Eat less meat, America.
What is the Fourth of July without hamburgers and hot dogs?
Well, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (yes, that’s a real thing), on Independence Day, Americans will eat 50 million hot dogs. That’s enough dogs to stretch from DC to LA more than five times.
As for burgers and steaks, a Nielsen report from 2017 found that Americans stocked up in the two weeks before Independence Day, with people spending more than $800 million on beef alone during the two weeks leading up to the July 4 weekend.
Overconsuming meat is about as American as apple pie. It’s why the United States has earned the title of being the largest country in the world that eats the most meat, something we shouldn’t be proud of. That’s because this overconsumption is fueling an unsustainable and cruel industry. The modern industrial meat industry is made up of just a handful of multinational corporations that turn massive profits at the expense of workers, the planet, wildlife, and farmed animals.
Fortunately, by eating less meat we can transform the food system to be more just, equitable, and kind. Instead of relying on massive conglomerates to supply our protein, we can shift to smaller-scale family farmers that use more sustainable and humane practices or switch to more plant-based options instead of meat.
So this Fourth, try adding some plant-based options to your family’s BBQ and help transform America’s food system. To get you started, check out these 15 delicious animal-free recipes!
1. Grilled Romaine Caesar Salad with Herbed White Beans
Everyone will go back for second helpings of this recipe.
2. Summer Salad Bowl
Light and flavorful, this recipe is the perfect summer side dish.
3. Balsamic Portobello Burgers with Caramelized Onions & Garlic Aioli
This recipe has the works!
4. Herbed Vegan Potato Salad
What’s a BBQ without potato salad? You need this recipe.
5. Plant-Based Burgers
This recipe is grillfriendly!
6. Summer Picnic Salad with Blueberries & Plant-Based “Feta”
Healthy and light. Elevate your BBQ with this fresh salad recipe!
7. Plant-based Italian Seitan Sausages
You won’t even miss meat with this recipe!
8. Homemade Plant-Based Hot Dogs
Two words: Yes, please! Get the recipe.
9. Grilled Tofu Skewers with Spicy Peanut Sauce
This drool-worthy tofu recipe packs more protein than a beef burger.
10. Smoky Grilled Eggplant
This easy grilled eggplant recipe is anything but basic.
11. Grilled Veggie Skewers with Chimichurri Sauce
This sauce takes veggie skewers to the next level. Get the recipe here.
12. Grilled Asparagus
We can't get enough of this easy grilled asparagus recipe!
13. Lentil Walnut Burgers
These look so good! You need the recipe now.
14. Raw Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars
Save room for dessert because you’ll be craving this recipe!
15. Coconut Blueberry Smash Pops
This recipe is a perfect treat for the warm summer nights!
Hungry for more? Check out these 15 plant-based foods that pack more protein than a beef burger. Join the movement of people committed to helping the planet, their health, and countless animals by eating more plant-based foods and only consuming meat from small family farms.