35 recipes for your vegan potluck, picnic or cookout

These vegan potluck recipes cover appetizers, drinks, side dishes, sandwiches, and food for the grill. Save it for your next cookout, picnic, or get together.

If the campers and RV’s traveling down our street are any indication, the time for summer fun is now.

It’s the season for outdoor family reunions, picnics in the park, throwing sandwiches into the boat cooler, and inviting the neighbors over for a cookout.

Let’s face it, a lot of warm weather entertaining revolves around food.

Here are 35 recipes that cover all of your vegan potluck needs!

Vegan grill ideas

If I had a top 10 list for my favorite things about summer, grilling would be way up there sun dresses, sunlight until after 8 pm, and outdoor art fairs.

A few weeks back, I shared my favorite meaty veggie burgers for vegan grilling season. And that’s an effortless option.

Here are a few more ideas to keep you going:

Grilled corn on the cob with buffalo sauce

Slather grilled corn on the cob in buffalo sauce and finish it with vegan blue cheese dressing for a deliciously messy side dish.

Grilled veggie fajitas with mushrooms & asparagus

Everything tastes better with some char on it. Mushrooms and asparagus are no exception. So when you need a break from burgers, give veggie fajitas a whirl.

Grilled tofu marinade with lemon & rosemary

With a few hours of marinating time, tofu becomes the star of the show. Do a lemon rosemary marinade for a summery tofu that’s really nice with a salad.

Grilled vegetable skewers

Grilled vegetable skewers are a terrific summer side dish. They’re made with zucchini, mushrooms, grape tomatoes, and red bell pepper. After they’re marinated in an herb & vinegar marinade, they’re tossed onto the grill. 

Bulgogi tofu bowls

Delight your friends with bulgogi tofu for an option that’s outside the ordinary. It’s a mouthwatering addition to a bowl with kimchi, and sauteed spinach.

Kimchi reuben

Or serve bulgogi tofu in a savory tofu sandwich with grilled bread & avocado.

Breakfast skillets

Brunch cookout, anyone? Cast iron breakfast skillets are filled with tofu scramble and veggie sausages. Serve with potatoes.

Corn cakes

Corn cakes are terrific cooked on a cast iron griddle right on a campfire, grill, or over a fire pit. You can even put the skillet directly on top of hot coals to warm. 

They are dotted with corn kernels. Great with a pat of non-dairy butter & drizzle of maple syrup. Or serve them alongside chili or refried beans.

Grilled Portobello mushrooms

Grilled portobello mushrooms are a meaty vegan entrée that you can eat with a fork & knife. ‘Shrooms pick up smoky flavors so beautifully. They make a wonderful main dish, or serve them on a bun with all the fixin’s.

Grilled banana split

Grilling doesn’t have to be for savory foods alone. Take it all the way to dessert with grilled banana splits topped with chocolate peanut butter sauce.

For another grilled dessert option, Sarah’s campfire cones look really fun & delicious!

No grill? No problem.

These hearty mains can be made without firing up the grill.

Vegan BBQ sandwich

When you don’t want to heat up the house or wait for the charcoal to reach that perfect temperature, use the air fryer for a vegan bbq sandwich instead. It’s made with Soy Curls!

All out of barbecue sauce? Make vegan barbecue sauce in thirty seconds using ingredients you already have on hand.

Vegan walking tacos

Everyone loves vegan walking tacos – kids & adults alike.

Put out chips, as well as toppings like lettuce, tomato, guacamole, and lentil taco mix. Then let your guests fix their ideal frito pie.

Vegetable sandwich

This vegetable sandwich is slathered with jalapeño cashew cheese, and then layered with fresh, crunchy vegetables. It’s a good one for the cooler!

Vegan chicken salad sandwich

This vegan chicken salad sandwich is a terrific option for a picnic. Or pop a few into the cooler before a day spent boating. This simple recipe comes together in only 15 minutes.

Spring roll tortilla wraps

Cool & crisp tortilla wraps are filled with crunchy vegetables, lime tofu, and spicy peanut sauce for dipping. An unexpectedly delicious option for outdoor dining.

Tortilla pinwheels

Tortilla pinwheels with buffalo hummus are loaded with crisp romaine, shredded carrot, and chives. Perfect for that picnic basket or potluck!

Vegan tuna salad sandwich

One of the first things I ever learned to cook was tuna salad. It was so easy, a kid could do it. These days, I make vegan tuna salad sandwiches with chickpeas instead.

They’re surprisingly similar. But I like the chickpea base even better. (And so do the fish, of course!)

Vegan egg salad sandwich

It seems that at least a couple times a summer, our power goes out after a thunderstorm, and I need to make a meal without electricity. Vegan egg salad is a fast & filling option. Don’t forget the kala namak!

Vegan fried chicken

There’s just something about picnics and hot or cold vegan fried chicken that goes together like a dream. It has a crispy coating, and it’s served on a stick. So kitschy & fun!

Summery side dishes for your potluck

Fill out your meal with these summery side dishes.

Israeli couscous salad

Israeli couscous salad is packed with crunchy cucumber, tomatoes, grilled artichoke hearts, green onions, a splash of balsamic vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil.

It’s a good one to keep in the refrigerator for an easy lunch in a hurry. For an added protein boost, throw in some roasted chickpeas.

The best vegan potato salad

It may sound like I’m being hyperbolic here, but you’ll have to make it and see for yourself. It really is the best vegan potato salad.

Even if I’m just cooking for two, I make the full batch, because no one is sad about potato salad leftovers in the refrigerator.

Vegan pasta salad

Vegan pasta salad is loaded with thinly sliced carrots, radishes, cucumbers, and chopped bell pepper. It’s tossed in a flavorful creamy mayo dressing.

It’s easy & familiar, which makes it a welcome side dish for vegans & non-vegans alike.

Prefer a pasta salad without mayo? Make bowtie pasta salad instead.

Cold peanut noodle salad

Cold peanut noodle salad is popping with the flavors of peanut butter, tamari, and brown rice vinegar. With plenty of crisp, cool vegetables & a handful of nuts, you get a complete meal in one bowl.

In addition to being great for potlucks & picnics, it’s also perfect for meal prep. Make on Sunday for quick & easy lunches throughout the week.

Bowtie pasta salad

Bowtie pasta salad is filled with artichoke hearts, roasted chickpeas, tomatoes, and olives. It’s tossed in an oil and vinegar dressing. A handful of basil gives it a pop of summery pizzazz.

Vegan coleslaw

This cool & crunchy side dish takes only minutes to make. Vegan coleslaw is a potluck classic that goes over well in any group.

Serve it alongside your favorite veggie burger. Or use it as a topper on a vegan BBQ sandwich!

Spinach salad with strawberries

I don’t usually add fruit to my salad, but when strawberries are in season, it’s a must. Spinach salad with strawberries is finished with a drizzling of balsamic vinaigrette.

Curried tofu salad

This curried tofu salad works as a side dish or a sandwich filling.

If you’re heading to a potluck, and you’re not sure if there will be a filling vegan option, bring it along. It will amp up any sides you’re cobbling together.

Avocado caprese salad

While regular caprese is usually made with mozzarella, tomato, and basil, this avocado caprese salad allows the world’s best fruit to be the star of the show.

Fatty, buttery avocado is so rich that this salad could be a side dish or a light meal on its own.

Tomato cucumber salad

Juicy and hydrating tomato cucumber salad is the perfect antidote to humid weather. It’s tossed with a lemon vinagrette, and finished with creamy vegan feta cheese. 

Black bean & corn salad with avocado

This satiating black bean corn avocado salad is packed with satiating protein, fat, and fiber. It’s tossed in a light and zingy lime dressing.

Serve it as a salad with a veggie burger. Or add tortilla chips and start scooping!

Potluck appetizers

These summertime vegan appetizers involve a minimal amount of cooking and can be served at room temperature.

Vegan 7 layer dip

Like a Christopher Nolan movie, this dip has layers. 7 of them to be exact!

With refried beans, guacamole, and pico de gallo, you could almost make a meal out of this vegan 7 layer dip!

Peach & black bean salsa

Juicy peaches and black beans come together in this sweet and savory peach salsa.

Easy tomato bruschetta

There’s a reason a bruschetta appetizer is a classic. Fresh basil, balsamic, and extra virgin olive oil make summer tomatoes sing in this bruschetta.

Pineapple salsa

Pineapple salsa is a fresh & juicy addition to summer gatherings. It only takes 10 minutes to make. Plus, it’s easy to adjust the recipe to fit your preferences! 

Vegan ceviche with hearts of palm

It doesn’t get beach-ier than this vegan ceviche with hearts of palm, avocado, and lime.

Quick & easy guacamole

This easy guacamole is ready to go in five minutes. It’s perfectly balanced with avocado, onions, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. A consistent crowd pleaser!

Quench your thirst

Peach rooibos tea

Add peach juice to rooibos tea for a mildly sweet iced peach rooibos tea. If you’re on the go, pour it into a mason jar with a lid, and take it to the picnic with you.

The perfect gin & tonic

Gin and tonic may be the quintessential summer cocktail. Muddle some mint and add a squeeze of lime to finish it off.

I hope these recipes are a hit at your next vegan potluck, picnic, or cookout!