26 Vegetarian Grilling Recipes for Your Next Cookout (2024)

Long gone are the days when "cookout" merely meant a grill full of hot dogs, ribs, and burgers. Vegetables take the spotlight in this selection of satisfying meatless recipes for the grill.

Packed with flavor, interesting taste profiles, and surprising ingredients, you don’t need a traditional protein source to complete these meatless takes. We bet you'll find that our vegetarian burgers, grilled pizzas, stuffed and grilled vegetables, and more will delight your family and friends—and that's true whether or not they eat meat.

Whether you're hosting a big backyard barbecue or just want a healthy weeknight dinner with plenty of flavor, these vegetarian grilling recipes deliver.There's plenty of inspiration here for the long summer nights ahead, so get cooking!

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Barbecue Pulled Mushroom Sandwiches

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You'll need both hands and several napkins to relish every morsel of this meat-free twist on pulled-pork sandwiches. Maitake mushrooms are the main event; they're grilled then shredded using two forks, then it's time to stir them in our quick barbecue sauce. Mound the mixture on brioche buns, and top with vinegar-spiked slaw for that all-important crunch.

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02of 26

Creamy Grilled-Corn Pizza

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Hands down, the trickiest part of making grilled pizzas is handling the dough. Sometimes it's too dry; other times it's too gloppy and slips right through the grates. That's why this recipe starts with sturdy, store-bought naan or other flatbread, which plays perfectly with our toppings that are inspired by Mexican street corn. A blend of sour cream, mayonnaise, lime, and garlic lends tangy creaminess, while charred kernels provide juicy sweetness.

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03of 26

Grilled Summer Squash with Hot Honey and Ricotta

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Next time you heat up the coals, make some room on the grates for this healthy, delicious recipe. Use a mix of zucchini and yellow squash and after grilling, brush them with a vinaigrette made with hot honey, sliced shallots, and jalapeños. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving with fresh ricotta and fresh mint, or transfer to the refrigerator to marinate for up to 12 hours, if the make-ahead aspect appeals.

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04of 26

Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Rice and Peas

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Grilling sliced sweet potatoes is a quick and easy way to get this nutritious tuber into your diet during the sweltering summer months when roasting them in the oven isn't so appealing. Serve them as a simple side or feature them as the main dish as we do here, along with a side of rice and peas.

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05of 26

Grilled Cauliflower with Spiced Yogurt Sauce

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For a spectacular vegetable centerpiece, this dish can't be beat. A whole cauliflower is briefly steamed on the stovetop before transferring to the grill, this ensures the crucifer will be cooked all the way through and also get a nice brown crust from the grill.

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06of 26

Eggplant Provoleta with Crispy Potato Wedges

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A staple of Argentine steak houses, provoleta is a provolone-type cheese that's served browned and bubbling; diners smear it on bread as a starter along with a dab of chimichurri. Our vegetarian makeover is a hearty main. Tomatoes are brushed with the spicy chimichurri pre-grill, and provolone is melted on top of grilled eggplant as it finishes cooking. Arrange it all on a platter, drizzle more sauce on top, and serve grilled potatoes alongside.

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07of 26

Grilled Bread and Chiles with Burrata

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This dish uses creamy, cool burrata cheese as a foil for grilled fresh chiles. Mop it all up with grilled bread.

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08of 26

Summer-Veggie Melts with Caper Sauce

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A meatless masterpiece, this vegetarian sandwich packs a colorful mix of grilled vegetables into a hoagie that gets a toasty crust on the grill but stays pillowy-soft in the center. Provolone, the perfect melting cheese, melds it all together while a generous smear of a zesty basil-caper aioli provides the finishing touch.

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09of 26

Grilled Vegetables and Halloumi Cheese with Charred-Tomato Dressing

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This knife-and-fork salad is a feast of grilled vegetables, including mushrooms, radicchio, and summer squash, along with grilled Halloumi cheese. And the irresistible tomato dressing is made with grilled tomatoes!

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10of 26

Mushroom Tacos with Charred-Corn Salsa

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Ready in just over 30 minutes, these hearty portobello tacos are wonderfully uncomplicated to make and absolutely delicious to eat. This smoky dinner can be vegan, too—just skip the sour cream

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11of 26

Grilled Zucchini with Miso

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This umami-packed vegetable side packs a most delicious flavor punch. Thick slabs of zucchini are brushed with a soy-miso glaze before grilling.

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12of 26

Grilled-Halloumi-and-Vegetable Wraps

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Easy to make and easy to eat, we rate these wraps for a quick weeknight dinner. Halloumi is without doubt the best cheese for grilling, it stays firm and gets a tasty char from the grates.

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13of 26

Grilled Vegetable Pizzas

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Here's a pizza you can make on a weeknight. Turn on the grill because this recipe starts with store-bought flatbread and it bucks tradition all the way. No marinara sauce here, just plenty of grilled vegetables—mushrooms, zucchini, red onion, and kale—and two cheeses, mozzarella and blue cheese, then a drizzle of mustard vinaigrette brings it all together.

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14of 26

Grilled Vegetables and White-Bean Fattoush

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Hearty and colorful, this main dish salad combines grilled peppers and red onion with briny feta and herb-coated cannellini beans. Pita chips and a generous drizzle of red-wine vinaigrette bring crunch and brightness.

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15of 26

Tofu Kebabs with Cilantro Sauce

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Marinate tofu cubes and scallions in a zesty puree of cilantro, jalapeño, ginger, and lime juice before threading onto skewers. Grill alongside summer squash kebabs and serve with the leftover marinade for dipping.

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16of 26

Grilled-Eggplant Parmesan

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A healthier twist on eggplant parmesan, this version skips the breading and deep-frying and instead opts for grilling. It's delicious on a charcoal or wood fired grill for an extra smoky flavor, but you can prepare this in a grill pan year-round.

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17of 26

Grilled-Asparagus, Tomato, and Fontina Pizzette

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Classic pizza dough is the base for this grilled vegetarian delight. The crust gets extra crispy thanks to the high heat and smoke, and the vegetables take on some of that same smoky flavor that lets us taste summer.

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18of 26

Grilled Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

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This colorful stuffed peppers is altogether different—no oven needed! It uses the grill in two different ways; direct heat to grill the peppers, then indirect heat to cook some of the stuffing ingredients—couscous, tomato, and raisins—in a skillet for the stuffing. Once stuffed, the peppers are cooked through in the same pan on top of the grill.

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19of 26

Balsamic Portobello Burgers with Bell Pepper and Goat Cheese

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Portobello mushrooms, a favorite take on the vegetarian burger, are marinated along with red bell peppers in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and minced garlic. Serve on toasted buns with fresh goat cheese and lettuce.

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20of 26

West Coast Grilled Vegetable Pizza

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No California-style pizza would be complete without avocado! Store-bought pizza dough is grilled and topped with tomatoes, scallions, and goat cheese. Then a fresh salad of spinach and diced avocado is dressed and piled onto the pizzas just before serving.

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21of 26

Tomato and Basil Pizza

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These rounds of grilled homemade (or store-bought) pizza dough are so simple yet so delicious. Make your own tomato sauce with this recipe or use your favorite store-bought variety, then scatter fresh mozzarella and basil leaves over the top.

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22of 26

Chickpea Burger

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Scallions, cumin, ginger, and peanuts add lively flavor to these chickpea patties. Serve the grilled burgers on whole-wheat English muffins with mayonnaise and Dijon mustard.

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23of 26

Grilled Vegetable Tostadas

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Top flour tortillas with grilled zucchini, portobello mushrooms, and scallions—grilling makes these vegetables tender and caramelized. Crumbled feta cheese and fresh tomato salsa are the perfect finishing touches.

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24of 26

Whole Grilled Eggplant Rice Pilaf

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As a highly versatile veggie, eggplants can be enjoyed in many ways, and this recipe calls for a charred approach. The skin will be overly crispy, but the inside of the eggplant will be soft and creamy. We especially love pairing this eggplant with a lemon tahini sauce and serving it with a Middle Eastern-inspired rice pilaf.

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25of 26

Grilled Broccoli Flatbread Pizzas

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Don’t let the name of this recipe scare you if you’re not a fan of broccoli—you can put any type of fresh produce on top of this flatbread, from zucchini and tomato to yellow squash and eggplant. Not only does pizza cook a little faster on the open flame, but it creates that delicious charred taste we all crave with a slice.

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26of 26

Grilled Tofu Sandwiches

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You’ve never tasted tofu quite like this. It’s spicy, then sweet, thanks to the sriracha and the brown sugar. The addition of pickled carrots creates a dynamic and delicious sandwich you’ll want to munch on all summer.

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26 Vegetarian Grilling Recipes for Your Next Cookout (2024)

FAQs

What veggies are good for grilling? ›

Almost every vegetable other than leafy greens are wonderful for grilling – here are my favourites:
  • zucchini.
  • mushrooms.
  • asparagus.
  • capsicum / bell peppers.
  • eggplant / aubergine.
  • red onion.

Should you salt veggies before grilling? ›

By this, he means seasoning aggressively and early. In the same way you'd add copious amounts of salt and pepper to a steak 30 minutes before grilling, you should do the same with your veggies. The salt will bead on the veggies, then ultimately permeate the surface, flavoring the entire vegetable.

How to grill veggies on the grill? ›

Be sure to use veggies that are similar in size so that they cook easily. Add your vegetables directly to your grill basket and close the lid. Cook your vegetables in the grill basket for about 20 minutes, flipping or stirring them every 5-8 minutes or so.

How to grill veggies without skewers? ›

Coat the vegetables with a bit of oil, then salt and pepper them. This works great for any vegetable that is large enough to cut into manageable pieces like this. Lay them on the grill across the grates so they don't fall through. Cook, turning halfway through.

What are 5 foods good for grilling? ›

  • Corn is one of the easiest things to grill. ...
  • New York strip steak is a good grilling meat for beginners. ...
  • Grilled beef short ribs are easy to prepare. ...
  • Heartier fishes that are firm and flavorful are perfect for charring. ...
  • Tofu soaks up a lot of flavor, making it perfect for grilling.
May 25, 2023

What do vegetarians eat at a barbecue? ›

How to create the ultimate vegetarian barbecue
  • Epic grilled veg.
  • Bad-ass cheesy corn on the cob.
  • Whole burnt aubergine.
  • Mega stuffed sweet potatoes.
  • Garlic mushroom burgers.
  • Cinder-baked artichokes with lemon, bay and prosciutto.
  • Quick grilled pizza.
  • Campfire bread.
Jul 12, 2023

Do you put oil on vegetables before grilling? ›

Grilling vegetables is a great way to bring out sweet, toasty, caramelized flavors that other cooking techniques won't. And there's very little prep involved. All you really need to do is toss or brush the raw veggies in vegetable oil, and sprinkle them with your favorite seasonings. Then get them on the grill!

How long to grill vegetables on a gas grill? ›

Sprinkle the vegetables with salt and pepper. Working in batches, grill the vegetables until tender and lightly charred all over, about 8 to 10 minutes for the bell peppers; 7 minutes for the yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, and mushrooms; 4 minutes for the asparagus and green onions.

Should you grill vegetables covered or uncovered? ›

Keep the grill lid handy

If you're cooking small or delicate vegetables, anything sliced smaller than three-quarters of an inch, keep the cover open. If the vegetables are thicker, you'll want to close the lid to help them cook through.

How long should vegetables be on the grill? ›

Place the vegetables in the grill basket on the grill, close the lid, and cook for for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Grill the vegetables until they are cooked to your desired doneness. If you like your veggies crunchy, pull them off after 10 minutes, if you like them softer, leave them on for longer.

How long to grill veggies in a foil pan? ›

Place the foil packets, sealed-side up, on the grill rack; grill, covered, for 4 minutes. Flip the packets; grill until the vegetables are tender, about 4 minutes more. Remove from the grill.

How do you soften vegetables before grilling? ›

Use oil (or marinade).

Brush or toss vegetables with a little olive oil, coconut oil, or butter to prevent them from drying out and sticking to the grill. Oil helps seasonings, like salt and pepper, stick better, too. You can also use a marinade or salad dressing for extra flavor and moisture.

What is a disadvantage when grilling vegetables? ›

Disadvantages
  • Grilling vegetables requires constant attention.
  • Grilling needs to be done in a well-ventilated area or outside.
  • It can cause fire hazards if you are unfamiliar with this method.
Dec 20, 2021

Can you grill vegetables on a stove top? ›

A stove top grill pan is a great way to cook veggies and fruits indoors in the comfort of your kitchen.

What foods are most suitable for grilling? ›

**Meat:** Steaks, burgers, sausages, chicken breasts, pork chops, and kebabs are popular choices for grilling. 2. **Seafood:** Fish fillets, shrimp, and even whole fish can be grilled.

What foods are best for grilling? ›

The best veggies for the grill are sturdy and develop sweet flavors:
  • Sweet peppers (6-8 minutes each side)
  • Onions (5-7 minutes each side)
  • Zucchini and other summer squash (5 minutes each side)
  • Corn (25 minutes)
  • Portabella mushrooms (7-10 minutes per side)
  • Romaine lettuce hearts (3 minutes per side)
Jun 26, 2022

Do you put veggies directly on grill? ›

A combination of these methods is often a good bet for vegetables that take longer to cook through, like wedges of cabbage or whole carrots. Use the direct heat of the grill to get a good sear on the vegetable, and then move it to indirect heat so it can cook through more gently without scorching.

How long should you grill veggies for? ›

Sprinkle the vegetables with salt and pepper. Working in batches, grill the vegetables until tender and lightly charred all over, about 8 to 10 minutes for the bell peppers; 7 minutes for the yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, and mushrooms; 4 minutes for the asparagus and green onions.

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