Anonymous wrote:I have a couple of vegetarians coming over for a cookout. I am planning on chicken, sausages and burgers for the carnivores. Sides will be a past a salad and a green salad. Any ideas on what to serve the non-meat eaters?

I am a vegetarian and I am happy to just eat all the yummy side salads at cookouts.

If you have a few meat-free salads (or fruits or breads) like you mention that's great.

I would add baked beans (no bacon or pork), and I would get Morningstar Farms Black Bean Burgers, which as a PP mentioned you should cook on a piece of foil. Spray it or rub with butter or oil first so they don't stick.

Have fun!

Eggplant slices grill quite well.

Brush on a flavored glaze before grilling and while grilling (after each flip). Eggplant alone is very boring but it takes just about any flavor well. Pick any flavor--they have a million of them in bottles, near the salad dressings or Asian sauces. Or make your own. (Here's one: put 2 parts chopped scallions to one part chopped cilantro into a blender/food processor. Whirl it, and drizzle in olive oil until it's the right consistency to apply with a brush. Add just a splash of some kind of vinegar (or lemon or lime juice), some salt and pepper, and pulse to mix. Done.)

You can serve the slices by themselves (sprinkle something on them, like chopped scallions, sesame seeds, etc.). Or you can put them on sandwich rolls with some arugula, roasted red peppers, and olive oil or vegan mayo. Fresh basil leaves add some snap if you've got them.

LOL, but taken from reality. As a vegetarian I've heard some ah, ill-conceived things proffered as "vegetarian."

For example, some type of Campbell's soup casserole, made with Cream of Chicken soup. "No, there's no meat in it!"

Beef stew...."just pick out the beef."

"I know you're vegetarian, but this is TURKEY bacon, you can eat it can't you?"

Yes, I know, I chose this. It's ok.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They don't eat meat? Just make lamb.

Lamb is meat. Google vegetarian.

The PP was quoting a line from the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

Anonymous wrote:They don't eat meat? Just make lamb.

Lamb is meat. Google vegetarian.

Anonymous wrote:i'm a vegetarian and would love a good veggie kabob.

you could also do grilled portobello mushroom caps.

i would love a veggie burger but they are so hit or miss it would be best to ask your guests if they have a veg burger preference if you are going that route. i say ask from the perspective of the host (i always want to accomodate my guests) not from the perspective of a guest (as a guest i never expect a host to bend over backwards for me and am always grateful for whatever they have!).

I'm a vegetarian who hates mushrooms. Often, well-meaning people go out of their way to make something for me that's full of mushrooms. Makes me feel like a total heel, but I can't stomach the taste/texture. OP, don't assume your guests like mushrooms!

Anyway, your bbq guests know what a bbq is. They know how to get by on salad and sides and won't expect you to provide anything special. The only gripe I have is when people put meat in all the damn sides! If you want to be really accommodating, buy a box of veggie burgers and you can offer to toss one on the grill if they'd like.

They don't eat meat? Just make lamb.

I host a BBQ for meat loves and vegetarians and always have veggie burgers available (as another said, I typically ask what kind they are eating.) I also make sure everything else is veggie-friendly so they can enjoy the 'featured' BBQ foods and don't feel like they are having a whole separate meal. Corn on the cob is always good.
And my vegetarians don't mind getting some of the meat burger 'love' on their veggie burgers at all -- but again, best to ask.

We're not vegetarians, but we LOVE this dish!

http://www.weber.com/recipes/veggies/lemon-ginger-tofu-steaks-with-carrot-and-cashew-salad

Anonymous wrote:Veggie burgers, veggie kabobs, grilled vegetables, portobello mushrooms..etc. We have a huge cookout every July 4th and there are several vegetarians.

We have one friend who won't eat the veggies if they are cooked on the same grill that the meat was cooked out, so they have to be cooked first. Just make sure you don't have any friends like that.

Do they realize in less the grill is new, meat was cooked on it. Just put down some foil.

Veggie burgers, veggie kabobs, grilled vegetables, portobello mushrooms..etc. We have a huge cookout every July 4th and there are several vegetarians.

We have one friend who won't eat the veggies if they are cooked on the same grill that the meat was cooked out, so they have to be cooked first. Just make sure you don't have any friends like that.

veggie here...i dislike mushrooms as a "meat substitute".

however, veggie kabobs? especially with red onions and some bell pepper, all charred and delicious? YUM!

You're the host, they know it's a cookout, they are probably used to it! grilled veggies are always a hit, though, and I'd love them for dinner - maybe with corn, some salads on the side. Never underestimate a good potato salad (you know, the kind that's so bad for you, it's good?)

Portobellos are so flexible! With a quick marinade you can make them Indian style of Thai style. We usually grill these and kebabs when we have a cookout, since I'm the only vegetarian, and the carnivores love them too.

+1 for grilled portobello caps. I marinate mine in a bit of olive oil and balsamic vinegar before grilling.
As a vegetarian I feel so grateful to hosts who have meatless options. I also always ask if there is anything I can bring to cookouts and am more than happy to bring a vegetarian dish.