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    Home » Sides

    Vegan Side Dishes

    Published: Jun 1, 2020 · Modified: Aug 28, 2020 by Jenn Sebestyen

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my Privacy Policy for more details.

    No backyard cookout, BBQ, picnic, or potluck is complete without a slew of side dishes to round out the meal. These vegan side dishes are so delicious, I’ve been known to make a meal out of just the sides! From classics gone vegan to creative new flavors, check out these recipes to ensure your next gathering is super tasty!

    6 vegan side dishes collage: Corn, pasta salad, coleslaw, potato salad, fruit salad and more!
    Vegan Side Dishes: Grilled Corn on the Cob; Coleslaw; Potato Salad; Pasta Salad; Vegetable Kabobs; Fruit Salad

    When it comes to backyard BBQs, the grilled stuff is generally the star of the show, but that doesn’t mean the side dishes should be there just to take up the extra space on your plate.

    With these super tasty vegan recipes, your guests, herbivores and omnivores alike, will be going back for seconds on the side dishes instead of the main course!

    Table of Contents hide
    1 What makes a good BBQ side dish?
    2 How to transport potluck food
    3 How to serve
    4 Pro tips for food safety
    5 FAQs
    6 BBQ entree ideas
    7 More vegan recipe collections
    8 Recipes: Vegan Side Dishes for a BBQ

    What makes a good BBQ side dish?

    Ideal vegan side dishes for backyard cookouts have these qualities:

    • can be made rather quickly and easily
    • can be made, or at least prepped, ahead of time
    • can easily be scaled up (or down) to feed a crowd
    • can sit out for an hour or two without wilting or going rancid
    • travels well (in case you are a guest and not the host)

    How to transport potluck food

    If you’ll be bringing your side dish with you to a party, you’ll want to make sure it arrives to your destination safely.

    *Make sure everything is tightly covered in containers with locking lids.

    These come in a variety of sizes with small ones perfect for dips and sauces to larger ones great for veggies and sides.

    This one is great for keeping salad ingredients separate from leafy greens until you plan to serve.

    If you don’t have containers with locking lids, try reusable bowl covers that fit to stretch any size container.

    In a pinch, plastic wrap will do, just make sure it’s pulled tight and maybe double it up to ensure it doesn’t move. Or, depending on the food, consider transporting your food in a zipper lock plastic bags or large glass mason jars and transferring to a bowl upon arrival.

    *Pack cold food with ice or frozen gel packs in a portable cooler.

    *Keep hot food hot in an insulated carrying bag.

    How to serve

    For serving vegan side dishes, ensure the cold food stays cold by using chilled serving containers. These chilled mats are great for placing bowls of food you want to keep cold.

    To keep hot foods hot, consider a multi serve slow cooker.

    Pro tips for food safety

    Food of any kind should only sit out for 2 hours maximum. If the temperature is above 90°F, then 1 hour is the limit.

    Here are some helpful tips from the FDA regarding food safety.

    Asparagus, avocado, tomato, and red onion salad in a bowl on a wooden board.

    FAQs

    What is a side dish?

    A side dish is any food served on the side as an accompaniment to the main course.

    How do you pick a side dish?

    Try to choose something that will complement the entrée. This could be similar or different flavors than the main dish. In season ingredients are always a good choice.

    If your entrée is heavy, choose lighter options for the side. If your main dish is light, heavier dishes on the side would be appropriate.

    How many sides should you serve?

    There is no right answer here, but for something like a backyard BBQ, I would suggest 3 to 5 vegan side dishes. A good rule of thumb would be to have one featuring vegetables, one fruit based dish, and one starchy side (like rice, noodle or potato dishes). Then get fun and creative with 1 to 2 more if you wish.

    Veggie kabobs on a charcoal grill with sauce and basting brush.

    BBQ entree ideas

    Need main dish ideas for your vegan BBQ? Here are a few of our faves:

    • Chickpea Veggie Burger
    • BBQ Bean Burger
    • Easy Portobello Sliders
    • Beyond Burgers – these store bought burgers make a vegan BBQ easy and convenient. They grill up to perfection and taste so much like the real deal, they will please even the biggest meat eaters. Beyond also makes brats.

    More vegan recipe collections

    • Best Vegan Party Appetizers
    • Best Vegan Recipes Based on Reader Reviews
    • Best Vegan Brunch Recipes
    • Best Vegan Zucchini Recipes

    Recipes: Vegan Side Dishes for a BBQ

    Hummus and dips, fruits and salads, pasta and potatoes and so much more, if you need a delicious side dish for your next BBQ, potluck, or picnic, you'll find what you're looking for here! From classics gone vegan to creative new flavors you're sure to love these Vegan BBQ Side Dishes!

    Dips and Small Bites

    Roasted Red Pepper Hummus 

    Creamy and flavorful, this easy hummus is delicious paired with crackers, chips, or crudité. Use jarred roasted red peppers for convenience and ease!

    Roasted Carrot White Bean Hummus

    Roasted carrots, toasted walnuts, spices and fresh herbs give this dip an incredible deep flavor. Try using it as a spread for veggie burgers!

    Smoky Cilantro Lime Mexican Bean Dip

    The perfect potluck dish for BBQs or parties. This Mexican Bean Dip recipe is hearty and healthy and full of flavor. It's just as good as a salad as it is a dip with chips.

    Cucumber Bites with Sun Dried Tomato Spread

    An easy, fun way to eat your veggies! They may be little, but they pack a big flavor punch!

    Mango Salsa

    Photo Credit: myplantbasedfamily.com

    Delicious scooped up with chips, as a condiment for veggie burgers, or simply eaten with a spoon on the side!

    Chipotle Corn Salsa Recipe

    Photo Credit: cookathomemom.com

    A dip, condiment, or side dish...so many delicious possibilities!

    Green Salads

    Kale Apple Slaw

    This Kale Apple Slaw features crisp fresh veggies and a creamy, tangy vinaigrette. It’s a flavorful, healthy dish that comes together in just 15 minutes!

    Massaged Kale and Quinoa Salad 

    Kale is the perfect leafy green for picnic salads because it doesn't wilt! It actually benefits from sitting the dressing, making the greens softer and easier to chew. With juicy orange segments and protein packed quinoa even the kids will eat their greens!

    Vegan Caesar Salad

    Photo Credit: heartfullynourished.com

    Sometimes a classic green salad is just the thing to balance the typical heavier fare at a BBQ.

    Kale and Beetroot Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing

    Photo Credit: homecookedroots.com

    The sweet strawberries and balsamic dressing balance the earthiness of the beets for a flavor combo that's hard to resist. Use pre-cooked beets to make this salad in a flash.

    Easy Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

    Photo Credit: www.happyfoodstube.com

    Just 6 ingredients in this entire recipes, including the dressing! Fresh and flavorful!

    Dairy-Free Panzanella Salad 

    Photo Credit: www.godairyfree.org

    A creative and delicious take on Panzanella salad.

    Pasta Salads

    Easy Vegan Macaroni Salad

    This easy Vegan Macaroni Salad is my go-to pasta salad. It tastes just like the classic creamy pasta salad I remember from my childhood, but this one is all vegan. Easily made gluten free and no chopping required! Ready in less than 30 minutes!

    Lemon Artichoke Vegan Pasta Salad

    Fresh herbs and tangy citrus are the perfect complement to briny artichokes and chewy pasta. Easily scaled up or down to feed any size crowd and can be made in advance.

    Creamy Balsamic Summer Pasta Salad

    Crunchy raw veggies, sweet strawberries, juicy tomatoes, fresh herbs, and curly pasta all tossed with a creamy balsamic dressing. The perfect balance of flavors and textures. It's a creative take on a pasta salad that will quickly become a favorite.

    Southwest Black Bean Pasta Salad 

    This is the perfect side dish to bring to a party where it might be the only plant based item. Hearty enough to eat as a main course, but perfect paired with other fare as well. The creamy southwest dressing is so good!

    Mediterranean Pasta w/ Roasted Peppers & Artichokes

    Made almost entirely of pantry staples, this dish comes together quickly and easily. It's delicious eaten warm, cold, or room temperature.

    Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad

    Photo Credit: www.vnutritionandwellness.com

    A healthy and vegan version of creamy pasta salad!

    Hummus Pasta Salad

    Photo Credit: watchlearneat.com

    Using store-bought roasted red pepper hummus for the base of the dressing, this salad comes together quickly. Feel free to use homemade hummus if you prefer.

    Coleslaw Orzo Salad

    Photo Credit: www.babaganosh.org

    Combining the best of both coleslaw and pasta salad into one super tasty dish!

    Potatoes

    Vegan Potato Salad w/ White Bean Mustard Mayo

    Classic potato salad ingredients and flavors made healthier with a homemade plant based dressing.

    Herb Roasted Potato and Arugula Salad

    Use garden fresh herbs to make the most of the flavor in this easy salad.

    Light Mediterranean Potato Salad

    Photo Credit: zenandzaatar.com

    A light and herby potato salad your tastebuds will love!

    Vegan Tzatziki Potato Salad

    Photo Credit: www.eatingbyelaine.com

    Fresh flavor and creamy texture with a dreamy cashew based tzatziki dressing.

    Sriracha Sesame Potato Salad

    Photo Credit: veganyackattack.com

    This easy make ahead dish is creamy and spicy, making it anything but boring! You can adjust the heat level to your tastes.

    Grilled Sweet Potato Fries with Parsley Tahini Sauce

    Photo Credit: eatthegains.com

    Make room on the grill for these perfectly crisp sweet potato fries.

    Vegetables

    Healthy Broccoli Salad (No Mayo!)

    Broccoli salad is a staple at most backyard BBQs. This one is healthy with an oil-free, no mayo dressing with a creamy, tangy flavor you'll love!

    Raw Corn Radish Salad

    Sweet corn, spicy radishes, citrusy cilantro, smoky spices, and tangy lime juice mingle in this surprisingly easy to throw together salad. Use fresh summer sweet corn for the most delicious flavor!

    Sugar Snap Pea Salad w/ Balsamic Vinaigrette

    Crunchy and addictive! A healthy oil-free dressing brings it all together.

    Raw Veggie Chopped Salad 

    Not all salads need lettuce! This veggie loaded salad features all raw produce making it so easy to put together. Simply chop and mix! Fresh herbs and a lemony oil-free dressing is the perfect complement.

    Hearts of Palm Salad with Simple Lemon Vinaigrette

    Just 4 ingredients in the salad and 3 in the vinaigrette, but the flavor is huge! It's a light and fresh dish that pairs perfectly with heavier BBQ foods.

    Creamy Vegan Coleslaw

    Photo Credit: veganhuggs.com

    A lightened up version of a classic! It's mayo-free and oil-free, but every bit as yummy as the original.

    Grilled Vegetable Kabobs 

    Photo Credit: mypureplants.com

    Easy to customize and prep ahead. Oven directions included in case your grill is already full!

    Grilled Corn on the Cob with Creamy Avocado Dill Dressing 

    Photo Credit: happykitchen.rocks

    With or without the creamy avocado dill dressing, corn on the cob is must for backyard BBQs!

    Mediterranean Cucumber Salad | Vegan and Gluten-Free

    Photo Credit: www.keepingthepeas.com

    Cucumbers, tomatoes and herbs make for a light and refreshing flavorful salad.

    Green Pea and Cheddar Salad

    Photo Credit: thiswifecooks.com

    I love a good pea salad! This one features vegan cheddar cubes and a creamy dressing. Yum!

    Vegan Cauliflower Salad Recipe

    Photo Credit: cookingjourneyblog.com

    I love the idea of using cauliflower instead of potatoes, pasta, or grains for a low-carb salad option.

    Beans and Grains

    Vegan Quinoa Salad w/ Fresh Dill & Lime Vinaigrette

    Light and fresh, yet packed with plant based protein. The fresh dill and lime vinaigrette make this dish divine!

    Curry Quinoa Salad from Vegan Weight Loss Manifesto

    Healthy and nutritious doesn't have to mean bland and boring. This recipe, with all it's flavor and texture, proves just that! Perfect for making ahead and taking to BBQs and potlucks.

    Kidney Bean Salad (Gluten Free, Vegan)

    This deliciously simple salad is quick to make using mostly pantry staples. Easily doubled or tripled for a crowd. And it only gets better as it sits, so it's the perfect make-ahead dish.  

    Vegan Avocado Chickpea Salad

    Photo Credit: www.diannesvegankitchen.com

    Delicious and easy! If you're prepping ahead, wait to add the avocado until serving time so it doesn't start to brown.

    Lentil Quinoa Salad

    Photo Credit: www.veggiesdontbite.com

    If you're looking for a side dish that packs a healthy protein punch, this is it. Tasty warm, cold, or room temperature!

    Fruit

    Watermelon Mint Salad

    Photo Credit: avirtualvegan.com

    So fresh and juicy with a clean crunch from the cucumber. This is an impressive looking salad that's actually really simple to make!

    Spicy Mango Salad

    Photo Credit: ministryofcurry.com

    Sweet and refreshing, this salad will be a favorite even among the kids!

    Fresh Fruit Salad with Coconut Dressing

    Photo Credit: cozypeachkitchen.com

    Take your basic fruit salad up a notch with a sweet and creamy dairy-free coconut dressing.

    Berry Fruit Salad

    Photo Credit: chefsavvy.com

    Your favorite berries and cherries tossed with a sweet lime dressing. Be sure to use pure maple syrup or agave instead of the honey to keep it 100% vegan.

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    Jenn Sebestyen of Veggie Inspired

    Hi, I'm Jenn! This is where I share easy plant-based family recipes. Let me show you just how easy it is to get your daily dose of fruits and veggies in a delicious and satisfying way!

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