Can you think of a better way to celebrate summer than with these fresh grilled veggie kebabs? Bring these to your next summer BBQ and hand over to the grill master for some seriously delicious veggie action.
Choosing the right veggies
When it comes to choosing the right veggies to grill, you'll need to keep a few things in mind:
- Skewer type - For wooden skewers (like bamboo), stick to softer veggies that won't splinter the tip of your skewer. Make sure to soak your skewers in water for at least 30 mins before grilling so they don't burn! If you have metal skewers, you can go for veggies with a harder core like corn. Pro tip: if you only have wooden skewers and want corn, just grill the corn separately!
- Cooking times - different veggies have different cooking times according to their texture, water content and size. As a general rule of thumb, softer veggies (like zucchini or mushrooms) will cook more quickly than tougher veggies (like corn or carrots). Make sure to chop veggies into similar sizes. If you've never grilled veggies before and are nervous, stick to one type veggie on each skewer while you learn the ropes.
- Flavor profiles - what kind of sauce are you working with? Choose your veggies accordingly. Some ideas below:
- Chimichurri or cilantro lime = taco kebab: corn + brussels sprouts + red onion sprinkled with a little taco seasoning aka cumin + paprika + cayenne
- Hummus = mezze kebabs: red onion + mushrooms + tomatoes + bell peppers + zucchini + eggplant sprinkled with a little zaatar seasoning
But Angela......
I don't have a grill! That's ok, I made these "grilled" veggie kebabs in my apartment last week! Simply wrap in foil (or don't for a crispier, more charred flavor), place onto a lined baking sheet, and bake in an oven set to 450 F for 15-20 mins on each side, or until veggies have reached the desired level of done-ness. You can also use a grill pan on a stovetop if you're getting really fancy.
What are the best veggies for grilling? Choose vegetables with similar cooking times for mixed kebabs (e.g. all soft veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, cherry tomatoes etc.) Otherwise, choose a wider variety of veggies, but only cook one veggie type on each skewer each one has enough cooking time.
How long do I grill my veggie kebabs? Each veggie will have a different cooking time depending on the water content, softness, and size. Set your grill to 450 F, and cook for about 10 mins on each side for veggies wrapped in foil. See more details above. For a more charred taste, you can cook directly on the grill, but beware of softer veggies disintegrating as they heat up. This is a good place for a nice cast iron pan that can work on the grill (make sure to use heat protection!), or a grill pan for your outdoor grill.
Why do my veggies keep sliding off of the skewer? Here's the trick: you want to start with a tougher vegetable on each end. Corn works really well, but can be a little tricky to slice and add to skewer. Be careful, use a cutting board, and keep your fingers out of the way! When flipping the veggies, make sure you point the end up so gravity works in your favor. For skewers with one type of vegetable only, grill on a piece of foil or on a grill pan to keep them from falling off.
Is there anything else I can bring to my BBQ? I'm so glad you asked - check out my cilantro lime potato salad, peanut butter and banana pudding or pitcher of margaritas. If all else fails, be the person who brings beer.
Grilled Veggie Kebabs
Ingredients
Veggies:
- 1-2 Zucchini Sliced into 1 in wheels
- 2 Bell Peppers Sliced into 1 in squares
- 200 Grams Mushrooms Rinsed with stems removed
- 3-4 Ears Of Corn Cut into 1 in wheels
Other ideas:
- 1 Package Cherry tomatoes
- 8 Brussels Sprouts Stems removed.
- 1 Red Onion Layers chopped into 1 in squares.
- 1 Eggplant - chopped into 1 in cubes Chopped into 1 in cubes.
Sauce
- Cilantro Lime Sauce Optional
- Chimichurri Optional
- Hummus Optional
Instructions
- Prepare the skewers: using a metal skewer, start with a piece of corn, then add mushroom, zucchini, and bell pepper. Repeat once, then cap end with corn. Wrap in foil, and place on grill heated to ~450 F. Cook for 10 mins, then turn and cook for 10 more minutes. If no grill is available, roast in oven heated to 450 for 10-15 mins on each side. For more charred flavor, cook without foil on a grill pan (either on the stove top or grill).
- Prepare the sauce: Choose from cilantro lime, Hummus or Chimichurri Sauce.
- Serve: carefully remove veggies from the heat, and remove foil if applicable. Carefully remove veggies from skewer before eating (use adequate heat protection, burned fingers are no fun!) Top with sauce and enjoy!
Lora says
Super simple summer veggie kebabs. I don't have a grill so the oven works for me!
Angela Milnes says
Hey Lora - I'm an oven user too! Glad you like the kebabs.