15 Vegetarian Grilling Ideas for Summer

ByNabeela Dastagir

Summer grilling isn’t just for meat lovers—vegetarians can enjoy a wide variety of delicious, smoky, and satisfying dishes too! Grilling vegetables, plant-based proteins, and even fruits enhances their natural flavors and adds a perfect charred touch.

Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or just craving something fresh and light, these 15 vegetarian grilling ideas are easy to prepare, packed with summer vibes, and perfect for any grill master.

Get ready to fire up your grill and savor these colorful, healthy, and flavorful dishes!

1. Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burgers

Juicy and meaty, grilled Portobello mushrooms are a perfect vegetarian burger alternative. Marinated with garlic and balsamic, they soak up smoky flavors and pair beautifully with your favorite toppings on a toasted bun.

Ingredients:

  • 4 large Portobello mushroom caps
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Salt and pepper
  • Burger buns and toppings (lettuce, tomato, cheese, etc.)

Instructions:
Whisk olive oil, balsamic, garlic, salt, and pepper. Marinate mushrooms for 20 minutes. Grill over medium heat for 5-7 minutes per side until tender. Serve on buns with your favorite toppings.

2. Grilled Vegetable Kabobs

Colorful and versatile, these veggie kabobs combine bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes. Brushed with herb-infused olive oil, they’re grilled to tender perfection with a hint of char.

Ingredients:

  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 zucchini, sliced thick
  • 1 cup mushrooms
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:
Thread veggies onto skewers. Mix olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper; brush over kabobs. Grill on medium heat for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until veggies are tender and slightly charred.

3. Grilled Halloumi Cheese Slices

Halloumi’s salty, squeaky texture grills beautifully without melting. Perfect for a quick appetizer or topping for salads and sandwiches, grilled halloumi adds a savory punch to any summer meal.

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz halloumi cheese, sliced 1/2 inch thick
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Fresh lemon juice (optional)

Instructions:
Brush halloumi slices with olive oil. Grill over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown grill marks appear. Drizzle with lemon juice before serving.

4. Grilled Corn on the Cob with Herb Butter

Sweet summer corn gets a flavor boost with herb butter, melting into every kernel. Grilling adds a smoky depth, making this a classic favorite for any vegetarian cookout.

Ingredients:

  • 4 ears corn, husks removed
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:
Mix butter with parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. Grill corn over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally. Spread herb butter over hot corn before serving.

5. Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Zest

Light and crisp asparagus spears are quick to grill and taste amazing with a sprinkle of fresh lemon zest and cracked black pepper for a refreshing side dish.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb asparagus, trimmed
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:
Toss asparagus in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill on medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally until tender and slightly charred. Sprinkle lemon zest over before serving.

6. BBQ Tofu Steaks

Firm tofu soaks up smoky barbecue sauce on the grill, creating a hearty, protein-packed main that’s full of flavor and perfect for summer dinners.

Ingredients:

  • 1 block firm tofu, sliced into 1/2-inch steaks
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • Olive oil for brushing

Instructions:
Press tofu to remove excess water. Brush with olive oil and BBQ sauce. Grill over medium heat for 5-7 minutes per side, basting with extra BBQ sauce until caramelized and heated through.

7. Grilled Peach and Burrata Salad

Sweet, smoky grilled peaches paired with creamy burrata cheese create a refreshing, elegant salad perfect for summer gatherings. Drizzle with balsamic glaze for an extra touch.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ripe peaches, halved and pitted
  • 8 oz burrata cheese
  • Mixed salad greens
  • Balsamic glaze
  • Olive oil, salt, and pepper

Instructions:
Brush peaches with olive oil and grill for 3-4 minutes per side until caramelized. Arrange salad greens on a plate, add grilled peaches and torn burrata. Drizzle with balsamic glaze, salt, and pepper.

8. Grilled Eggplant with Garlic Yogurt Sauce

Tender, smoky eggplant slices are paired with a cooling garlic yogurt sauce. This easy grilled dish balances creamy and charred flavors, perfect as a side or light main.

Ingredients:

  • 1 large eggplant, sliced ½ inch thick
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:
Brush eggplant with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Grill over medium heat for 5-6 minutes per side until tender. Mix yogurt, garlic, and lemon juice; serve as a dipping sauce.

9. Grilled Vegetable Quesadillas

Filled with grilled zucchini, peppers, and melted cheese, these quesadillas are crispy, gooey, and full of smoky summer flavors—perfect for a quick vegetarian dinner or snack.

Ingredients:

  • 4 large flour tortillas
  • 1 zucchini, sliced and grilled
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced and grilled
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
  • Olive oil for brushing

Instructions:
Place grilled veggies and cheese on one tortilla, top with another. Brush outside with olive oil. Grill on medium heat 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cheese melts.

10. Grilled Sweet Potato Rounds with Avocado Salsa

Sweet, charred sweet potato rounds topped with fresh avocado salsa create a flavorful vegetarian appetizer or side that’s both healthy and vibrant.

Ingredients:

  • 2 large sweet potatoes, sliced into ½-inch rounds
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1 small tomato, diced
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • Olive oil, salt, pepper

Instructions:
Brush sweet potatoes with olive oil, grill 4-5 minutes per side until tender. Mix avocado, tomato, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Spoon salsa onto grilled rounds before serving.

11. Grilled Pineapple and Black Bean Salad

Juicy grilled pineapple combined with black beans and fresh herbs makes a sweet-savory salad perfect for summer barbecues and packed with tropical flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pineapple, peeled and sliced
  • 1 can black beans, drained
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:
Grill pineapple slices 3-4 minutes per side until caramelized. Chop and mix with black beans, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

12. Grilled Zucchini and Corn Salad

Fresh zucchini and corn grilled to smoky perfection, tossed with herbs and a zesty dressing, create a refreshing side that pairs well with any summer meal.

Ingredients:

  • 2 zucchinis, sliced lengthwise
  • 2 ears corn, husked
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:
Brush veggies with olive oil, grill corn and zucchini until charred and tender (about 10 minutes). Cut corn off cob, chop zucchini. Toss with basil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

13. Grilled Stuffed Mushrooms

Large mushrooms filled with a savory mixture of breadcrumbs, cheese, and herbs, then grilled until bubbly and golden. These are perfect finger foods or a tasty appetizer.

Ingredients:

  • 8 large button mushrooms, stems removed
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:
Mix breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stuff mixture into mushrooms. Grill over medium heat, covered, for 8-10 minutes until filling is golden and mushrooms are cooked.

14. Grilled Avocado with Salsa Verde

Grilling avocado halves adds smoky depth to their creamy texture. Topped with a zesty salsa verde, this unique dish is a fresh and satisfying vegetarian summer treat.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ripe avocados, halved and pitted
  • 1/2 cup salsa verde
  • Olive oil for brushing
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:
Brush avocado halves with olive oil. Grill face-down for 2-3 minutes until grill marks appear. Top with salsa verde, season with salt and pepper before serving.

15. Grilled Vegetable Flatbread Pizza

Loaded with grilled veggies, fresh herbs, and melted cheese, this flatbread pizza is an easy, flavorful vegetarian meal that’s perfect for outdoor grilling and casual summer dinners.

Ingredients:

  • 1 flatbread or naan
  • 1 zucchini, sliced and grilled
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced and grilled
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 2 tbsp pesto
  • Olive oil

Instructions:
Spread pesto over flatbread. Top with grilled veggies and cheese. Grill over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, covered, until cheese melts and flatbread crisps.

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