Most of us are familiar with grilling meat, but veggies can be a whole new ball game. Grilled vegetables make for a tasty side dish, or they can even be the star of your main course. Grilling up veggies gives them beautiful grill marks and enhances their natural flavor.
It’s time to preheat your grill and tell the meat to move over! If you’re unfamiliar with grilling veggies, we’ve got six tips for you to cook them perfectly every time. Impress your family and friends with gorgeous grilled veggies at your next cookout.
Lightly Oil Them
Veggies can easily dry out when you’re cooking them on the grill. A small amount of oil will help them hold onto their water content. Too much oil can give your veggies a greasy flavor, add extra calories, and cause flare-ups when grilling. Nobody wants their veggies to get blackened on the grill!
A light coating of oil will also help any seasonings you want to use stick to the veggies and keep them from sticking to the grill grates. What is the best type of oil to use when grilling? We recommend olive oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, canola oil, or coconut oil.
Know Your Cook Time and Temp
Veggies have a wide range of cooking times due to their size and density. A potato will take a long time, whereas asparagus will cook much faster. Using too high of a temperature to grill can cause black charring on the outside while your veggies are still raw on the inside.
However, high heat can be used to give your veggies a quick sear and the sought-after grill marks. After you sear your veggies, move them to a cooler part of the grill to continue cooking. Remember that closing the lid will create an oven-like effect to help roast the veggies.
Cut into Small Pieces
Any veggies you want to grill will cook quicker when cut into smaller pieces. A whole potato might take upwards of 50 minutes to become fully cooked, but diced potatoes can cook in a third of the amount of time. Chopped veggies can also be more convenient for serving guests.
But how do you grill small pieces of veggies? The best method is to use skewers or a grill basket to prevent your pieces from falling through the grill grates. If you don’t have skewers or a grill basket, you can fold aluminum foil to create a basket.
Grill Separately
While a kabob looks beautiful with meat and veggies intermixed, it can be difficult to get everything to cook properly. Meats usually have a higher cooking time than veggies. We recommend making your kabobs separately — either all meat or all veggies.
When using bamboo skewers, be sure to soak them in water for at least an hour before you assemble your kabobs. This will prevent your bamboo skewers from catching fire when grilling. You’ll also want to remember to cut your veggies into similar sizes so they cook evenly.
Avoid Overcrowding
For best results, do not overcrowd veggies on the grill. When you pack vegetables too tightly, they steam rather than char, depriving you of that delicious grilled flavor. Overcrowding your vegetables can also lead to uneven cooking, as some get burnt while others are shielded from the heat.
If you're using a gas grill, investing in the right gas grill accessories, such as a spacious grill basket or multiple grill mats, can make a significant difference. These accessories provide an even cooking surface and allow veggies to be spread out, ensuring that each piece gets the attention and space it deserves.
Use Foil Packets
As we mentioned earlier, cut-up veggies can be more easily cooked with a foil basket. You can take that same foil and form it into a packet for perfectly portioned servings. A foil packet will help your veggies hold onto moisture as well.
Another advantage of foil packets is that you can add sauces to your veggies. You can go as simple as just adding butter or get fancy with marinade recipes and store-bought sauces. Add cut-up meats into your packets and make it a complete meal all in one!
Sizzle Your Greens
Always remember to wash your vegetables before you cut, cook, and eat them. Washing your veggies helps reduce bacteria and removes any residues used when grown. Grilling your veggies further reduces bacteria by killing harmful microbes such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria.
When grilling up your veggies, never leave your grill unattended. Make sure your grill is away from your home and on a level surface. We hope these veggie grilling tips make your next grilled meal amazingly delicious!
