Welcome to my collection of more than 20 dishes to get you ready for your vegetarian 4th of July celebration this year. And best of all, many are vegan! With these recipes in your back pocket, you'll be ready for BBQs all summer long.
This collection includes appetizers, main dishes, salads, sides, desserts, and cocktails and many of them are perfect make-ahead recipes.
Want to quickly jump to the type of dish you're looking for? I want to help with that. So, check out this Table of Contents to see which sections of this post will help you the most.
Traditional American fare for 4th of July BBQs may feature burgers and hot dogs with lots of potato salad and corn on the cob. But what if what you really want are vegetarian recipes for your table this year that even the carnivores in the crowd will love?
I've got you covered.
Read on for more than 20 dishes to choose from this year.
A P P E T I Z E R S
Gazpacho
This is a refreshing gazpacho with a slight kick from a Serrano pepper. And it's a perfect make-ahead vegan soup for a summer party.
Blistered Shishito Peppers
These blistered shishito peppers are ready in 10 minutes, are keto approved, and a crowd pleaser for summer BBQs.
Addictive Refried Bean Dip
This addictive refried bean dip shines when served warm with tortilla chips but everyone will love it at room temperature too. And it starts with a can of refried beans to keep it easy. It was also the most popular new recipe on the blog last year.
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M A I N D I S H E S
Crispy Spicy Black Bean Burgers (with Mexican flavors!)
These spicy black bean burgers are made crispy by switching out breadcrumbs for rolled oats pulsed in the food processor. If you're short on time, make the patties ahead and store them in the refrigerator overnight wrapped in plastic. And as a bonus, when they're chilled, they hold their shape better while they cook.
Simple Potato and Lentil Salad
You only need four ingredients plus herbs and a vinaigrette to make this potato and lentil salad. I make this one all summer long for an easy, healthy main dish for me and a hearty side for the meat eaters at the table.
Cheesy Mexican Casserole with Quinoa
This cheesy Mexican quinoa casserole is made healthy in a few ways. First of all, it includes quinoa and pumpkin seeds. And second, it eliminates the sour cream which many similar recipes include. Best of all, it's packed with protein from the quinoa, black beans, and pepitas making it a perfect main or side dish for the whole family. Oh! And the folks at Parade Magazine liked it so much they published it too. 🎉
Roasted Potato Salad with Lentils (No Mayo!)
This entrée-worthy recipe for roasted potato salad combines roasted potatoes with lentils, red onion, and chives. But instead of being mixed with mayonnaise, it's all tossed in a yogurt-soft cheese-dill dressing.
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S A L A D S
Old-Fashioned Classic Buttermilk Cole Slaw
This recipe is an old-fashioned buttermilk coleslaw like I grew up with. It's tangy, creamy, a little sweet, and has plenty of crunch. If you make it, you may want to make a double batch because it goes fast. And you can use any leftover buttermilk dressing for other vegetable salads.
Mexican Street Corn Salad
If you love the popular street food, Mexican Street Corn (Elote), you must make this addictive, delicious Mexican Street Corn Salad. It's perfect for your summer BBQs.
15-Minute Summer Corn and Tomato Salad
If you have these 5 ingredients (plus olive oil, salt and pepper) and 15 minutes, you've got this popular corn and tomato salad done and ready to serve. Although the post includes suggestions for additional ingredients, the main ones you need are corn, cherry tomatoes, basil, mint, and lime juice.
Non-Traditional Greek Cucumber Salad
This is my best ever traditional-ish Greek salad with a twist made with cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, and feta cheese. And it's all dressed with an oregano vinaigrette. It also offers an option to add torn pieces of toasted garlic bread, panzanella style (shown in the above photo).
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S I D E S
BBQ Baked Beans
Either make this vegan baked beans dish ahead or just in time for your party. It's perfect for barbecues, summer potlucks, picnics, casual dinners and more. Oh, and it's vegan!
Grilled Vegetables and Halloumi
Spiralized zucchini, quick sautéd and tossed with asiago cheese makes a perfect low-carb bed for these grilled vegetable skewers of halloumi and vegetables that are first soaked in a simple marinade.
Grilled Watermelon with Lime, Mint and Feta
Learn how to grill watermelon for an easy side dish that the whole family will love. All you need are a few ingredients you may already have on hand. And you'll want my tips if you don't want your watermelon to be a mushy mess.
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D E S S E R T
Berries and Cream Parfaits
This easy dessert needs only a few ingredients for a perfect ending to your BBQ. First, macerate the berries in sugar (or Gran Marnier), then whip up the cream-yogurt combination, and you're all done. You can make the berries and cream parfaits up to 4 hours ahead.
Mom's No-Bake Blueberry Tartlets
These easy blueberry tartlets are layered with softened cream cheese, piled high with fresh blueberries, and drizzled with a blueberry glaze. Or make it as a single large tart like my mom did. You'll need to make it ahead and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow it to set up before serving. I've made this recipe every summer for 30 years, and people always rave about it.
Grilled Ginger Peaches a la Mode
These Grilled Ginger Peaches are the perfect, easy summer dessert after dinner. Simply dip halved peaches in a melted brown sugar, ginger, butter mixture and then briefly grill. They're best warm, fresh from the grill topped with your favorite crumbled ginger cookie and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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C O C K T A I L S
Simple Classic Margarita
A great margarita needs only three ingredients and very little time to make. This easy recipe always gets raves and it's perfect to stash away in the freezer until the party begins.
Shortcut Mojito Cocktail
This Mojito Cocktail recipe provides a shortcut for muddling the mint leaves that loses none of the freshness, and it has an extra ingredient that makes this drink shine.
Frothy Peruvian Pisco Sours
This traditional Peruvian Pisco Sour Cocktail is made in minutes with Peruvian Pisco brandy, simple syrup, lime juice, and egg whites. Whip up the egg whites with an immersible blender until it's all foamy, and finish it all with a dash of bitters.
Watermelon Wine Coolers with Lime
This refreshing Watermelon Wine Cooler is made with inexpensive white Riesling wine, fresh watermelon, lime and mint syrup. For a party, make it ahead of time, and keep in the refrigerator. Then, just before your guests arrive, pour it into a pitcher with a container of ice cubes on the side, and you're all set with a signature drink for your guests!
Happy 4th of July to you and your family. I hope you find something in this collection of vegetarian recipes for your BBQ party this year ❤️ 🇺🇸 🎇.
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