8 Grilled Vegetarian Dinner Recipes for Your Next Cookout

Vegetable Pizzas recipe peppers
Photo: Blaine Moats

Burgers and steak are nice, but these vegetarian grilling recipes will be your new summer favorites. Grilled veggies spend plenty of time in our spotlight, naturally, but you'll also find pizzas, tacos, tofu, and veggie burgers. If there are any vegans in your cookout crowd, use these vegetarian grill ideas as a starting point and make one or two simple tweaks.

01 of 08

Grilled Vegetable Tostadas with Quick Mole Sauce

Grilled Vegetable Tostadas with Quick Mole Sauce
Andy Lyons

Zucchini, summer squash, and eggplant are the main toppings for this grilled vegetarian meal. Served on top of toasted tortillas with a spicy dark chocolate mole sauce, this Mexican-inspired recipe brings bold flavors to your barbecue. Top with fresh avocado slices and cilantro (and don't forget the chips and salsa on the side).

02 of 08

Plank-Smoked Portobello Mushrooms

Plank-Smoked Portobello Mushrooms
Andy Lyons

Grilling on a wood plank helps give these mushrooms a deeper, smokier flavor than placing them directly on the grates. Stuffed with tons of goodies like spinach, bread crumbs, pecans, and sharp white cheddar cheese, it's a super-satisfying grilled vegetarian meal.

Buy It: Expert Grill Cedar Planks ($6, Walmart)

03 of 08

Zucchini Pizza Tacos

Zucchini Pizza Tacos
Con Poulos

Pizza and tacos? You know them and love them, and they're even better together, no question. Grill pizza dough to make the taco shell, then fill it with zucchini slices hot off the grill. Make this grilled vegetarian dinner prettier and tastier by adding a squash blossom to each pizza taco just before serving. We do call for ricotta here, which is traditionally made with rennet. If you cannot find ricotta made with plant-based rennet, try making your own ricotta at home.

04 of 08

Artichoke Flatbread

Artichoke Flatbread
Andy Lyons

Grilled flatbread imparts smoky flavor to spinach, tomatoes, and artichoke hearts. And because everyone gets their own flatbread, they can customize it. Vegetarian, strictly vegan, or meat-lover, all will be happy when this vegetarian grill option is on the menu. Remember to check the goat cheese you use to be sure it's vegetarian friendly (made from plant-based rennet or microbial rennet).

05 of 08

Eggplant Panzanella

Eggplant Panzanella
Andy Lyons

This panzanella salad gets a double dose of grilled flavor after both the eggplant slices and French bread take their turn on the grill. Add garden-fresh tomatoes to the mix and you have a surefire winner in this grilled vegetarian dinner. Plus, you can easily make this hearty salad vegan by leaving out the mozzarella or subbing in your favorite vegan cheese.

06 of 08

Grilled Romaine Salad with Tomato and Corn Tumble

Grilled Romaine Salad with Tomato and Corn Tumble
Andy Lyons

Have you ever grilled romaine lettuce? If not, you need to try it. A touch of heat wilts some of the leaves to contrast with the crispiness of others. Top with grilled corn, fresh grape tomatoes, and homemade vinaigrette. Crumbled cheese adds a little richness to this grilled vegetarian meal, but leave it off if you can't find a vegetarian-friendly cheese option.

07 of 08

Grilled Vegetable and Mozzarella Ensalada

Grilled Vegetable and Mozzarella Ensalada
Jason Donnelly

Cheese makes every salad better, and this grilled veggie and mozzarella recipe is no exception (check that your package of mozzarella is free of animal rennet to keep it vegetarian). The mozzarella may not hit the grill, but it'll be melty, smoky, and totally irresistible when tossed with hot-off-the-grill zucchini, tomatoes, bell pepper, and onion wedges. It's hearty enough for dinner, but it's also one of the best vegetarian grill recipes to serve as a side in smaller portions.

Buy It: Char-Broil Grill Pan ($6, Target)

08 of 08

Grilled Veggie Sandwiches

Grilled Veggie Sandwiches
Andy Lyons

Grilled veggies are delicious on their own, but sometimes they need a little help becoming a hearty, satisfying vegetarian meal. And that's where these grilled veggie sandwiches come in: Serving grilled zucchini and red onion slices on ciabatta rolls makes a tasty sandwich that will also fill you up. Remember to check the feta you buy to ensure it fits a vegetarian diet.

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