10 Best Grilled Vegetable Dishes
Grilled Vegetables are not only yummy, but they are also super easy to make. We all know we need to eat more vegetables, and cooking them on the grill makes them taste absolutely delicious!
When the weather begins to warm and the smell of charcoal fills up the air in the neighborhood, some plant-based eaters feel like they can’t join in the fun. But, that couldn’t be further from the truth. There’s no need to miss all those summer barbecues and outdoor gatherings either. These dishes like vegetable kabobs and grilled leeks are ones that you can make and take to those gatherings and join in the sun and fun.
What vegetables are good on the grill?
There are plenty of healthy vegetables that you can throw on the grill. These are some of my personal favorites. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, meat-free, or anything in between, these grilled veggie ideas are going to work for you.
- Mushrooms
- Zucchini
- Squash
- Onions
- Leeks
- Asparagus
- Bell peppers–red, green, yellow
- Portobellos for burgers
- Pineapples
Should you marinate vegetables before grilling?
Yes, there are two main reasons for marinating veggies before cooking them on your grill--taste and moisture.
Marinating helps to add a lot of flavor to vegetables and that’s why I came up with these 6 Oil-Free Marinating Sauces that are great for vegetables, tofu, and even stir-fries. These are some of the most popular ones.
These sauces help give those veggies an extra pop of flavor, and they keep them from drying on the grill too. I suggest marinating for at least 3 hours before grilling and even longer is better.
Side dishes that go well with grilled vegetables
And while you’re at it, now is a great time to whip up some side dishes for all those BBQs, picnics, and outdoor gatherings.
For those of you new to the whole food plant-based lifestyle, we’ve created a FREE 7-Day Plant-Based Menu Planner to help you get started!
In this list of vegetables to grill, we’ve got recipes for veggie kabobs, carrot dogs, black bean burgers, corn on the cob, grilled leeks, and so much more. If it’s food dripping with bbq sauce you’re after, those can be found in this article, 21 Best Vegan BBQ Recipes.
10 Best Vegan Recipes for Grilling
Whether you are vegetarian or hosting vegans at your cookout, we've got you covered with some delicious recipes for the grill that are going to be a huge hit with anyone you feed them to! Click on each of the photos, recipe titles, or 'Get the Recipe' buttons to see full recipes with ingredients, measurements, instructions, and a print button.
Veggie Kabobs are so easy to make, and they are a huge crowd pleaser at summer barbecues or any time of year!
Okay, my confession is that, though I love raw carrots, I have never cared for cooked carrots much. That is until these grilled carrot hot dogs came into my life. No kidding, these things have changed my mind about cooked carrots!
I love to make these Caramelized Grilled Leeks on the grill or in the oven. They have such a unique and sweet flavor and go well with rice, corn on the cob, and any other veggies and starch.
Mexican corn on the cob is a common Mexican street food that also goes by the name Elote. It's a simply delicious way to enjoy corn as a side dish or snack.
Thick, juicy, tender, and hearty, these are the ribeyes of veggie burgers! Grilled or baked in the oven, you can't go wrong with Portobello mushroom burgers.
Our first grilling recipe this summer is grilled veggie skewers! This is the perfect, easy side or entrée to enjoy on the patio on hot summer nights or to bring along to BBQs.
This grilled lemon pineapple tofu is one of my family's favorite ways to enjoy tofu. The tofu has the perfect texture. It's not too mushy and not too dried out. And, the zing of lemon that hits your tongue as you bite into the tofu is quickly countered by the sweet pineapple. They're a perfect match!
This easy BBQ vegan ribs recipe is a finger-lickin' dish that is fabulous on the grill, baked in an oven, or even slow-cooked in a crockpot. Leftovers make great sandwiches too!
This vegan black bean burger is packed with protein and fiber and is terrific partnered with my low-fat Chipotle Ranch Sauce (included in this recipe)!
This amazing vegan grilled cheese sandwich is layered with homemade vegan melty cheese, tomato, kale (or spinach), and creamy easy-to-make mayo. Who says grilled cheeses are for kids? This flavorful vegan sandwich is for everyone!
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Veggie Kabobs
Ingredients
Veggie Kabobs
- 12-15 oz firm tofu
- 12-18 large button or portobello mushrooms
- 1 medium zucchini
- 1 medium squash
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 1 small onion
- 12 cherry tomatoes optional
Asian Sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
- ¼ cup water
- 1-1/2 tablespooons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic I like the kind in jar for sauces
- ½ tablespoon maple syrup or another sweetener
Instructions
- Prepare Asians Sauce as a marinade by whisking all ingredients below in large bowl. Adjust all ingredients for your taste, and set it to the side.
- If you are planning to use tofu, drain and press water from it. A helpful hint when grilling tofu for kabobs is to freeze the tofu first for at least 2 weeks. This makes the tofu much more firm which enables it to stay on the skewer much better. Freezing is not required for this recipe, but it's helpful.
- Cut tofu, zucchini, squash, bell pepper, and onions into bite-size chunks.
- Place the tofu and vegetables into the large bowl with marinade. Allow to marinate for at least 30-minutes. Longer is better. A great option is to marinate in the refrigerator all day or overnight to enhance flavor.
- Use wooden or stainless skewers and skew all the veggies and tofu.
- Cook on a hot grill for 20-30 minutes, turning often. Closing the lid helps to distribute heat evenly around the food. This creates an oven-like environment inside the grill, ensuring that the food cooks uniformly on all sides rather than just from the bottom.
- Serve with salad, baked potato, or corn on the cob.
Video
Notes
- Skewers: I love to use my metal skewers because they are sturdy, but they do have to be washed afterward. If you prefer an easier cleanup, try these wooden disposable skewers. Opt for the 12″ skewers to be able to fit lots of veggies on each one.
- Cooking in Oven: I haven’t cooked them in the oven, but I would think setting the oven to 450 degrees for about 25 minutes should work. Be sure to use the metal skewers for cooking in the oven.
- Marinating: The longer the better. If you can allow for a few hours, that will produce good results. Overnight is even better!
Nutrition
Disclaimer
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
About Terri Edwards
Hi guys! I am the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I am passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to empower others to get healthy. I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…