If you're looking for a no-fuss appetizer for a BBQ cookout, these grilled vegan kebabs with just three ingredients are your new go-to. Juicy vegan sausage chunks, sweet onions, and vibrant peppers - that's all you need for a delicious, crowd-pleasing, easy-to-make appetizer.
Growing up, kebabs were a staple of our gatherings. Fresh off the grill, everyone scrambled to snag one - no sauce needed, just a toothpick to scoop up those smoky, succulent veggies and spicy chorizo.
When we made the switch to vegan, we didn't sacrifice flavor. We swapped in vegan sausage, and if you can get your hands on vegan chorizo-style sausage (the kind that's whole, not crumbled), you're in for a treat.
The best part is that there is no need to marinate these grilled vegan kebabs because the sausage and fresh veggies already pack a punch, and grilling them adds a delicious smoky charred flavor to the sweet vegetables and sausage.
For another great grilling recipe, try Grilled Peaches with Vegan Mascarpone Cheese or Chipotle Black Bean Burger.
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Why I Love This Recipe
- If you like simplicity, you'll love this recipe. With just three ingredients, these vegan kebabs are a breeze to prepare, making them perfect for any summertime BBQ, tailgate, or camping meal.
- The combination of juicy Beyond Sausage, sweet onions, and vibrant peppers delivers a mouthwatering, smoky flavor with every bite.
Recipe Ingredients
Sometimes, simplicity is the secret ingredient that makes everything magical. Trust me, your taste buds will love them! See the recipe card for quantities.
- Sausage - We use these Beyond sausages since they are easy to find in major grocery stores, and their flavor is spot on. They are a little softer than the average animal-based sausage, so make sure to skewer them correctly so they don't fall apart. More on that in the recipe card.
- Bell Peppers - I love red peppers for their color, but feel free to use any color you prefer or mix different colors for extra vibrancy.
- Onions - Use a sweet onion, yellow onion, or red onion. Cut the onion into fourths, then peel the layers and you'll have the perfect size onions to thread on the skewers.
Equipment
I use wooden skewers because they're thin and easy to clean up. You can use metal skewers, but they tend to be thicker-at least the ones I have are-and they can cause the veggies and sausage to break when threading.
I use two wooden skewers to keep the ingredients from spinning when I turn the kebabs.
I prefer using an outdoor grill for this recipe. A grill pan and the oven don't achieve that perfect charred, grilled aroma and appearance I love for these vegan vegetable skewers, but if that's all you have to work with, I recommend using an electric griddle. You can make a bunch at the same time, and the skewers fit nicely on the griddle.
Variations
- Use spicy vegan sausage for a bit of heat, and pair it with jalapeños or other spicy peppers.
- Add chunks of pineapple or peaches to contrast the savory sausage and veggies.
How To Make Grilled Vegan Kebabs
This is a chop, skewer, and grill recipe. See the recipe card for more.
Step 1: Cut up the ingredients. Make them chunky for easy skewering.
Step 2: Place them on the grill for about 10 minutes, turning them occasionally.
Recipe Tips
- Thread the ingredients with two skewers so they don't spin when you turn them.
- I make a skewer for each member of the gathering, threading about 3-4 pieces of each ingredient onto each skewer.
- I have to be honest and say I don't always soak the skewers, but getting in the habit is a good idea.
- Submerge the skewers in water for 10-15 minutes using a baking sheet or casserole dish, then thread your ingredients. It ensures your kebabs stay intact and your skewers don't burn!
Serving Suggestions
We usually serve these as an appetizer at our grill-outs, where you slide them off the skewer and dig in with toothpicks. But if you're looking for more ways to enjoy them, here are a few suggestions:
- Easy Chipotle Aioli Sauce, Vegan Jalapeno Sauce, Homemade Cherry BBQ Sauce, Cuban Chimichurri Sauce, or Easy Vegan Ranch Dressing are great vegan sauces for this appetizer.
- Serve the kebabs over a fluffy quinoa or rice bed, accompanied by a fresh green salad with a Classic French Salad Dressing.
- Slide the grilled goodies off the skewers and into a warm pita or tortilla with a dollop of High-Protein Low-Carb Lupini Bean Hummus.
- Serve it with a delicious salad like Classic Vegan Coleslaw Recipe, Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad, or Vegan Orzo Pasta Salad With Sunflower Seed Pesto.
Storage and Reheating
- Place any leftover kebabs in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Place the kebab pieces on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel. Heat on high for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through.
Vegan Kebab FAQS
You can, but it's going to be an entirely new kebab. The combo of onions, peppers, and sausage is a classic and all you need for a great appetizer that everyone will love.
You can substitute any other vegan sausage or try a homemade seitan sausage. However, the Beyond Sausage adds a delicious flavor to this recipe. If you must substitute, look for a similar texture and flavor profile to keep the deliciousness intact. Chorizo flavor would be ideal.
Yes, but there is no need since these kebabs are deliciously simple. However, marinating them in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and your favorite herbs for 30 minutes can add variety.
The vegan kebabs are done when the veggies are tender and charred around the edges, and the sausage is browned and heated through. This usually takes about 10-12 minutes on a medium-high grill.
Nothing. They are all the same thing with a different spelling. For the purpose of this recipe, I choose to spell it kebab.
Recipe Card
Grilled Vegan Kebabs (3 ingredients)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 vegan sausages cut into chunks*
- 1 onion cut into chunks (yellow or red onion are best)
- 2 bell peppers cut into chunks (any color)
- easy vegan chipotle sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Prep the Ingredients: Cut the sausages and bell peppers into large chunks. Cut the onion into fourths, then peel the layers apart to have large enough pieces to thread easily.
- Assemble the Skewers: I recommend threading the sausage and veggie chunks onto two skewers, as shown in the pictures, to prevent the ingredients from rotating while grilling. Alternate between sausage, onion, and bell pepper pieces. When threading the sausage, skewer it through the side with the casing to ensure it stays intact and doesn't fall apart.
- Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally using BBQ tongs, until the veggies are tender and charred and the sausage is browned and heated through.
- Serve: Remove the skewers from the grill and serve hot. Serve with the optional dipping sauce and toothpicks.
Luke says
These were great and a big hit. They were gone off the plate before I knew it! Thanks for the recipe.
Regi Pearce says
That's how it goes in my house too. Thanks for the comment and glad you liked them.