Summer is perfect for grilling. Sitting with friends over good food and refreshing drinks has a unique charm—every barbecue is a one-of-a-kind experience! And it doesn’t matter whether you’re a guest or the host. If you’re hosting, it’s your job to make sure everyone enjoys the food—including your friends who aren’t fans of meat. We’re talking about dishes that are the stars of a vegetarian barbecue. Get inspired—you might be surprised at how amazing they taste!
Not being “into meat” can be a good thing. A vegetarian diet is full of vitamins, often easier to digest, and packed with unique flavors that are worth adding to your gourmet repertoire. Maybe you’ve never heard of treats like halloumi cheese or tempeh, but trust us—they're worth trying for yourself.
Vegetarians at a barbecue won’t go hungry! There are countless delicious options. Take vegetables, for instance! Grilled zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, mushrooms, and even cherry tomatoes are all delicious. Just slice them, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and add herbs like rosemary, thyme, and garlic. Grilled corn brushed with butter and salt or served with garlic dip is a real delicacy. Veggie skewers are also made for the grill—load them up with zucchini, onions, tomatoes, peppers, tofu, and halloumi cheese.
That last cheese mentioned—halloumi—is bold in flavor, comes from Cyprus, and doesn’t melt when heated, making it perfect for grilling. Grill it in slices or cube it for skewers. A culinary gem is a halloumi salad with arugula, watermelon, and mint. Be careful though—it’s quite salty, so go easy with the seasoning. You can also grill Balkan feta cheese—serve it with Greek salad and olives. Hermelín or Camembert can be easily prepared in foil with herbs and garlic.
We recommend letting go of any prejudices and trying delicious dishes like seitan or tempeh. Seitan is a plant-based protein made from wheat gluten. It’s low in fat, cholesterol-free, and has a meaty texture. Caution—those with celiac disease should avoid it. Tempeh is a fermented plant-based product, most commonly made from soybeans. It originates from Indonesia and is part of traditional cuisine there. It’s rich in protein and easy to digest, with a mild nutty, earthy taste. Surprisingly, both seitan and tempeh taste great even to meat lovers—especially when marinated well. Tofu and tempeh shine in a marinade of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Don’t believe it? Try it! And join us in making a delicious tempeh burger in a bun!
(2–3 servings)
Ingredients: 200 g tempeh, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp mustard, a pinch of ground black pepper, 1 tbsp lemon or lime juice, 3 buns + your favorite burger toppings
Instructions:
As a side, serve pita or grilled baguettes. Also great are foil-wrapped potatoes with salt, butter, garlic, or herb dip. Don’t forget about salads galore and dips like avocado (guacamole), hummus, tzatziki, or yogurt-herb dressing.
Join us in making a delicious Mexican classic—GUACAMOLE. Hand blenders from Orava, such as the hot new Orava RM-1200, can help you prepare it with ease.
Ingredients: 2 ripe avocados, 1 small finely chopped red onion, 1 small diced tomato, 2 garlic cloves, juice of ½ lime, fresh coriander or parsley, salt and black pepper, optional chopped chili or a few drops of Tabasco
Instructions:
For dessert, serve grilled pineapple or peaches—combined with yogurt or ice cream, they’ll be a hit at your barbecue.
And the cherry on top? A banana lightly baked in foil with nuts and chocolate pieces.
Warning: all these veggie delights are highly addictive!
Photos: Orava, pexels.com
