Vegetarian options for your next barbecue

Do you think cooking on the barbecue is reserved for meat eaters? Think again! Here are some easy ways of making your next cookout vegetarian-friendly.

Side dishes
Meat eaters and vegetarians alike will appreciate having grilled vegetables to accompany their main dish. Zucchini and eggplant are delicious when cut lengthwise, seasoned and cooked on an oiled grill.

If you prefer to cook an assortment of veggies, cut them into even-sized cubes and season them as desired. Once they’re ready to be cooked, wrap them in a piece of aluminum foil and place them on the barbecue to be steamed.

Main courses
There are vegetarian substitutes for almost all grilled meat dishes. For example, as an alternative to hamburgers you can buy pre-made veggie burgers or try your hand at making your own. A great replacement for ground beef is a mix of black beans and tempeh (a product made from fermented soybeans).

If you’re serving brochettes, replace the meat with more vegetables or with chunks of marinated tofu.

Remember that many vegetarians prefer that their food not come into contact with meat, so a clean grill is recommended. When cooking meat and non-meat dishes, cook the vegetarian items first or simply dedicate a portion of the grill to plant-based food.