Vegan Grilling Recipes and Tips

Does springtime have you peeking out your window and checking the weather app on your phone, totally ready for some quality time outdoors? I'm waving my hand in the air right now because THAT'S ME! I'm so, so ready to get the grill going and eat dinner outside as many nights as possible this summer!

To get you as hyped as I am for grill season, I've assembled my Ultimate Guide for Vegan Grilling. If you're intimidated by your grill, I promise it's just as easy to operate as any other appliance in your kitchen.

With a bit of practice you'll be enjoying delicious grilled veggies (and grilled desserts!) as often as possible! This post is ready to help you out with:

• My Must-Have Grilling Equipment
• Tips for Perfectly Grilling Vegetables
• How to Grill Your Favorite Veggies
• My Favorite Vegan Recipes to Grill

My Must-Have Grilling Tools

Let's start with the basics! You really only need a grill to get going, but these items sure make it easier. I love this classic, heavy duty, long-lasting Grill Tool Set. We have and use this grill basket in addition to a rolling grill basket, which ensures your veggies are cooking evenly and takes up less room on the grill.

For placing veggies directly onto a hot grill or maneuvering baskets, I like to have protective gloves on hand.

An 8" cast iron skillet or 12" cast iron skillet can be used on the stovetop, in the oven, AND on the grill, so it really is the most versatile piece of cookware (and it is naturally non-toxic and non-stick)!

Bamboo skewers or reusable stainless steel skewers are perfect for kebabs. Finally, when it comes to keeping our grill clean, I absolutely love this Grill Brush.

Tips for Perfectly Grilling Vegetables

One of the (many) perks of eating vegan is that there's a lot less stress with food prep. When you're grilling meat you need to be checking internal temperatures to make sure everything is safe to eat, but with veggies, we're focused on a perfect taste and texture with none of the stress!

To grill vegetables, toss them in a bit of olive oil and add your favorite seasonings. Smaller veggies grill best in a basket or a tinfoil packet, but bigger pieces can go directly on the grill. If you want a more detailed breakdown, keep scrolling for my favorite recipes to grill every summer!

Guide for Vegan Grilling: Your Favorite Veggies

I'm a fan of low and slow: low heat and grilling veggies slowly! I also like to move them to indirect heat if you have the time. Medium heat is always safe if you're unsure, and since every veggie varies, I've got a little guide below!

• Bell peppers - My whole family loves dipping bell peppers in Quick & Easy Hummus, so grilling the slices just adds a whole new layer of deliciousness. Halve bell peppers, remove the stem and seeds, and grill them in large pieces right on the grill or cut them into smaller strips and put them in a basket. Bell peppers take anywhere from 6-10 minutes, just look for the slightest bit of charring and it'll be perfect!
• Onions - As deep as my love for Caramelized Onions runs, I think grilled onions just might be tied for first!... can't pick a favorite! Slice onions into rings and grill them on each side for about 8 minutes. They'll fall apart into pieces perfect for adding into tacos, burgers, bowls or salads.
• Zucchini and yellow squash - Squash is high in water content and cooks quickly on the grill. It will only need about 5 minutes on each side.
• Russet and sweet potatoes - Both so good on the grill! Just like in the oven, your potatoes will need a bit more time than other vegetables. Plan on about 20 minutes, turning regularly so it cooks evenly.
• Carrots - The natural sweetness of carrots plus a little smokiness from the grill...omg. Plan on turning carrots often over direct heat for 7-10 minutes, then transferring them to the side of the grill for indirect heat until they're tender.
• Brussels sprouts - Halved Brussels sprouts grilled and tossed with a bit of Herb Tahini Sauce is so good, I cannot be held responsible if you faint at first bite. You've been warned! Grill Brussels sprouts for 10 minutes, tossing them in the basket every minute or two for even cooking and that perfect char on the edges.
• Mushrooms - Grilled mushrooms are actual kryptonite. Grill whole Portobellos for about 9 minutes on each side as an entrée or replacement for a burger patty, or put smaller Baby Bellas on a skewer or in a basket for 8-10 minutes total.

Grilled Veggie Pesto Pasta

Eating outdoors, grilled veggies, AND pasta?! This Grilled Veggie Pesto Pasta dish has my whole heart! It's made with marinated bell pepper, squash, and tomatoes that get just a little bit of flavorful char. Toss it all in a pesto that you can prepare ahead of time, serve it over pasta, and it's basically happiness in a bowl. Yum!

Vegan Rainbow Veggie Kebabs

This photo of my Rainbow Veggie Kebabs with Chimichurri Sauce always makes me smile because it's just so COLORFUL! Kebabs are one of my favorite ways to get a whole rainbow of vegetables on the table, and they're great for entertaining because everyone can assemble their own. I finished it off with an herbed Chimichurri Sauce, Green Onion Cashew Sauce or herbed Chermoula Sauce for the perfect flavorful drizzle.

Grillable Veggie Burger & Sweet Potato Fries

Grillable Quinoa Black Bean Veggie Burger with Grilled Sweet Potato Fries is about as classic as a backyard summertime meal can be! This is for sure my favorite pairing in the Guide For Vegan Grilling. It feels nostalgic and flavorful, plus you're getting a really incredible variety of nutrition with quinoa, black beans, and sweet potatoes in the meal. This is a fun combo to pull out when you want to really impress non-vegan friends! I love to serve them both with my easy homemade 3-Ingredient Vegan Honey Mustard Sauce. So good!

Quinoa & Mango Stuffed Grilled Avocado

Have you ever considered grilling avocados?! Heaven. I love the way the savory, slightly charred finish on the avocados pairs with bright mango! The addition of quinoa makes this Quinoa & Mango Stuffed Grilled Avocado satisfying enough for a main dish.

Vegan Grilled Peach Cobbler

Dessert made on the grill is such a summertime treat! I love making my Vegan and Gluten-Free Grilled Peach Cobbler as soon as peaches are in season. Top it with a scoop of Easy Blender Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream for a nostalgic dessert you'll crave! You can even try my Vegan and Gluten-Free Blueberry Cobbler on the grill as well following the same grilling instructions as the grilled peach cobbler.

My Favorite Vegan Sides for Grilled Meals

Here are some of my favorite easy vegan sides that are perfect for making and eating outdoors with a grilled meal!

• Pasta Salad: Creamy Vegan Picnic Pasta Salad, Creamy Broccoli & Zucchini Pasta Salad, and Best Mediterranean Veggie Pasta Salad
• Potato Salad: Lemon Olive Oil & Dill Potato Salad or Vegan Tzatziki Potato Salad,
• Slaws (all made without mayo!): Vegan Summer Slaw, Easy Southwestern Jicama Black Bean Slaw, Spiralized Red Cabbage and Green Apple Slaw, and Protein-Packed Slaw with Cilantro and Lime
• Salads: Red White & Blue Fruit Salad, Vegan Beet Tzatziki Salad, Watermelon Avocado Mint Feta Salad, or a Simple Summer Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette