Today, November the 1st, marks World Vegan Day, a day dedicated to the people who adopt a vegan lifestyle and to raise awareness of the benefits of veganism. The day was founded in 1994 by Louise Wallis, who is an animal rights activist, and at the time was the president of the Vegan Society. World Vegan Day is celebrated all around the globe, through exhibitions, debates, seminars, and more, and here at Cinders, we believe it should be celebrated through barbecuing too.
Not only is a vegan lifestyle beneficial for human health but it also encourages environmental protection. As a company that manufactures barbecue equipment, we love meat as much as the next person, however, once in a while we believe exploring veganism is an interesting thing to do. There is no doubt that over the recent years a vegan lifestyle has become increasingly popular, with vegan restaurants and menus popping up everywhere, perhaps you own a vegan restaurant yourself!
There is a misconception that meat is the only food item on the BBQ that can create delicious, charred flavours, however, this is not true! With the right barbecuing skills, equipment and choice of veg, that unique flavour can also be replicated in vegan dishes. Even if you only want to try vegan food for the day or want to introduce one vegan dish to your menu, there are numerous ways to explore veganism, no matter the scale. In this blog post, we have listed some tasty vegan BBQ dishes for you to try, whether you’re a chef, caterer, or a vegan enthusiast, you do not want to miss out on these dishes.
1. Grilled Tofu
Tofu is a fantastic vegan alternative, that can add a great firm texture to any dish, without going mushy as some vegetable dishes do. As tofu is quite plain in flavour, it is incredibly easy to create an array of flavours through marinades and seasoning. Whether you would like to try an American, Asian, or Spanish-inspired BBQ, tofu can be dressed in a range of ingredients to optimise the flavours. Plus, when grilled, a delicate, charred aroma shines through, which also makes the tofu perfectly crisp.
We think this Citrus-Chipotle Grilled Tofu by Rainbow Plant Life looks and sounds delicious! Packed full of flavour, to create a Caribbean-inspired BBQ dish.
2. Portobello Mushroom Burgers
Burgers are one of the simplest and easiest dishes to change, all you have to do is swap out the filling! There are many vegan burger combinations to try – you may have a bean burger or meat alternative already on your menu but, have you tried portobello mushrooms? Burgers are a fan favourite amongst many, especially when the contents inside are rich, ‘meaty’ and juicy in flavour, you can’t go wrong! Mushroom burgers will cater for all your vegan, vegetarian, and meat eater guests. You can also add a slab of vegan cheese, to make the dish even more savoury and flavoursome.
Take a look at this recipe by Love & Lemons, to learn how to BBQ your portobello mushroom to perfection.
3. Carrot Hot Dogs
Yes, you heard that right, carrot hot dogs! If you would like to introduce a unique vegan dish to your menu, these are the ones to try. This plant-based alternative is not only healthier, but they are ideal for the BBQ and tastes just as good as real hot dogs. When carrots are boiled and then grilled, they replicate the same texture as hot dogs, and when coated in the right marinade, they produce a wonderful smoky flavour. Top with your usual favourite hot dog toppings such as grilled onion, mustard, and ketchup, and you’re left with a very appetising vegan hot dog.
View this recipe by Sweet Simple Vegan.
4. Fajita Skewers
These are a twist on your ordinary veggie skewer, infused with Mexican-style flavours to create a spicier vegan BBQ dish. Grilled corn on the cob, colourful peppers, mushroom, and onion, make the perfect fajita mix. Barbecue these skewers until the vegetables have started to sear, and the natural sweetness exudes out. Add a hint of lime, for a Mexican taste sensation.
Take a look at this recipe by Forks Over Knives, to discover a delicious blend of herbs and spices.
If you own a restaurant or have a BBQ event coming up, we encourage you to try one of these dishes to commemorate World Vegan Day. You might even discover a dish that will remain on your menu!
High-Quality Barbecue Equipment from Cinders
Here at Cinders, we manufacture and supply high-quality barbecue equipment and accessories, designed to perfectly grill a range of vegetables and meats. Our grills are reliable and trustworthy, which will help you to cook up a storm this World Vegan Day. Browse our website to make a purchase today, or if you would like to hire a grill for your vegan day event, we also offer a local search for barbecue rental service.