The Fundamentals of Grilling Vegetables
What if I told you that grilling includes much more than just chicken, beef, pork, and fish?
As more people seek healthier cooking methods and embrace plant-based meals, vegetables have become rock stars on the grill. But achieving that perfect browning and maintaining the crispness of vegetables on the grill can be tricky. Fear not, because we're giving you our guide to cooking vegetables on the grill.
The Importance of High Heat
When it comes to grilling vegetables, high heat is your best friend. It's the key to achieving that coveted browning on the outside while keeping the inside tender-crisp. High heat helps to caramelize the natural sugars in vegetables, enhancing their flavor and creating those beautiful grill marks we all love. Don’t be afraid to cook your vegetables directly over the fire.
Better Browning and Seasoning with Oil
To ensure your vegetables grill to perfection, don't forget the oil. Opt for high-heat oils like olive oil or avocado oil. Not only will this help prevent sticking to the grill, but they also aid in browning and crisping up your veggies. Plus, they provide a perfect base for seasonings to adhere to, enhancing the overall flavor profile of your dish.
Avoid Marinating for Optimal Texture
While marinating vegetables might seem like a good idea, it can have the opposite effect. Marinating can cause vegetables to become mushy and lose their natural crunch. Instead, our preferred method is to simply coat them with oil and seasoning right before grilling. This allows the vegetables to retain their snap while still absorbing all the delicious flavors from the grill.
Our Favorite Technique
Now it's time to get grilling. We recommend using a grill like the Yoder Smokers YS640s for optimal results. This is due to the ability to cook directly over the flame and create lower temperature zones at the same time. Here's our preferred technique:
- Preheat the Grill: Get your grill nice and hot, aiming for a temperature above 450°F with the diffuser out or the diffuser access door removed. The Variable Displacement Dampener should be pushed all the way in toward the fire box.
- Prep Your Vegetables: Wash and chop your vegetables into uniform pieces for even cooking. Larger vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini can be sliced into rounds or planks, while smaller ones like cherry tomatoes and mushrooms can be left whole or skewered.
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Coat with Oil and Seasoning: Drizzle your vegetables with oil and season generously with your favorite seasonings. Toss to coat evenly.
Choosing Seasonings: We often use savory or steak rubs to season vegetables, Cattleman’s Grill Lone Star Brisket Rub and Cattleman’s Grill Trail Dust All Purpose Seasoning are two of our favorites.
- Grill Over Direct Heat: Place your vegetables directly over the flames and grill for a few minutes on each side until they develop a nice char and are tender-crisp. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
- Finish Cooking Over Indirect Heat: Once your vegetables have achieved the desired color move them over to a cooler part of the grill or reduce the heat to finish cooking. This allows them to cook through without becoming overly charred on the outside.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove your grilled vegetables from the grill and serve immediately while they're hot and smoky. They make a perfect side dish or can be enjoyed as a main course for veggie lovers.
More Vegetable Grilling Options:
To learn more about grilling vegetables on a gas grill, watch Chef Tom prepare veggies 3 ways in “How To Cook Vegetables On A Gas Grill”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rTkpUtFIls
For information on grilling vegetable skewers over charcoal, check out our video “Grilled Veggie Skewers”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgD7fcKFuK4
For More Recipe Inspiration:
Check out our blog article on 6 In-Season Vegetable Recipes to Grill this Spring.
Conclusion
Grilling vegetables is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy the bounties of the season. With the right technique and the right seasonings, you can achieve perfectly browned and tender-crisp vegetables every time. So fire up the grill, grab your favorite veggies, and get ready to add even more excitement to your grilling game.
Happy Grilling!
