15 Plant-Based Recipes for a Healthier 4th of July Cookout
Fire Up the Flavor for a Healthier 4th of July
The 4th of July is often a time for gathering, slowing down, and sharing good food with the people you care about. And this year, you don’t have to choose between festive and healthy. We’ve rounded up 15 crowd-pleasing, plant-based recipes that bring all the flavor without the heaviness of traditional cookout fare. From smoky brats to frozen treats, these dishes are perfect for backyard BBQs, picnics, or potlucks — no meat, dairy, or compromise required.
1. Epic Brats
Give your grill something to brag about. These bold, smoky brats are a cookout essential, and thanks to our versatile PLANTSTRONG Burger Mix, they’re surprisingly easy to make. Just shape, chill, grill, and go. Serve them on a whole grain bun with all your favorite fixings for a nostalgic summer bite with a plant-powered upgrade.
2. Potato Salad 3-Ways
No 4th of July spread is complete without a scoop of potato salad...or three. This trio of oil-free, plant-powered recipes puts a fresh spin on the classic BBQ side—no mayo needed! Choose from a zippy Dill Pickle, a veggie-loaded Mediterranean, or a savory, vinegar-forward German-style salad. Each one is made with wholesome ingredients and big flavor, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or serving alongside your favorite grilled mains.
3. Sweet Potato Sliders
Handheld and hearty, these sliders are a crowd favorite with bold flavor and zero fuss. Made with the PLANTSTRONG Burger Mix or your patty of choice, and stacked on roasted sweet potato rounds (or grilled, if your BBQ’s already fired up), they’re the perfect bite for any backyard BBQ. Top with creamy hummus, crisp veggies, or your favorite condiments, and watch them disappear fast.
4. Strawberry Shortcake
A fresh take on a nostalgic summer classic. These tender, golden biscuits are made using our date-sweetened PLANTSTRONG Cornbread & Muffin Mix (gluten-free or original), then layered with juicy strawberries and a creamy vanilla tofu whip. It’s light, sweet, and perfect for warm-weather celebrations.
5. Fruit Shaved Ice
This vibrant, no-sugar-added treat is made by freezing whole fruit and shaving it into light, fluffy scoops—no blender, no syrups, and no fuss. You can use almost any fruit you have, but we share recipes featuring orange, peach, and pineapple to get you started. Top it however you like for a refreshing dessert that’s as fun as it is healthy.
6. Strawberry Banana Nice Cream
This naturally sweet, soft-serve-style treat is made with just frozen fruit and a splash of plant milk. It’s cool, creamy, and perfect for hot summer days. Use any milk you like, but we love blending it with our date-sweetened Oat Almond or Oat Walnut for extra richness and a hint of sweetness—no added sugar or dairy needed.
7. Choco Pancake Tacos
A frozen treat with serious summer throwback vibes. These Choco Pancake Tacos are a playful nod to the classic Choco Taco, but made with our PLANTSTRONG Seven Grain Pancake & Waffle Mix, filled with fruit and yogurt, and dipped in a chocolate shell. Stash them in the freezer for a cool, chocolatey dessert that kids and adults will both love.
8. Savory Jalapeño Corn Muffins
A bold, savory side that’s right at home at any summer cookout. These tender, oil-free muffins are made with our Cornbread & Muffin Mix and loaded with jalapeños for a little kick. Want to mix it up? Add in chopped bell peppers, green onions, or your favorite savory mix-ins to make them your own.
9. “Doritos” Popcorn
Inspired by the bold flavor of Doritos but made with real, whole ingredients, this savory snack is coated in a craveable blend of spices and nutritional yeast—no artificial junk here. Made with our non-GMO, oil-free, salt-free, PFAS-free popcorn, it’s the perfect thing to snack on while the grill heats up or as a lighter bite between burgers and sides.
10. Burger Bowl
All the flavor of a summer burger—no bun required. This deconstructed bowl is piled high with grilled PLANTSTRONG burger patties (or your favorite plant-based burger), crispy greens, fresh veggies, and all your favorite fixings. It’s perfect for anyone skipping the bread but still craving that classic backyard BBQ experience.
11. Apple Pie Pizza
This fun and unexpected dessert is a playful way to get your apple pie fix. It starts with our organic PLANTSTRONG pizza crust, topped with cinnamon-spiced apples and finished with a crunchy layer of Apple Pie Granola. For extra flavor, you can use our legendary Date Caramel Sauce as the base! All the cozy flavor of the classic, no pie crust required.
12. Chickpea Caesar Lettuce Cups
A crisp, refreshing appetizer that’s perfect for passing around before the main event. These lettuce cups are filled with smashed chickpeas tossed in a creamy, oil-free Caesar dressing, then topped with sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, and a hit of lemon zest. Light, satisfying, and easy to prep ahead.
13. Deconstructed Spring Roll Salad
This light and refreshing salad captures all the flavor of a Thai-inspired spring roll, no rolling required. It’s packed with crunchy veggies, fresh herbs, and brown rice noodles, all tossed in our PLANTSTRONG Secret Sauce Peanut Curry mix. Cool, crisp, and bursting with summer flavor.
14. Southwestern Kale Salad
Bold, colorful, and packed with fiber, this hearty salad is anything but boring. It’s tossed with an oil-free, chipotle dressing and topped with homemade cornbread croutons made from leftover PLANTSTRONG Cornbread or any bread you have on hand. A fresh, flavorful way to balance out your BBQ plate.
15. Sweet & Smoky Chili
Instead of reaching for sugar-laden baked beans, serve up our bold, fiber-rich Sweet & Smoky Chili. Ready to heat and eat, it’s smoky, subtly sweet, and made entirely from whole food, plant-based ingredients—no added sugar, oil, or preservatives. A perfect match for brats, sliders, or cornbread on your 4th of July plate.
