Meat Prices Are Up – Grill Veggies Instead (Try These Recipes!)

With only warmer days ahead and summer almost here, Americans are taking their grills out of the garage. The barbecuing and grilling began during Memorial Day weekend and will last as long as the air is warm and the sun is shining, most likely throughout summer. For the average American, this means purchasing hamburgers, hot dogs, and steaks. Red meat is, for the most part, the main course of a cookout.

However, maybe you should reconsider. Meat prices have skyrocketed this year, with a crop-damaging drought that California hasn’t seen in decades and a Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) breakout causing some serious stomach woes within the U.S.

Meat-eaters can expect to pay up to “32 cents more per burger than they did a year ago,” according to Politico.

The average cost of beef is up 14 percent from this time last year! With meat prices rising, a great way to save money and avoid the stomach aches associated with contaminated meat is to call it quits with meat.

To get you started on a plant-based cookout, here are some vegan, barbecue-worthy recipes to try out at your next grilling event:

Quinoa and White Bean Burger

Hoisin Vegan Black Bean Burger with Spicy Sesame Sauce

Vegan BBQ Lentil Meatball Sandwich with Sweet Miso Coleslaw

Balsamic BBQ Seitan and Tempeh Ribs

 The Bad Ass ‘Lamb’ Burger

Image source: The Bad Ass ‘Lamb’ Burger