28 Plant-Based Picnic & Grilling Recipes

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Slaw, vegan burgers, potato salad, cobbler, and other picnic and grilling recipes

It’s almost summertime, friends, and better yet: picnic and grilling season! To welcome all the barbecue gatherings and delicious summery food, we’ve gathered our favorite vegan grilling recipes and sauces, plus some shareable sides, salads, and desserts! Scroll through to discover crowd-pleasing recipes for filling your picnic tables with plant-based abundance. Let’s get grilling!

(Note: Dietary symbols listed throughout for easy navigation!)

Picnic-Friendly Sides

Using a tortilla chip to scoop up a bite of My Go-To Guacamole recipe
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My Go-To Guacamole
Incredibly creamy, flavorful guacamole ready in just 1 bowl, 10 minutes, and with 8 ingredients! The perfect dip for Mexican night!
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Vintage spoon in a bowl of white bean dip topped with serrano peppers
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Charred Serrano White Bean Dip
Smoky charred serrano peppers blend with white beans, garlic, and savory sautéed shallots for an oh-so-creamy, flavorful, and versatile dip. Just 8 ingredients and 30 minutes required!
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Bowl of white bean hummus surrounded by fresh vegetables and pita bread
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Lemon and Herb White Bean Dip
A zesty, herby, lemony dip made with white beans! A protein- and fiber-rich dip or snack made with just 7 wholesome ingredients in 10 minutes. Perfect for spring (or any time!).
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Dipping a tortilla chip into a bowl of roasted salsa verde
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Roasted Salsa Verde (30 Minutes!)
Vibrant roasted salsa verde with tomatillos, jalapeños, and plenty of lime. A simple oven roasting technique creates smoky depth of flavor. Just 7 ingredients and 30 minutes required!
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Ceramic dish filled with a batch of our Easy Red Salsa recipe
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Easy Red Salsa
Easy, 10-minute red salsa with smoky, fire-roasted tomatoes, onion, cilantro, garlic, and fresh lime juice! Flavorful, fresh, and perfect for Mexican night!
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Fork resting on a plate of jicama slaw
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Crunchy Jicama Slaw (1 Bowl!)
Crunchy jicama slaw with carrots, cabbage, and red onion tossed in a zesty lime-balsamic vinaigrette! Fresh, flavor-packed, and incredibly versatile (great for tacos, bowls, salads, and more!). Just 9 ingredients, 1 bowl, and 30 minutes required!
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Big bowl of our delicious Vegan Cole Slaw
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Easy Vegan Coleslaw
A vegan take on classic coleslaw salad made with 10 simple ingredients! Easy, crunchy, fresh, tangy, and the perfect side for BBQs, sandwiches, and more!
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Summery Salads

Top down shot of a bowl of creamy cucumber salad
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Creamy Vegan Cucumber Salad (German-Inspired)
Creamy, German-inspired cucumber salad with fresh dill and tangy coconut yogurt. A refreshing, plant-based side for BBQs and beyond. Just 15 minutes, 10 ingredients, and 1 bowl required!
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Fork spearing a potato in a bowl of our roasted potato salad recipe
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Easy Roasted Potato Salad with Garlic Dill Dressing
A delicious spin on classic potato salad with roasted gold and sweet potatoes tossed in a zingy, garlicky, herby dressing. Perfect for BBQs, picnics, and year-round! Just 7 ingredients required.
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Plate of Creamy Vegan Broccoli Salad made with coconut bacon and a cashew butter dressing
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Creamy Vegan Broccoli Salad (Mayo-Free!)
An EASY, plant-based take on classic broccoli salad with coconut bacon, sunflower seeds, and a simple cashew dressing! Just 10 simple ingredients and 20 minutes required!
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Teal bowl filled with Grilled Corn & Zucchini Salad with Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette
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Grilled Corn & Zucchini Salad with Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette
An amazing, light summer dish: 30-minute Grilled Zucchini & Corn Salad with sun-dried tomato vinaigrette! Top with roasted chickpeas for even more protein.
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Wooden spoon in a bowl of Vegan Macaroni Salad
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Vegan Macaroni Salad
30-minute vegan pasta salad loaded with colorful veg and tossed in a dairy-free, undetectably tofu-based dressing. Perfect for summer shindigs, cookouts, and picnics.
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Glass bowl filled with our Vegan Gluten-Free Penne Pasta Salad recipe
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Penne Pasta Salad (30 Minutes!)
Wholesome and delicious classic pasta salad made with creamy pesto dressing and roasted tomatoes. Made with just 9 ingredients in 30 minutes! The perfect quick + easy side dish.
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Sauces & Marinades

Close up shot of vegan gluten-free BBQ sauce on a spoon above a jar
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15-Minute Vegan BBQ Sauce (GF)
Perfectly sweet and tangy BBQ Sauce that’s made in 1 pot in just 15 minutes! The perfect vegan and gluten-free sauce for BBQs, picnics, and beyond!
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Spoon and jar of easy homemade teriyaki sauce
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Easy Homemade Teriyaki Sauce (Gluten-Free)
Salty, sweet, tangy homemade teriyaki sauce that’s SUPER versatile and happens to be gluten-free and naturally sweetened! Just 6 ingredients and 20 minutes required!
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Grill-Ready Dishes

Baking sheet with Grilled Corn drizzled with Vegan Sriracha Aioli
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Grilled Corn with Sriracha Aioli
Perfect grilled corn with a savory, spicy sriracha aioli. The perfect summer side dish or snack. 10 ingredients, vegan, and gluten-free.
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Platter of Grilled Veggie Skewers with a small dish of Chimichurri sauce
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Veggie Skewers with Chimichurri Sauce
Colorful, 30-minute veggie skewers grilled to perfection and served with chimichurri sauce! The perfect plant-based side or main for summertime BBQs.
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Slices of Smoky Grilled Eggplant on a cutting board
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Smoky Grilled Eggplant
20-minute grilled eggplant seasoned with smoky spices, infused with coconut aminos for extra flavor, and grilled to perfection. The perfect flavorful side!
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Wood platter filled with Vegan Jerk Eggplant slices over white rice
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Jamaican Jerk Grilled Eggplant (30 Minutes!)
Spicy Jamaican jerk spiced grilled eggplant! Ready in 30 minutes, incredibly flavorful, and the perfect plant-based side dish!
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Platter of Grilled Romaine Salad topped with Lemon Herbed Beans and a drizzle of vegan Caesar Dressing
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Grilled Romaine Caesar Salad with Herbed White Beans
Grilled romaine salad with a smoky, charred flavor, topped with lemon-herb white beans and a quick Caesar dressing! Ready in 30 minutes and BIG flavor!
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Tray filled with Easy Grillable Veggie Burgers on buns
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Easy Grillable Veggie Burgers
Easy, grillable veggie burgers with just 10 ingredients (give or take a spice)! Flavorful, hearty, and perfect for summertime grilling. Hearty enough to please meat-eaters and vegans alike!
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Plate with two Portobello Steaks topped with Avocado Chimichurri
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Portobello Steaks with Avocado Chimichurri
Grilled, marinated portobello steaks with a spicy avocado chimichurri sauce! An incredibly hearty and flavorful 30-minute plant-based meal!
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Shareable Treats

Close up shot of vegan chocolate chip cookies topped with flaky salt
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Classic Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies (1 Bowl!)
The perfect classic vegan chocolate chip cookie made in 1 bowl! Salty-sweet, buttery, slightly crisp edges, tender center, and gooey chocolate chips. Just 9 ingredients and simple methods required!
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Tray stacked tall with homemade Vegan 7-Layer Bars
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Vegan 7 Layer Bars
Decadent vegan 7-layer bars with an almond-oat crust, date caramel, coconut butter and flakes, chocolate chips, and peanut butter! Easy to make, gluten-free, and insanely delicious!
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Top down shot of six vegan vanilla cupcakes topped with frosting
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Easy Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes (Gluten-Free)
Perfectly fluffy vanilla cupcakes that happen to be vegan, gluten-free, and naturally sweetened. Just 1 bowl and 10 ingredients required!
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Stack of three Easy Vegan Brownies on a wood cutting board
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4-Ingredient Easy Vegan Brownies
Incredibly rich, vegan, easy brownies made with just 4 ingredients and 1 bowl! Naturally sweetened, grain- and gluten-free, and so satisfying!
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Bowl and pan of gluten free berry cobbler
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Easy Gluten-Free Berry Cobbler (Vegan)
Perfect vegan fruit cobbler packed with ripe, juicy summer fruit and topped with flaky gluten-free biscuits. Baked to bubbly golden perfection! Just 10 simple ingredients required.
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Two bowls and a baking pan of Grain-Free Berry Crisp served with vegan ice cream
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Grain-Free Berry Crisp
Vegan berry crisp with 3 types of berries. It's naturally sweetened with crispy, grain-free topping! The perfect plant-based, gluten-free summer dessert!
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If you try any of these recipes, let us know! Leave a comment or take a picture and tag it @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Enjoy, friends!

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