Tips for Grilling Vegetables

Grilled vegetables can be delicious when prepared properly. They can also be kind of gross or a bit
of a mess if you don’t use the right approach. It’s ok if you’ve only used your grill to cook meat in the past. Maybe it’s time to expand your horizons and broaden the options on your dinner table. Here are some tips for grilling vegetables that will produce the best results.

Types of Vegetables that are Ideal for Grilling

The good news is that you can probably grill just about any type of vegetable. Grilling releases the food’s natural flavors and can put nice “char” on it that gives it an additional kick. Some of the favorites that work well on a grill include:

• Onions
• Potatoes
• Bell peppers
• Yellow squash and zucchini
• Corn
• Brussel sprouts
• Mushrooms

Cutting Your Vegetables to Get them Ready for Grilling

The trick to successfully grilling vegetables is to avoid cutting them too thin. Thicker cuts won’t cook too quickly or fall through your grill’s grates. Here are some cutting tips for those popular vegetables:

•  Onions — Grilled onions are deliciously sweet! Peel them first and then either quarter
  them into small chunks or cut them into ½” thick rounds.
• Potatoes — Cut large potatoes into ½” cubes or leave small fingerling potatoes as-is.
• Bell peppers — Either cut your bell peppers into long ½” strips or simply cut them in half.
• Yellow squash and zucchini — Squash and zucchini have a lot of water content, so they
  can be easy to overcook. Cut them into either ½” rounds or long ways using a mandolin
  with slices at least ½” thick.
• Corn — Shuck your corn cobs, and they will be ready to place on the grill!
• Brussel sprouts — Cut off the ends and remove the outer leaves. Then, cut them in half.
• Mushrooms — Grill portobello mushrooms as-is. Smaller mushrooms can be cut in half.
  Seasoning Your Vegetables for Grilling

Most vegetables could benefit from some simple seasoning before you place them on the grill. One
recommendation is to lightly coat them with olive oil, salt and pepper, and some garlic powder. You can also add some other fun seasonings like balsamic, street corn seasoning, or different marinades according to your tastes.

How Long to Cook Vegetables on the Grill?

The cooking time for your veggies will vary depending on how thick they are sliced, how you are
grilling them, and your level of heat. That said, here is a rough guideline for some different types of vegetables:

• Onions — Quarters should be grilled for about 15-20 minutes, but round slices will only
  take about 8-10 minutes.
• Potatoes — Potatoes will usually take about 20-25 minutes to cook on the grill.
• Bell peppers — Grill ½” strips for about 3-4 minutes per side and halves about 4-5 minutes per side.
• Yellow squash and zucchini — Grill these veggies for about 3-4 minutes per side.
• Corn — Corn takes about 15-20 minutes to cook on the grill. Make sure you are rotating it.
• Brussel sprouts — Depending on how you cook them, brussel sprouts will cook in 10-20 minutes on the grill.
• Mushrooms — Mushrooms take about 8-10 minutes to cook on the girl and will require flipping.

Different Methods for Grilling Vegetables

What types of vegetables you are cooking and the materials available to you might determine how
you approach your meal preparation. Here are several options for grilling your vegetables:

Directly on the Grill

Large veggies, like corn and large chunks of onion or bell pepper, can be placed directly on the grill. Season them first and cook for about five minutes over medium to medium-high heat before flipping.

Foil Packets

If you have small vegetables, like mushrooms or brussel sprouts, foil packets are an excellent option for grilling. Preheat your grill to medium or medium-high and then place your foil packets on the grill for about 20 minutes. Poke a few holes in the top.

 Grill Basket

Similar to foil packets, a grill basket will protect your veggies from falling through the grates. Preheat your grill to medium or medium-high, and then cook your veggies for roughly 20 minutes, stirring or flipping them about every five minutes.

Vegetable Kabobs

Finally, a favorite way to grill vegetables is by making veggie kabobs. Make sure you combine
similar-sized veggies on your kabobs and then turn them halfway through cooking.

Choose Nick’s of Clinton for Your Grilling Needs

Now that you know how to grill delicious vegetables, it’s time to go shopping. Nick’s of Clinton offers the highest quality products at the most affordable prices in the area. For over 50 years, our family has offered the community a family-oriented shopping experience, a unique alternative to the massive chain stores.

We welcome you to come in and check out our fresh produce, high-quality meats, and signature
seasonings and sauces. We’d be happy to help you with product selection and provide preparation
tips if you need them. Visit or contact us today!