Trying to accommodate vegan guests at your next Labor Day BBQ? We've got the menu for you. Read on for our all-time favorite vegan cookout dishes.With the long Labor Day weekend comes lots of opportunities to eat, gather and make merry. BBQs, in particular, are a popular way to enjoy the last, lazy days of summer before the new season begins.Traditionally, barbecues often mean theres a lot of grilling foods like hamburgers, hot dogs and ribs. But what about all our vegan friends out there? We know you want a little BBQ love, too. To help, here are several meat-free recipes perfect for any summer BBQ.
When youre craving that buffalo flavor sans the chicken, these baked little goodies might be the perfect substitute. Theyre made using gluten-free rolled oats and organic chia seeds, mixed with cauliflower and onion, chickpeas and spices like turmeric and buffalo wing sauce. Once all the ingredients are mixed together (dont forget baking powder), you can use a cookie scoop to make falafel balls.Pop them in the oven and brush with a little extra buffalo sauce after about 30 minutes of cooking, before letting them bake another 10-15 minutes. The end result is delicious falafel balls you can pair up with hummus, gluten free wraps and fresh veggies for a vegans dream. If that doesnt tickle your taste buds, try pairing them with ranch dip and French-fried potatoes to really splurge. There arent many who can resist a French-fried potato!
For something a little different for a BBQ, but still delicious, why not make a big pot of chili, minus the beans? For this recipe, we use organic quinoa grains instead of legumes, combined with veggies like diced onion and tomatoes, mushrooms and green chilis.We season this dish with traditional chili spices like cumin, chili powder and fresh garlic for a gluten free, bean free vegan dish loaded with that spicy chili flavor. You can top it with a vegan shredded cheese alternative, add a dollop of homemade vegan sour cream and pair with your favorite gluten-free crackers for dipping. Or you could try making a crusty loaf of vegan sourdough bread, slice it up and dip!
This recipe is excellent as a side dish or the main event, simply because its so filling. Its excellent in lieu of the more traditional mashed potatoes and packs a ton of creamy, smoky flavor. We use Yukon Gold potatoes, thinly sliced and baked to perfection, topped with a layer of sliced and sauted onions. The rich sauce is made using garbanzo bean flour, veggie broth and spices like smoked paprika, turmeric and garlic powder. We guarantee, once you get a taste of this bubbly deliciousness, you wont want your potatoes cooked any other way.
Craving a rich appetizer like caviar, except without the roe? You will love this tasty recipe, made from petite French green lentils. Ingredients like minced capers, caper brine, kelep powder, tamari and red miso are all combined into a rich paste and gently mixed with al dente lentils. Allow the mixture to rest in the pot with the lid on, so that the lentils really take on the flavor of the paste, before stowing it in the fridge and letting it chill for an hour or so. Pair with your favorite crackers or try it with our Gluten Free Blini. Youll have all the decadence of caviar, meat-free!
Everyone enjoys a sweet treat after a great meal and these protein pops check all the taste bud boxes, in addition to being super healthy. We use our Chai Protein Powder Nutritional Booster combined with espresso powder, unflavored almond milk, bananas and plenty of honey to taste. Its a simple recipe but its loaded with fiber and protein and packed with iron. Its also vegan and gluten free, making it an ideal treat for all of your vegan friends that may struggle with gluten sensitivities. You just mix all the ingredients in a blender and then pour the concoction into your favorite popsicle molds to freeze overnight. You could even get festive popsicle molds in different shapes to add an extra layer of enticement for the kiddies.There are so many different ideas for vegan dishes, we could never cover them all in one post. But we do hope these recipes will at least get you started as you plan your next deliciously satisfying vegan Labor Day menu.