Are you ready to say goodbye to summer? Ready or not, Labor Day is here! This weekend officially marks the end of summer. Here in sunny Florida, I’m not sure that we ever say goodbye to summer. Regardless of where you live, backyard BBQ’s, beach days, picnics, and pool parties are being set aside for pumpkin spice + apples! This BBQ Survival Guide For Vegetarians will get you ready for the ultimate vegan or vegetarian Labor Day celebration. I am super excited to share with you what we’ve learned along the way attending many barbecues with our plant-based basket in tow.
Tara’s Tuesday Tips:
BBQ Survival Guide For Vegetarians
The basics of the backyard BBQ are pretty similar to picnicking. Keep things cold to avoid food spoiling, bring lots of hand sanitizer or wipes, ample trash bags, good company, and of course the perfect food! When most people think of the perfect BBQ food, they think of burgers, ribs, and other meats smothered in barbecue sauce. If that isn’t your ideal image of a yummy BBQ platter, you’ve come to the right place to figure out how to survive your next Labor Day festivities or any other BBQ invitation that comes your way! Vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based, you can easily survive with my help!
Survival Tip #1:
Get Good At Homemade BBQ Sauce
Don’t have a plant-based barbeque sauce recipe you love? You do now! My recipe for Easy Homemade Vegan Barbeque Sauce is perfectly plant-based + super easy to whip up in minutes. No sugar, no worcestershire sauce, no meat! I created this recipe so that you can have the perfect BBQ sauce to use on just about anything. I don’t know how I ever survived without it!
Survival Tip #2:
BBQ Sauce Isn’t The Only Sauce You Might Need At A BBQ
Sauces + condiments can sneak meat substances in that you might not recognize! Remember to always ask the host/chef the full ingredient list if the label isn’t readily available. If you are going to survive the BBQ as a vegetarian, don’t be shy about asking what ingredients are in something!
Here are just a few non-vegetarian sauces to look out for:
- Fish sauce (oyster sauce)
- Honey
- Horseradish Sauce (often contains cream)
- Mayonnaise (contains eggs)
- Nutella (contains milk)
- Ranch (contains milk, cream, sometimes eggs)
- Worcestershire sauce (contains anchovies)
- Some BBQ sauces (can contain honey or worcestershire sauce)
I have an even better idea! Make your own sauce + bring a big batch to share.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Silken Tofu Vegan Ranch (nut-free!)
Lemon Tahini Salad Dressing (Oil Free!)
Survival Tip #3:
If You Are Going To Survive The BBQ, Be Wary Of Hidden Meat Products
There might be meat in it! If you learn only one thing in this BBQ Survival Guide For Vegetarians, it is this: ask what’s in it or don’t eat it!
Here are the most common hidden meats to look out for:
- Chicken or beef broth in potatoes or veggies.
- Cross contamination with the meat spoon or knife.
- Fish sauces in Italian or Asian side dishes.
- Bacon in potato salad.
- Hard boiled eggs chopped up in salads.
- Some store-bought chips contain chicken products, cheese, and bacon.
- Read the labels on all condiments + dressings (see above)!
- Don’t forget that lard sneaks into:
- Refried beans
- Tortillas
- Twinkies
- Jiffy Cornbread Mix
- Gelatin is not vegetarian! AND it sneaks it’s way into:
- marshmallows
- candy
- Jello-O
- select cereals
- gummy snacks
Survival Tip #4:
Bring A Vegetarian Dish To Share
If you are invited to an outdoor party or BBQ, bring food! Small dish, big dish, salad, appetizer, side dish, dessert, whatever. Bring enough to eat and share. You will quickly realize, the carnivores love to sample the irresistible plant-based barbeque foods.
Need Some Ideas?
Dairy-Free + Egg-Free Coleslaw
Vegan Rosemary Potato Salad (Eggless!)
Air Fryer BBQ Cauliflower (No Eggs!)
Buckwheat Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Survival Tip #5:
Meal Prep Your BBQ
Think of packing for a BBQ like packing your lunch. Yes, you could make a meal out of watermelon and potato chips. I agree, that sounds super fun but it’s time to make the backyard BBQ actually fun for the plant-based eaters! Meal prep it! From pasta salads to sandwiches, follow the meal prep rules. Make the salad and don’t apply the dressing until you are ready to eat. Keep the bread/pita/wrap/bun separate from what goes inside until you get there and assemble when ready to eat. This keeps everything from getting soggy and mushy.
Here are a few of my BBQ prep favorites:
Avocado Corn Salad (Oil-Free!)
Vegan Broccoli Salad (No Mayo!)
Survival Tip #6:
Change Tradition
Tradition is a weird thing on holidays and with annual traditions. We sometimes get into what I call a ‘tradition rut’ and we do the same things year after year. Then one year something changes, and we fear it. If we are open to it, that small change can evolve into new opportunities, friendships, and ideas. Going plant-based might be new to you. Maybe this is your first Labor Day avoiding the meat. In the same way, inviting the vegans to the picnic might feel scary. Don’t fear it, embrace it. This BBQ Survival Guide For Vegetarians will help you embrace the changes and be great at it!
Survival Tip #7:
BBQ Rules I Live By
- Make your own junk food. Homemade goodies are always safe, vegetarian or not. Click here for ALL of my dessert recipes!
- Anything goes! Seriously, any food can be a food for a BBQ as long as it is packed and stored safely to avoid spoiling and spilling.
- If you are enjoying your BBQ in a public place, don’t forget the trash bags, and leave it better than you found it!
- Have fun!
- Be present. Slow down and enjoy the outdoors!!!
- Enjoy good BBQ food in the company of good people.
Happy End Of Summer, Friends 🤍💙
All the Best, Tara
⭐Did this BBQ Survival Guide For Vegetarians make your BBQ outing easier?
Leave a comment below!⭐
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