Summer Vegan BBQ

now that summer is here it is time for grilling, fresh fruits and veggies and enjoying the warm weather. this blog post will give you two recipes that are perfect for a summer vegan bbq! the pineapple tofu skewers and watermelon peach salad are the ultimate summer dishes.

My favorite thing about summer is getting all the amazing produce back. I absolutely love all the fruits and veggies and they it inspires me to try new things. These two recipes are perfect for a warm summer vegan bbq with a main dish and a side dish. The grilled pineapple tofu skewers are sweet, tangy, and savory. The watermelon peach salad is filled with vegan feta, nuts, basil, mint and adds so much to the meal. Pair with a refreshing drink like my Mango Refresher Mocktail or The Spicy Grapefruit Cocktail.

Grilled Pineapple Tofu Skewers

You should know I am a big fan of tofu skewers! I have a lot of recipes on the blog for them and they are one of my favorite things to make. They make it so easy to make a bunch of servings and skewers are great for entertaining, gatherings, or even meal prep. When grilling tofu it is important to use super firm tofu. The other tofu varieties are too soft. You can grill these on an outdoor grill or use a small indoor grill like a George Foreman Grill! These can also be baked (but I would only do this with metal skewers).

Watermelon Peach Salad

I like side dishes in the summer to be light and refreshing. This watermelon peach salad hits all the right spots! It is salty, sweety, crunchy, soft, tangy – seriously it is perfect. My non-vegan also absolutely loved it and my dad said it may be his new favorite salad. You can honestly customize this how you like so if you don’t love an ingredient I used feel free to swap it out.

Tips for Summer Hosting

I know there is so much more entertaining that goes on during the summer. So, if you want to have a fun gathering here are some of my tips:

• Fresh flowers for decoration, makes everything look pretty and vibrant
• Have a mocktail that can easily be made into a cocktail. It is much easier to add alcohol into your own glass and makes it easier to only have one drink and let’s people who aren’t or don’t drink have the same thing.
• Use fresh garnishes – now is the time for herbs like basil, mint, microgreens it adds so much to a dish
• If you are having a large gathering have some extra to-go containers laying around in case guests want to take leftovers
• Prep as much as you can ahead of time so you don’t need to do too much when your guests come
• Have a snack out for arrival – not too much food because you want them to enjoy their meal but maybe some olives, vegan cheese and crackers or nuts, something for a little snacking

Summer Vegan BBQ FAQ

• Can the skewers be made ahead of time? Definitely! You can skewer them, brush with marinade and let them sit in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
• Can I use wooden skewers? Yes, but make sure to soak them for a half hour to an hour before skewering them so they do not burn.
• Can I use different veggies on the skewers? Of course, mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant would be great!
• Can I substitute the tofu? Sure, use tempeh or seitan or just keep it all veggies!
• Can I make the watermelon salad ahead of time? Definitely, just keep it in the fridge.

More Summer Recipes

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Grilled Pineapple Tofu Skewers

Delicious vegan tofu skewers are filled with pineapple, red onion, and green bell pepper. Glazed with a sweet, tangy marinade and grilled to perfection.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Marinating Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Main Course

Servings 10 skewers

Equipment

• Metal Skewers

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 block (16 ounces/454g) super firm tofu, cut into large cubes
• 1 ½ green bell peppers cut into large pieces (about 10 ounces/300g)
• ½ red onion cut into large pieces (about 6.5 ounces/185g)
• 2 ¼ cups cubed pineapple (about 13 ounces/370g)
• ½ cup (120g) teriyaki sauce
• ¼ cup (60g) barbecue sauce
• 2 teaspoons (10ml) oil, plus more for brushing on grill
• Garnish with microgreens

Instructions

 

• Take your tofu, pineapple, green pepper, and red onion and start to place them onto the skewers. Adding a variety to each of the skewers I try to aim for at least 3 pieces of each ingredient. Once they are all done set to the side on a large dish or baking pan.
• In a bowl combine the oil, teriyaki and barbecue sauce. Mix together.
• Use a silicone brush to brush the skewers and cover them completely with the marinade. Remember to flip them over and get both sides. Save a bit of the marinade to brush onto the skewers after they are done cooking, only about 1 to 2 tablespoons.
• Set the skewers aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes. If longer let them sit covered in the fridge.
• Before grilling, make sure to clean grill and take a paper towel with a bit of oil (not much at all) to gently brush onto the grates. Bring grill to a medium heat, about 300°F to 350°F (148°C to 176°C).
• Once grill is hot place skewers onto grill and grill for about 7 minutes. Use tongs to carefully flip skewers to the other side.
• Once they are all done remove from grill and enjoy.

Video

Notes

• IMPORTANT: if using wooden skewers please soak in water for an hour before adding ingredients to skewers to prevent burning.
• Teriyaki Sauce is Mikee.
• Barbecue Sauce is Sweet Baby Ray’s.
• Metal Skewers

Keyword grilled skewers, pineapple tofu skewers, summer recipes, tofu skewers

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Watermelon Peach Salad

An easy side dish that is delicious, sweet, tangy, salty and refreshing. Filled with summer fruit, nuts, vegan feta, and herbs.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 5 cups watermelon cubed (about 18 ounces/500g)
• 1 peach cubed (about 4 ounces/120g)
• ½ cup (56g) vegan feta crumbles
• ¾ ounce (20g) microgreens, about 2 handfuls
• 3 to 4 leaves fresh basil julienned
• ¼ cup (28g) almonds, chopped
• 2 teaspoons (10ml) olive oil

Instructions

 

• Add all ingredients into a large bowl. Toss to mix and serve.

Video

Notes

• Vegan Feta is Follow Your Heart
• Bowl is from Crate & Barrel

Keyword easy side dish, easy side salads, side salad, summer recipes, watermelon peach salad, watermelon salad

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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