I love the 4th of July. I love fireworks, and BBQ food, and spending the day celebrating this country’s freedom with friends and family.
But lets be real, most 4th of July BBQ shindigs are not super vegan friendly unless it is being hosted by a vegan.
Our downtown historic neighborhood hosts a throw back baseball game each year, dividing the East side and West side. Residence come out and play in old school uniforms, using old school baseball gloves, and the score is kept on a giant chalk scoreboard, manned by neighborhood kids. It’s one of my favorite evens of the whole year.
West side is the BEST side, nice try East side….Westside WILL win this year, just saying. It may or may not involve some serious heckling and good old fashioned neighborly rivalry. We all become friends again after the game!
We all set up tents and bring folding tables and tons of food and drinks. I am normally the one always schlepping the vegan eats, but let me tell you, everyone is happy to eat them, vegan or not.
I have lots and lots of recipes that work great for a Summer BBQ and thought it would be a lot easier if I made list of some of my favorites that work well for for any summer time gathering.
So here you go!! A list of our favorite 4th of July BBQ recipes, main dishes, sides, and desserts that will make even your non vegan pals pretty happy. So lets get this celebration started!!
MAIN DISHES:
Let’s start with main dishes. I am a big fan of seitan and am convinced that anyone can successfully make seitan at home, even if you are not familiar or feel like you can’t…YOU CAN!
Ribs, brisket, and fried chicken were always my faves before going vegan. When traveling, or eating picnic style, I am a big fan of sandwiches because they are easy and don’t need to be kept piping hot.
So here are some my favorite vegan sandwich meats that are super easy to make, pretty hard to mess up, and very affordable! And don’t forget the buns!! I also tossed in a favorite carrot dog recipe and rib recipes if you are grilling at home, and one of my favorite homemade burgers.
1. Seitan Ribs
5. Easy No Rise Hamburger Buns
VEGAN SIDES:
Hands down my favorite thing about any meal is the sides, especially BBQ sides.
Potato salad, pasta salads, slaw, corn, and deviled eggs.
Just because you are vegan does not mean you can not enjoy all the classic side dishes everyone else is eating. These days with quality vegan mayo options and vegan dairy alternatives, its easier than it ever was before!
And with a little mind blowing kitchen chemistry you create your very own convincing vegan deviled eggs and even homemade vegan cheeses…. what a time to be alive!
I am happy to JUST eat sides, so have made it my mission to always add new sides to the website!
Here, I am listing a few of my all times faves that again work well for BBQs, potlucks, and summer time get togethers of all kinds!
1. Ramen Salad
7. Elote Salad
DESSERTS:
What is any gathering or holiday without dessert?
Heck, what is any day at all without dessert? I mean, everything in moderation, right?
There are certain desserts that I associate with the 4th or any summertime BBQ gathering, desserts that are just classic summer faves.
Festive iced cookies, nostalgic ice cream cake, grilled peaches, zesty citrus cupcakes, the most perfect chocolate chip cookie, or strawberry shortcake!
No matter if you need a dessert that travels well, will be a crowd-pleaser, or one that just cools you off on a hot day, we probably have what you are looking for.
1. Vegan Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies
2. Grilled Peaches with Maple Vegan Ricotta
However you celebrate the 4th of July, or any other summer celebration, I am certain we more than a few recipes to make it the most delicious occasion!!
From hearty main dishes, classic summer sides, or mouth watering desserts, we are happy to share our families summertime favorites with y’all!
Happy 4th of July, Happy summertime, and Happy Eating.
Love, Kat
