People tend to associate a barbecue with cheeseburgers, hot dogs and other meat-focused dishes. However, that’s not for everyone, as roughly one million of the United States population is vegan. Although that means only about half a percent holds this dietary preference, it’s important for a host to be able to cater to the needs of their guests by integrating healthy, vegan dishes into a traditional barbecue.
Appetizers
The appetizer is an essential piece to a BBQ, as it is the perfect way to lightly snack and socialize. A simple, easy way to satisfy your guests is to offer a pre-made vegan appetizer that everyone will love, such as chips and guacamole, hummus with veggies or a fruit platter. These options are healthy, meat-free and can be easily prepared.
Proper Grilling Rules
Meat is known as the king of barbecues. However, veggie and tofu patties are quickly gaining ground on meat, as they can be seasoned to taste like a meat patty. One rule to keep in mind, is to avoid grilling these items on the same spot used for meat, as that will result in cross contamination. If there’s not enough room for everything, use disposable foil or trays to separate the vegan items from meat, or grill the vegan items first.
Tweak Traditional BBQ Favorites
Instead of wondering what to make, veganize traditional BBQ favorites. Tweak dishes like baked beans, macaroni salad and potato salad to have a vegan spin! Researching recipes to cook these dishes on your own is a simple way to make sure that your guests have vegan options.
Make a Super Salad
Super salads are healthy and simple options to provide at a barbecue. Although people have a wide variety of food preferences, you can accommodate them all by leaving different types of cheeses and dressings on the side. This way vegans can leave out the cheese and enjoy non-dairy dressings.
Knowing how to host a vegan at your barbecue will prevent your guests from worrying about what food items they can eat. If you would like to learn more, or explore other vegan recipes, sign up for our newsletter!