28 vegan BBQ side dishes for your next cookout

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:

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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!

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.

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.

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.

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 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!

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.

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.