Great Grilled Meals Without a Single Ounce of Meat

By: Emily Lee

The summer cookout has been a carnivore’s arena since the dawn of conveniently packaged meat. But now, with fresh, seasonal produce like asparagus, zucchini and corn back in vogue — and not just for the healthy-eating set — it’s time to turn the traditional grilling practice on its head by demonstrating how beautifully spring and summer vegetables hold up over the coals.

Next time you’re planning a cookout, try throwing one of these wholesome, meat-free dishes into the mix. The vegetarians will thank you, and even the most-stubborn meat eaters won’t be able to resist a few helpings of smoky grilled veg.

Just as baked sweet potatoes are a vegetarian’s best friend in the winter months, so are grilled sweet potato fries in the summer — and if you’re serving veggie burgers, you can’t forget the fries. The secret to perfect firm-tender texture is parboiling the sweet potatoes before grilling, Bobby Flay advises.

Chef Name: Food Network Kitchen

Full Recipe Name: Grilled Cauliflower Steak with Israeli Couscous and Olives

Talent Recipe: 

FNK Recipe: Food Network Kitchenâ  s Grilled Cauliflower Steak with Israeli Couscous and Olives, as seen on Foodnetwork.com

Project: Foodnetwork.com, SUMMER/APPETIZERS/PASTA

Show Name: 

Food Network / Cooking Channel: Food Network

FNK_GrilledCauliflowerSteakWithIsraeliCouscousAndOlives_H

Chef Name: Food Network KitchenFull Recipe Name: Grilled Cauliflower Steak with Israeli Couscous and OlivesTalent Recipe: FNK Recipe: Food Network Kitchen’s Grilled Cauliflower Steak with Israeli Couscous and Olives, as seen on Foodnetwork.comProject: Foodnetwork.com, SUMMER/APPETIZERS/PASTAShow Name: Food Network / Cooking Channel: Food Network,Chef Name: Food Network KitchenFull Recipe Name: Grilled Cauliflower Steak with Israeli Couscous and OlivesTalent Recipe: FNK Recipe: Food Network Kitchen’s Grilled Cauliflower Steak with Israeli Couscous and Olives, as seen on Foodnetwork.comProject: Foodnetwork.com, SUMMER/APPETIZERS/PASTAShow Name: Food Network / Cooking Channel: Food Network

Photo by: Renee Comet ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Renee Comet, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Even if you’re going meatless this summer, you can still satisfy your craving for grilled steaks cooked on the grill. Wrapping cauliflower rubbed with harissa (a North African spiced chile paste) in foil before you grill it helps it become tender quickly, but lets it still chars nicely right through the foil.

Food stylist: Stephana Bottom
Prop Stylist: Leslie Siegel

KO_FN_03VeggieBurger1_022.tif

Food stylist: Stephana Bottom Prop Stylist: Leslie Siegel

Photo by: Kana Okada ©Kana Okada 2011

Kana Okada, Kana Okada 2011

You won’t miss the beef when you bite into these hearty vegetarian patties. Each one is packed with protein-rich walnuts, beans and barley, which combine to reproduce the meaty, wholesome bite you would expect from a traditional burger.

Chef Name: Food Network Kitchen

Full Recipe Name: Grilled Cheese-Stuffed Chile Tacos

Talent Recipe: 

FNK Recipe: Food Network Kitchenâ  s Grilled Cheese-Stuffed Chile Tacos, as seen on Foodnetwork.com

Project: Foodnetwork.com, SUMMER/APPETIZERS/PASTA

Show Name: 

Food Network / Cooking Channel: Food Network

FNK_GrilledCheeseStuffedChileTacos_H

Chef Name: Food Network KitchenFull Recipe Name: Grilled Cheese-Stuffed Chile TacosTalent Recipe: FNK Recipe: Food Network Kitchen’s Grilled Cheese-Stuffed Chile Tacos, as seen on Foodnetwork.comProject: Foodnetwork.com, SUMMER/APPETIZERS/PASTAShow Name: Food Network / Cooking Channel: Food Network,Chef Name: Food Network KitchenFull Recipe Name: Grilled Cheese-Stuffed Chile TacosTalent Recipe: FNK Recipe: Food Network Kitchen’s Grilled Cheese-Stuffed Chile Tacos, as seen on Foodnetwork.comProject: Foodnetwork.com, SUMMER/APPETIZERS/PASTAShow Name: Food Network / Cooking Channel: Food Network

Photo by: Renee Comet ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Renee Comet, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Mildly spicy Cubanelle chiles are just the right size to stuff with cheese and fold into warm corn tortillas. They take only a few minutes to char on the grill alongside tomatoes and onions that go into a chunky salsa.

Tyler Florence adds tons of flavor to juicy grilled corn on the cob by making it Mexican- style with a sprinkling of grated Parmesan and chili powder.

Food stylist: Jamie Kimm 
Prop Stylist: Marina Malchin

GRILLED_BOK_CHOY_011.tif

Food stylist: Jamie Kimm Prop Stylist: Marina Malchin

Photo by: Antonis Achilleos

Antonis Achilleos

It’s tough to beat this easy grilled side dish on taste and efficiency when it requires just a handful of ingredients, like sweet chili sauce and tangy rice vinegar. Toss the bok choy in the sweet and spicy marinade, then char it on the grill for just 1 or 2 minutes per side.

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Giada De Laurentiis looks for the freshest produce and an assortment of colors when preparing this cornucopia of grilled vegetables. Drizzle the veggies with homemade balsamic-herb vinaigrette right after grilling to lock in a touch of sweetness.

Food stylist: Jamie Kimm 
Prop Stylist: Marina Malchin

RICE_NECTARINE_SALAD_004.tif

Food stylist: Jamie Kimm Prop Stylist: Marina Malchin

Photo by: Antonis Achilleos

Antonis Achilleos

Grilled fruit isn’t just for dessert: Toss grilled nectarines, cumin-scented rice and almonds for an unforgettable Middle Eastern-inspired dish.

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