauce a lot, thrilled to have another recipe with it.”
Julie, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
17. Classic Plant-Based Macaroni & Cheese
Don’t even think of having a summer cookout without macaroni and cheese. This plant-based version is well-loved and uses simple veggies as the base for the cheesy sauce. Delicious, creamy, and nutritious? Now that’s a win-win-win!
“My very picky toddler had seconds! Will definitely be putting this in the rotation!!”
Sarah, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
“This is a favorite recipe in my household of mixed vegans and omnis. My two omni children prefer it to ‘real’ mac and cheese.”
Karla, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
18. Oil-Free Barbecue Baked Beans
Saucy and scrumptious! These beautiful beans are tossed in a homemade sweet and tangy BBQ-inspired sauce and baked to perfection. They’re not your mother’s beans!
19. Grilled or Roasted Summer Veggies
Simple and yummy is the name of the game here. Grill or roast your veggies and serve on the side or add them to salads, bowls, or sandwiches. Yum!
“I really liked the marinade and it was yummy equally in the oven and on the grill. Good way to use the garden harvest!”
Clean Food Dirty Girl member
20. Sweet Corn & Blueberry Salad
Try a new twist on the classic fruit salad with this fun dish. The tangy dressing complements the sweetness of the corn and blueberries so well. And a little spicy kick sends it over the top.
“I, like so many others, found this to be absolutely delightful! I just wish that I had discovered this wonderfully fresh salad recipe sooner. It’s like farm fresh summer in a bowl!”
Brook, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
Condiments
21. Healthy Sweet & Smoky BBQ Sauce
Just looking for sauce? We got you. This tomato-based sauce is complex, a little sweet, a little smoky, and perfect for all your barbecue needs.
“I would drink the stuff.”
Alex, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
22. Sweet Onion Dressing
This tried-and-true Dirty favorite is good on just about any salad you can imagine. It’s even a great dressing for slaw or drizzled over grilled veggies. Don’t miss it.
“Absolutely delicious! This is probably in my top five favorite dressings.”
Chris, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
Fruits and desserts
23. Strawberry Lemonade Ice Pops
A sweet, frozen summer treat made without highly processed sugar or food coloring? Count us in! This creamy, dreamy frozen treat filled with strawberry lemonade flavor will make faces light up on a hot summer day.
“Absolutely scrumptious!! Got rave reviews from vegans and non-vegans alike!”
Heidi, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
24. Watermelon Lime Slushie
A sweet and tangy way to use up what’s left of that giant watermelon! Lime and watermelon taste beautifully together.
“This is so refreshing and delicious! Perfect summer treat.”
Marissa, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
Put the lime in the watermelon and drink them both up >
25. Ambrosia Fruit Salad
If you grew up in the south, you know how good Ambrosia can be. If not, you are in for a treat.
“So good!! I’ve made it so many times!! Love it!”
Anita, Clean Food Dirty Girl member
Plants for the win
These plant-based BBQ recipes are ready to make your omni neighbors drool. So pick out a few and prepare to be the hit of the cookout. If you’re not already a Clean Food Dirty Girl member, sign up for a free trial of Meal Plan Club to enjoy these and thousands of the best whole-food plant-based recipes on the internet.
Here’s to delicious summer days fueled by plants.
Xo
Team Dirty
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