These vegan Black cookout recipes are full of the down-home flavors you love, just without the meat, dairy, and eggs! We have all the dishes you need for the perfect plant-based cookout menu.
Whether you’re hosting a Black cookout or you’re invited to one, if you’re vegan, you might wonder what you can eat. You want to keep it real and authentic, but you don’t want to compromise on your plant-based diet either.
The good news is that there are plenty of vegan Black cookout recipes that let you enjoy all your favorite dishes without the meat, cheese, and butter. You can cook, eat, and drink with your family and friends—and you don’t have to sit at a picnic table with a plate of cornbread and fruit salad! We’re talking vegan mac and cheese, finger-lickin’ good BBQ tofu, and loaded potato salad with crispy bits of coconut bacon.
What foods are good for cookouts?
Cookouts usually involve two types of food: the proteins that are cooked on the grill and the dishes that are prepared in advance inside and then brought outdoors for the cookout.
Anything you can cook on the grill is good for a cookout, as are salads that you can assemble and refrigerate until ready to serve. There are usually also some warm sides, like mac and cheese or corn-on-the-cob.
Why is it called a cookout?
A cookout is a get-together that involves grilling food outside—i.e., cooking outdoors. Cookouts started in the South, but now people throughout the U.S. and beyond use the term.
What is the difference between a picnic and a cookout?
A picnic usually involves a meal that is prepared or assembled at home and then eaten outdoors, often at a park or beach. A cookout is also held outdoors and does often involve some dishes made in advance, but the centerpiece of the meal is food cooked on the grill outside.
What Do Vegans Eat at a Cookout?
Hot dogs and burgers are two classic grilled cookout foods, and you can easily find vegan versions of both at the grocery store. If you’re going to a Black cookout and you don’t want to inconvenience your host, you might want to pick up a pack of vegan hot dogs or veggie burger patties and ask them to throw one on the grill for you!
If, on the other hand, you’re hosting a vegan cookout or you’re bringing a dish to share, these recipes are perfect:
Vegan Cookout Favorites
From grilled veggies to sweet tea, we have everything you need for a plant-based cookout! Read through our list and click through to grab the recipes.
Homemade BBQ Sauce
This sauce is perfect for your vegan backyard barbecue! It's simple to make, and you can serve it over grilled veggies or tofu, or use it as a dipping sauce.
BBQ Tofu (Southern Style)
This Southern-style BBQ tofu is a mouthwatering plant-based protein for your next cookout! Serve it up on a bun with some vegan coleslaw and you've got yourself a meal that's both tasty and healthy.
Quinoa & Black Bean Burgers
These vegan black bean quinoa burgers are made for grilling season. The sweet and smoky strawberry BBQ sauce takes them to the next level!
Grilled Mexican Street Corn
Street corn is a popular Mexican dish, but it’s just as good for a vegan cookout option. Once you try grilled corn, you’ll never boil it again!
Balsamic Grilled Vegetables
Take your grilled veggies up a notch with a sweet, syrupy balsamic glaze. It's the perfect way to add some flavor and excitement to an old favorite!
Vegan Fried Chicken
This vegan fried chicken is so good, you won't believe it's not the real thing. It’s crispy and perfect for hot (faux) chicken sandwiches or just piling high on a plate and eating as-is.
Vegan Cornbread
Vegan cornbread is a must for any Southern-style meal. It's light and fluffy, and the perfect texture to soak up sauces.
Easy Grilled Pineapples
Grilled pineapple recipe works as a side dish or a dessert! It gets tender and caramelised on the grill, and it tastes so good, you’ll forget it’s healthy.
Grilled Peaches with Coconut Ice Cream
There's nothing like the taste of juicy grilled peaches. Add a scoop of coconut ice cream for an unforgettable summer dessert.
Vegan Potato Salad
This vegan loaded potato salad is the ideal side dish for any picnic, cookout, or outdoor potluck! It's easy to make and full of savory flavor thanks to the addition of coconut bacon.
Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese
This plant-based mac and cheese is not only delicious, but it's also easy to make. You can’t have a vegan cookout without it!
Sweet Potato Salad
Tender sweet potatoes add a touch of sweetness to a traditional potato salad recipe made with Yukon gold potatoes and a vegan mayo dressing.
Classic Jamaican Lemonade
Nothing beats the heat like a cold glass of refreshing lemonade, but Jamaican lemonade is something truly special! It’s made with lime juice instead of lemon, and sweetened with brown sugar.
Southern Sweet Tea
There's nothing quite like a cold glass of Southern sweet tea on a hot day. This might just be the official drink of summer, and we have the secret to making it perfect every time!