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Marissa Livoti

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Tag Archives: cabbage

The Best Vegan & Gluten-Free Cookout Side Dishes

If you’re hosting or attending a summer cookout and looking for allergy-friendly, crowd-pleasing dishes, I’ve got you covered! These four vegan and gluten-free side dishes are the perfect addition to any backyard BBQ, picnic, or party. Whether you’re plant-based, gluten-free, or just trying to eat more colorful, fresh food — these recipes are easy, delicious, and made with real, simple ingredients. Watch the video below to see all four recipes come together in minutes!

These Four Side Dishes Are Easy to Customize for Any Diet

One of my favorite things about these side dishes is how easy they are to adapt. You can swap the pasta, mayo, or seasoning to suit any dietary need. Want it oil-free? Use a cashew-based dressing. Prefer more heat? Add spicy peppers or chipotle seasoning. Just pick your favorite pasta, your go-to vegan mayo, and you’re good to go. These are the kinds of recipes that work with you — not against you — especially when planning for a group.

Veggie Pasta Salad

Let’s kick things off with the Veggie Pasta Salad — a colorful, classic side dish that’s always the first to go at every cookout! It’s packed with crunchy celery, sweet bell peppers, carrots, red onions, and chopped pickles for a little tang. Tossed in creamy Hellmann’s Vegan Dressing, this salad hits all the right notes: creamy, crunchy, savory, and slightly tangy.

To make it, I used a 12 oz. box of Ronzoni Gluten Free Elbow Pasta, which holds up perfectly in cold salads without turning mushy. I prepped all the veggies using my go-to WÜSTHOF Gourmet 16-Piece Knife Block Set, mixed it all together in my large Winco 30-Quart Stainless Steel Bowl, and stored leftovers in my favorite Pyrex Simply Store 12-Pack Glass Food Storage Set.

Want the full step-by-step instructions, measurements, and tips? Head to the full blog post:
👉 Veggie Pasta Salad Recipe

Southwest Pasta Salad

Next up is the Southwest Pasta Salad, a bold, flavorful twist that’s loaded with black beans, corn, tomatoes, and a zesty taco-seasoned dressing. It’s perfect served cold or at room temperature, and it pairs beautifully with grilled veggies or burgers.

I used the Jovial Whole Grain Brown Rice Pasta Variety Pack for this recipe, which gives a nice bite and works great with southwest flavors. I cooked the pasta in my Anolon Advanced Home Nonstick Pots and Pans Set and drained it with my Kitchen Colander Bowl Combo Strainer. I chopped fresh veggies using my WÜSTHOF Knife Set and tossed it all in a 16″ Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl. The secret to that crave-worthy flavor? A packet of Simply Organic Mild Taco Seasoning added to the creamy dressing.

Get the full recipe, including exact measurements and customization ideas here:
👉 Southwest Pasta Salad Recipe

Potato Salad

A summer cookout wouldn’t be complete without Potato Salad! My version is 100% vegan, made extra hearty with a mix of potatoes, celery, pickles, and crunchy veggies. It’s dressed in a simple plant-based mayo blend that keeps things creamy without any dairy or eggs.

I used this vegan mayo for the dressing, which has just the right texture and tang to make the flavors shine. If you’re meal-prepping ahead of time, this salad stores beautifully for a couple of days and actually gets better as it chills!

Check out the full blog post to get the complete recipe, ingredient swaps, and serving suggestions:
👉 Potato Salad Recipe

Coleslaw

Last but not least, this Super Crunchy Vegan Coleslaw is the side dish that surprises everyone — in the best way! It’s creamy, slightly sweet, and full of that classic coleslaw crunch we all love. Instead of refined sugar, I use a splash of Maple Grove Farms Organic Maple Syrup to naturally sweeten the dressing. And for the creamy base, I reach for Hellmann’s Vegan Mayo.

It comes together in minutes, and it’s the ideal partner to burgers, sandwiches, or tacos. Plus, it stays crisp even when made in advance.

Grab the full recipe with all the tips and tricks right here:
👉 Coleslaw Recipe

Ready to Try These Recipes?

I hope you give one (or all!) of these easy vegan and gluten-free side dishes a try at your next cookout, potluck, or meal prep day. They’re colorful, nourishing, and packed with flavor — without any of the top allergens. If you make one, be sure to leave a comment and let me know how it turned out. I love hearing from you and seeing your creations!

Super Crunchy Vegan Coleslaw

Are you ready to make the crunchiest, easiest, and most delicious vegan coleslaw ever? Our Super Crunchy Vegan Coleslaw recipe is perfect for those who love quick, hassle-free meals that don’t skimp on flavor. With just a few simple steps and ingredients, you’ll have a vibrant, refreshing side dish that’s sure to be a hit at any gathering. This recipe is not only super easy to whip up, but it also delivers an unbeatable crunch that will have everyone coming back for more!

One of the best things about this recipe is how it uses everyday ingredients to create something truly special. We’re talking about a 14 oz. package of coleslaw mix, Hellmann’s vegan mayo, pure maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt. The Hellmann’s vegan mayo is a game-changer – it tastes just like regular mayo, providing the creamy texture and rich flavor that we all love, without any of the dairy. It’s the perfect base for our tangy and slightly sweet dressing that ties all the flavors together.

If you don’t have a coleslaw mix bag on hand, no worries! You can easily shred your own cabbage and carrots for this recipe. Using fresh ingredients adds a personal touch and ensures that your coleslaw is as crunchy and flavorful as possible. Whether you opt for the convenience of a pre-packaged mix or the freshness of homemade shreds, this coleslaw will turn out fantastic either way.

Super Crunchy Vegan Coleslaw

Are you ready to make the crunchiest, easiest, and most delicious vegan coleslaw ever? Our Super Crunchy Vegan Coleslaw recipe is perfect for those who love quick, hassle-free meals that don't skimp on flavor.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 14 oz. coleslaw bag mix
  • 1/2 cup vegan mayo
  • 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions
 

  • Rinse and Dry: Pour the whole coleslaw mix into a colander. Rinse under cold water. Set it aside to dry.
  • Prepare the Dressing: In a mixing bowl, combine vegan mayo, pure maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and salt. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
  • Combine: Add the dried coleslaw mix to the bowl with the dressing. Blend until the coleslaw is evenly coated with the dressing.
  • Chill: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  • Serve: Enjoy your super crunchy vegan coleslaw as a side dish or on its own!

Notes

Tip: For an extra crunch, consider adding some sunflower seeds or chopped nuts before serving.
Keyword cabbage, mayo

I hope you enjoy making and eating this Super Crunchy Vegan Coleslaw as much as I do! If you give this recipe a try, please comment below and let me know how it turned out for you. Did you stick to the classic version, or did you add your own twist? I’d love to hear your thoughts and any variations you might have tried. Happy cooking!