Yes, Vegan BBQ Can Do Pulled Pork, Ribs, and Kebabs, Too

We all know burgers and hot dogs are barbecue must-haves. But let’s not leave pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, and skewers out of the conversation, either. All of these meaty dishes deserve credit for making outdoor get-togethers so special.

RELATED: From Blueberry Pie to Barbecue: America’s Iconic Summer Foods Made Vegan

Vegan shredded meat

Pulled pork is a classic dish of the American South, particularly in the Carolinas, where it’s colloquially known as just “barbecue.” But it’s not the only shredded meat sandwich in the world.

In Mexico, there is tinga, shredded chicken that’s served in a sauce made from tomatoes and smoky chipotle chilis in an earthy, spicy adobo sauce. Korean cuisine has tangpyeongchae, a dish consisting of shredded beef mixed with mung bean sprouts, watercress, nokdumuk (mung bean jelly), and thinly sliced red peppers. The list goes on, but as far as we’re concerned, all of them are welcome additions to the barbecue. 

Want to make your own? Check out these recipes for:

• Smoky Vegan BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Slider
• Pulled Barbecue Jackfruit Sandwich With Grilled Pineapple
• Vegan Hawaiian Kahlua Pork Sliders

 

1 MyForest Foods Pulled Pork

2 Barvecue Pulled Pork

Looking for a vegan pulled pork that offers a little more protein? Barvecue, a family-owned plant-based meat brand founded in 2017, makes its two meatless pulled pork options from a blend of soybeans and sweet potato. The Pulled flavor, which is coated in a sweet barbecue sauce, offers nine grams of protein per serving. 
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Upton’s Naturals

3 Upton’s Naturals Bar-B-Que Jackfruit

Tossed in a tangy barbecue sauce, the Bar-B-Que Jackfruit by Upton’s Naturals is enticing in sandwiches, in wraps, and even on top of a summery salad. The brand also makes a sauce-free Shredded Jackfruit version, if you’d prefer to customize it to your palate. It’s also shelf-stable, making it travel-friendly for shindigs at the park, beach, or in your friend’s backyard.
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Ribs slathered in messy, sticky, but oh-so-delicious sauce are quintessential barbecue food. Traditionally made from beef or pork, there are a few options for vegan ribs that you can purchase online. Enjoy them with your favorite barbecue sauce and serve alongside grilled corn-on-the-cob and a tangy pasta salad.

Want to make your own? Check out this recipe for Sweet and Sour Vegan Ribs.

The Herbivorous Butcher

4 The Herbivorous Butcher Ribs

You’ll find galbi, also known as Korean barbecue ribs, on the menu at countless KBBQ restaurants and at backyard get-togethers at homes across the country. The plant-based meat artisans over at The Herbivorous Butcher have captured that experience of tender meat cooked with a sweet, umami sauce made from soy sauce, garlic, and brown sugar, which pairs perfectly well with a summery beer or hoppy, non-alcoholic beverage.

Lily’s Vegan Pantrylily’

5Lily’s Vegan Pantry (May Wah) Citrus Spare Ribs

Located in New York City’s Chinatown, Lily’s Vegan Pantry (previously May Wah Vegetarian Market) has been making plant-based meat for more than 25 years. The family-owned brand’s Citrus Spare Ribs are a favorite of chefs at restaurants across the city, thanks to their beefy texture and tangy sauce. Tastes great in a wrap, or alongside grilled produce, such as eggplant, tomato, asparagus, corn-on-the-cob, and summer squash.

MorningStar Farms

6 MorningStar Farms Sweet BBQ Riblets

RELATED: The Ultimate Vegan Guide to Grilling: Burgers, Brats, and Ribs

Vegan meat for kebabs and skewers

The meaning behind “shish kebab” has quite a literal meaning, coming from the Turkish words for “sword” (sis) and “kebab” (meat). Historians have identified examples of shish kebabs as far back as Greece during the Byzantine era. And today, we can find examples of meat-on-a-stick all over the world, from satay in Indonesia, seekh kebabs in India, yakitori in Japan, suya in Nigeria, and more. 

These days, skewered meat doesn’t need to be made from beef, chicken, pork, or shrimp. Your kebab could feature beef-like chunks made from soy, or shrimp crafted from plant-based ingredients. We love to make use of spring and summer’s bounty by grilling up kebabs with seasonal vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms. All of the options below come frozen, so be sure to thaw them prior to marinating and skewering. 

Want to make your own? Check out this recipe for Marinated Tofu Veggie Kebabs.

Gardein

7Gardein Be’f Tips

This tender beefless beef by Gardein comes in bite-sized pieces, so it’s easy to prep for skewers. Just be sure that you give it time to thaw before you get started. Try it threaded with juicy brown button mushrooms, bell peppers, red onion, and a simple marinade made from soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, minced garlic, fresh ginger, and sesame oil.
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All Vegetarian

8 All Vegetarian Shrimp

These vegan shrimp by All Vegetarian have the fishy and characteristically bouncy texture of the real thing. Marinate the thawed, soy-free vegan shrimp in olive oil, lemon juice, fresh garlic, salt, and pepper, and serve with a lemon wedge and minced parsley. Instead of using skewers, you could also cook them loose in a grill basket or on an indoor grill pan.

Daring

9Daring Plant Chicken Pieces

These succulent vegan chicken pieces by Daring are meaty enough to sizzle on a skewer over a hot grill. They also shred, if you’d prefer to make pulled plant-based chicken sandwiches. Serve on a simple kabab with zucchini, a rainbow of bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and red onion after marinating the vegan meat in olive oil, soy sauce, vegan honey, and garlic.
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10 Beyond Steak Seared Tips

These seared Beyond Meat steak tips are the perfect size for homemade kebabs. Cook them in a skillet or air fryer for about 5 minutes, then thread onto skewers with grilled vegetables for a flavorful Korean BBQ-style kebab.
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