Best Grilled Vegetables

Here’s how to make grilled vegetables! Fire up the grill for the best summer side dish that goes with any meal.

It’s grilling season! The grill brings a crisp char and irresistible smoky flavor to everything it touches. And don’t relegate it just to burgers or ribs. Make your side dish at the same time with these best grilled vegetables! This mix of veggies is delicious, colorful, and the best part: they all cook at approximately the same rate. Throw them together with a quick mix of balsamic, olive oil and a hint of rosemary, and you won’t be able to stop eating them.

Ingredients for grilled vegetables

You can grill just about any vegetable. At the same time, you can’t just throw them all and hoping for the best! Some vegetables are tougher than others, like carrots and potatoes. This type of vegetable needs to be parboiled before grilling. In this mix of best grilled vegetables, we’ve picked veggies that all cook with a similar timing. Here’s what you’ll need:

Baby bella mushrooms
Green beans
Red and orange bell peppers
Zucchini
Yellow squash
Red onion

Do vegetables work with this timing? Yes! You can try small florets of broccoli, asparagus spears, or small cubes of eggplant in this mixture.

How to grill vegetables

All you really need to know about grilled vegetables, aside from which to pair together, is the grill temperature and timing. Memorize those few things, and then make this recipe on repeat all summer! For this recipe, you don’t even need a grill basket. You can throw these veggies right onto the grates! Here are the basic steps for how to grill vegetables (or jump to the recipe below):

Preheat a grill to medium high heat (that’s 375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit).
Chop the vegetables into bite sized pieces. You can leave the green beans whole.
Mix with olive oil and kosher salt. See the quantities in the recipe below.
Grill 14 to 17 minutes with the vegetables directly on the grates, turning every few minutes as grill marks appear.

Optional: add a quick and easy sauce!

You can eat these grilled vegetables right off the grill and they taste incredible. Even better? Mix them with a quick mix of olive oil and balsamic vinegar to heighten the flavors. All you need is 1 tablespoon of each, and it adds just the right shine and hint of brightness to the veggies. We like to add 1 clove grated garlic and ½ teaspoon fresh rosemary to really bring out the flavors.

Or, serve with a dipping sauce!

You can also serve grilled vegetables with a dipping sauce! Creamy sauces like aiolis, honey mustard or even Green Goddess dressing make irresistible dips. Here are a few ideas:

Try Pesto Aioli or Chipotle Aioli
Go for Green Goddess Dressing
Opt for White BBQ Sauce or Horseradish Sauce
Mix up Honey Mustard Recipe
Try Easy Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

More grilled vegetables recipes

Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Here’s a list of master recipes of how to grill any vegetable you want to cook: on its own! Infuse sweet smokiness into bell peppers. Try sizzling, meaty portobello mushrooms. Grill up some tender asparagus to go with your salmon. Even try grilled avocado or BBQ cauliflower for a unique twist! These truly are the best grilled vegetables to make at home…ready to make an appearance as an easy side dish at your next grilled meal.

Perfect Grilled Corn

Say hello to the best grilled corn you'll have. Place it right on the grates and char it to perfection. Then serve the classic butter and salt, or step it up by making elote: Mexican grilled corn!

Variation: Grilled Corn in Foil or Grilled Corn in the Husk

Grilled Peppers

Peppers are one of our favorite vegetables to grill because they are simply incredible. Throw them on the grill and they come out charred, smoky, tender and sweet. You can either place them right on the grill, or use a grill basket.

Variation: Grilled Peppers and Onion

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

Try these incredible grilled portobello mushrooms! They’re juicy and bursting with big, meaty umami. This method for grilling them is fast and easy: unlike most recipes, there’s no marinating time required.

Perfect Grilled Potatoes

These grilled potatoes are just how you’d want them: crisp on the outside and tender on the inside! They’re like the French fries of grilled vegetables, really. The outsides are just salty enough and seasoned with Old Bay.

Variation: Baked Potato on the Grill

Grilled Zucchini

Throw thin slices on the grill and it comes out tender and charred, with an irresistibly smoky flavor! And if you combine with Italian-style flavors like basil, oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder: well, it’s sensational!

Also try: Grilled Zucchini and Squash

Grilled Onions

Meet one of the best summer side dishes out there: grilled onions! The grill does wonders to this layered vegetable: the flavor turns from spicy to sweet and a little smoky.

Grilled Tomatoes

Take one bite and it’s true magic: smoky, pure sweet tomato, with a melt-in-your-mouth quality that makes you immediately want to shout how delicious they are. Drizzle with olive oil and top with fresh herbs, and it’s the very best summer treat you could imagine.

Grilled Broccoli

Have you tried the revelation that is grilled broccoli? The grill transforms this tasty vegetable to be crisp tender and charred, with a hint of smoke. Cook it simply with olive oil, salt, and lemon juice, and it’s a fantastic side for any grilled dinner.

Grilled Broccolini

Here’s a vegetable side dish that always impresses: Grilled Broccolini! Broccoli’s younger, hipper cousin has elegant long stems and a sweet flavor that’s a unique alternative to the standard. Grill it up until it’s tender and charred, then spritz with lemon.

Grilled Sweet Potatoes

Crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, these potatoes have a smoky char and are absolutely delicious! Cut into wedges, they’re the perfect side dish for a grilled dinner on the patio.

Grilled Eggplant

You’ve got to try this grilled eggplant: it comes out smoky and tender, lightly charred and full of flavor. Top it with a sauce and you’ve got a killer summer side dish or appetizer! Try with a fresh tomato salsa fresca or a creamy, lightly spicy white BBQ sauce.

Grilled Asparagus

Grilled asparagus easy and requires only a few ingredients. And it comes out incredible: tender and charred, with a hint of smoke. Spritz it with lemon juice for a little brightness, and it’s a fresh and healthy side dish you won’t be able to stop eating!

Grilled Potatoes in Foil

Want an easy grilled side dish that you don’t have to baby at all? Try these grilled potatoes in foil! :Set it and forget it” with this one. Throw these potatoes and onions in a foil packet and in 30 minutes, they’re done!

Grilled Green Beans

Turns out, the grill is the ideal way to cook green beans! Take a bite and it’s tender, with a burst of sweet, tangy, salty and charred flavor. You'll eat through a platter in record speed.

Grilled Cauliflower

Wow, is this grilled vegetable tasty! Might we recommend this grilled cauliflower? Charcoal infuses irresistible smoky flavor into this tasty veggie: and painting it with our tangy homemade BBQ sauce puts it over the top.

Grilled Squash

Got a load of yellow summer squash? Try grilled squash! It’s simple but full of big flavor, seasoned with Italian herbs like basil and oregano. Even better: it takes only 5 minutes to grill! It’s one of those sides that screams summer.

Grilled Romaine

Somehow grilling romaine lettuce brings out an unexpectedly beautiful smoky flavor in this leafy green! It's easy to make and a simple appetizer or side dish. You can even make it into grilled Caesar salad topped with tomatoes and Caesar dressing.

Grilled Avocado

Yes, this magical green fruit just got even more magical! Making grilled avocado infuses a smoky flavor into every bite of this healthy vegetable (or em, fruit). Stuff it with pico de gallo, or use it to make smoky guacamole.

Grilled Cabbage

Turns out, grilled cabbage is absolutely worth trying! It comes out tender and charred, the flavor much sweeter than its raw self. Drizzle it in a tangy balsamic sauce and it’s a tasty side dish for a grilled meal!

Grilled Mushrooms

Of all of the grilled vegetables, mushrooms might be the very best. You can get big flavor with no marinating time: just toss them with olive oil, lemon juice and herbs. Throw them on skewers and grill until tender.

Grilled Brussels Sprouts

Make room in your heart for these Grilled Brussels Sprouts! They’re tender and blackened, with a hint of smoky flavor. Toss them with a balsamic sauce they’re positively delightful! They’re easy to whip up as a side dish for a grilled dinner.

Grilled Kale

Are you a kale fan? Then let us introduce you to grilled kale! This grilled kale comes out crispy and charred, with a smoky undertone. It’s perfect for throwing onto a grill rack while you’re cooking a main dish or other vegetables.

Grilled Carrots

Of course, the grill brings out a beautifully sweet flavor in these grilled carrots! Tossed with the lime juice, cilantro, and cumin, this healthy vegetable was an excellent treat! Eat as appetizer since they're best as finger food, or try them as a side dish.

Grilled Beets

Grilled beets are an ideal summer side dish for when you’re planning to fire up the grill! These come out sweet and tender, perfectly cooked and even better with a sprinkle of salty feta cheese. While they take a little longer than most grilled vegetables, they’re worth the wait.

Grilled Okra

Meet this easy grilled okra! Just 10 minutes on the grill and this tasty vegetable comes out tender and full of smoky flavor. There’s no need for fancy seasoning: just throw it on the grill and you’ll be amazed at how incredible it tastes.

Grilled Bok Choy

This tasty veggie is a type of Chinese cabbage, with a satisfying crunch and a peppery kick. Tossed on the grill with a quick soy miso sauce, it comes out lightly smoky, sweet, and perfectly seasoned. It’s easy to make and comes out impressive, the perfect side for grilled salmon or tofu.

Grilled main dishes & desserts to pair

Want to accessorize with these grilled vegetables? Here are some of our top grilled dinner ideas to pair…plus some tasty grilled desserts!

Grilled Portobello Burger Juicy, meaty, and covered in special sauce.
Perfect Grilled Salmon or Grilled Halibut Perfectly tender, sprinkled with magical seafood seasoning.
Grilled Shrimp, Grilled Cajun Shrimp or Blackened Shrimp Full of big flavor!
Grilled Scallops Unique and so tasty on the grill.
Grilled Tofu Unexpectedly delicious: make a tofu fan out of anyone.
Grilled Pineapple Top with ice cream for special smoky sundaes.
Grilled Apples or Grilled Banana s a La Mode Need we say more?
Try 40 Top Grill Recipes or 15 Grilled Side Dishes!

40 Top Grill Recipes for the Season

15 Tasty Grilled Side Dishes

Perfect Grilled Shrimp

Easy Grilled Salmon