10 Vegan Hot Dogs and Sausages Ready for Grilling

While classic barbecue fare is undeniably meat-centric, there’s a plant-based counterpart (or two, or three…) you might want at an outdoor grill sesh that’s good enough to tempt even the most vegetarian-averse of barbecue guests. . With so many options on the market, you might not know where to start, so we’re here to help. So, let’s talk about one that is very near and dear to our hearts: hot dogs.

Originating in Germany, food historians trace the hot dog’s arrival in the United States to immigrants in the late 1800s. Affordable and convenient to eat on the way home, or during the day out on the town, they were quickly adopted as working-class food, sold by vendors from street carts on sidewalks and at baseball games.

Traditionally, hot dogs are made from chicken, pork or beef trimmings. But these days, there are several vegan versions on the market—IKEA even makes one, which you can pick up at the food court. We’ve picked the best of them, plus we’ve thrown in our favorite plant-based sausages, because we’re all about alternatives.

Are hot dog buns vegan?

What would a hot dog be without a bun? Fortunately, you can find a variety of vegan breads at the grocery store, but there are several brands that use animal-derived ingredients in their hot dog buns.

In general, milk and butter are the most common non-vegan ingredients you’ll find in store-bought hot dog buns. But, some alternatives, gluten-free, especially, may contain eggs.

It’s also not uncommon to find honey in commercial breads, so be sure to read the ingredients list before buying any. Some vegan hot dog bun options include Food for Life’s Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Hot Dog Bun, Arnold Country Potato Hot Dog Rolls, Strohmann Dutch Country Burger Potato Rolls, Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Hot Dog Buns, and 365 Whole Dog Buns.

1 Out of the sausage

When Beyond Meat dropped its line of Beyond Sausages in December 2017, we were ready. Flavored like a traditional pork sausage, these meaty links are made from a mix of pea, fava bean, and rice proteins, along with coconut oil to give it juiciness. Plus, they’re wrapped in an algae-derived coating so you get it satisfying Snap When you bite into one. The Beyond Sausage comes in three flavors: Brats, Hot Italian and Sweet Italian that will be a welcome addition to your grill.
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2 field roast

Field Roast’s artisanal vegan butchers have mastered a traditional hot dog experience without pork or questionable ingredients. The brand makes two types of hot dogs: the signature Stadium Dog and the classic smoked frankfurters. The former is made from a blend of pea protein, essential wheat gluten, brown rice protein and faba bean protein and is infused with hardwood smoked sugar, plus garlic, chili and paprika for that classic ballpark flavor. Meanwhile, the latter is made from essential wheat gluten for that extra meaty flavor, and it sears beautifully on the grill. Pass the mustard, please!
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3 Jack and Annie

We are thankful to live in the present day, where hot dogs can be made from soy, pea protein, seitan and even jackfruit. Here in the States, jackfruit has gained some mainstream fame as a pulled pork substitute, but the clever folks at Jack & Anise have learned how to take the meaty texture of this fruit and turn it into a classic all-American hot dog. This gluten-free sausage has a mild smoky flavor that makes it perfect for any style of dog, from New York to Chicago.
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4 Lightlife

For a vegan hot dog that’s tried and true, look no further than LightLife’s Jumbo Smart Dog. Lightlife launched its iconic Smart Dogs in 1993, the original year jurassic park And at will. So, when it comes to plant-based meats, they stand the test of time. These vegan hot dogs are made from soy protein and deliver that classic hot dog flavor that channels childhood backyard barbecues. Also, Lightlife is a carbon-neutral company. Delicious and sustainable? It’s a win-win.
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5 yes doug

This bundle from New York City-based brand Ye Dog includes four of its signature vegan hot dogs and bratwurst. Its soy- and gluten-free flour is made from a blend of beet, sweet potato, potato, carrot and sunflower seeds and flour. Meanwhile, its brats feature chickpeas, plus shiitake and oyster mushrooms that provide a woody, umami flavor that channels the taste of roast chicken.
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6 TMRW

With a meaty bite, thanks to textured wheat protein, TMRW’s Original Bratwurst is 100-percent ready for the grill. It contains kidney beans, yellow split peas, and sunflower seeds, plus garlic, brown sugar, and allspice. Serve with roasted bell peppers and onions for a sausage-and-pepper-style barbecue meal.
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7 Upton’s Naturals

Chicago-based brand Upton’s Naturals makes vegan hot dogs from two of Windy City’s favorite spices: mustard and celery seed. Plus, they’re cured for that authentic hot dog flavor, infused with natural hickory smoke flavor, and they have that “real hot dog” bite, thanks to an algae-based coating. Any topping is good, but these dogs really shine when you serve them Chicago-style—salt with a poppy seed topping, yellow mustard, relish, diced onion, tomato wedges, kosher pickle spears, game pepper, and a pinch of celery. .
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8 Tofurki

Variety is the spice of life, so they say. Old-school vegan brand Tofurky makes three flavors of plant-based sausage that would be right at home with barbecue fixings. Serve their beer brats with sauerkraut and mustard, serve kielbasa with sauerkraut and quick pickled red cabbage, and Italian with grilled peppers and onions to keep everyone happy at the barbecue.
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9 Morning Star Farms

MorningStar Farms’ Veggie Dogs are a nostalgia-fest for many longtime vegetarians and vegans. Made from wheat gluten, they taste like a classic American hot dog, with a savory flavor and underlying sweetness, courtesy of a dash of brown sugar. Serve them alongside classic barbecue sides like corn-on-the-cob, vegan potato salad, baked beans and collard greens.
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10 Eggplant Ballpark Hot Dogs

We know all about vegetables, but we’re always on the lookout for a recipe that showcases the truly awesome versatility of vegetables. For example, who would have thought that you could make hot dogs out of carrots or even carrots eggplant? This eggplant hot dog, which is straight out VBQ: The Ultimate Vegan Barbecue Cookbook The recipe, by developers Nadine Horn and Jörg Mayer, uses long, slender Japanese eggplants and seasons them with salt, fennel seeds, oregano, garlic powder, paprika and marjoram for a veggie-centric frank that’s big on flavor without an ounce. the meat
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