Ultimate meat-free barbecue! 60+ recipes for mains, sides, sauces & desserts

I’ve compiled a list of over 60 recipes for meatless BBQ mains, sides, sauces & desserts, so vegetarians and pescatarians can enjoy barbecue season too! Perfect for Lag BaOmer & beyond.

The first barbecue of the summer is always exciting. Because even if we have to actually eat inside, when food is cooked over glowing coals, it really makes it taste good!

I always think that Lag BaOmer, the minor Jewish festival marking the 33rd day of the Omer, kicks off the official barbecue season. It is traditionally associated with bonfires, barbecues, picnics and parties – hello summer!

What is the Omer?

The Omer is a period of 7 weeks from Pesach (Passover) to Shavuot (Pentecost). It is a time of semi-mourning, when music, parties and celebrations are avoided. This is in memory of the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva who died in a plague, or were killed by the Romans in the Bar Kochba uprising (132-136 CE). However, it is said that on Lag BaOmer the plague lifted, enabling the Bar Kochba rebels to achieve victory. Consequently, Lag BaOmer is a small celebration in the midst of an otherwise sad time.

Lag BaOmer also commemorates the anniversary of the death of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, a 1st century sage and kabbalist, and author of the mystical work, the Zohar. Lag BaOmer bonfires are said to remind us of the light he brought into the world with his teachings. 

Lets light those coals!

Back to the barbecue! I love cooking on a fire or open coals. However I don’t eat meat, which is typically the first thing that springs to mind when you think of outdoor cooking. So, to help me – and you! – get inspired for our Lag BaOmer barbies, and all those that I’m confident are coming over the rest of the summer, I’ve compiled this extensive list of delicious barbecue dishes with no meat at all.

Happy Lag BaOmer! Time to get grilling…

Meatless barbecue recipes

Veggie main dishes

Cajun spiced black bean and sweet potato burgers from Tinned Tomatoes.
Marmite mozzarella flatbreads and reggae-reggae potato skewers from the Veg Space.
Spice millet and chickpea burgers from Delicious Every Day.
Puy lentil and mushroom vegan sausages from Tinned Tomatoes.
Vegetarian mushroom burgers from Goodie Godmother.
Grilled eggplant with a tomato caprese from Home and Plate.
Grilled summer squash boats from Healthy Seasonal Recipes.
Mexican carrot dogs with chunky salsa verde from Strength and Sunshine.
Grilled corn and peach quesadillas from Vegging at the Shore.
Quinoa stuffed peppers on the barbecue from the BBQ Bastard.
Grilled portabella mushroom banh mi sandwich from Happy and Harried.
Mushroom quinoa burgers with roasted garlic and thyme mayonnaise from Delicious Every Day.
Kidney bean and kale BBQ burger from Veggie Inspired.
Black bean quinoa veggie burgers from Emilie Eats.

Fish dishes

Sticky Scottish salmon kebabs with sweet chilli and honey from Foodie Quine.
Salmon and leek kebabs with citrus herb marinade from Family Friends Food.
Barbecue sardines with wild garlic salsa from Foodie Quine.
Moroccan spiced salmon skewers from Family Friends Food.
How to grill a whole fish from Food52.
Barbecued mackerel with ginger, chilli and lime drizzle from BBC Good Food.

Grilled side dishes and salads

Barbecued apricots with goats cheese from Tinned Tomatoes.
Summer salad with grilled vegetables from Family Friends Food.
Grilled sriracha broccoli from Mary Ellen’s Cooking Creations.
Halloumi and watermelon kebabs from Family Friends Food.
Israeli couscous with grilled vegetables from Caroline’s Cooking.
Grilled eggplant and spinach salad from Salt and Lavender.
Herb and parmesan grilled corn from Syrup and Biscuits.
Smokey BBQ potatoes in foil from Family Friends Food.

Ungrilled side dishes and salads

Minted bulgur wheat salad with fennel and apple from the Veg Space.
Curried potato salad from Family Friends Food.
Fennel salad from Tin and Thyme.
Easy couscous salad from Eats Amazing.
Tangy potato salad with garden herbs from Family Friends Food.
Strawberry mango asparagus salad from Stellicious Life.
Avocado salad with oranges, olives and watercress from Family Friends Food.
Easy grapefruit, corn and mint salad from Athletic Avocado.
Classic carrot salad from Family Friends Food.
Vegan German noodle salad from Elephantastic Vegan.
Mediterranean couscous with olives, artichokes and dried tomatoes from Elephantastic Vegan.

Summer corn tomato salad from Simple Nourished Living.
Giant couscous salad with fresh herbs and crunchy nuts from Family Friends Food.
Sweet potato black bean salad from Bunsen Burner Bakery.
Israeli chopped vegetable salad from Family Friends Food.
Southwestern quinoa salad from Bits of Umami.
Spicy summer bean and chickpea salad from Blossom to Stem.
Strawberry spinach cucumber salad with nuts and seeds from Family Friends Food.
Bread and butter pickles from Served from Scratch.
Roasted vegetable and barley salad with creamy tahini dressing from Family Friends Food.

Condiments and sauces

Smokey rhubarb barbecue sauce from Rhubarbarians.
Grilled lemon and basil vinaigrette from Culinary Ginger.

Grilled desserts

Barbecued pineapple with coconut rum from Family Friends Food.
Grilled celeriac and apple cake with apple ice-cream and salted bourbon butterscotch sauce from Veggie Desserts.
Grilled peach parfait from Kitchen Sanctuary.
BBQ-d pineapple from Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary.
Grilled fruit kabobs from Home and Plate.
Grilled nectarines from A Virtual Vegan.
Mini grilled strawberry shortcake skewers from Snappy Gourmet.

Ungrilled desserts

Watermelon & coconut ice-lollies from Family Friends Food.
Delicious choux pastry buns from Lovely Appetite.
Watermelon & berry salad with basil-mint sugar from Family Friends Food.
No-churn lemon ice-cream from Eat Healthy Eat Happy.
Ice-cream puffs from Family Friends Food.
Strawberry mascarpone tarts from Family Friends Food.
Celebratory confetti fruit salad from Family Friends Food.
Sugar free chocolate orange pudding ice lollies from Family Friends Food.

More meatless barbecue ideas

For all these recipes and more, follow my Meatless BBQ board on Pinterest. And if you want deliciously easy, family-friendly recipes and ideas delivered straight to your inbox, simply click here to subscribe. (Of course, I’ll never pass on your email address to anyone.)

Do you have a favourite meatless barbecue dish? Let me know in the comments!