What Will You Be Grilling This 4th of July?

Avatar of Marta-H

Posted June 30, 2009 by Marta Holmberg

I dream about BBQs. Seriously—there is absolutely no better way to spend a Saturday afternoon with friends and family! From chilling out on my parents’ deck back in Cali with teriyaki-marinated veggie skewers on the grill to lounging in my friends’ backyard here in VA with the delicious scent of veggie dogs and faux chicken burgers wafting at me from the grill, life just doesn’t get any better.

Of course, things can sometimes get a tad uncomfortable with people scarfing down animals left and right around you—which is why I’m bringing you peta2′s tips for surviving (and loving) 4th of July:

  • Be prepared. Don’t just sit around complaining that there’s not going to be anything you can eat at your family’s BBQ. Get off your butt and go to the store to get all your fave fixins.
  • Sharing is caring. People love vegan food—most people just don’t know how much they love it yet, so be sure to make enough of your deliciousness for others to devour too.
  • Don’t bring your fightin’ face to the party. You may feel defensive and people might try to give you a hard time, but you are so much stronger than that. Show them that just because you don’t eat meat doesn’t mean you’re an angry person who is going to snap at any minute.
  • Eat until your heart’s content. If you’ve got more sway with the menu, the possibilities are endless: grilled potatoes, veggie dogs & burgers, potato salad, vegan coleslaw, baked beans, huge chunks of watermelon, lots of chips and dip, black bean and corn salad, grilled garlic bread, and one of my personal favorites: grilled corn on the cob.


Corn on the cob and veggie burgers!

And if you’re in the mood for something new, here are a few tasty recipes to try out:

Now lately, I’ve been thinking more and more about the best topping for veggie burgers. Some faves of mine include sautéed spinach and onions or BBQ sauce with onion rings. What’s your preference? Let me know, so I can try it out!

Marta
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  • 1416 days ago

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]

    0

    marinate tofu in whatever you like, then bbq it ontop of some tinfoil so it doesnt fall through the grill (as even the firmest tofu might)
    grilled corn on the cob with some vegan margarine and seasoned salt (like at the fair)
    gardenburger riblets are scrumtious and vegan (even my carnivore boyfriend loves them)
    kabobs with yummy cherry tomatoes bell peppers and onion,
    if you have the time make your own corn dogs–that way the batter is vegan(www.theppk.com/recipes/dbrecipes/index.php?RecipeID=271),
    bake some homemade fries,
    big huge bowl of potato salad and a load of fruit salad.
    none of my friends even notice theyre being completely vegan. end the night with some beer pong and fireworks (soda for the non drinkers):D

  • 1417 days ago

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]

    0

    Veggie cook out! Tofu chili dogs, veggie bratwursts, squash, zucchini, portabello mushroom caps, pineapple, and booze… I should have taken some pics b4 i ate all the food ^_^ num num num…lol

  • 1417 days ago

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]

    0

    I’ll be making the Portobello mushroom steaks as well as grilled potatoes with oil, garlic, and onions. We’re also grilling some corn. We’ve got watermelon and strawberries for later as well.

  • 1417 days ago

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]

    0

    I love the morning star farms vegetarian riblets, they are absoultely fabulous for a BBQ. Plus they aren’t difficult to make just pop them in the microwave ;]

  • Pam

    1417 days ago

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]

    0

    Portobello mushroom,veggie burgers,grill peppers and tomatoes salad seasoned with olive oil,balsamic vinegar,garlic,basil and oregano.

  • 1417 days ago

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]

    0

    excellent.

  • 1419 days ago

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]

    0

    Nothing better than a BIG FAT juicy portabella mushroom on the grill, next to fat wedges of fresh pineapple, a little mango salsa on a bed of lettuce followed by raw apple pie and coconut/date raw cookies….ginger limeaid…..who’s ready?

  • 1419 days ago

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]

    0

    I found vegetarian riblets, and they’re delicious! That’s what I’m having for my 4th of July dinner!

  • 1419 days ago

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]

    0

    Like it says “Don’t bring your fighting face to the party”, that is what I always have to do when it comes to BBQ’s. I usually don’t like going to barbques for the simple reason it’s all about MEAT! Ugh!! So tired & bored of the same old big deal of ribs,burgers,dogs & sometimes fish. Unfortuneatly in the past I did make exceptions because I was without vegetarian protien all day & lacked the education to know better. I found myself unexpectingly being invited to barbeques over the yrs so no time to prepare with tofu, beans, nuts etc. It was usually fish, rarely thk goodness chicken, that I made the exception to eat. But fish r treated as cruely but worse in order to be food. So I’m commited to this now more than ever before my human brothers & sisters & fellow vegetarians. So sorry for giving in!! It pains me how long & how many times I have made these exceptions. No More!!
    Stay commited,stick with our choice of a humane diet! Everyone will admire you for it, especially your stregnth & integrity.
    Love & Peace,
    Amen Sigala

  • 1419 days ago

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]

    0

    I don t like meat :(

  • 1419 days ago

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]

    0

    Very tastie as well, a Dutch recipe;
    It’s simple; get the stem out of chapignons (mushroom) and fill them with a spicy blue cheese, like dana or bleu d’auvergne. Put them in a layer of tinfoil and put them on the BBQ, mmm!
    Or make sticks with slices zucchine, pepper, corn, onion etc…. marinate with garlic oil, pepper and salt, voila!
    Have nice vegetarian BBQ, I know I will!
    Bert-Netherlands

  • 1419 days ago

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]

    0

    I’m going to a 4th of July pot luck with non-veggies–I’m bringing Veggie Corn Dogs with plenty of yellow mustard, deli mustard and ketchup, and roasted potatoes with onion, garlic, tri-color bell pepper and fresh rosemary-yum. Hope they like it.

  • 1419 days ago

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]

    0

    Oh man. I LOVE grilling my boca burger with a little bit of melted cheese on top, slapping it on a bun, adding lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers and honey mustard.
    OMG. Best thing EVER !
    And I love Morningstar farms’ mini corn dogs too :D
    P.S: Those tofu kabobs sound amazing. I’m going to try that for my block party.

  • 1419 days ago

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]

    0

    I love avocado on my baco burger with smart life bacon! Yummy!

  • 1419 days ago

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]

    0

    I found this recipe watching food network and it kicks up anything…Especially veggie burgers….
    “Carmelized onion and jalapeno relish”…
    Heat up 2 Tbsp olive oil in skillet, add in 2 large yellow onions thinly sliced, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup bottled sliced or chopped jalapeno peppers(drained), and 1/2 cup dark brown sugar. Saute 15 minutes or until carmelized. Yum!

  • 1420 days ago

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]

    0

    We love BBQ veggie and tofu kabobs. Just marinate extra firm tofu, slice it up in half inch slabs and slide it on the skewers with peppers and onions. So delicious and everyone, even the carnivores, will eat them all up!!

  • 1420 days ago

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]

    0

    Corn on the cob (traditon!)
    boca burgers, chikkitee burgers, smart dogs, and other fake meats!
    (my family is also takeing the time to kick out the real flesh and replace it with the healthy vegan way)

  • 1421 days ago

    VA:F [1.9.22_1171]

    0

    My personal favourite things to put on a veggie burger is actually a little bit like the vegan version of a Whopper from Burger King. I love to put some lettuce, tomato, some veganaise, and some ketchup on mine.
    Of course, other toppings could be added as well, but for me it’s almost all about the sauce!

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