Summer is approaching and that means barbecue season is also coming. On May 16th, we celebrate one of several National Barbecue Days that occur throughout the year. In fact, May is National Barbecue Month! While many people hear barbecue and think of meat, we think of juicy veggie burgers, succulent kebabs, charred corn on the cob, and lots of delicious grilled vegetables.
Of course, we also think about barbecue sauce. There is nothing like the smoky and spicy flavors of food slathered in barbecue sauce. Whether you like your sauce more vinegar-based or more tomato-based, it only takes a few ingredients to make a barbecue sauce that’s so amazing, you’ll never buy the bottled stuff again.
Once you make your own BBQ sauce, what will you put it on? There are so many choices! You can make meaty meatless ribs like these Balsamic BBQ Seitan and Tempeh Ribs or Epic Vegan BBQ Tofu Wings. We’ve got lots of recipes and ideas. Check out Fire Up the Grill With These 15 Savory and Saucy Vegan BBQ Dishes and these 50 Jaw-Dropping Vegan-Friendly BBQ and Grilling Recipes. Here are 15 more saucy BBQ recipes from the Food Monster App that will light up your grill.
1. BBQ Pulled Carrot Sandwich
Source: BBQ Pulled Carrot Sandwich
Get out the extra napkins before you bite into this BBQ Pulled Carrot Sandwich by Rhea Parsons. Carrots and onions are sautéed until tender, then covered in a smoky homemade barbecue sauce, and served on a bun to create the perfect pulled vegetable sandwich. The result is spicy, tender, mouthwateringly delicious, and also easy to make. This sandwich is amazing when topped with cool, crunchy coleslaw that contrasts the smoky spiciness at work.
2. Barbecue Chickpea Ranch Salad
Source: Barbecue Chickpea Ranch Salad
Barbecue doesn’t have to be all about heavy, meaty foods. Meredith Youngson‘s Barbecue Chickpea Ranch Salad is the perfect barbecue salad for your outdoor shindigs. There is something seriously magical about the moment the sticky barbecue chickpeas meets the creamy ranch and becomes one big, smoky, sweet, and tangy dish. It’s crunchy, creamy, and incredibly satisfying.
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3. Slow Cooker BBQ Sauce
Source: Slow Cooker BBQ Sauce
Unlike store-bought barbecue sauces, this Slow Cooker BBQ Sauce by Nora Schlesinger utilizes the natural sweetness of tomatoes and a touch of molasses. It can also be given a smoky or spicy depending on your desires. This recipe is great because you literally throw everything in the crockpot, give is a quick stir, and leave it to cook itself into thick, saucy goodness.
4. Grilled Tempeh With Filipino BBQ Sauce
Source: Grilled Tempeh With Filipino BBQ Sauce
This Grilled Tempeh With Filipino BBQ Sauce by RG Enriquez is inspired by the sauce you’d find brushed on grilled foods sold by street vendors in the Philippines. It’s sweet, smoky, and perfect for grilling tempeh or anything that has that “meaty” texture. Try it on tofu, mushrooms, or seitan and serve with your favorite starch and veggies for a well-balanced meal that’s packed with flavor.
5. Southern-Style Pulled Mushroom Sandwich
Source: Southern-Style Pulled Mushroom Sandwich
As far as comfort foods go, loaded sandwiches like this Southern-Style Pulled Mushroom Sandwich by Ksenia Prints are the best. In this take on a Southern classic, shredded, meaty mushrooms are coated in barbecue sauce, and sandwiched between two crusty slices of bread with crunchy coleslaw. This pulled mushroom sandwich is a smoky, sweet, and creamy mess that will leave licking your lips!
6. Triple Threat Barbecue Sauce
Source: Triple Threat Barbecue Sauce
This Triple Threat Barbecue Sauce by Zoe Eisenberg has an abundance of hot peppers. It’s tangy and has just enough sweetness without being over the top. This sauce is perfect for anything you want to be packed with bold flavors. It’s so good, you may just eat it with a spoon!
7. Rhubarb BBQ Sauce
Source: Rhubarb BBQ Sauce
The biggest factor in what makes a great barbecue dish is the barbecue sauce. You want a sauce that is filled with bold flavors and really makes an impression on people. This Rhubarb BBQ Sauce by Emily Brees is just the thing. It’s tart, savory, and can be applied to a range of dishes. No matter how you use it, everyone will be begging you for the recipe.
8. BBQ Tofu and Garlic Kale Bowl With Ranch Dressing
Source: BBQ Tofu and Garlic Kale Bowl With Ranch Dressing
This BBQ Tofu and Garlic Kale Bowl With Ranch Dressing by Angel McNall is a sure winner. Oven-baked barbecue tofu, juicy sauteed mushrooms, braised kale and crunchy carrots all sit on a bed of rice. Then it all gets drizzled with a thick and creamy homemade ranch dressing. Forget the plates because everyone is going to want a bowl at your next cookout.
9. Sweet and Spicy Mango Kebabs
Source: Sweet and Spicy Mango Kebabs
You don’t have to miss out on barbecues if you’re trying to eat more raw foods. Not with these raw Sweet and Spicy Mango Kebabs by Amanda Nicole Smith. Mango, mushrooms, tomatoes, and onions are sliced and tossed in a blend of barbecue spices, then dehydrated. They’re raw, spicy, sweet, and chewy and great when served as a side with burgers.
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10. Skillet Eggplant and BBQ Mushroom Tacos
Source: Skillet Eggplant and BBQ Mushroom Tacos
Tacos are always a hit and these Skillet Eggplant and BBQ Mushroom Tacos by Emma D’Alessandro are saucy and delicious. These tangy and savory tacos include meaty eggplant slices and mushrooms, onion, avocado, and an amazingly flavorful barbecue sauce! Whip these up in 30 minutes with your favorite fixings for your next summer gathering.
11. Smoky Barbecue Potato Salad
Source: Smoky Barbecue Potato Salad
Forget about white, creamy potato salad. On National Barbecue Day, serve up this Smoky Barbecue Potato Salad by Alix Niblett instead. Potatoes, tofu, carrots, celery, onions, and jalapeño are all tossed in barbecue sauce and the perfect amount of spice. Serve this at a barbecue, and it’s sure to disappear long before all the veggie burgers do.
12. Korean BBQ Brussels Sprouts
Source: Korean BBQ Brussels Sprouts
Don’t forget the veggies – they love barbecue sauce, too! These Korean BBQ Brussels Sprouts by Gabrielle St. Claire take flavor to the next level with a savory-sweet barbecue sauce. Enjoy these as an appetizer or a side dish. Once people taste these, no one will ever say they don’t like Brussels sprouts again.
13. Barbecue Popcorn Cauliflower Wraps
Source: Barbecue Popcorn Cauliflower Wraps
Wraps are great for outdoor get-togethers and these Barbecue Popcorn Cauliflower Wraps by Amanda Nicole Smith will have everyone happily munching away. Crunchy raw vegan popcorn cauliflower is mixed with a barbecue sauce that’s raw, vegan, tangy, and sweet. Then it’s rolled up with cabbage and carrots into a flavorful wrap. This tasty dish can be easily made completely raw by substituting the flour wrap for collard leaves.
14. Barbecue Pulled Jackfruit Bowl
Source: Barbecue Pulled Jackfruit Bowl
This Barbecue Pulled Jackfruit Bowl by Cassidy Payne is filled with flavorful goodness. Tender, meaty jackfruit is cooked in barbecue sauce and served on a bed of rice, with tender, cooked broccoli and a crunchy peanut cabbage slaw. The coleslaw sauce is packed with an infusion of peanuts, lime juice, soy sauce, sesame oil, and five-spice for a beautiful balance of flavors.
15. Braised BBQ Tofu
Source: Braised BBQ Tofu
In this Braised BBQ Tofu by Sara Hohn, tofu is cooked in a homemade barbecue sauce that’s tangy, spicy, and just a little bit sweet until it completely absorbs all of the flavors. The big flavor combined with its simplicity makes this an ideal weeknight meal. Serve this over brown rice with a side of vegetables or load up a hero for a saucy sandwich.
There’s nothing like food covered in smoky, spicy barbecue sauce. With these saucy recipes, you’ll have finger-licking, chin-dripping decadence all summer long.
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