So you’re throwing a barbecue, because the weather is finally nice out and you have a grill and you like barbecuing because it’s delicious. So you invite a lot of friends over. But then you remember that some of them are VEGETARIANS! What does that mean? What do you do? Don’t worry, Squashed has got you covered:
Can I ask my vegetarian friend to bring her own thing to grill?
Yes.
If I want to supply all the food, what should I get?
The easy, common, and somewhat dull answer is a Veggie burger or some other fake meat product. It probably doesn’t matter what kind. If you want to be creative, you can roast corn or skewer marinated vegetables and roast those.
Or you can slice open an egg-plant, throw in some slivers of garlic, and roast the whole thing until the outside is charred and the inside is mush. Scoop the mush onto a hamburger bun. Or just lather a burger-sized slice of eggplant in barbecue sauce and cook that.
Can I cook the weird vegetarian food on the same grill as the meat?
Probably. Your friends will probably be too polite to complain about it. Ideally you would try to scrape off any visible meat chunks and keep the vegetables on a different part of the grill than the meat.
Can I stack a veggie burger on top of a medium-rare beef burger?
No. Meat juice counts as meat. (You would think this wouldn’t need to be said explicitly. You would be wrong.)
See the full thing at Squashed. Photo by Laura G.
Copyright © 2011 Life360. | All Rights Reserved.
{ 48 comments }
Great comment Evz!!
The rest of the article at squashed is good – but hey – it needed some filling out.
Squashed mentions fish and chickens actually being made out of meat is funny but ironically, people somehow forget – most see food at items and not living animals that are now dead. It's weird but we are socialised to not think about it.
Thanks for posting this… I eat veggie, and always make a point of trying not to let my own food choices become an issue for others… But lots of people take pride in being thoughtful hosts, and at cookouts it's easy to show consideration for widely divergent guests' tastes.
Most veg-heads are big foodies, and will be pleased (vs. offended) if asked to bring a dish that can be a main dish for them/ side dish for others… also, most of us LOVE to talk about food (some would say we like it too much – lol), so it's very much ok to raise the subject with your guests ahead of time & talk about clarifying preferences/ asking if they'd like to bring something as a veggie option… I guarantee they won't mind!
To the above info, I'd add that a sandwich of grilled peppers/ onions/ portabellas, with standard toppings (lettuce/ tomato/ pickles/ etc., makes an awesome & easy veggie sandwich option… especially if you also include access to exotics like capers, sliced olives, chopped cilantro, banana peppers, marinated artichokes, etc… and since these are all things that omnis might like on TOP of their meat patty, it requires no extra 'veg*n specific' shopping. You can sprinkle portabellas with soy sauce, red wine vinegar, & garlic salt, to marinate for a bit before cooking, and they grill up yummy without further attention or prep.
If you're sure you're having veggie guests, please cook the vegetables 1st, though… animal fat has a pungent (& to herbivores, very unappealing) flavor, that sticks to the grill & then to veggies, if they're cooked on a surface recently used for meat. It's not that we're trying to be fussy or troublesome, honestly!… it just makes stuff taste gross, to a veg*n palate. Of course, it's the host's choice, and we can always eat before or after the party — willingness to do just that is part of the deal, no sweat! — but if you're aiming for everyone to eat happily at the cookout, consider "meat & veggies" as "church & state": just keep those bad boys separate!
I'd also add that most veg*ns don't eat a whole lot of 'fake meat' — these products are mainly a transitional tool, for those moving from a meat-based towards a plant-based diet, who want something familiar. Many of these foods contain milk & eggs, which are commonly avoided by planteaters (egg/ dairy industries considered functionally equivalent to chicken-meat/ veal industries, by many veg-heads, with equivalent environmental/ ethics/ health concerns) — so at cookouts where you're not exactly sure of guests' specific food ethics/ diet choices, I'd recommend avoiding the fake stuff & just having lots of grilled veggies to make into sandwiches or wraps. Since lots of herbivores also avoid dairy, if there's a salad or something that is dairy-free but doesn't look it (i.e. dairy-free ranch dressing, potato salad made with soy mayo, chai tea with almond milk, etc.), feel free to point that out, for host bonus points! Mostly we avoid stuff we're not sure about… labeling mixed-ingredient foods as to content is considered very veg-friendly.
Also, there's a great site over at vegweb.com, which has thousands of searchable veg-friendly recipes. It's a good site to browse if you're planning a cookout (or any party!) and would like to find some side dishes that are delicious for omnis and veg*ns alike… Just 'cause we like different foods doesn't mean we can't all party down together. Viva la difference! Thanks for the article.
I love veggies on kabobs! Veggies are soooo Good grilled!
thanks for posting this article! I'm not vegetarian, but I love vegetables and I had never cooked through the grill
Speaking as a vegetarian, I'm pretty low maintenance. When I go to any family gathering, I usually just end up eating side dishes and still make out pretty well. I'll never be offended if there isn' t a main course made specifically for me.
I love those veggie skewers, I always grill these along with the chicken..
hearty side dishes (and desserts
will make do. don't stress about it.
I am a vegetarian and ALWAYS bring my own food to a cook-out where meat-eaters will be present. I usually insist that the grill be either cleaned or covered with fresh foil before cooking my food. I do not expect the hosts to make anything special just for me EVER though.
I think its nice if the host knows that they have veggie guests that they supply something veggie for them, but its not 100% necessary depending on the relationship the host has with the guest. Although I do not provide meat for my meat-eating friends…hmmm LOL
It's a good idea to have veggie options anyway, even friends who aren't vegetarians may not like specific kinds of meat. Have some salads, and grilled veggies or corn or potatoes work good too.
This rocks. I'm sure vegetarians are the first to forget at a BBQ. Thanks!
I was a vegetarian for 7 years and always had a hard time at BBQ's–what a great post!
I'm a vegetarian and so is my middle niece, when the family has a BBQ we usually do veggie burgers among other things! A lot of veggie burgers come with that grill taste right from the start too. We always have tons of toppings available and meatless side dishes too. Potato salad, anyone? Yum. They also sell veggie hot dogs/ribs/chili dogs/corn dogs/chicken strips so vegetarians don't have to miss out. Although you might want to ask first because some vegetarians/vegans don't eat anything that resembles meat even if it is imitation and vegans might have more issues with byproducts. There are tons of tasty veggie dishes that you probably already eat or stuff that don't have to have the meat already mixed in and can be put in separate bowls like a chicken salad or a pasta dish.
Only way I wouldn't eat it is if it's cooked alongside the meat or on used foil. That's like taking somebody's bloodied cut off toe from a soup and eating the soup anyway; not cool. I would prefer having it grilled first or last so it's not cooked with everything else too because you can taste the juices from the other stuff otherwise and that's definitely not appetizing.
It's really not any different than say someone who eats Kosher, any other strict diet or someone with allergies. If you're going to be upset about accommodating "special needs" I'd recommend just asking them to bring their own food instead of making them feel bad the whole time. We get enough of that "ooo you think you're so special" bit day in and day out.
those look delish but I still wouldn't give up on meat. I enjoy it too much!
I'm not a vegetarian, but I love marinated and grilled portobello mushrooms and a variety of peppers, onions and tomatoes on a skewer. If you're good with tofu, you can attempt smoked or marinated and then grilled, but I tend to skip it.
UMMMMMM DON'T OFFER THEM MEAT
I love the veggie kabobs idea! Not just for vegetarians, either. What a fun and tasty way to get kids to try new veggies.
I'm vegetarian and truly, if my host/hostess goes to the trouble to accommodate me, I'm thrilled and appreciate anything they come up with. I am always more than happy to bring something for myself but … it's really special when they do it.
Wonderful post with some great information and ideas!
I am just now in the process of going vegetarian (not ready to go all the way to vegan till I get the vegetarian thing down) after seeing the film Earthlings. You can find the film online – it turned even a hard-core meat eater like me against meat – I'm nauseated now at the sight of it. That said, I would never put anyone out or ask them to make anything special – when we go to cookouts, I just take my own meal – very easy to do – I figure the host/hostess is busy enough preparing food for their company without having an extra thing to worry about. sammiejanL40 at aol dot com
I left an earlier comment but, because of some recent events in my life, I feel compelled to leave another one. Recently, some of our neighbors have had pot-lucks and food related get-togethers. I'm not a terribly social person and don't feel in the least bad about not being invited to anything … except when the host comes to me afterward to say that they wanted to invite me but didn't because I'm vegetarian. So … here's a tip … don't exclude people just because they are vegetarian. Most of us would be happy to contribute to a meal and would it really be that much trouble to accommodate us? Just my 2 cents worth!
If you really want to do something fun, create a couscous salad with lots of really small diced veggies and serve as is or add a bit of vegetable broth (you can make your own or buy it) to make the salad a little pasty. Roll it into hot dog shapes and freeze for an hour or so. Grill it on top of aluminum foil and place in a bun! Have some dijon mustard available for their veggie dogs.
Being vegan, I often encounter this situation whenever anyone else is cooking. Usually (and depending on how close my relationship is to the cook), I bring my own protein item to be BBQ'd.
I think it's best just to ask the vegetarian if they could bring their own item, or -if you're willing- what alternative you might provide for them, and about any cooking preferences.
(Ewww….. I thoroughly agree that it's inappropriate to let the vegetarian's food come into close contact with meat items. Ewwww…!)
At our BBQ gatherings we usually have two vegetarians so we're used to having things like veggie kabobs and Portabella mushrooms. There's always enough other stuff so no one goes away hungry.
So much time is spent on the internet, where the answer to every question can be easily found (so they say), and yet people won't think to do a simple search for a few vegetarian recipes. They are out there. Knowing a vegetarian needn't be a life shattering experience.
I'm all for trying to accommodate friends with special requests, but some people can be real pains. I mean, if I know a vegetarian will be attending an event I'm hosting, I'll try to ensure that at least one entree and side are suitable, but please don't expect an entire menu for yourself that nobody else would enjoy. When you are the minority, you should expect to adapt to the majority, not the other way around. (I am more lenient where allergies are concerned.)
When I think of BBQ, I don't think of burgers. I think ribs and pulled pork. So maybe some BBQ beans, potato salad, corn, texas toast, and greens. Also checking if they maybe eat fish and doing some hickory smoked salmon.
It's not a full meal, and I eat meat personally, but I LOVE grilling fruit — mangoes and peaches especially! If you're serving a fish-eating vegetarian, you can grill salmon steaks. Mmmm. Expensive, but delicious, and cook VERY fast. Just a light sear, really.
I try to accommodate all but it gets difficult when everyone wants something different. You can always do potluck and have everyone bring a dish and least that way, everyone is happy with a least one dish, lol
We ALWAYS have salads and fruits with no meat so I think we'd be set if a vedgitarian stopped by
A lot of people are veg around me, so thanks for the tips. Luckily Indian cuisine has a lot of vegetarian elements, so they are never left hungry.
Vegetarians are easy, they are used to being self-sufficient. BBQs are actually easy, with the veggie skewer option, side dishes, and the availability of veggie patties at the grocery store. I always skewer veggie kabobs on a part of the grill that is obviously separated from the "meat" section. It seems to make the veggies happy that no meat residue will be infecting their kabobs.
Some of my favorite barbecue foods are veggies…..sliced eggplant brushed with olive oil, portabella mushrooms, yellow squash & onion packets, sweet potatoes and corn on the cob are just a few.
i’ve checked this blog a couple of times now and i have to say that i find it quite nice actually. it’ll be nice to read more in the future! =)
Thanks for the wonderful information and facts enclosed here in your site, what follows is a little question for your blog website viewers. What person proclaimed the following quote? . . . .My Mama always said, ‘Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.
Today, with the fast chosen lifestyle that everyone leads, credit cards get this amazing demand throughout the economy. Persons out of every field are using credit card and people who are not using the card have lined up to apply for one. Thanks for spreading your ideas on credit cards.
Thanks for your beneficial post. As time passes, I have come to understand that the particular symptoms of mesothelioma cancer are caused by a build up associated fluid relating to the lining of the lung and the chest muscles cavity. The sickness may start inside the chest location and spread to other limbs. Other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include losing weight, severe deep breathing trouble, temperature, difficulty eating, and infection of the face and neck areas. It needs to be noted some people living with the disease tend not to experience any serious signs at all.
An interesting dialogue is worth comment. I feel that you need to write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject however typically individuals are not enough to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers
Through the years Pepsi has been known for inventing and distributing strangely flavored versions of their well-known Pepsi soda. They’ve gone clear, white, clear, red, and now they’re going blue with Pepsi blue.
Can I simply say what a aid to find somebody who really knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You undoubtedly know tips on how to deliver a problem to mild and make it important. Extra people need to learn this and perceive this facet of the story. I cant consider youre no more common since you definitely have the gift.
Can I simply say what a relief to seek out someone who truly is aware of what theyre speaking about on the internet. You positively know find out how to carry a difficulty to light and make it important. Extra people have to learn this and perceive this aspect of the story. I cant believe youre not more in style since you definitely have the gift.
An additional issue is that video games are usually serious naturally with the principal focus on knowing things rather than entertainment. Although, there is an entertainment part to keep your children engaged, every game is usually designed to improve a specific expertise or curriculum, such as instructional math or research. Thanks for your publication.
Thanks for giving your ideas. The one thing is that learners have an option between national student loan as well as a private education loan where it really is easier to select student loan online debt consolidation than through the federal student loan.
Thanks for the different tips discussed on this site. I have observed that many insurers offer clients generous deals if they opt to insure a couple of cars together. A significant quantity of households own several motor vehicles these days, especially those with mature teenage youngsters still dwelling at home, plus the savings on policies can certainly soon increase. So it makes sense to look for a bargain.
I’ve learned a number of important things as a result of your post. I will also like to state that there can be situation where you will apply for a loan and don’t need a cosigner such as a Government Student Support Loan. However, if you are getting a borrowing arrangement through a classic finance company then you need to be willing to have a cosigner ready to assist you. The lenders may base that decision on the few factors but the main one will be your credit ratings. There are some financial institutions that will likewise look at your job history and make a decision based on that but in many instances it will depend on your scores.
Can I simply say what a aid to seek out someone who actually is aware of what theyre talking about on the internet. You positively know methods to convey a problem to gentle and make it important. More people must read this and understand this side of the story. I cant imagine youre not more widespread since you undoubtedly have the gift.
Can I simply say what a reduction to search out someone who really knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know tips on how to convey an issue to mild and make it important. Extra folks must read this and perceive this aspect of the story. I cant believe youre no more widespread because you undoubtedly have the gift.
Can I simply say what a reduction to search out someone who truly is aware of what theyre talking about on the internet. You undoubtedly know tips on how to convey a problem to gentle and make it important. More individuals must read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more standard since you definitely have the gift.
I used to be more than happy to seek out this internet-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful learn!! I positively enjoying every little little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.