Top 10 Best Vegetables for Grilling
Steaks and burgers get the attention, but grilled vegetables often steal the show: smoky, caramelized and ready in minutes. Here are the ten best vegetables for grilling, how to cut and cook each one, which seasonings to use, and a simple recipe for a full platter.
Shop vegetable seasonings
Roasted Veggie Seasoning has no salt or sugar, just spices, so it works on any vegetable. The Vegetable and Salad Variety Pack adds Potato Salad and Pasta Salad blends for cookout sides.
1. Bell peppers
Bell peppers turn sweet and smoky on the grill. Cut them into broad strips or quarters, remove the seeds, and grill skin side down until tender and lightly charred.
2. Zucchini and summer squash
Cut into 1/2-inch planks or thick spears so they don't fall through the grate. Brush with olive oil, season, and grill until tender with grill marks.
3. Portobello mushrooms
Portobellos have a meaty texture and make a great burger substitute. Remove the stems, brush with oil or marinade, and grill gill side up first so the juices stay in the cap.
4. Asparagus
Trim the woody ends, toss with olive oil and seasoning, and grill crosswise to the grates (or in a basket) until tender but still crisp. Finish with lemon.
5. Corn on the cob
Peel back the husks, remove the silk, brush with butter, and grill, turning often, until the kernels are tender and lightly charred. Finish with Chipotle Sea Salt or Jalapeño Sea Salt.
6. Eggplant
Slice into 1/2-inch rounds, brush generously with olive oil (eggplant soaks it up), sprinkle with herbs and grill until soft and smoky all the way through.
7. Cherry tomatoes
Thread onto skewers, brush with oil and grill briefly until they blister. Drizzle with balsamic glaze after cooking so the sugar doesn't burn.
8. Sweet potatoes
Dense sweet potato rounds can char outside while staying firm within. Cut about 1/2 inch thick and par-cook in boiling water until just beginning to soften, then drain, dry, oil and finish on the grill. Add maple syrup or a sweet glaze near the end.
9. Green beans
Toss with olive oil, garlic and lemon zest and grill in a basket until crisp-tender with a smoky flavor.
10. Red onions
Slice into thick rounds and keep the rings together with a toothpick or skewer. Brush with oil and balsamic vinegar and grill until soft and caramelized. Great on burgers.
Approximate grilling times
| Vegetable | Cut | Medium heat, approximate |
|---|---|---|
| Peppers, zucchini | Broad strips or 1/2-inch planks | 6 to 10 minutes, turning once |
| Asparagus, green beans | Whole, in a basket if thin | 5 to 8 minutes |
| Onion, eggplant | 1/2-inch rounds | 8 to 12 minutes |
| Mushrooms, tomatoes | Large caps or skewers | 5 to 10 minutes |
| Corn | Whole ears | 10 to 15 minutes, turning often |
| Sweet potatoes | 1/2-inch rounds, par-cooked | 6 to 10 minutes |
Use a clean, preheated grill and a light oil coating. Times depend on thickness and grill heat; tenderness and browning are the final checks.
Seasonings that work on grilled vegetables
- Roasted Veggie Seasoning: salt-free and sugar-free; add salt to taste.
- Original Veggie Seasoning: an all-purpose vegetable blend.
- Garlic and Herb: great on mushrooms, zucchini and potatoes.
- Lemon Herb: bright on asparagus, green beans and squash.
- Smoked sea salts: a finishing pinch adds even more grill flavor.
Recipe: grilled vegetable platter for four
- Cut 2 bell peppers, 2 zucchini, 1 red onion and 8 ounces mushrooms as described above.
- Toss with 3 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon Roasted Veggie Seasoning, plus 1 teaspoon salt.
- Grill over medium heat, removing each vegetable as it becomes tender and browned.
- Arrange on a platter, drizzle with a little balsamic vinegar or lemon juice, and scatter with fresh herbs.
Serve warm or at room temperature. Leftovers are excellent in pasta salad made with Pasta Salad Seasoning.
Seasoning amount
For 1 pound of vegetables, start with 1 tablespoon oil and 1 teaspoon vegetable seasoning. Taste cooked pieces before adding flavored salt; both products may contribute salt depending on their formulas.
Frequently asked questions
Should I marinate vegetables before grilling?
It is optional. An oil-and-seasoning coating 15 minutes before grilling is enough for most vegetables. Mushrooms and eggplant benefit most from a longer marinade.
How do I keep vegetables from sticking?
Clean and preheat the grate, oil the vegetables (not the grate), and don't move them until they release easily.
Can I grill vegetables on a gas grill or grill pan?
Yes. A grill pan on the stove gives similar marks and flavor; add a pinch of smoked salt for smokiness.
Explore more from Savu Birra
Browse our vegetable seasonings, flavored sea salts and herbs and spices. Related reading: How to Roast Vegetables and seasonings for roasted vegetables, potato salad and pasta salad.
