Summer means gorgeous afternoon sun, long evenings, and the BBQ finally getting dusted off – weather permitting. But as a vegetarian, these occasions can be something to look forward to and something to slightly dread in equal measure. While everyone else is happily throwing beef burgers and sausages on the grill, it's easy to feel like an afterthought at your own barbecue.
Your diet shouldn't stand between you and good food, cold drinks and a great occasion. A barbecue doesn't have to be all about burgers, sausages and chicken skewers – especially with a bit of planning.
Always let the host know your dietary preferences in advance, or better yet, bring a homemade vegetarian dish to share. Not only does this guarantee you'll have something to eat, but it's often the dish everyone else ends up reaching for too.
Making BBQs Vegetarian-Friendly
Knowing there'll be proper vegetarian options waiting for you takes the anxiety out of attending a BBQ. That's not about being difficult – it's a reasonable thing to want to know in advance, the same as anyone else planning what they can and can't eat.
Thankfully, the days of "salad rolls" or plain salad with ketchup as the only vegetarian option are increasingly behind us. Getting it right doesn't have to be daunting – a few well-chosen vegetarian dishes on the grill can genuinely elevate the whole spread, whether your guests are vegetarian or not.
BBQ Dishes Worth Trying
Grilled avocado has become a genuine BBQ favourite – halved, lightly charred, then stuffed with fresh cucumber, tomato and crispy grilled chickpeas, all finished with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Halloumi is another BBQ staple worth having on hand. Whether pan-fried until crisp and golden or grilled in foil alongside vegetables and salad, it's a dish that tends to disappear fast regardless of who's eating it. If you're catering for guests with a dairy intolerance, it's worth having a plant-based cheese alternative on hand too, since halloumi itself isn't suitable for anyone avoiding dairy.
Onions are criminally underrated at a home BBQ. Cut into thick chunks, coated in a sweet BBQ glaze, and grilled until soft and slightly charred, they make a simple but genuinely crowd-pleasing side.
Jacket potatoes are another BBQ classic that's often forgotten. Wrap them tightly in foil and let them cook slowly over the coals or grill for a crisp skin and soft centre, then load them with toppings – butter, cheese, chickpeas, spinach, baked beans, whatever you fancy. If you're cooking for guests managing a gluten intolerance or a dairy intolerance, jacket potatoes are also one of the easiest dishes to adapt, since toppings can easily be swapped or kept separate to suit different dietary needs.
