Skip the Beef: 20+ Grilling Recipes That Won't Break the Bank

Beef prices are at an all-time high. Between April 2025 and April 2026, they rose 14.8%. So if you’re ready to grab your tongs and fire up the grill, you may want to skip the beef burgers and steaks.

There are plenty of other grill-friendly proteins to get more grilling for less money. Here are some recipes to help you get started:

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Tacos & Fajitas

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Chipotle Portobello Mushroom Tacos (Vegan)

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Smoky, "meaty" mushrooms that win over even diehard carnivores.

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Grilled Cauliflower Tacos with Mango Slaw (Vegan)

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Charred florets meet sweet mango slaw and cool avocado crema.

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BBQ Tofu Tacos (Vegan)

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Saucy crumbled tofu with avocado-corn salsa and a chipotle drizzle.

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Grilled Vegetable Fajitas (Vegan)

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Charred peppers and onions piled into warm tortillas in 25 minutes.

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Skewers & Kebabs

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Grilled Teriyaki Tofu Skewers (Vegan)

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Salty-sweet, sticky, and the ultimate summer finger food.

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Grilled Veggie Skewers with Magic Green Sauce (Vegan)

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Rainbow veg charred and dunked in a creamy chimichurri-style sauce.

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Grilled Cajun & Orange Tofu Skewers (Vegan)

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Sticky, spicy, citrusy tofu that's downright addictive.

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Grilled BBQ Tempeh Skewers (Vegan)

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Nutty tempeh and summer squash slathered in homemade BBQ sauce.

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Halloumi & Vegetable Skewers

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Greek-marinated cheese and veg that brown beautifully over coals.

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Grilled Tofu & Tempeh

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Balsamic Grilled Tofu (Vegan)

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Meaty tofu steaks soaked in a punchy balsamic marinade.

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Grilled Tofu with Mango Salsa (Vegan)

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Zesty cumin-lime tofu topped with bright, fresh mango salsa.

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Vegan Blackened Grilled Tofu (Vegan)

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A bold, charred spice crust that you won't believe is meatless.

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Mediterranean Grilled Tofu (Vegan)

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Moroccan-spiced and charred, best served over a swoosh of hummus.

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The Best Marinated & Grilled Tempeh (Vegan)

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A versatile, deeply savory tempeh that goes with everything.

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Grilled Veggie Mains & Steaks

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Portobello Steaks with Avocado Chimichurri (Vegan)

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Hearty marinated "steaks" with a spicy avocado chimichurri, in 30 minutes.

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Grilled Cauliflower Steaks

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Thick slabs caramelized with honey, lemon, and toasted walnuts.

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Jamaican Jerk Grilled Eggplant (Vegan)

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Spicy jerk-spiced eggplant "steaks" with big, bold flavor.

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Hot Dogs & Sausages

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Portobello Mushroom Hot Dogs (Vegan)

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Smoky mushroom slabs tucked in buns and piled high with toppings.

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Grilled Carrot Hot Dogs (Vegan)

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Steamed, marinated, and grilled carrots that taste shockingly like the real thing.

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Grilled Pizza & Flatbread

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Grilled Vegetable & Goat Cheese Pizza

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Smoky charred veg and tangy goat cheese on a crisp grilled crust.

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Burgers

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Black Bean Quinoa Veggie Burgers (Vegan)

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Smoky, protein-packed patties that hold their char without falling through the grates.

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Portobello Mushroom Burger (Vegan)

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Six ingredients, 20 minutes, and a balsamic-marinated cap that eats like a steak.

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Easy Grillable Veggie Burgers (Vegan)

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Hearty black bean and walnut patties built specifically to survive the grill.

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Barbecue Chickpea Burgers (Vegan)

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A food-processor-quick patty with a sweet, tangy BBQ backbone.

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Grilled Halloumi Burger

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Salty, squeaky cheese gets golden and gooey under a garlicky red pepper aioli.

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Corn & Sides

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Grilled Corn with Sriracha Aioli (Vegan)

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Sweet, smoky cobs slicked with a spicy vegan aioli.

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Elote (Grilled Mexican Street Corn)

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Charred corn slathered in creamy, cheesy, chili-lime goodness.

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Grilled Romaine Caesar Salad with Herbed White Beans (Vegan)

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Smoky charred lettuce with lemony beans and a quick Caesar dressing.

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Grilled Fruit & Desserts

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Brazilian Grilled Pineapple (Vegan)

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Cinnamon-sugar pineapple caramelized into a steakhouse-worthy treat.

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Maple-Glazed Grilled Peaches (Vegan)

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Juicy peaches kissed with maple and served warm over vegan ice cream.

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