Smoking meat and vegetarian food in the same smoker?


 
Fabien Goubet

Fabien Goubet

New member
Hi there,
I'm organizing a BBQ party at my job where I'll smoke a pork butt. I have to think about vegetarian alternatives - wanted to smoke potatoes or sweet potatoes but I'm wondering if it is acceptable to cook everything together? There would be no physical contact between meat and vegetables (using a SmokeFire EX6 so I have ample space) but I have no idea if the smoke and the proximity of all this stuff would give a meaty flavour to the vegetables, or if this would be a sacrilege. My colleagues are cool people, but I don't want to make a faux-pas and I'd like to show them how cool is smoking food, any food you fancy.

We have a second small gas grill I could ultimately use for the vegs (maybe with some pellets inside some tin foil to create a "smoke bomb"), but I'd like to hear you guys about your ideas.
 
I guess it would depend on them?
Our niece is a vegetarian but her husband isn't.
She has no problems cooking for both of them on her grill.
 
There's a difference between vegetarian and vegan.

A vegetarian doesn't eat meat because they recognize that it's largely not necessary or can even be unhealthy.

A vegan has a political agenda and doesn't eat meat or any food produced in a way that harms animals. Although they do conveniently neglect the massive # of rodents and snakes and whatnot that are killed in the farming of their vegetables

I don't think a vegetarian would mind if you smoked vegetables or mac and cheese etc in the same smoker that meat was in. A vegan would throw a literal temper tantrum.

You can't please everyone. Have some side dishes that are vegetable base and not smoked and if you want to smoke mac and cheese or something like that that's good. Grill some vegetables two separately that's good as well. You'll probably offend somebody no matter what. Make sure you decontaminate a grill of any meat type residue.......... Grilled asparagus, grilled brussel sprouts, grilled portobello mushrooms ,.corn, etc are all great. Marinated grilled portobello mushrooms taste just like steak
 
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The key words that I see in your post are "a pork butt". That suggests to me that there are not terribly many eaters, and not all of them are vegetarians. I don't see any harm in simply making your suggestions to the people concerned and asking them what they would like to eat.
 
I think I’d ask, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask guests about food concerns. The things mentioned above are valid opinions as well. You have a large piece of equipment, I don’t think ”Most vegetarians“ would be too upset by your trying to accommodate their tastes.
I have had vegetarians over many times and never had someone go bat blast crazy about using my grill for vegetables. A friend has some serious food allergies and she doesn’t even ask me to do anything special, we have known each other for many many years and I have learned to accept that and do some things very simply for her. She appreciates my efforts but usually eats before she comes. She has brought some pretty amazing desserts to make up for not joining in on pork butts or even burgers.
dietary restrictions are hugely challenging to cater to. I’m just ecstatic that I can and, generally do, eat anything thats not nailed down!
 
You are
1. Organizing the bbq
2. Doing the cooking
3. Thinking about the dietary concerns of others in a proactive manner
4. Presenting a variety of delicious-sounding alternatives
5. Talking about it on the internet

I think you've got this.
 
Should be fine, but for some people where dietary choices are religious it may be a problem, especially mixing with pork.

I'll say I've had Beyond burgers and sausages and they're very good. Not tried Impossible.
 
Fabien, please post back with how things shake out, if the issues are religious it’s harder, if it’s being “green” I’d be a little less worried about airborne “contamination” again, I make a roasted tomato garlic soup for vegetarian friends with religious concerns and they do not have any issue with that.
I can hardly wait for tomato season for that!!
 
If I was in your situation, and you do cook veggie stuff on a grill that has cooked meat, I'd at the least, make folks aware of that fact. We keep a 22 veggie Weber for when we're entertaining and we know folks have particular dietary preferences, or if we don't know folks' preferences. Nine times out ten folks don't care, But to us an important part of entertaining is making sure folks understand what they are eating.
 
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