There seem to be new meatless alternatives for your BBQ available every day. Whether it’s a trendy meat substitute or simply whole vegetables, there are a million ways to liven up your barbecues– all while keeping your vegan and vegetarian guests happy, too!
There are two main groups of meatless substitutes for grilling: vegetarian and vegan options. The key difference is that vegetarian burgers can include dairy and other ingredients that might not fit with a completely vegan diet. Vegan burgers, on the other hand, are usually entirely plant-based.
While vegan and vegetarian burgers can be quite similar, vegetarian burgers often use classic patty ingredients like breadcrumbs and eggs as binding agents.
Vegan options are an inclusive and incredibly tasty option! You can either go for a prepared vegetable protein like tofu or tempeh, or even try a whole cooked vegetable instead. Here are our favourite vegan options:
Vegan and meatless burgers have come a long way since the classic potato-based patty. Now you can enjoy protein-rich versions that are made from tempeh, chickpeas, and even seitan. As they are high in protein and low in saturated fat and cholesterol, these alternative burger options are both healthy and filling – not to mention easy to barbecue! For something that will soak up spices and flavour, try seitan and tempeh with a peanut satay sauce and even a dash of chilli. If you want something to match classic burger elements like lettuce, cheese, and tomato, a chickpea, beetroot, or sweet-potato patty is the best choice. |
When grilling vegan or vegetarian burgers, it’s a great idea to put them on the barbecue first, before the meat options. This is the best way of keeping the meat and non-meat meals separate and ensuring no stray juices or grease make their way into a vegetarian’s dinner.
Another thing to keep in mind is the cooking time itself. Vegetable-based patties often take a little less time to cook, and some ingredients, like tofu, can burn easily. Keep an eye on the grill and make sure to flip the patties regularly.
Meatless alternatives are tasty, healthy, and easy to prepare. If you’re thinking of trying something new at your next barbecue, grab your burger press and get grilling!