It is almost that time of year again – the 4th of July is right around the corner. That means fireworks, cold drinks, and spending time around the grill with friends and family. Though Independence Day might look a little different this year, it is still the perfect time to try out some new vegan and plant-based recipes.
Here are a few of our favorites for this red, white, and blue holiday.
Vegan Potato Salad
You cannot have a cookout without it! This vegan and plant-based variation of the summer staple needs only 10 ingredients, and the end result is a delicious and hearty potato salad that might taste even better than grandma’s!
All you need are some red potatoes (or sweet potatoes, if you prefer those), chopped vegetables (we like bell peppers, celery, and red onions), spicy mustard, a homemade creamy garlic-herb cashew sauce, and a few other condiments! Check out the full recipe here.
Red, White, and Blue Fruit Salad
For a dish that is sweet and refreshing, you cannot go wrong with a fruit salad! To make things better, this salad is just as easy to make as it is delicious.
For a festive salad, use watermelon, honeydew melon, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and coconut flakes. You can even add some coconut whipped cream to sweeten the offer. If you are feeling extra patriotic, you can even cut some of your fruits into stars (which the kids will love too)!
Related Article: Super Simple Vegan Meals for People Who Hate Cooking
Cauliflower Buffalo Wings
Cookouts and gatherings are all about finger food, and these cauliflower “wings” are a delicious and guilt-free spin on a classic! These bite-sized snacks are easy to make and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
All you need is some cauliflower (get as many heads as you want, the more the merrier), chickpea flour, almond milk, breadcrumbs (or rice crumbs if you want to go gluten-free as well), some spice, and your favorite buffalo sauce. To top it off, dip them in some vegan ranch.
See the full recipe and instructions for prep here.
Vegan “Pulled Pork” Sandwich
Just because you are vegan does not mean you cannot enjoy some delicious BBQ! With only ten ingredients and quick prep time, you can have some finger-licking goodness in practically no time.
Lentils and carrots make up the meat substitute, you only need to add onion, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to your vegan BBQ sauce to complete the mixture. When all is said and done, you will have a hearty and healthy alternative to a classic sandwich. Check out the full recipe and prep instructions here.
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American Flag Sheet Cake
Every cookout needs a dessert! And what better way to celebrate the 4th of July than with a traditional flag sheet cake?
This moist chocolate cake topped with vegan buttercream frosting, fresh strawberries, and blueberries will match everyone’s craving for sweets while remaining guilt-free. The cake itself is totally vegan, and to make the vegan frosting, you can just sub out regular butter for Earth Balance and milk for almond milk!
Take a look at this awesome recipe here.
There you have it – five of our favorite, vegan 4th of July recipes! There are many different options for this year’s cookout, but these make for a great spread.
Have you tried any of these recipes? Do you have any favorites that we did not list here? Let us know! Happy 4th!