Why You Should Grill Your Veggies (and how to do it right!)

There are a few reasons why grilled vegetables taste so delicious. The heat from the grill brings out the smoky flavors, while the caramelization enhances your veggies’ natural sweetness. And not only do they taste great, but they’re great FOR you. Vegetables will hold on to their vitamins and minerals best during this cooking process. So if you prefer eating your veggies cooked, grilling is your best bet! 

So now we have your mouth watering, let’s get grillin’!  Check out our top five tips for grilling vegetables. 

1. Dress them up
   Lightly brush your vegetables or place them in a ziplock bag with olive oil and other seasonings (salt and pepper work just fine!) The oil prevents your food from drying out and sticking to the grill. 
2. Slice them equally
   Try to maintain equal slices to make sure your veggies cook at the same rate. Pro tip: Small vegetables like cherry tomatoes or other thin slices work best threaded through skewers, while a mandolin helps with creating almost perfectly equal pieces. 
3. Pre-cook tougher veggies
   Carrots, potatoes, and yams can take a long time to cook when placed directly on the grill. To speed up the process, boil these types of vegetables in salted water beforehand. When they’re tender, bring them over! 
4. Close the lid
   If you’re using a grill with a lid, try closing it to create an oven-like environment. The vegetables will bake quickly while getting that nice chard look and taste. Check their progress every few minutes. 
5. Take a look at the time.
   Some veggies need more grill time than others. Eggplant could take 4-5 minutes, while onions lean more toward 8-10 minutes. Do a little research and remember, practice makes perfect! 

When it comes to grilling your greens and other produce, the possibilities are endless. Organic zucchini, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and eggplant are some of our favorite grilled veggies, just to name a few.