The Fourth of July is all about celebrating America’s birthday, though when you’re the vegan showing up at a BBQ it doesn’t always feel like a party. This year, instead of awkwardly eating salad as far from the grill as possible, whip up some of these vegan 4th of July recipes. When they see what you brought to eat, even the biggest meat lover won’t be able to resist getting seconds of these patriotic dishes.
Appetizers:
Garden Fresh Dip and Veggies
Veggies and dip gets an upgrade with this delicious garden dip. Say no more to bland ranch dips that don’t fit with you diet. Make the Garden Fresh dip, and you’ll be surprised at how much more willing everyone around you is to eat their vegetables. This recipe calls for nigella seeds, but you can substitute fennel or omit them entirely if you don’t have any on hand.
American Flag Fruit Sticks
Nothing says “4th of July” like the American flag. These fruit sticks not only look pretty, but they’re pretty good for you, too. Plus, assembling them is super easy–just cut and skewer, and you’re all done. Bring this vegan appetizer to your next Independence Day and wow all of your friends with your patriotism.
Pretzel Bites
Getting jealous of the pigs in a blanket at the potluck? Make the other partygoers jealous with these amazing pretzel bites. Just make sure to get dinner rolls that are vegan (like Pillsbury’s Crescent Rolls), and use olive oil or vegan margarine for the egg wash instead of eggs. Then dip these in mustard, and watch as everyone eyes your pretzel bites enviously.
Mango or Strawberry Salsa
Tired of the same-old salsa and tortilla chips at every 4th of July BBQ? These fruit salsas are sure to perk you right up. They have a light and fruity taste that’s perfect for summer. And they store really well, so you can prepare them the day before a party. Sounds like a fruitful use of time to me.
French Onion Dip
No more sadly snacking on potato chips in a corner while the rest of the party shovels various dairy dips into their face. With this vegan French Onion dip, everyone will be crowding around you, trying to get another spoonful.
Main Dishes:
Carrot Dogs
Ready to try a new twist on an American class? Grilling your own vegan carrot dogs is super easy, and sure to impress even the biggest meat lover. Even if it doesn’t, there’s evidence that hot dogs cause cancer, so you can be glad you’re eating something healthier. Plus a really great hot dog is all about the toppings anyway (onions, pickle relish, and mustard, anyone?).
Veggie Burgers
Since hamburgers are basically the quintessential American food, no 4th of July party is complete without them. Lucky for you my vegan friend, the world has no shortage of great veggie burgers. There’s my personal favorite, the wonderful Beet Burger, but there’s always the classic Black Bean Burger. Or if you’re craving something a little different, try this Spicy Chickpea Burger with Sriracha Mayo.
Grilled Pizza
Who would’ve thought that vegan grilled pizza made for such an awesome barbeque food? Just sub vegan cheese or extra veggies (like mushrooms and spinach) for regular cheese, and you’re good to go for this pizza recipe. Not only with everyone at your 4th of July party be wowed that you can grill pizza, they’ll love how yummy vegan pizza is.
Grilled Veggies
Grilled vegetables are practically a summer staple, so how could any independence Day party be complete without them? Try making the perfect corn on the cob, or grill your own vegetable kebobs. I love to skewer onion, bell pepper, mushroom, and zucchini and roast them for a filling and delicious dinner. This guide on grilling will show you how to get them roasted perfectly every time.
Grilled Stuffed Portobellos
These Grilled Stuffed Portabellos will make any meat eater abandon their steak to grill up this vegan option. Forget the mozzarella or use a vegan substitute, and you’ve got yourself a mouthful of umami deliciousness.
Sides:
Sweet Potato Fries
Upgrade those run-of-the-mill potato chips with some Sweet Potato Fries. Try using purple sweet potatoes for an extra cool touch, though plain sweet potatoes will work just fine. These will be the perfect side for any BBQ, and you can even grill them for a more authentic BBQ-feel.
Sauteed Balsalmic Beans and Apples
Forget about baked beans and bacon. Once you taste the vegan delight of Sauteed Balsalmic Beans and Apples, you won’t ever go back to boring baked beans. This dish is the perfect mix of citric, sweet, and savory that will silence any naysayers who say vegan food tastes like grass.
Potato Salad
Once you taste this vegan Potato Salad, you won’t ever crave the gooey mess of mayonnaise most potato salads try to pass off as good. Instead of drowning in dubious spices and oily potatoes, this potato salad is creamy and well flavored. One bite, and you’ll swap avocado for mayo in all of your recipes.
Vegan Mac ‘n Cheese
Who said vegans can’t have cheese? Well okay, they don’t eat real cheese. But the cashew “cheese” sauce in this vegan Mac n’ Cheese recipe is flavored with spices that give it a comforting flavor that’ll satisfy any cheese cravings you have. Even the most cheddar-loving American will go for seconds of this dish.
Mango Cole Slaw
You know how Cole Slaw is that one dish at the BBQ that someone always brings, but no one ever really wants to eat? It’s like the fruitcake of 4th of July parties. This Cole Slaw won’t do you like that––the sweetness of the mango comes out and makes the dish something worth spooning onto your paper plate. Make sure you use vegan mayo, and enjoy!
Drinks:
Patriotic Punch
I hear a bald eagle’s cry every time I sip this Patriotic Punch. The fading of red, to blue, to the white ice on top perfectly captures the spirit of the 4th of July. Amaze any partygoers with this colorful drink.
Watermelon Mint Smoothie
If you’re craving a taste of summer in a cup, try this Watermelon Mint Smoothie. This is the perfect drink for laying next to a pool and relaxing Just sub almond or coconut milk, and you’ve got yourself a refreshing treat.
Freedom Fruit Cocktail
This Fourth, embrace the American Dream with this Freedom Fruit Cocktail. Although beer is the traditional alcohol of choice, this spiked drink is sure to make you ditch tradition in favor of something with a healthy dose of freedom (and vodka).
Vegan Rosé and Raspberry/Blueberry Jello Shots
Do jello shots count as a drink? Once you try one of these Vegan Rosé and Raspberry Jello Shots, you won’t be asking that question so much as gesturing for more. The recipe calls for jello that doesn’t use gelatin, so this is the perfect treat for any vegans missing jello. Use blueberries instead of raspberries for a red and blue vibe that’s perfect for the 4th of July.
Red White and Blue Soda
You can practically taste the freedom in this Red White and Blue Soda. As a bonus, it eventually mixes into purple, so you can get an extra pop of color while you blow the socks off everyone else at the BBQ. Kids especially will love the fun and bright colors of this carbonated drink.
Dessert:
Vegan Coconut Ice Cream
Ice cream is a must have for any summer party, and you too can park take in ice cream sundaes this 4th of July with Vegan Coconut Ice Cream. There’s no complicated ingredients or machines required. Whip this up quickly in your kitchen and bring it out into the backyard to please all your party guests.
Crinkle Cookies
Red and Blue sprinkles should add some 4th of July festivity to these powdered sugar Crinkle Cookies. They’re sweet, chocolatey, and moist despite the lack of dairy and eggs. These are the perfect dessert to make everyone forget about those non-vegan chocolate chip cookies at the BBQ.
Blue and White Dipped Strawberries
Dessert is guilt-free with these Blue and White Dipped Strawberries. You can feel better about eating all those veggies burgers knowing how healthy your final course is. Enjoy these patriotic fruits, which are sure to wow those around you. If you can’t find vegan white chocolate to use, simply make your own with this 4-ingredient recipe.
Freedom Fruit Tart
Made with cashew cream, this Freedom Fruit Tart has everything you need to make freedom ring (Get it, because it’s circle shaped?). The crust is flakey and goes well with the smooth butter feeling of the tart, and is sure to please every fruit-loving American this 4th of July.
Boozy Popsicles
Any 21+ adult craving those freedom popsicles from their childhood will be pleased when you show up with this for dessert. With three yummy vegan flavors to choose from, you’ll have enough nostalgia to last you from the time you fire up the grill to after the fireworks’ show ends. These popsicles will get your red, white, and booze on.
With these vegan 4th of July recipes, you’ll dazzle any BBQ more than the fireworks will. Sit back, relax, and get your “vegan” on this Independence Day. You can rest easy knowing your dinner is guilt-free while you enjoy family, friends, and fireworks. Happy 4th of July!