Vegetarian Barbecue Blue Cheese “Beef” Sliders

These vegetarian barbecue sliders are made with Beyond Beef, and make a perfect summer recipe for both your veggie friends and omnivores alike! With just a few ingredients: vegetarian “beef,” blue cheese, sautéed onions, pickles and a little arugula, you’ll be in and out of the kitchen in less than 20 minutes!

Just to note, I don’t have a partnership with Beyond Meat products. I just think Beyond Beef is a fantastic vegetarian beef substitute.

I always like to have a vegetarian option at a barbecue, and not just a veggie burger or portobello mushroom to throw on the grill. It’s nice to have something extra special that everyone can enjoy, that also tastes incredible. These little barbecue sliders are the perfect choice!

I made these sliders for a little backyard cocktail party for Labor Day. I wanted to see if I could cook up a tasty get-together in less than a half hour, and I did it! The sliders took just 20 minutes to make and the cheese plate took just 5 minutes to assemble. I blistered a tasty batch of sesame lime shishito peppers while toasting the slider buns, so I was up and out of there in just 25 minutes!

Here’s the Process!

1. First, dice and sauté a medium onion, and toast slider buns
2. Then, add Beyond Beef, season and sauté
3. Next, add a little barbecue sauce and blue cheese
4. Then, distribute the tasty “beef” over slider buns
5. Finally, add pickles and arugula and serve

A Few Tips!

1. To make ahead of time and easily assemble when guests arrive:

Sauté your onions, season and brown your Beyond Beef, and add the BBQ sauce – but don’t add the blue cheese just yet. Place your cooked mixture in a sealed container and refrigerate until guests arrive.

Then, once you’re ready to serve, toast buns at  350 F. (175 C.) for 7 minutes. While buns toast, place “beef” mixture in a pan and sauté for just 3-5 minutes with the crumbled blue cheese. Gently toss, then distribute on your buns. Add pickles, jalapeños and arugula and serve.

2. A few exciting vegetarian ingredients to add if you want to make your sliders “loaded.”

• diced bell or jalapeño peppers
• crispy fried onions
• sautéed mushrooms
• chilis
• pepperoncinis
• relish
• coleslaw
• toasted corn
• mayonnaise 
• sour cream

A Few Common Questions

1. Does “Beyond Beef” really taste like beef?

Yes and no. It has a very similar texture, but it’s not exactly the same. It’s definitely closer in texture to seitan than actual beef, but it has a flavor, when cooked, that is pretty darn similar. Especially when flavorings are added. The main difference is it’s got a “chewy” characteristic that you obviously don’t find in beef.

Bottom line, as a beef eater, I find it a perfectly delicious substitute that won’t “fool” people, but will certainly impress them.

2. Is barbecue sauce vegetarian?

Many are, but some have animal broths and ingredients, so double check. I used Garland Jack’s Secret Six Barbecue Sauce which is vegan.

3. Can this recipe be made vegan?

It sure can! Beyond Beef is vegan, so just make sure to find a vegan barbecue sauce and a nice cheese substitute. I like Miyoko’s vegan cheddar or pepper jack for this recipe because they melt well.

4. What do I need to make this recipe?

• Cutting board with sharp knife
• Sauté pan
• Spatula
• Baking sheet with grated oven rack

How to Make Vegetarian Barbecue Blue Cheese “Beef” Sliders – Step by Step

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. (175 C.) Dice a medium onion. Add 2 tbsp. olive oil to a pan and sauté over MEDIUM heat for 5 minutes until lightly brown. Turn off heat.

2. Place 8 slider buns on a grated oven rack. Toast for 7 minutes.

3. While buns toast, turn heat to MEDUIM – HIGH, and add 16 oz. Beyond Beef to the pan and gently chop it up with a spatula. Mix with onions and season with a sprinkle of garlic powder, salt and pepper. Allow to sauté until brown, about 5-7 minutes.

4. Turn off heat and add 4 tbsp. barbecue sauce (or more if you want them extra saucy). Mix together. Add 4 oz. crumbled blue cheese and fold into the mixture without mixing completely. You want nice chunks of blue cheese to remain un-mixed.

5. Remove slider buns. Distribute “beef” mixture evenly on top.

6. Add pickles and jalapeños (optional), add arugula and serve.

Boy oh boy are these sliders tasty! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Here are a few perfect vegetarian sides to share with these sliders!

• Esquites (Mexican Street Corn Salad)
• Coleslaw with Fennel and Carrot
• Blistered Shishito Peppers with Soy Sauce, Sesame & Lime
• Picnic-Perfect Pesto Pasta Salad
• Crispy, Spicy, Baked Kale Chips

And for more inspiration, follow me on INSTAGRAM @shekeepsalovelyhome, on PINTEREST and FACEBOOK! And if you ever make any of my tasty drinks or treats, take a picture and tag me. I want to see!