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Vegan al fresco food.

Photo by Ella Olsson on Unsplash

15 vegan summer recipes for al fresco entertaining

FDL
By
Fine Dining Lovers
Editorial Staff

One of the greatest things about summer is the chance to feast outside. Whether picnicking in the park or on the beach, grilling in the back yard or simply cooking up an evening spread for friends.

With that in mind, we've rounded up some of the tastiest vegan summer recipes to create a plant-based, dairy-free menu that's big on colour and flavour to set the scene for a spectacular evening of feasting around a summer table for all, whether vegan or not.

Vegan summer recipes

Vegan appetisers

Baba ganoush

Baba Ghanoush

This smokey aubergine dip is a great appetiser, big on character and flavour to set the tone for your vegan feast.

Battered zucchini flowers

Set down a sharing plate of these crisp and delicate zucchini flowers, deep-fried in a light vegan batter.

Vegan cucumber soup with tofu

Vegan Cucumber Soup with Miso

Cold summer soups are the perfect antidote to a scorcher of a day. Try this vegan cucumber soup with tofu to create a talking point.

Gazpacho

This classic summer Spanish soup champions the sun-soaked bounty of summer's tomatoes. Turn up the garlic as loud as you dare. This one's also great for using up leftover bread.

Panzanella salad

Still on the tomatoes and bread theme, this one hails from sun-soaked Tuscany. An Italian classic capturing all those favourite flavours in one dish.

Vegan main courses

Baked sweet potatoes with beetroot cream

baked potato with beetroot cream

For a fun main course, try this colourful and satisfying dish of baked sweet potatoes stuffed with vibrant and earthy beetroot. 

Barbecued kebabs

If the barbecue's already going, get some extra char on these vegetable skewers and serve with pita bread and a punchy sauce.

Grilled vegetable lasagne

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For a summery spin on lasagne, try this colourful main course, where you can pump up the flavour of the vegetables on the grill once again.

Spaghetti with tomato

Make up a big batch of spaghetti and tomato and set it down in the centre of the table for everyone to dive in.

Roasted eggplant with quinoa

For a salad with extra depth, try this roasted eggplant and fresh quinoa salad with added cranberries, pine nuts and mint for extra interest.

Easy vegan desserts for entertaining

Strawberries with aged balsamic

Strawberries with Balsamic Vinegar

Pick the sweetest and juiciest of strawberries and let them shine in a simple aged balsamic vinegar.

Grilled pineapple skewers

Keep those barbecue coals going until dessert time when they'll come in handy to caramelise the sugars in these easy pineapple skewers.

Aromatic fruit dessert with peppermint and lemon verbena

Aromatic Fruit Dessert

Come dessert time, prepare this fragrant, fruity dessert in advance to impress your guests with an elegant serving at the table.

Lemon granita

For the hottest of days, when no one can manage dessert, finish on something sweet and refreshing, like this easy Mediterranean lemon granita.

Vegan chocolate mousse

And finally, who can resist a chocolate mousse? Make up a batch of individual serves for the ultimate restaurant feel for your guests.

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