What's more Texas than BBQ? Nothing.
Literally, nothing. And while Texas BBQ is famously meat-forward, a surprising number of joints across the Lone Star State are embracing vegetarian options—whether through creative sides, plant-based main dishes, or even some fully vegan smokehouse menus. So, let's say you have some visitors (New Yorkers? Californians?) in town and they are looking for some BBQ-lite. Here's your guide to finding them, and you, some smoky, saucy, and satisfying BBQ beyond the brisket.
Austin: Just Getting Started
While Austin is best known for its legendary smoked meats, a new wave of plant-based BBQ is making its mark. The city’s vegetarian and vegan BBQ scene is still growing, but it's already chock-full of creativity and a whole bunch of flavor.
ATX Food Co
- Fresh, organic, plant-based street food mixed with Latin and Indian flavors.
- TLDR the menu: Order the Vegan "BBQ Brisket" Taco made with Tempeh. It's got flavor and depth for days.
Interstellar BBQ
- Innovative BBQ to keep the traditionalists happy but with some mind-blowing vegetarian sides that even a meat lover will love.
- TLDR the menu: Order the Miso-glazed carrots and cauliflower burnt ends.
LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue
- Known for a "new school BBQ" approach, LeRoy has weekly rotating specials where they could throw a vegetarian a bone.
- TLDR the menu: Order the Smoked mushroom "barbacoa", cauliflower burnt ends, and kimchi pickles.
Loro
- An Asian smokehouse from Aaron Franklin and Tyson Cole. Not exclusively vegetarian, but everyone will leave full and happy.
- TLDR the menu: Order the Smoked tofu, oak-smoked edamame, and crispy potatoes with chili aioli, and then send all thank you notes to Texas Crafted for the solid rec.
DFW: Something For Everyone
Dallas–Fort Worth may be known for its brisket, but its vegetarian BBQ scene is heating up with bold, creative takes on smokehouse favorites. The metroplex is home to everything from fully vegan smokehouses to pop-ups and plant-based butcher shops, all delivering smoky, satisfying options that even meat lovers will appreciate.
Vegans Heat
- A soul-food-style vegan BBQ experience with plenty of heat and a whole lotta heart.
- TLDR the menu: Everything on the menu is vegan game, and everything is good. Order the All-vegan BBQ plates, including plant-based ribs and sausages.
Maple Landing
- More of a bar and grill with big BBQ influence—great for large groups with mixed diets (and opinions!) that like to tie one on.
- TLDR the menu: Order the Vegan BBQ jackfruit sandwich, vegetarian burgers, and veggie bowls.
Terry Black's BBQ
- Not vegetarian-forward, but if you're tagging along, you'll eat well. Grab a hat on your way out and everyone will know you know your (vegetarian) BBQ.
- TLDR the menu: Order the Solid sides like mac & cheese, green beans, baked potato, and coleslaw.
Smoke 'N Ash BBQ
- We ain't blowing smoke (or ash) when we say the menu here is insanely delicious Dallas-done BBQ; sides alone are worth the visit.
- TLDR the menu: Order the Tex-Ethiopian fusion with vegetarian injera nachos, lentils, and of course, the collard greens.
Central Texas: New Take on BBQ Classics
The craft, the rubs, the smoke—they’re all still here in Central Texas, just made for a new kind of pitmaster. From smoked tofu in Waco and veggie burgers in the heart of Lockhart, this region is redefining what Texas BBQ can be.
Barbs BQ
- A newcomer to Lockhart's BBQ scene (and you may have seen Barb herself on the cover of D Magazine), she's a former pitmaster from LeRoy and Lewis. One of the rare restaurants that's as good for your Instagram grid as it is for your taste buds.
- TLDR the menu: Order the sides and seasonal veggie specials, but also the meat. It's really good.
Kreuz Market
- Think German-style potato salad, sauerkraut, and pickles. Make sure you get some of that BBQ rub to bring home.
- TLDR the menu: Order the potato salad, and then drool over the Classic Texas BBQ plates around you.
Houston: Small But Mighty
Houston’s vegetarian BBQ scene may be small, but it’s making a big impression. With a growing number of vegan soul food spots, the city delivers a smoky, satisfying flavor that appeals to both plant-based eaters and BBQ purists.
Ray's Real Pit BBQ Shack
- Casual spot with some veggie-forward options.
- TLDR the menu: Order the BBQ tofu plate, classic Southern sides like yams, cabbage, and rice.
San Antonio: Delicious Twist on Tradition
While the city hasn’t landed a dedicated vegan smokehouse just yet, local vendors are bringing serious BBQ energy to the table—whether you're fully plant-based or just BBQ-curious, San Antonio offers a delicious twist on Texas tradition.
The Good Kind Southtown
- More of a garden bar with smokehouse influence—fresh and flavorful.
- TLDR the menu: Order the Smoked cauliflower, grilled veggies, and vegan-friendly grain bowls.
Curry Boys BBQ
- The Curry Boys have a TOTALLY original take on Texas BBQ. And we're so here for it.
- TLDR the menu: Order the Southeast Asian–inspired bowls with BBQ jackfruit and coconut curry rice.
Bonus BBQ
Bam's Vegan BBQ
Bam's doesn't have a brick and mortar location, but you can catch them (and you should) at farmers' markets and festivals across North Texas. You'll know you're in the right place if the line is looooong.
Are you a vegetarian living in Texas? We hope we made you proud with this list. While Texas is known for its traditional BBQ, these meat-free menu items are bursting with flavor, layered with techniques as only a true Texas-trained pitmaster could do.
What's more Texas than BBQ? Nothing.
Literally, nothing. And while Texas BBQ is famously meat-forward, a surprising number of joints across the Lone Star State are embracing vegetarian options—whether through creative sides, plant-based main dishes, or even some fully vegan smokehouse menus. So, let's say you have some visitors (New Yorkers? Californians?) in town and they are looking for some BBQ-lite. Here's your guide to finding them, and you, some smoky, saucy, and satisfying BBQ beyond the brisket.
Austin: Just Getting Started
While Austin is best known for its legendary smoked meats, a new wave of plant-based BBQ is making its mark. The city’s vegetarian and vegan BBQ scene is still growing, but it's already chock-full of creativity and a whole bunch of flavor.
ATX Food Co
- Fresh, organic, plant-based street food mixed with Latin and Indian flavors.
- TLDR the menu: Order the Vegan "BBQ Brisket" Taco made with Tempeh. It's got flavor and depth for days.
Interstellar BBQ
- Innovative BBQ to keep the traditionalists happy but with some mind-blowing vegetarian sides that even a meat lover will love.
- TLDR the menu: Order the Miso-glazed carrots and cauliflower burnt ends.
LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue
- Known for a "new school BBQ" approach, LeRoy has weekly rotating specials where they could throw a vegetarian a bone.
- TLDR the menu: Order the Smoked mushroom "barbacoa", cauliflower burnt ends, and kimchi pickles.
Loro
- An Asian smokehouse from Aaron Franklin and Tyson Cole. Not exclusively vegetarian, but everyone will leave full and happy.
- TLDR the menu: Order the Smoked tofu, oak-smoked edamame, and crispy potatoes with chili aioli, and then send all thank you notes to Texas Crafted for the solid rec.
DFW: Something For Everyone
Dallas–Fort Worth may be known for its brisket, but its vegetarian BBQ scene is heating up with bold, creative takes on smokehouse favorites. The metroplex is home to everything from fully vegan smokehouses to pop-ups and plant-based butcher shops, all delivering smoky, satisfying options that even meat lovers will appreciate.
Vegans Heat
- A soul-food-style vegan BBQ experience with plenty of heat and a whole lotta heart.
- TLDR the menu: Everything on the menu is vegan game, and everything is good. Order the All-vegan BBQ plates, including plant-based ribs and sausages.
Maple Landing
- More of a bar and grill with big BBQ influence—great for large groups with mixed diets (and opinions!) that like to tie one on.
- TLDR the menu: Order the Vegan BBQ jackfruit sandwich, vegetarian burgers, and veggie bowls.
Terry Black's BBQ
- Not vegetarian-forward, but if you're tagging along, you'll eat well. Grab a hat on your way out and everyone will know you know your (vegetarian) BBQ.
- TLDR the menu: Order the Solid sides like mac & cheese, green beans, baked potato, and coleslaw.
Smoke 'N Ash BBQ
- We ain't blowing smoke (or ash) when we say the menu here is insanely delicious Dallas-done BBQ; sides alone are worth the visit.
- TLDR the menu: Order the Tex-Ethiopian fusion with vegetarian injera nachos, lentils, and of course, the collard greens.
Central Texas: New Take on BBQ Classics
The craft, the rubs, the smoke—they’re all still here in Central Texas, just made for a new kind of pitmaster. From smoked tofu in Waco and veggie burgers in the heart of Lockhart, this region is redefining what Texas BBQ can be.
Barbs BQ
- A newcomer to Lockhart's BBQ scene (and you may have seen Barb herself on the cover of D Magazine), she's a former pitmaster from LeRoy and Lewis. One of the rare restaurants that's as good for your Instagram grid as it is for your taste buds.
- TLDR the menu: Order the sides and seasonal veggie specials, but also the meat. It's really good.
Kreuz Market
- Think German-style potato salad, sauerkraut, and pickles. Make sure you get some of that BBQ rub to bring home.
- TLDR the menu: Order the potato salad, and then drool over the Classic Texas BBQ plates around you.
Houston: Small But Mighty
Houston’s vegetarian BBQ scene may be small, but it’s making a big impression. With a growing number of vegan soul food spots, the city delivers a smoky, satisfying flavor that appeals to both plant-based eaters and BBQ purists.
Ray's Real Pit BBQ Shack
- Casual spot with some veggie-forward options.
- TLDR the menu: Order the BBQ tofu plate, classic Southern sides like yams, cabbage, and rice.
San Antonio: Delicious Twist on Tradition
While the city hasn’t landed a dedicated vegan smokehouse just yet, local vendors are bringing serious BBQ energy to the table—whether you're fully plant-based or just BBQ-curious, San Antonio offers a delicious twist on Texas tradition.
The Good Kind Southtown
- More of a garden bar with smokehouse influence—fresh and flavorful.
- TLDR the menu: Order the Smoked cauliflower, grilled veggies, and vegan-friendly grain bowls.
Curry Boys BBQ
- The Curry Boys have a TOTALLY original take on Texas BBQ. And we're so here for it.
- TLDR the menu: Order the Southeast Asian–inspired bowls with BBQ jackfruit and coconut curry rice.
Bonus BBQ
Bam's Vegan BBQ
Bam's doesn't have a brick and mortar location, but you can catch them (and you should) at farmers' markets and festivals across North Texas. You'll know you're in the right place if the line is looooong.
Are you a vegetarian living in Texas? We hope we made you proud with this list. While Texas is known for its traditional BBQ, these meat-free menu items are bursting with flavor, layered with techniques as only a true Texas-trained pitmaster could do.
.webp)
.webp)
