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    Home » Barbecue

    28 vegan BBQ side dishes for your next cookout

    Updated: May 10, 2025 · Published: May 2, 2024 by Cadry Nelson · This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 1 Comment

    Text overlay: 28 vegan BBQ side dishes for your next cookout. Israeli couscous salad on table with spoon.

    Today’s post covers everything you need for a successful grilling season. Just add charcoal! With these colorful vegan barbecue side dishes, cookout season is off to an enticing start.

    Text overlay: 28 vegan BBQ side dishes for your next cookout. Israeli couscous salad on table with spoon.

    Is there anything better than sitting outside with friends, sipping on a cool peach rooibos iced tea, and firing up the grill?

    If the answer is no, you are in luck. We are sliding into the season of potlucks, picnics, and cookouts.

    While the main course often gets a lot of fanfare at the barbecue, don’t forget to round out the meal with some tasty side dishes!

    This round-up features delectable vegan BBQ side dishes, as well as suggestions for your main course.

    In this post:

    Jump to:
    • Grilled vegetable skewers
    • Corn cakes
    • Grilled corn with buffalo sauce
    • Israeli couscous salad
    • Vegan potato salad
    • Vegan pasta salad
    • Cold peanut noodle salad
    • Marinated lentil salad
    • Dill pickle hummus
    • Bowtie pasta salad
    • Hummus & artichoke crostini
    • Vegan coleslaw
    • Spinach salad with strawberries
    • Vegan chef salad
    • Rainbow fruit & veggie platter
    • Curried tofu salad
    • Avocado caprese salad
    • Tomato cucumber salad
    • Black bean & corn salad
    • Steamed kale with sesame oil
    • Pickle salsa
    • Vegan 7 layer dip
    • Peach & black bean salsa
    • Tomato bruschetta
    • Pineapple salsa
    • Vegan ceviche with hearts of palm
    • Quick & easy guacamole
    • Roasted asparagus bruschetta

    Grilled vegetable skewers

    Zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes grilled on skewers.
    Make this recipe

    Colorful grilled vegetable skewers are soaked in an herb & vinegar marinade. They’re stacked with zucchini, mushrooms, grape tomatoes, and red bell pepper, and tossed onto the grill.

    Pairing suggestions: Serve these tasty skewers with grilled lemon & rosemary tofu.

    Corn cakes

    Pupusas cooking on a cast iron pan on a campfire.
    Make this recipe

    I usually make corn cakes indoors on a skillet. However, these arepa-style corn cakes are also fantastic on the grill.

    Put the softened, gluten-free cakes on a cast iron griddle, and then cook them over a campfire, grill, or fire pit. Finish them with a pat of non-dairy butter and/or drizzle of maple syrup.

    Pairing suggestions: These savory corn cakes are wonderful with lentil chili (also cooked over a fire if you like) or refried beans.

    Grilled corn with buffalo sauce

    Hands holding buffalo grilled corn on the cob.
    Make this recipe

    If you love the taste of buffalo sauce, you’ll love this grilled corn on the cob. This saucy plant-based side dish is finished with vegan blue cheese dressing.

    Pairing suggestion: Go classic and serve grilled corn on the cob with veggie dogs, vegan bratwurst, or grilled portobello mushrooms.

    Israeli couscous salad

    Overhead bowl of Israeli couscous salad on table.
    Make this recipe

    For a salad that’s packed with color and crunch, look no further than Israeli couscous salad.

    It’s loaded with cucumber, tomatoes, grilled artichoke hearts, and green onions. Then it’s finished with a splash of balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.

    Pairing suggestion: This light pasta salad is wonderful alongside a vegetable sandwich with cashew cheese.

    Vegan potato salad

    Bowl of potato salad by floral napkin on table.
    Make this recipe

    Vegan potato salad is for true dill lovers!

    This mayo-based salad is dotted with crunchy pickles and dill. Then for more pickle flavor, you add a splash of pickle brine. It gets compliments every time!

    Pairing suggestion: Serve this pickle-packed potato salad with a vegan chili dog.

    Vegan pasta salad

    Short pasta in bowl with cucumber, carrots, and radishes in creamy vegan mayo dressing.
    Make this recipe

    There’s something vaguely nostalgic about this vegan pasta salad.

    Cold noodles are tossed in a flavorful mayo dressing, and packed with carrots, radishes, cucumbers, and chopped bell pepper.

    Pairing suggestion: Serve this family-friendly salad with delectable vegan fried chicken or buffalo hummus tortilla pinwheels.

    Cold peanut noodle salad

    Spiral pasta with vegetables and peanut sauce.
    Make this recipe

    Peanut butter lovers can’t get enough of this cold peanut noodle salad.

    It sings with the flavors of peanut butter, tamari, and brown rice vinegar. Then it’s dotted with crisp veggies & a handful of nuts for texture.

    Pairing suggestion: Serve with summer rolls, easy vegan crab rangoon, or potstickers with gyoza dipping sauce.

    Marinated lentil salad

    Lentils in bowl with kale salad and figs.
    Make this recipe

    When you don’t know what the vegan options will be at a cookout, it’s nice to bring along something packed with plant protein in case the options are slim.

    This tangy lentil salad definitely fits the bill! It’s made with sun-dried tomatoes, green onions, red wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard for a punch of flavor.

    Pairing suggestion: Serve with spinach salad with strawberries, tomato cucumber salad, or roasted fennel.

    Dill pickle hummus

    Tortilla chip being dipped into hummus.
    Make this recipe

    What is it about summer that makes you crave dill pickles? If briny, cool, crunch is what you desire, you’ll love this dill pickle hummus.

    Pairing suggestion: Serve with homemade crispy pita chips, crackers, and/or veggies for dipping. It’s also terrific slathered on a bagel sandwich.

    Bowtie pasta salad

    Pasta salad with fresh basil in blue bowl.
    Make this recipe

    I love the briny goodness of olives and artichoke hearts in this bowtie pasta salad.

    It’s finished with roasted chickpeas, fresh basil, and tomatoes in an oil and vinegar dressing.

    Pairing suggestion: Serve this hearty pasta salad with that summery favorite, air fryer asparagus.

    Hummus & artichoke crostini

    Hand holding crostini with hummus and artichoke.
    Make this recipe

    This easy crostini appetizer includes hummus, grilled artichoke hearts, and marinated cashews. It’s tangy, satiating, and a breeze to make.

    (You can even toast the crostini on the grill!)

    Pairing suggestion: Serve with marinated lentil salad.

    Vegan coleslaw

    Simple vegan coleslaw with shredded carrot in bowl.
    Make this recipe

    Is it even a potluck without vegan coleslaw?

    This summer classic goes over well in any group. Plus, thanks to pre-shredded cabbage mix, it comes together in just minutes.

    Pairing suggestion: It’s not just a side dish! Pile vegan coleslaw on a vegan BBQ sandwich made with Soy Curls, or a BBQ jackfruit sandwich.

    Spinach salad with strawberries

    Hand pouring balsamic vinaigrette onto salad.
    Make this recipe

    This fruity spinach salad with strawberries is tossed in balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

    It’s the perfect blend of tangy, sour, and sweet. Plus, dollops of homemade vegan feta give it staying power.

    Pairing suggestion: Serve it with warmed Castelvetrano olives, a vegan chicken salad sandwich, or tortilla pinwheels.

    Vegan chef salad

    Vegan chef salads on table with slices of bread and container of non-dairy ranch dressing.
    Make this recipe

    It’s not just a side dish! This hearty vegan chef salad is a full meal in a bowl!

    With satisfying seitan, creamy avocado, and crisp veggies, it’s a hearty lunch or dinner that hits just right when the temperatures are high. It’s finished with a flavorful vegan ranch dressing.

    Pairing suggestion: Serve with grilled vegetable skewers or vegan potato salad.

    Rainbow fruit & veggie platter

    Colorful veggie platter on table.
    Make this recipe

    You’ve got to love the array of colors in this rainbow fruit & veggie platter.

    With a sea of blues, pinks, reds, and oranges, it’s sure to brighten any gathering. Plus, the addition of hummus gives this crudites staying power.

    Pairing suggestion: Take this delicious board up another notch by adding vegan feta cheese, homemade pita chips, and crunchy air fryer chickpeas.

    Curried tofu salad

    Bowl of tofu salad on table by celery stalk.
    Make this recipe

    Protein-packed curried tofu salad is a terrific side dish to bring along to a potluck, especially if you’re not sure if there will be a filling vegan option.

    This flavorful salad is loaded with shredded carrot, celery, onion, raisins, and pistachios in a seasoned mayo dressing.

    Pairing suggestion: Curried tofu salad is great on its own, piled on a sandwich, or spooned into a wrap. Serve it with an easy spinach salad.

    Avocado caprese salad

    Vegan caprese salad in bowl.
    Make this recipe

    Standard caprese salads are made with mozzarella, tomato, and basil. But this avocado caprese salad has buttery avocado stand in for mozzarella.

    Pairing suggestion: Serve this flavor-packed salad with crusty bread and olive oil bread dip or almond dukkah.

    Tomato cucumber salad

    Tomato cucumber salad in bowl with vegan feta crumbles.
    Make this recipe

    Tomato cucumber salad is packed with crunch from crispy cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, and dairy-free feta tossed in a lemon vinagrette.

    Pairing suggestion: Serve this refreshing salad with grilled lemon rosemary tofu, Thanksgiving-style kebabs, or double hummus wraps.

    Black bean & corn salad

    Close-up salad with corn, avocado, bell pepper, and black beans.
    Make this recipe

    This black bean corn avocado salad highlights the best of summer. It’s finished with a tasty lime dressing.

    Pairing suggestion: Scoop up this salad with chips, pair it with grilled vegetable fajitas, or add it to vegan walking tacos.

    Steamed kale with sesame oil

    Steamed kale with sesame seeds in bowl with tofu and rice.
    Make this recipe

    Cram a lot of dark leafy greens into your diet with this flavorful steamed sesame kale side dish. Although it’s a cooked dish, it feels like a salad, because it’s served cold.

    Pairing suggestion: It pairs perfectly with grilled bulgogi tofu, tofu satay, or a spring roll tortilla wrap.

    Pickle salsa

    Chip dipping into pickle salsa.
    Make this recipe

    Pickle lovers can’t get enough of this crowd-pleasing pickle salsa. It’s also known as “pickle de gallo.”

    Pairing suggestion: Of course, this salsa is an excellent dip with tortilla chips. It can also be used as a topping on veggie burgers & chili dogs!

    Vegan 7 layer dip

    Close-up bowl of dip with layers of salsa, shredded cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and refried beans.
    Make this recipe

    With layer after tempting layer, this vegan 7 layer dip always impresses.

    It’s made with refried beans, guacamole, and pico de gallo. You could almost make a meal out of this dip all by itself!

    Pairing suggestion: Serve this dip with raw tacos or veggie fajitas.

    Peach & black bean salsa

    Hand dipping tortilla chip into salsa.
    Make this recipe

    Don’t let peach season pass you by without making this delicious dip! You get a mixture of savory and sweet in peach salsa with black beans.

    Pairing suggestion: Scoop up this salsa with tortilla chips. Serve it with veggie burgers or jackfruit carnitas tacos.

    Tomato bruschetta

    Bruschetta al pomodoro on platter & garnished with basil.
    Make this recipe

    Make summer tomatoes sing with this bruschetta al pomodoro.

    Tomatoes are tossed with fragrant basil, garlic, balsamic vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper on toasted or grilled bread.

    Pairing suggestion: Serve with olive tapenade & crackers, fried zucchini, fried squash blossoms, and/or vegan crab cakes.

    Pineapple salsa

    Tortilla chip being dipped into pineapple salsa.
    Make this recipe

    It really feels like summer when pineapple salsa is on the picnic table. This fresh and fruity dip takes only ten minutes to make.

    Pairing suggestion: Serve with tortilla chips, or add it to a vegan nacho bar. Pineapple salsa is also a fun addition to your tiki party menu.

    Vegan ceviche with hearts of palm

    Vegan ceviche in bowl by tortilla chips and jalapenos.
    Make this recipe

    Vegan ceviche is made with with briny hearts of palm, creamy avocado, crunchy onion, and zingy lime. It is so light, fun, and delicious.

    Pairing suggestion: Serve with tortilla chips for scooping. And save room for a grilled banana splits for dessert!

    Quick & easy guacamole

    Tortilla chip being dipped into guacamole.
    Make this recipe

    This easy guacamole is simple to make but always a crowd-pleaser.

    With avocado, onions, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, and salt, it’s sure to be the hit of your party.

    Pairing suggestion: Serve with chips for dipping. Add dollops to mushroom fajitas or vegan chicken tacos.

    Roasted asparagus bruschetta

    Roasted asparagus bruschetta canapes on platter.
    Make this recipe

    There’s no reason tomatoes should have all the fun. Spring darling, asparagus, is wonderful in asparagus bruschetta.

    Warm asparagus is tossed in a simple dressing of balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and fresh basil. Put it atop toasted or grilled bread.

    Pairing suggestion: Serve this springy appetizer with grilled portobello mushrooms.

    Content and photos updated May 2, 2024. Originally posted April 29, 2019.

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    About Cadry Nelson

    Cadry Nelson is the writer, recipe creator, and photographer behind Cadry’s Kitchen, and the author of Living Vegan For Dummies, 2nd Edition. Since launching her blog in 2009, Cadry has been making plant-based cooking approachable, and reimagining classic comfort foods. Her work has been featured in NBC News, Buzzfeed, Yahoo, Parade, VegNews, and more. She regularly appears on local TV shows, demonstrating to a broad audience how easy vegan cooking can be.

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    1. Shell

      April 29, 2019 at 1:05 pm

      This post has me dreaming of summer!

      Reply

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