Mastering Plant-Based Grilling: Delicious Vegetarian & Vegan Recipes for Your Weber Grill

While grilling often conjures images of sizzling steaks and juicy burgers, the world of outdoor cooking extends far beyond meat. For vegetarians, vegans, or anyone looking to explore vibrant, plant-based flavors, your Weber grill is an incredibly versatile tool. With the right techniques and a selection of fresh ingredients, you can transform ordinary vegetables and plant-based proteins into extraordinary grilled masterpieces. These dishes are not only wholesome and delicious but also guaranteed to impress even the most devoted carnivores at your next barbecue. If you’re ready to elevate your vegetarian grilling game or simply want to offer exciting meatless options for your guests, here are some creative and mouthwatering ideas perfect for your Weber grill.

Grilled Veggie Skewers: A Colorful & Flavorful BBQ Staple

Grilled veggie skewers are a quintessential plant-based grilling option, offering a burst of color and flavor. The key to perfect skewers on your Weber grill lies in proper preparation and even cooking. Begin by preheating your grill to a consistent medium-high heat, ensuring it’s ready for those beautiful char marks. As the grill heats, prepare your chosen vegetables. Uniformity in size is crucial for even cooking, so cut vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, red onions, and kohlrabi into roughly 1-inch pieces. Cherry tomatoes and mushrooms can often be left whole, or halved if particularly large. Don’t shy away from variety; a mix of textures and tastes makes for an exciting skewer.

Once your vegetables are prepped, they need a good marinade to infuse them with rich flavor. A simple marinade of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, a pinch of salt and pepper, and your favorite herbs (like oregano, thyme, or rosemary) works wonders. Let the vegetables marinate for 15-20 minutes, allowing them to absorb all that deliciousness. For an extra kick, consider adding a dash of smoked paprika or a splash of soy sauce.

Next, carefully thread the marinated vegetables onto skewers. If using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes beforehand to prevent burning. Leave a small space between each piece of vegetable on the skewer; this allows for better air circulation and more even cooking. Place the skewers directly onto the preheated grates of your Weber grill. Cook them for approximately 10-15 minutes, turning them every few minutes to ensure all sides develop a slight char and become tender-crisp. In the final minutes of grilling, you can brush the skewers with a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze or a spicy sriracha-lime sauce for an additional layer of flavor. Remove the skewers from the grill once they reach your desired tenderness and serve them hot, perhaps with a side of creamy hummus, a vibrant pesto, or your favorite dipping sauce. These grilled veggie skewers are a delightful and healthy addition to any outdoor meal, showcasing the incredible potential of vegetarian grilling.

Grilled Stuffed Peppers: Savory & Smoky Vegetarian Comfort Food

Grilled stuffed peppers offer a hearty and incredibly flavorful vegetarian option perfect for the Weber grill. This dish allows for immense creativity with its fillings, making it a versatile choice for any palate. To begin, select vibrant bell peppers – red, yellow, orange, or green – as they will hold their shape well and provide a beautiful color contrast. Carefully halve the peppers lengthwise and remove the seeds and membranes. This creates the perfect edible “bowl” for your savory filling.

For the stuffing, combine cooked rice (brown or wild rice adds a nice texture), black beans, corn, finely diced onions, zucchini, or mushrooms, and your favorite herbs and spices. Nutritional yeast can be added for a cheesy flavor, or a sprinkle of vegan cheese for melty goodness. You might also consider adding cooked lentils or quinoa for extra protein and texture. Mix all these ingredients thoroughly, ensuring they are well combined and seasoned to your taste. A touch of smoked paprika or cumin can enhance the smoky profile when grilling.

Once your peppers are generously stuffed with the prepared mixture, it’s time to head to the Weber grill. Place the stuffed peppers on the preheated grill, initially cut-side up to allow the filling to heat through gently. To prevent the peppers from burning while the filling cooks, you might start them over indirect heat or use a grilling basket. Cook until the peppers are tender-crisp – you want them slightly softened but not mushy – and the filling is thoroughly heated and perhaps a little caramelized on top. The magic of grilling stuffed peppers on a Weber is how the heat infuses a subtle smoky flavor into both the pepper and its rich filling. The grill’s direct heat caramelizes the peppers’ natural sugars, enhancing their sweetness and creating a delightful contrast with the savory interior.

For an added depth of flavor, consider placing a few wood chips (like hickory or applewood) in your Weber grill’s smoker box or directly on the coals (if using charcoal) to infuse the peppers with a richer, smoky aroma. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or enjoying a quiet evening meal, grilled stuffed peppers are a satisfying, crowd-pleasing dish. The reliable, even heat distribution of a Weber grill ensures beautifully cooked, perfectly tender stuffed peppers every time, making them a fantastic vegetarian main course or a substantial side dish for any outdoor event.

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms: The “Steak” of Vegetarian Grilling

For those seeking a hearty, “meaty” plant-based option, grilled Portobello mushrooms are an absolute triumph on the Weber grill. Their substantial size and robust, earthy flavor make them an excellent substitute for meat in many dishes. The key to unlocking their full potential lies in a flavorful marinade. Start by gently cleaning your Portobello caps and carefully scraping out the gills with a spoon; this prevents excess moisture and a darker appearance during grilling. Then, prepare a rich marinade using high-quality balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, plenty of finely minced garlic, and a blend of fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, oregano, or even a touch of smoked paprika. Allow the mushrooms to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or even longer in the refrigerator, to thoroughly absorb these incredible flavors.

When your Weber grill is preheated to medium-high heat, place the marinated Portobello caps gill-side down on the grates. This initial placement helps achieve those beautiful, coveted grill marks and ensures even cooking. Grill for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until the mushrooms are tender and juicy, and the edges show a slight char. The intense heat of the grill will concentrate their umami flavor, transforming them into a savory sensation.

To elevate your grilled Portobellos even further, consider adding additional toppings during the last few minutes of cooking. A sprinkle of your favorite crumbled cheese – feta, goat cheese, or a sharp Parmesan (dairy or vegan) – will melt beautifully, adding a creamy, tangy dimension. Alternatively, a generous dollop of homemade or store-bought pesto, a spoonful of sun-dried tomato tapenade, or a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley can introduce delightful aromatic notes and vibrant color. These grilled Portobello mushrooms are versatile enough to be served as a standalone main course, nestled in a burger bun with all your favorite fixings, or sliced and added to salads or grain bowls. They truly showcase how plant-based grilling can be every bit as satisfying and delicious as traditional meat-centric barbecue, impressing even the most discerning palates with their rich flavor and satisfying texture.

Grilled Veggie Burgers: A Plant-Based BBQ Classic

No barbecue is complete without burgers, and the Weber grill is perfectly suited for crafting delicious vegetarian and vegan patties. The variety of veggie burgers available today is astounding, whether you opt for convenient store-bought options or prefer to create your own from scratch. For homemade patties, you can unleash your creativity using ingredients like black beans, chickpeas, lentils, or quinoa as a base. Binding agents such as oats, breadcrumbs, or flax eggs are essential to ensure your patties hold their shape on the grill. Flavor can be built with spices like chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, nutritional yeast, and fresh herbs. Forming firm, evenly sized patties is crucial for successful grilling.

When grilling veggie burgers on your Weber, preheat the grill to a medium temperature. Many plant-based burgers benefit from a slightly lower and more controlled heat than beef burgers to prevent burning on the outside before the inside is thoroughly heated. Lightly oil the grill grates or the patties themselves to prevent sticking. Carefully place the patties on the grill and cook for about 5-8 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until they are heated through, have developed nice grill marks, and are firm enough to handle. Avoid pressing down on the burgers with a spatula, as this can squeeze out moisture and compromise their texture.

Once perfectly grilled, serve your veggie burgers on toasted buns – brioche, whole wheat, or gluten-free options all work wonderfully. The beauty of a burger lies in its toppings, so load up with classic fixings like crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, red onion slices, and pickles. For an extra touch, add avocado slices, caramelized onions, a dollop of your favorite vegan mayo or special sauce, or even a slice of plant-based cheese for a gooey finish. Grilled veggie burgers are a satisfying, flavorful, and inclusive option that will please both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, making your plant-based BBQ a resounding success.

Grilled Corn on the Cob: A Sweet & Smoky BBQ Side

Grilled corn on the cob is a quintessential summer side dish, and preparing it on your Weber grill truly elevates its natural sweetness with a delightful smoky char. It’s my absolute favorite way to enjoy this seasonal treat. To begin, preheat your Weber grill to a medium-high heat. This ensures that the corn cooks evenly and develops those sought-after, slightly browned grill marks that add so much flavor.

While the grill is heating, prepare the corn. You have a few options: you can either peel back the husks completely and remove the silk, or for a more traditional method, gently pull back the husks but keep them attached, remove the silk, and then fold the husks back over the kernels. Keeping the husks on provides a protective layer that steams the corn, resulting in tender, juicy kernels while still imparting a smoky essence. If you remove the husks completely, you’ll achieve a more direct char and intense grilled flavor. Sometimes, I like to wrap the shucked corn in foil with a pat of butter and a sprinkle of salt before grilling for an extra moist result.

Once the corn is prepared, place it directly onto the preheated grill grates. If keeping the husks on, ensure they are pulled back to expose the kernels to the heat. Cook for approximately 15-20 minutes, rotating the ears occasionally to ensure even cooking and to develop that beautiful char on all sides. The corn is ready when the kernels are tender and slightly caramelized. To enhance the flavor even further, you can brush the grilled corn with seasoned butter (dairy or plant-based) infused with chili powder, lime zest, or fresh herbs like cilantro. A sprinkle of sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper is also a classic finish. Remove the corn from the grill and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. The result is perfectly cooked, sweet, and smoky grilled corn on the cob – an ideal side dish or a satisfying standalone snack that epitomizes the joy of summer grilling.

Embracing plant-based grilling on your Weber grill opens up a world of culinary possibilities, proving that delicious and exciting barbecue doesn’t always need meat. From vibrant veggie skewers and hearty stuffed peppers to “meaty” Portobello mushrooms and satisfying veggie burgers, alongside classic grilled corn, these recipes offer fantastic ways to enjoy the outdoors and savor fresh, flavorful ingredients. Experiment with different marinades, seasonings, and vegetable combinations to discover your new favorite grilled delights. So fire up your Weber, get creative, and enjoy the rich, smoky flavors of a truly inclusive BBQ experience!