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35 Vegan Recipes for Summertime Cookouts, Picnics, and Potlucks

May 23, 2016 By Dianne 10 Comments

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35 Vegan Recipes for Summertime Cookouts, Picnics, and PotlucksI’m going to have to admit that summer isn’t my favorite season. I get hot and sweaty very easily, which makes me cranky and uncomfortable. What I do like about the season, though, is the food! I love having potlucks and cookouts in my backyard, and I also love to go on picnics. Sometimes Dennis and I will make sandwiches and take them to a park just up the street from us that overlooks the New York City skyline. Other times we’ll get more “formal” about our picnics, and we’ll pack a big basket with sandwiches and salads and head out to one of the many historical parks in our area. Summertime may actually make the heat a little more bearable for me.

Since it’s that time of the year, I’ve put together a list of my favorite vegan recipes summertime cookouts, picnics, and potlucks.

 

Picnic-Worthy Sandwiches

Chickpea Salad Sandwiches from What's For Lunch by Dianne WenzChickpea Salad Sandwiches are my go-to for picnics.

 

Roasted Garlic Chickpea Salad Sandwich from SpabettieSpabettie’s Roasted Garlic Chickpea Salad Sandwich is similiar to my recipe, but it’s full of extra garlicky goodness!

 

Portobello-Poboys-c-Lucy-SchaefferJuicy chunks of portobello mushrooms replace the traditional oysters in this flavorful Portobello Po’Boy from Robin Roberton’s 100 Best Vegan Recipes. Photo by Lucy Schaeffer.

 

Apricot, Pear and Brie SandwichSpabettie’s Apricot, Pear and Brie Sandwich with Vegan Brie is a perfect picnic portable!

 

Kathy Hester's Cajun French Fry Po’ Boy with Vegan Mushroom GravyI’d gladly go on any picnic that includes Kathy Hester’s Cajun French Fry Po’ Boy with Vegan Mushroom Gravy!

Cauliflower Po BoyThere are so many ways to veganize po’boys, and these Spicy (or not) Cauliflower Po’ Boys from  The Easy Vegan Cookbook by Kathy Hester is one of my favorite ways to eat them! Photo by Annie Oliverio

 

Apple-Pecan Tempeh Salad >> Dianne's Vegan KitchenMy Apple-Pecan Tempeh Salad was inspired by an apple-picking adventure, and it’s perfect for picnics in the park!

 

For the Grill

Seitan Skewers with Chimichurri and Jalapeno Lime Aioli >> Dianne's Vegan KitchenSeitan Skewers with Chimichurri and Jalapeno Lime Aioli are a great grilled appetizer!

 

Mini Macs from Cadry's KitchenThese adorable Mini Macs from Cadry’s Kitchen are the vegan version of the Big Mac in slider form.

 

Grilled Portobello Peach Sandwiches >> Dianne's Vegan KitchenGrilled Portobello Peach Sandwiches have become my all-time favorite summer meal.

 

Grilled Eggplant Sandwich >> Dianne's Vegan KitchenI will acknowledge that not everyone likes mushrooms. If that’s the case with you, give these tasty Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches a try instead of the Portobello Peach. (But seriously, you don’t know what you’re missing!)

 

BettyWalnutBurgerBetty’s Wartime Walnut Burger from Mastering the Art of Vegan Cooking by Annie and Dan Shannon are perfect for weekend cookouts!

 

Grilled Veggie Pitas with Cilantro Lime Sauce from Pure and Beautiful Vegan CookingGrilled Veggie Pitas with Cilantro Lime Sauce from Pure and Beautiful Vegan Cooking by Kathleen Henry come together quickly and are super versatile.

 

 

Ricki Heller's Grilled Romaine with Sweet and Smoky DressingRicki Heller’s Grilled Romaine with Sweet and Smoky Dressing is a perfect first course or side dish to summer Barbecues.

 

Vampire Tacos from Vegan Tacos by Jason WyrickYou probably haven’t thought to make tacos on the grill, but you really should. These Vampire Tacos from Vegan Tacos by Jason Wyrick get their name from the way the tortillas curl up like bat wings when grilled.

 

Grilled Mushroom & Asparagus Fajitas from Cadry's Kitchen Once you’ve cooked tacos on the barbecue, give these Grilled Mushroom & Asparagus Fajitas from Cadry’s Kitchen a go, too.

 

Grilled Tofu and Pineapple Kebabs >> Dianne's Vegan KitchenWe moved into our house 3 years ago, and we were happy to find an old grill in new condition hiding in out the garage. We had come from a rental townhouse that didn’t have backyard, so grilling was a new and wonderful thing for us. I skewered just about everything I could get my hands on and played around with various marinades. These Tofu and Pineapple Kebabs were a favorite.

 

Laura Theodore's Mushroom-Nut BurgersLaura Theodore’s Mushroom-Nut Burgers will delight vegan and omnivores alike.

 

Chipotle Lentil Burgers from What's For Lunch by Dianne WenzThese spicy Chipotle Lentil Burgers are always crowd-pleasers.

 

Potluck Worthy-Salads

Summertime Avocado-Chickpea SaladThis Summertime Avocado-Chickpea Salad is one of my favorite salads to take on picnics.

 

Mild Curried Potato Salad from Glue and GlitterMild curry spices add just a little bit of heat to this Curried Potato Salad from Glue and Glitter and make it extra special.

 

Potluck-Worthy Rice Salad >> Dianne's Vegan KitchenThis Potluck-Worthy Rice Salad was one of those happy accidents that come from throwing some ingredients together. I took this to a potluck and everyone wanted the recipe. Fortunately, I remembered what I did, so I was able to type out the recipe to share.

 

Laura Theodore's Kale and Tomato SaladLaura Theodore’s Kale and Tomato Salad will impress your most discerning potluck guests.


Kale SlawThis Raw Kale Slaw is kind of like a grown-up, healthy version of the coleslaw we all grew up eating.

 

Curried Tofu Salad from Cadry's KitchenCurried Tofu Salad from Cadry’s Kitchen fits easily into a sandwich, tortilla, spread onto crackers, stuffed into a tomato, eaten in a lettuce leaf, or just plain right out of the bowl alongside of a green salad.

 

Ricki Heller's Confetti Quinoa and Wild Rice SaladRicki Heller’s Confetti Quinoa and Wild Rice Salad with Cilantro is a great salad for a gathering or a light dinner at home.

 

Spabettie's Perfect Picnic Pasta Salad with Lemony Avocado Sesame DressingSpabettie’s Perfect Picnic Pasta Salad with Lemony Avocado Sesame Dressing is a fresh, flavorful mix of summer vegetables and curly pasta, taking a tumble in a bright avocado dressing.

 

Broccoli Slaw >> Dianne's Vegan KitchenI’ll turn pretty much any veggie into a slaw, and Broccoli Slaw is one of my favorites!

 

Glue and Glitter's Ginger Apple Coleslaw RecipeGlue and Glitter’s Ginger Apple Coleslaw is another fun twist on traditional coleslaw.

 

Ricki Heller's Roasted Potato Salad with Avocado PestoYou can’t have a cookout without potato salad! Ricki Heller’s Roasted Potato Salad with Avocado Pesto is a healthy, vegan version of the classic dish.

 

Creamy Macaroni Salad from Everyday Vegan Eats by Zsu DeverNo picnic would be complete without macaroni salad, and this vegan Creamy Macaroni Salad from Everyday Vegan Eats by Zsu Dever doesn’t disappoint.

 

Cadry's Kitchen's Chickpea Salad Stuffed TomatoesCadry’s Kitchen’s Chickpea Salad Stuffed Tomatoes are fun for picnics and potlucks.

 

Ricki Heller's Platonically Romantic Creamy Pesto Pasta SaladRicki Heller’s Platonically Romantic Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad is easy to throw together and perfect for a picnic in the park.

 

Rawkin’ Rainbow Kale Salad from The Abundance Diet by Somer McCowanEven Kale haters will love this Rawkin’ Rainbow Kale Salad from The Abundance Diet by Somer McCowan! Photo by Annie Oliverio.

 

Only Kale Can Save Us Now Salad from Eat Like You Give a Damn by Michelle Schwegmann & Josh HootenI love that there are so many ways to make kale salad! Only-Kale-Can-Save-Us-Now-Salad from Eat Like You Give a Damn by Michelle Schwegmann & Josh Hooten is one of my favorites.

 

What are your favorite dishes to make for cookouts, picnics, and potlucks?

35 Vegan Recipes for Summertime Cookouts, Picnics, and Potlucks

Filed Under: Featured, Vegan Food Tagged With: plant-based diet, salads, vegan 4th of July, vegan barbecues, Vegan BBQ, vegan burgers, vegan cookouts, Vegan Father's Day, vegan food, Vegan Fourth of July, vegan grilling, vegan independence day, vegan labor day, Vegan Memorial Day, vegan picnics, vegan potlucks, vegan recipes, Vegan salads, vegan sandwiches, veggie burgers

About Dianne

Dianne Wenz is a Certified Holistic Health Coach, Vegan Lifestyle Coach, Plant-Based Diet Nutrition Specialist, and Plant-Based Chef, as well as the author of Truly Healthy Vegan Cookbook.

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Reader Interactions

   

Comments

  1. Kristina says

    May 23, 2016 at 10:45 PM

    so many great ideas for our upcoming long weekend!

    Reply
    • Dianne says

      May 24, 2016 at 9:27 AM

      Thank you, Kristina!

      Reply
  2. Cadry says

    May 24, 2016 at 11:27 AM

    I love summer food so much! The variety of produce is endless, and you can’t beat food cooked over a flame. Getting to picnic while overlooking the NYC skyline sounds like my idea of perfect. Thanks for the awesome round-up and for including me!

    Reply
    • Dianne says

      May 24, 2016 at 5:18 PM

      I love it, too! Thank you for sharing your recipes with me!

      Reply
  3. Becky Striepe says

    May 24, 2016 at 11:46 AM

    So excited about cookout season! Thank you so much for including my potato salad recipe!

    Reply
    • Dianne says

      May 24, 2016 at 5:18 PM

      You’re welcome! I’m excited about it too!

      Reply
  4. Ricki says

    May 25, 2016 at 11:20 AM

    Mmm! Can’t wait for the BBQs to start happening around here! Thanks so much for including my recipes in this awesome roundup, Dianne. 🙂 xo

    Reply
    • Dianne says

      May 25, 2016 at 12:07 PM

      Thank you for sharing your recipes with me, Ricki!

      Reply
  5. JL Fields says

    May 25, 2016 at 1:51 PM

    …and now I have to rush out to find some lunch because this post makes me HUNGRY! It’s really proof that vegans can celebrate any holiday or event with abundance.

    Reply
    • Dianne says

      May 25, 2016 at 3:23 PM

      I hope you found something yummy for lunch, JL! 🙂

      Reply

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Dianne Wenz

Hi! I'm Dianne Wenz and I am a Holistic Health Coach, Vegan Lifestyle Coach, Plant-Based Diet Nutrition Specialist, Plant-Based Chef, and cookbook author. I offer group and individual nutrition and lifestyle coaching programs to people across the U.S., and I teach cooking classes in Northern New Jersey. Contact me today to learn more and to schedule a complimentary breakthrough session!

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