Grilling Fresh Vegetables: 5 Tips Every Griller Should Know

When it comes to grilling, cooking fresh produce is different compared to cooking meat. One is quicker cooking time. Most vegetables have water content so when cooked on the grill, most of it will evaporate. As a result, the sugars become more condensed and the flavour becomes more concentrated, their natural flavour is enhanced. Enjoy a healthy snack or side dish - remember these helpful tips when grilling fresh vegetables!

Wash veggies thoroughly

Vegetables should be washed thoroughly before cooking. After washing, pat them dry with paper towels. Brush veggies with melted butter or oil or use non-stick cooking spray to prevent them from sticking to the grates. Make sure they are dry before brushing with oil - otherwise the oil won't stick.

Cut them right

To achieve perfectly-grilled vegetables, cut or slice them in uniform sizes - not too small that they'll fall through the grill grates but not too large to prevent longer cooking time. Use skewers if you prefer cooking them in smaller pieces. The bigger and thicker the pieces, the longer they will cook. Experts also recommend soaking them in cold water prior to cooking to prevent them from drying out while grilling.

Pre-cook hard vegetables

If you plan to grill hard vegetables like potatoes and carrots, it is more ideal to pre-cook them first before they hit the grill. This way, they will cook more evenly and will take up less time to finish cooking.

Season for extra flavour

To add flavour and texture to fresh produce, sprinkle them with your favourite herbs and spices. If you prefer the classic, smoky taste, use coarse salt such as kosher salt or sea salt. This will help remove extra moisture from the veggies while on the grill which will then enhance their freshness, flavour and sweetness.

Know when they are cooked

The harder the vegetable, the longer they will cook on the grill. The soft variety only needs to be heated through to become tender. In general, you'll know that the veggie is ready when they are tender (when pierced using a fork) and have good browned grill marks. Experts say that medium heat works best for fresh produce.

If you want to add more nutrition and color to your barbecue menu, fresh vegetables are the way to go. They're fairly easy to prepare and don't take too long to cook on the grill. Just follow these helpful tips when grilling fresh vegetables and you'll do great!