Barbecues are a summer staple, but can be difficult for vegetarians. Grilled veggies, kebabs, veggie burgers, and sides like fruit salad are great options. Check sauces and cheese for meat ingredients and respect dietary restrictions.
Nothing says summer like an outdoor barbecue. Barbecues are a great way to enjoy food that’s in season, good company, and adorable. Commonly, barbecues revolve around grilled meats, which can be a problem for vegetarians or those with vegetarian friends. It’s easy enough to serve meatless veggies on a barbecue, with a little care and a few easy recipes.
If you have to serve vegetarians or vegans who don’t eat dairy or egg products, grilling vegetables is a great way to tailor barbecue cooking for them. Try grilling whole cobs of corn or wrapping a potato in aluminum foil and placing it in the hot coals for about half an hour. Be sure to use a fork to cut vent holes in the potato or it may explode. A medley of grilled vegetables makes for an attractive dish; try peppers, mushrooms, summer squash, or eggplant.
Grilled kebabs are a great food to serve vegetarians as a summer dinner. Instead of chicken or pork, place tofu marinated in spices on kebab skewers with chunks of vegetables or even pineapple. You can even make dessert kebabs by grilling summer fruits, such as peaches and apricots, on skewers and serving over ice cream.
If your vegetarian guests feel left out when it comes time to serve burgers or hot dogs, try tossing some veggie burgers or dogs on the grill. There are many brands of meatless burgers available in the frozen food section of most grocery stores, and veggie hot dogs are also fairly easy to find. You may want to cook these first, to avoid getting traces of meat to them, or wrap them in aluminum foil before grilling. If you serve vegetarians foods they know are protected from exposure to meat products, they’ll be grateful and more comfortable eating.
For an appetizer you can easily serve veggies, try grilling a skinned avocado and combine it with a squeeze of lemon juice, onions, salt and garlic for a smokey guacamole. It’s easy to find appetizers and sides that vegetarians can enjoy alongside meat-eating friends. Chips and salsa, pasta or potato salad, and fruit salad are all great additions to a meal that everyone can enjoy.
It may seem galling to go through all these issues for someone’s chosen dietary restrictions, but keep in mind that not all vegetarianism is a choice. Those with high blood pressure or certain diseases may need to stay away from meat to maintain their health. Remember that if your friends have been vegetarians for a long time, their bodies may not be able to digest meat, and accidental contamination could make them very ill. If it really bothers you, ask them to bring over a veggie burger or other entree of their choice so they can supervise their cooking. But in most cases, pleasing veggies about your barbecue isn’t difficult, and many are keen to avoid bothering you.
Do your vegetarian friends a favor and test all barbecue sauce for meat ingredients before adding it to a communal dish. If there are animal ingredients, consider serving the sauce on the side or reserving an entirely vegetarian portion. Also be sure to check cheese for animal rennet and warn vegetarians if it is present. While their lifestyle choices may be different than yours, your guests deserve to have their dietary restrictions treated with respect. By following these guidelines or researching meat-free recipes, you should have no problem creating a summer feast that everyone can enjoy.
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