Who doesn’t look forward to July 4th?

Whether it’s the incredible fireworks or just the chance to get together with friends and family, Independence day is the perfect excuse to go outside and celebrate the warm summer weather.

It’s also the perfect excuse to share some amazing food, and for many people, that means it's time to break out the grill and have themselves a barbecue. Unfortunately, while steaks, burgers, and hot dogs might all be classic American dishes, they’re about as far from vegan as you could get, but that’s no reason to panic. There are plenty of amazing vegan recipes that go great on a barbecue and plenty more that make for fantastic sides.

Independence day is now only two days away so we’re here to help with those last-minute preparations to make sure you, your friends, and your family have a great time!

Meat Substitutes

Now the first thing to mention with any vegan barbecue is meat substitutes. A few years ago the market for meat substitutes was pretty sparse. For many people, Quorn was the only serious option. To add to the problem, until recently, Quorn catered predominantly to vegetarians at the expense of vegans, including milk powder in many of the products.

Suffice it to say, things have now changed and supermarket shelves are practically overflowing with tasty meat substitutes. While they’re not always the healthiest options, meat substitutes are a quick and easy way of recreating that classic fourth of July feeling.

Putting On A Spread

Buffets are great for parties because they make it far easier to cater to everyone’s needs. They’re a chance to put on a whole spread of foods, from party snacks to delicious dishes. Even better, they’re perfect for an outdoor party like this, because they give everyone the opportunity to have as much or as little as they want.

In terms of vegan buffet options, the sky’s the limit. From carrot sticks to falafels, salad to samosas, there’s no end of fantastic finger food you can put on offer.

Not to mention, this way, if you’re putting on a party for vegans and meat-eaters alike, you can make sure that everyone leaves with a smile on their face and a belly full of food.