While some people dream of BBQ Chicken or Beer Brats during grilling season, grilled veggies are what I look forward to most. Fresh summer vegetables are my absolute favorite thing to cook on the grill! 🤩
Grilled veggies have an unbelievably charred flavor and smokiness that you simply can’t replicate by sautéing or roasting. All vegetables, from asparagus to zucchini to tomatoes, taste even better off the hot grill.
I prefer to grill vegetables on the hot grates to give them a crispy, charred bite that’s still super tender. This simple method takes minutes and proves you don’t need special equipment like a grill basket, foil packet, or skewers to make delicious grilled veggies.
In Minnesota, grilling season is when most vegetables are at peak flavor. That’s why I like to let their natural flavor shine by keeping seasoning simple (salt and pepper only!). You can always soak your veggies in a Quick and Simple Marinade for more flavor, but it’s definitely not required.
Once you learn how to grill vegetables, you’ll be making them all summer, too! I almost always toss veggies on my grill for a quick, low-effort side dish, like a Grilled Vegetable Platter. These 13 grilled veggies are also versatile enough to make feel-good main courses from tacos to pasta to Grilled Veggie Burrito Bowls.
If you ask me, cooking vegetables on the grill is pure summertime magic!
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Step-by-step tutorials (like how to light the grill without burning your eyebrows off) & obsessively-tested tips (for juicy, charred results). Designed for meat lovers & vegetarians alike!
Prep Tips for Grilled Veggies
Some general guidelines apply regardless of what type of grilled vegetable you’re making:
- How to slice vegetables for grilling → It’s important to cut the vegetables into big enough pieces that sit nicely on the grill. Otherwise, they’ll fall through the grates! You should also slice the veggies into uniform pieces so they grill up evenly.
- Seasoning veggies for the grill → Grilled veggies are endlessly versatile – season them however you like! I like to keep things simple with a drizzle of avocado oil and a pinch of salt and pepper (always use an oil with a high smoke point, like avocado!). You can also try one of my 15 Go-To Grilling Marinades to amp up the flavor.
- What temperature to grill vegetables → For the best grilled vegetables, preheat your grill to medium-high 450-500 degrees F. A hot grill quickly cook the veggies until just tender, with glorious charred grill marks and crispy edges.
- Low-fuss grilled veggie equipment → Some recipes call for fancy equipment like a grill basket or foil packet, but that’s not my style. I grill vegetables right on the grill grates, in direct contact with the high heat, so they get smoky and charred. All you need is a good pair of grill tongs – easy!
The 13 Best Veggies to Grill for Summertime Bliss
These are my all-time favorite grilled vegetables (and they’re seriously easy to make!). Rotate through them for the most delicious summer yet:
Asparagus
I’m an asparagus fanatic, and grilling is my favorite preparation for this tender springtime veggie. The hot grill gives asparagus spears a delicious char (my favorite part is the crispy edges at the top). Don’t forget a spritz of lemon juice! Grilling Time: 3-4 mins per side. Pair With: Flaky salmon or your favorite white fish
Broccolini
Gorgeously green broccolini gets even better on the grill! The long, slender stems, tightly packed heads, and spray of leafy greens char up beautifully until tender with a little crunch. Season with red pepper flakes for a little kick, and finish with a pesto drizzle. Grilling Time: 10 minutes. Pair With: Italian-inspired dishes like balsamic marinated chicken.
Cauliflower
Is there anything cauliflower can’t do?! I love grilling cauliflower heads in small planks or ‘steaks.’ The edges get crisp and charred, and they absorb the smoky flavor of the grill beautifully. Serve as-is or break up the charred florets for tacos, bowls, and more. Grilling Time: 15 Mins. Pair With: A generous drizzle of herbaceous chimichurri.
Corn
Nothing says summer quite like grilled sweet corn slathered with butter. *Drool.* I cook shucked corn on the smokin’ hot grill for charred kernels. You can also grill the corn in the husk so it steams! Bite right in or slice the kernels off the cob to make an epic grilled corn salsa. Grilling Time: 8-10 minutes. Pair With: ALL your favorite summer grilling staples!
Eggplant
Mild, tender eggplant takes on the smoky flavor of the grill beautifully without ever turning soggy or mushy! All kinds of eggplant – globe, graffiti, white, Italian – benefit from the hot char of a grill. Grilling is my favorite way to use all my garden eggplant at the end of summer! Grilling Time: 3 minutes per side. Pair With: Your favorite summer pasta or layer it into lasagna.
Lettuce and Cabbage
Tossing a head of lettuce on the grill might seem crazy, but hear me out. Grilling lettuce and cabbage makes the outer leaves wonderfully caramelized and wilty while leaving the innermost leaves crisp, crunchy, and cool. It’s a fabulous, obsession-worthy contrast—you’ve been warned! Grilling Time: 2-4 minutes per side. Pair With: A big drizzle of homemade Caesar Dressing.
Mushrooms
Meaty, umami-rich mushrooms are a sneaky grilling superstar! They take on a rich, smoky char that’s shockingly similar in flavor and texture to a grilled steak – it’s unreal! I love grilling giant, juicy portobello mushrooms. Or try grilling chanterelle, enoki, or trumpet mushrooms if you’re feelin’ fancy. Grilling Time: ~ 7 mins. Pair With: Tacos for a gorgeous and smoky meatless filling.
Onions
Whenever I fire up the grill, there’s a 90% chance I have some onions prepped and ready to go. I LOVE how the grill brings out an onion’s natural sweetness, making it mild enough to eat on its own. I hate to choose favorites, but this grilled veggie might be it! Grill Time: 4-5 mins per side. Pair With: A tender, medium-rare steak
Peppers
Sweet and tender charred bell peppers hold a special place in my heart. They’re SO versatile and colorful and make every meal better. You can also use my grilled peppers recipe with other mild and hot varieties, from pimentos to poblanos to shishitos. Grilling Time: 5 minutes. Pair With: Everything from pizza to fajitas.
Potatoes
The underrated superstar of grilling season! A hot grill leaves the outside of potatoes super crusty and charred, while the inside remains creamy, tender, and fluffy. It’s like the most perfect French fry you could imagine. Grilling Time: 5-8 mins per side. Pair With: Classic burgers and brats.
Sweet Potatoes
Like regular grilled potatoes, but even better. This naturally sweet starch loves a smoky spiced BBQ dry rub or marinating in a little extra sweetness for more caramelization. The sweet potatoes get a smoky, charred crust, but the insides remain sweet and creamy. SO good. Grilling Time: 4-5 mins per side Pair With: Savory-sweet BBQ chicken thighs or wings.
Tomatoes
Summer’s little superstars are extra amazing after a short stint on the grill! Grilling brings out a tomato’s natural sweetness and softens it up until it nearly bursts. Make a warm caprese salad or blitz grilled tomatoes into a summer salsa verde. Grilling Time: 2-3 mins per side. Pair With: Pasta and shrimp tossed with lots of basil pesto.
Zucchini and Yellow Squash
If your garden is bursting with summer squash, then it’s time to fire up your grill. The grill brings out the squash’s natural sweetness, enhancing it with smoky char. Add a squeeze of lemon juice or a balsamic vinegar drizzle to take things over the top. Grilling Time: 2-3 mins per side. Pair With: Lemon marinated chicken for an easy, feel-good meal.
I can’t wait for you to try these Quick Grilled Vegetables this summer! These easy recipes are tested to perfection and are on constant repeat here in the PWWB House. I think you’ll be obsessed too!
If you do give them a try, be sure to let us know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo and tag @playswellwithbutter on Instagram. We LOVE seeing your PWWB creations! ♡ Happy cooking!
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Easy to Grill Veggies for Simple Sides and Feel-Good Dinners
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-15 minutes
- Total Time: 10-20 minutes
- Yield: varies
- Category: Side Dish, Techniques & How-Tos
- Method: Grilling & Smoking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
How to make the best grilled vegetables, without any special equipment! This grilled veggies recipe breaks down all the details for how to grill almost every vegetable imaginable, including prep notes, ideal grill temperatures and times, and more. Consider it your comprehensive guide for learning how to grill vegetables – grilled asparagus to grilled zucchini, and everything in between!
Ingredients
- Vegetables of choice – Asparagus, Bell Peppers, Broccolini, Cauliflower and Broccoli, Corn, Eggplant, Lettuce and Cabbage, Mushrooms, Onions, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Zucchini and Summer Squash, etc.
- Avocado oil, or other neutral, high smoke point oil of choice
- kosher salt and ground black pepper, to season
Instructions
- Preheat the grill: Ideal grill temperatures for grilled vegetables vary, though medium-high direct heat grilling, 450-500 degrees F, is typically a safe bet. Be sure to reference the blog post, above, for ideal grill temperatures by vegetable.
- Prep the vegetables: Wash, trim, and slice the veggies for grilling. Place the vegetables on a small baking sheet or in a large bowl/on a large plate. Drizzle with just enough avocado oil to coat. Season generously with kosher salt and ground black pepper. Toss to coat. Refer to the blog post, above, for specific grilled vegetable prep instructions, tips, and seasoning ideas.
- Grill the vegetables: Place the seasoned vegetables on the grill. For long, thin vegetables, like asparagus or broccolini, it’s best to place them on the grill such that they’re positioned perpendicular to the grill grates, which prevents them from slipping through as they grill or as you handle them. Grill 3-8 minutes per side, until tender and charred as desired. Vegetable grill times vary based on the what you’re grilling; refer to the blog post for specific vegetable grill times and other grilling instructions.
- Serve! Enjoy your grilled veggies immediately, served on their own or alongside your favorite grilled meals. Most grilled vegetables beg for a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a sprinkling of herbs, or a drizzle of herbaceous summer pesto or chimichurri sauce. A vibrant grilled vegetables platter is also always a hit for summer entertaining! Refer to the blog post, above, for specific grilled vegetable serving inspiration – there’s a lot of ways you can make each and every grilled veggie you make extra special.
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This guide is great for grilling veggies in the summer! Something you could add to pretty much any meal!
Yesss, 100% So glad this guide is helpful, Natasha. Happy Grilling! xx
This is such a great reference! I love how the zucchini turned out and look forward to grilling more veggies from our garden this summer.
Thank you Michelle! We are SO glad you found it helpful & we plan to continue to add to it as more veggies become seasonal!
I grilled sweet potatoes, mushrooms, and zucchini using your method and they all turned out perfect. Thank you for this amazing post
Yum! I made corn, mini peppers, scallions and a jalapeño for flavorful guacamole! I’m excited to try more veggies too
Kelly, that guacamole sounds fabulous! I bet all of the grilled veggies added such a great smoky touch – thank you for sharing!!