Summer’s in full swing, and that means firing up the grill and breaking out the picnic blanket whenever possible. Whether you’re fully vegan or scratching the surface of plant-based eating, sunshine season is the perfect opportunity to explore dairy-free dressing alternatives, plant-ify your patties and let veggie sides shine. Yes, there’s even dessert in a plant-based world. Keep reading to get ready for a summer of swaps.
The Ultimate Plant-Based Burger
Burgers are the quintessential outdoor food, so you’re going to need a quintessential plant-based burger recipe. This quinoa number is plant-packed — the patty is made with sweet potato, carrots, kale and more. Take it over the top with the bright and peppy green goddess dressing.
The Wide World of Meat Alternatives
Meatless grillables aren’t limited to a frozen mystery veggie burger anymore. Alternatives like Beyond Burger’s Plant-Based Patties and Field Roast Stadium Dogs are so juicy and flavorful, you won’t miss meat for a second.
Veggies Can Be Meaty, Too
Thick slices of zucchini are more than main-worthy when grilled and smothered in a vinaigrette. Try marinating portobello mushrooms in coconut aminos, liquid smoke, vegan Worcestershire sauce and red wine vinegar for a steak-like experience, or sandwich into a teriyaki-inspired burger layered with pineapple.
Get the recipe: Portobello and Pineapple Teriyaki Veggie Burgers
Dress With The Best
Go plant-based on plants — plant-based dressings on summer salads, that is. Ingredients like tahini and cashews lend toppings their creamy texture, so you won’t miss the dairy for a second. Try this Lemony Herb Tahini Dressing that you’re going to want to put on everything from spring greens to grilled chicken.
Dairy-Free Cheese (Finally) Gets Melty
Good news: Swaps for cheese have stepped their game way up. Getting that gooey goodness on a burger (minus the dairy) has never been easier or meltier with 365 by Whole Foods Market Plant-Based Slices in flavors like Gouda and Cheddar. Or dive into nachos poolside with Plant-Based Mozzarella Shreds.
Prepped and Picnic-Ready
Our Prepared Foods department is a veggie goldmine when it comes to plant-based summery sides with dishes like Ultra Green Spanakopita, Grilled Sweet Potato Salad and Tahini Orange Beets. Explore the options from our Summer Catering menu or find select dishes in-store in the Chef’s Case.
Bread, But Make It Salad
One surefire, smoky winner at your next backyard BBQ? A grilled Panzanella salad that’s brimming with summer’s best produce, from squash to tomatoes to bell pepper. Even the bread gets the grill-mark treatment to bring even more flavor to your outdoor party.
Fire Up Your Fruit
Fruit gets even better when thrown on the grill: The heat from the fire helps the juices caramelize, and you end up with a special sweet and smoky treat. Try it with slice of watermelon, fruit kabobs — or test-drive this sunny, zippy recipe for Grilled Peaches and Arugula.
We All (Even Vegans) Scream for Ice Cream
Brands like NadaMoo! and our own 365 by Whole Foods Market are covering the dairy-free bases with all the classic flavors you love and innovative ones, too (hello, Berry Chantilly). More frozen treat inspiration: Whip up easy icy treats by freezing a favorite green smoothie in ice pop molds.
