By Culinary.net | Contributor
While grilled meats like burgers, brats, steak, chicken, and pork chops often take center stage, a complete meal also requires delicious sides and vegetables.
Before you host your next outdoor gathering, consider adding a variety of flavorful vegetables – such as peppers, asparagus, onions, tomatoes, zucchini, and others – for a full experience of fresh, grilled goodness. Here are some straightforward tips to grill your vegetables to perfection:
- Preheat the grill.The first step is to get the grill heated up. For optimal cooking, aim for medium-high to high heat for direct grilling. Preheating the grill while you prepare your veggies guarantees it’s ready for cooking when you are.
- Prepare the vegetables.Depending on your selection, you may need to undertake some prep work, including trimming, peeling, or removing seeds. Cleaning your veggies is essential, and you may also want to chop, dice, or slice them according to your recipe requirements.
- Drizzle with olive oil.A light coating of olive oil not only enhances flavor but also serves two purposes: it helps to achieve a crispy exterior and ensures seasonings, such as salt and pepper, adhere to the veggies rather than falling off on the grill.
- Use foil packets or skewers.If you prefer to avoid charred marks, consider placing diced or chopped vegetables in a foil packet on the grill to steam them, giving a softer texture. Alternatively, soaking wooden skewers in water can prevent burning and keep small veggie pieces from falling through the grill grates while still allowing for a nice crispness.
- Monitor cooking times.Different vegetables and slicing methods require varying cooking times. Generally, grilling for about 5-10 minutes over direct heat should suffice. Remember, smaller cuts will reduce cooking time significantly.
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