May is National BBQ month, and since I live in the barbecue capital of the world, it’s time to get creative with some vegan BBQ options!
Kansas City
Kansas City’s obsession with BBQ started in the 1920s. Now, with over 100 barbecue restaurants in the metro area, people come from all over the world to taste this signature cuisine.
Not only are there endless restaurants to choose from, but there are also barbecue festivals, competitions, and celebrations with tens of thousands of participants and vendors.
So how do we survive in this meat-centric BBQ culture? We make our own plant based alternatives that are arguably just as good as some meat options. (Don’t you dare give me that look like I’m crazy! 🤣)
It’s all about tricking your eyes and your tastebuds. Sure, some of it takes some getting used to. But once you realize the health benefits and your body begins to feel healthier (including no more meat sweats!), there’s just no turning back. 🌱
Veggie burgers
I absolutely love veggie burgers! When you make them yourself, it’s a great way to pack a ton of healthy nutrients into one bite. I’ve made black bean, kidney bean, chickpea, sweet potato, and even refried bean burgers. Add brown rice or whole grains, oats, flax meal, and a variety of veggies.
Seriously, there are way more taste variations you can do than with your plain old meat burger. An unpopular opinion maybe, but you don’t know until you try. 😍 Here are some of my favorite recipes.
Portobello burgers
In all honesty, I’m still getting used to eating portobello burgers. I’ve never liked mushrooms because of the texture.
That being said, I’m finding ways to include more mushrooms into my diet and, turns out, I love the taste. Mushroom burgers are great marinated or simply seasoned with salt and pepper. I have also found that I prefer portobello mushroom burgers on the grill rather than pan seared or baked in the oven. It takes a lot of experimenting and being open minded.
Store bought meat substitutes
Remember years ago when veggie burgers first became popular in grocery stores? And they were an unappetizing grey and tasted like cardboard? Yeah, that’s not the case anymore. 🙌
There is a growing market for plant based meat substitutes, especially during the coronavirus outbreak. I have found that my personal favorite is Beyond Meat. Their vegan sausages and burgers are absolutely delicious! These are only a splurge once in a while since they are highly processed and not the healthiest option.
If you try Beyond Burgers with an open mind (this being key!), I’m sure you’ll find yourself admitting, “this is actually pretty good!” And if you’re really honest: “I would eat this again.” 😉
Eggplant
Sliced eggplant can be another great meat replacement. Hearty like mushrooms, they are good marinated or seasoned with spices. Grilling for just a few minutes on each side maintains the best texture.
Cauliflower steak
A fairly new craze, you will find cauliflower steaks in many trendy restaurants. Admittedly, this one probably takes the most getting used to. And a lot more of that open-mindedness we’ve talked about. 😉
Tempeh, tofu, TVP, seitan
Oh so many things you can do with these meat substitutes! I could write entire articles about each one individually. My best advice is to just use trial and error with each one. It takes patience and willingness to adjust cooking techniques for the next time. It’s a learning process. Don’t give up! Check out my Pinterest board for some ideas.
BBQ Jackfruit sandwiches
Jackfruit is this incredible fruit that has the ability to take on the appearance and texture of shredded chicken or pork. I, too, was skeptical at first. But now, jackfruit barbeque sandwiches are on the menu at least once every couple of weeks.
I recommend buying canned jackfruit when first starting out. Do a rough chop on the cutting board, or my personal preference is to pulse in the food processor. Then saute in a pan with BBQ sauce and they’re done! Top with a vegan slaw, cucumbers, or green onions. They are absolutely delicious!
BBQ pineapple for dessert
If you’ve never eaten grilled pineapple with cinnamon, it is one of the most addicting desserts there is. It will satisfy your sweet tooth while being healthy at the same time. Win-win! 🤗
Barbecue can be done as a vegan!
As you can see, this requires patience, open-mindedness, and perseverance. Don’t give up! It can be done! Think of all of the benefits to your body, your health, the environment, and the animals. That will keep you motivated! 🥰
Looking for more inspiration? Check out the Vegan Society or my Pinterest board for tons of ideas. (Including grilled vegan steaks, burgers, sausages, chicken, pulled pork, and even grilled desserts!)
Veganize a BBQ dish this week and post results in the comments! 👇
