Get Your Veg On: Meatless Recipes for Tailgating, BBQs, and Beyond

We hear that vegetables plan to step in as the grill’s new girlfriend, making this summer an ideal time to go vegetarian, even if just for the night. You don’t need to be a vegetarian to enjoy the sensational flavor grilling adds to the season’s bounty. Instead of thoughtlessly throwing corn on the cob onto the grill next to the burgers, create the whole meal around the almighty vegetable.

The grill is used to create all types of nosh including appetizers, mains, sides and even dessert. To create outstanding vegetable dishes you need to make people forget about the meat. Grilling creates unique textures, tastes, and temperatures to keep your mouth guessing. Here are some ideas for each course on your menu.

Appetizer

Grilling appetizers is interactive. Drink in hand, these grilled one-bite options allow for guests to mingle, mix and start the party out right. Start with these mouthwatering options.

Grilled Bread. Slice a rustic loaf or baguette, brush with olive oil and grill until charred on both sides. To add an extra kick, rub with the flesh of a fresh tomato, garlic clove or jalapeno pepper.

Grilled Cheese. Cheese can be grilled? You bet! Slice 1” pieces of Haloumi cheese and grill until charred and warm. Can cut and skewer for individual grilling.

Stuffed Pepper. Stuff piquillo or roasted red peppers with goat cheese and grill until warm.

Grilled Guacamole. Yes, even avocados can be grilled. Brush with olive oil and place cut-side down on the grill. Grill until charred and warm. Make guacamole.

Need more help? Check out this recipe for Grilled Polenta with Scorched Tomatoes (omit chorizo). [pagebreak]

Entrée

Since it’s all about the main dish, the vegetable really needs to shine, and that means the grill has its work cut out for it. To do this, choose the freshest and most seasonal vegetables available, as they will call for little attention and ingredients. In season vegetables also burst with flavor and freshness.

Grilled Vegetable Kabobs. Skewer an assortment of summer vegetables on water soaked wooden skewers or metal skewers to create a rainbow on the grill. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt. Bonus, allow each guest to create their own. Perfect for kids.

Grilled Eggplant and Tomato Burgers, sans Meat. These two vegetables aren’t reserved for Italian fare, and because they’re in season right now, they’re ideal for the grill. Cut eggplant into 1” rounds, season with salt and olive oil and grill until charred and tender. Stack with grilled slices of tomato. Bonus, make eggplant stacks topped with cheese and sandwich between buns.

Grilled Pizza. Stretch store bought or homemade dough over the grates and cook until dough in no longer tacky and charred. Flip and repeat. Top with desired ingredients, olive oil and salt.

Need more help? Check out this recipe for Lean Green Black-Bean Burgers, great in the oven or sizzling on the grill. [pagebreak]

Sides

Every meat main dish has its side, and a vegetarian main dish is no exception.

Grilled Salad. Grilling salads are a perfect way to change it up. Drizzle Romaine with olive oil and seasoned with salt before places on the grill. Cook until blackened slightly on each side. Remove and dress with desired vinaigrette. Also try hearty lettuces such as radicchio, escarole, kale or Swiss chard.

Grilled Garlic and Shallots. Turn the grill on low and slow. Remove papery outside of shallots and cut entire garlic bulb in half. Dress with olive oil and salt. Place directly on grill or wrap in tinfoil. Grill for about an hour.

Need more help? Check out this recipe for Burnt Tomato Salad with Grilled Goat Cheese and Anchovy Salsa Verde. Gooey, cheesy, spicy, and delicious! [pagebreak]

Dessert

No meal is complete without dessert, even when you’re grilling.

Grilled Fruit. Stone fruits are ripe in the summer and perfect for grilling. Pineapple and bananas also work well. For peaches and plums, remove pit and grill cut side down. Top with whipped cream, crème fraiche or ice cream.

Grilled Cake. Skip the icing. Cut cake into large slices and grill on each side. Sugars will come to the surface, delicious.

Need more help? Satifsy that sweet tooth with Ingrid Hoffmann’s Grilled Pineapple with Spiked Rum Crema.