Grilled steaks, sausages and chops have their place, but what about when you want something lighter or have vegetarians in your group? Don't worry. Versatile vegetables do well on the grill, creating options for everyone. Here's how to produce grilled vegetables that will delight vegans and omnivores alike.
Prepping veggies for barbecue grilling Choosing the right veggies for barbecue grilling is essential. Denser veggies like bell peppers, zucchini and corn hold up well on a grill, allowing them to get that delicious slightly blackened surface without getting mushy.
Grilling those vegetables perfectly begins with preparation. First, wash your vegetables thoroughly. Then cut them into even, grill-friendly pieces - small enough to get good coverage on the grill but large enough not to fall through the grates. Brush them lightly with oil and season them to your liking. Don't cover them.
Keep a clean grill to ensure that your veggies don't stick to it. Preheat it to medium-high heat. You want a nice char, but you don't want to burn the outside of the pepper, zucchini, or onions before the inside has had a chance to cook through.
More tender produce like tomatoes and asparagus can stand about 4-6 minutes on the grill, while whole carrots, cauliflower and smaller mushrooms can cook for 7-8 minutes. Harder, larger veggies like BBQ corn on the cob can cook for 10-14 minutes. Just keep turning them so they don't burn, but don't try to flip them too soon. Waiting for the right time lets them self-release easily.
This BBQ Corn on the Cob with Spicy Honey Butter takes ten minutes on the grill and comes away with a pleasing char. It tastes like heaven thanks to our Vegetable Seasoning. The addition of honey and Ground Cayenne Pepper gives it a sweet heat that will guarantee you'll want more than just one.
Marinating techniques for flavorful grilled vegetables
Fresh BBQ vegetables bring their own taste to the plate, but they can still benefit from some added flavour. Here's where a good marinade can help. Combine olive oil, your favourite herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Let your veggies marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or for more robust flavour, let them sit overnight.
If you want to get more creative with your marinades, we have you covered. Montreal Steak Spice Marinade by La Grille is the perfect choice for our Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with Mushrooms and Onions.
Want something to go with your grilled vegetables? How about more grilled vegetables? Our Grilled and Loaded Smashed Potato dish is a great way to combine BBQ potatoes with other veggies in a side dish that will help keep people full for ages.
Pairing grilled vegetables with different proteins
Grilled vegetables add colour and crunch when paired with a protein. Combine them with grilled chicken or fish for a balanced and flavourful meal. You could even skewer them with shrimps. For a veggie protein, toss grilled veggies with tofu or chickpeas.
One of our favourite ways to combine proteins and vegetables is on a skewer. Chicken flavoured with our Montreal Chicken Seasoning combines with sweet and tangy red onion, fresh zucchini, and colourful red bell pepper in these Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Kebabs recipe. Try them on the BBQ this weekend.
A little seasoning can make all the difference when throwing together a grilled vegetable dish. Just check out these Grilled Potato Kabobs for an example. They're the simplest dish to make, but the thing that sets this filling dish aside is the Barbecue Chicken Seasoning that gives them their smoky-sweet flavour and gorgeous reddish colour.
Some veggies look and feel almost like meat when you grill them. Mushrooms are a great example. A little Montreal Steak Spice Seasoning is the perfect complement to rich, meaty mushrooms in this Grilled Portobello Mushroom Panini recipe.
These vegetable options are perfect for light summer grilled lunches and dinners - and they're good for your health too. So load up on produce when you're at the store and get ready to break out the barbecue.
More grilled vegetables
Looking for more grilled vegetable recipe ideas? Check these out:
