Vegan Practically

As we move into the last days of summer, I realize that I have not attended any barbecues. That’s an unusual gap in my summer because the BBQ is a staple of Canadian summer. I’m writing about this because I experienced a rising sense of anxiety over the course of last week as a summer barbecue event I was scheduled to attend approached. I had to reflect a bit on what was making me nervous. (Just to be clear, I was also invited the same weekend to a BBQ that was vegan and had to miss it for other reasons!)

I get nervous writing these sorts of posts because they alienate my many omnivore friends and make them slot me into the “inconvenient, unreasonable vegan” category. In writing my honest thoughts on this I am more likely to reduce future invitations than influence anyone to reconsider their food choices through an ethical lens. It continues to baffle me that so many otherwise good people are completely cavalier about such vast animal suffering and climate impact. It’s depressing.

But back to said barbecue. I had already asked the host if I should bring something vegan for the grill. I was willing to bring enough to share. Just the fact of not being able to count on having food unless I bring it is the first challenge of a barbecue hosted by and largely attended by omnivores who don’t question the eating of animals (i.e. almost all omnivores, which is almost all people in the world, certainly in North America, feel entitled to eat animals without question).

Then there is negotiating non-cross contaminated space on the grill and separate utensils. People think you’re exaggerating or being a diva if you don’t want dead animal grease or bits touching your vegan option. It’s a lot to explain and not the setting in which I want to have to do so. Remember, it’s supposed to be an enjoyable social event centred around food.

And this focal point itself means a challenging setting. By their nature, barbecues are meat-intensive affairs. Usually it means being surrounded by people in rapture over the burgers and hot dogs and wings and whatever other animal products are being cooked up for everyone to enjoy. Typically, the salads are not even vegan. The potato salad will contain mayo and sometimes chopped egg. The Caesar dressing also has egg and the salad itself probably includes bacon bits and Parmesan. Maybe there is a Greek salad, of course with feta. Corn on the cob could be pre-basted with butter. The bread might be okay but who wants bread as their dinner? Maybe there is some watermelon for dessert if you’re lucky.

I’ve said it many times: it’s not really about getting sufficient food. It’s about being surrounded by people eating animals, enjoying it, and not giving a single thought to the origin or impact of the factory farmed products they’re consuming.

99% of all animal products come from factory farms. Factory farms are abhorrent operations that inflict untold quantities of suffering on billions of animals a year. They also pollute and have huge carbon footprints.

People should not support these industries. People should not casually enjoy eating animals at barbecues as if it’s an essential part of Canadian summer.

Silently standing on the sidelines so as not to ruin the event is emotionally taxing. I do it quite a bit—whenever I go to breakfast, lunch or dinner with omnivores or attend dinner parties or events they are hosting.

Am I grateful when someone takes the time to ensure people have a viable set of vegan options to choose from? Yes. Believe it or not, sometimes even non-vegans choose the vegan alternatives.

Would I be more grateful if people would stop pretending that eating animals does not support mass atrocity and that they should reflect on the moral dimensions of their food choices? Yes. It’s so incredibly demoralizing and draining to live amongst so much callous disregard for the lives of other species.

And that’s why it’s hard to attend barbecues. The one whose approach created mounting dread in me ended up getting cancelled due to weather. Instead of being disappointed, as makes sense when a fun social event ends up not happening, I felt relieved not to have to shrink into myself for a few hours and smile politely while everyone enjoyed their meat.

If you would like to try something different at your next barbecue:

• Potato salad made with vinaigrette (find recipes for French potato salad)
• Potato salad made with vegan mayo (like Nora’s)
• Vegan burgers or hot dogs (all sorts available)
• Tofu kebabs (like these from the Pesky Vegan)
• Grilled corn with an olive oil lime topping (or vegan spread like Becel and salt)
• Or go one step further to make vegan eloté (that delicious Mexican street food that you usually can’t eat if you’re vegan! Modified recipe at Make It Dairy Free)
• Chocolate cake from Nora (my mother’s favourite)
• watermelon and other fresh fruit

Here are 24 more ideas for your vegan barbecue from Vegan Food and Living, an additional 30 from Rainbow Plant Life, and 72 from It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken.

Way back in the day I remember reading an article about Linda and Paul McCartney hosting a meatless summer barbecue. They didn’t tell anyone they weren’t eating meat. And everyone enjoyed the food. If it could be done in seventies, it can surely be done now.