Recipes for A Flexitarian Cookout

One of my favorite traditions this time of year is the cookout, it’s probably one of yours, too. Getting together with family and friends for a meal is always a good time. Even better is when every guest contributes to the meal in someway. I’m always enchanted by the variety of salads, baked goods and other fun things to eat and drink. We love grilled meats and fish at our house but as flexitarians, we don’t eat them every day or even every week. It’s easy for a cookout to turn into a bit of a meat fest. When we’re the guests, we like to bring a pretty vegetable filled side dish to round out the more starchy offerings. When we’re hosting the cook out, it’s nice to offer meat free options for our guests.

Photo from Pixabay

I have many recipes on the blog that are suitable for sharing at a cookout, from show stopping salads to less meat and meat free burgers to desserts. Here’s a sampling:

Put it on a chip

Stovetop Onion Dip

Ina Garten’s Onion Dip is always a hit. It’s so much better than the store bought stuff and you can easily double or triple the basic recipe for a party. Mexicorn Dip makes use of a frozen blend with peppers, corn and beans. It’s great with chips or used on top of a burger as a condiment. If you’re adventurous, try it on hot dogs, too! If you have time, make the dips the night before so the flavors have a chance to mingle.

Not your usual salads

These salads feature summer vegetables, some raw, some roasted. Choose one or more that will appeal to your friends and family.

Southwestern Tabbouleh

Southwestern Tabbouleh uses bulgur wheat and chopped vegetables seasoned with a Southwest inspired spice blend. It can be a meal in and of itself. While it looks similar, couscous is actually a pasta rather than a grain. Here it’s paired with dried fruits and nuts and simply seasoned for a mild side dish with a hint of sweetness.

Tunisian Carrot Salad

When tomatoes are in season you’ll want to try Tomatoes Jarramarra from Spain. Sliced tomatoes are seasoned with cumin, garlic and herbs then dressed with a simple vinaigrette. You can eat them by themselves or with bread. Tunisian Carrot Salad uses similar seasoning and is very tasty.

Pisto

The next two salads feature roasted vegetables served different ways. Escalivada is roasted vegetables dressed with a vinaigrette while pisto is similar to ratatouille and not only makes a great side dish, it’s amazing on burgers. While the recipes direct you to roast the veggies in the oven, you can easily cook them on the grill if there’s room.

For potato salad lovers

Morrocan Potato Salad

Making Potato Salad for a Crowd? This recipe will help you figure out how much to buy to feed 25 or more. If you’re feeling adventurous, you might opt for Spain’s fancy Ensaladilla or a flavorful Moroccan Potato Salad with North African spices and raisins.

Burgers for Everyone from Vegans to Omnivores

Here are some less meat/no meat versions of burgers that will go great with your favorite toppings and buns.

Turkish Meatball Sliders

Use the mix from the Less Meat Balls to form patties. Make sliders with a Turkish twist. Try something new by combining ground turkey and beets for something that’s decidedly different.

Spinach and Tofu Burgers

For those who prefer meatless burgers there are delicious Spinach and Tofu burgers and Mushroom and Nut burgers to sink your teeth into. You’ll find a few more ideas in this round up post of meatless burgers. We haven’t tried cooking any of these on a grill. It may be a good idea to cook them ahead of time and just reheat them before serving.

Desserts to Wow The Crowd

Hummingbird Cupcakes

After the salads and sides, the dessert part of the buffet gets a lot of my attention. A cookout is the perfect opportunity to indulge in something sweet.

Easy Lemon Bars

If you have to travel to a cookout, you want something easy to transport. Try Easy Lemon Bars with a shortbread crust and a tart, lemony custard. The bars can be cut smaller than usual so everyone can have a bite. Another dessert that travels well is cupcakes. These Hummingbird Cupcakes with Whipped Cream Cheese frosting make a change from plain vanilla or chocolate. Whenever it’s served Classic Pretzel Salad is often the first tray to empty. The combination of sweet strawberry jello and salty pretzels is a buffet favorite.