Guide to Grilling Fruits and Vegetables

Grilled fruits and vegetables are a delicious treat, and they’re a fantastic way to add color and texture to your next cookout. But how do you grill them?

The answer is that there’s no one right way to do it. In fact, there are many different ways to grill fruits and vegetables, so the best thing you can do is try a few different techniques and find what works for you.

In this article, we’ll go over some of our favorite ways to grill fruits and vegetables. And since we’re all about helping our readers get more from life (and from their food), we’ve also included some tips for ensuring that grilling is easy for anyone who wants to try it!

Grilling Preparations

When ready to grill, don’t just throw your fruits and veggies on the grill. Here are some tasty ways to prepare them before you start cooking.

Preheat the grill

Before you throw your fruits and vegetables on the grill, you’ll want to ensure the grill is preheated. If you don’t, your meals will be unevenly cooked and may even burn.

The time it takes for your grill to heat up depends on its size and style. For example, a charcoal grill will take longer to heat than an electric one. It’s best to guess how long it will take and then check back every five minutes until the desired temperature is reached.

Blot dry and brush with oil

This one’s easy! Just blot your fruits and vegetables with a paper towel before brushing or spraying them with olive oil or another cooking oil. This will help prevent them from sticking to the grill while sealing in their moisture.

When you brush an oil, be sure not to use too much—you don’t want things dripping off your veggies when they’re done!

After you’ve brushed on the oil, it’s time for seasoning. You can sprinkle on spices like paprika or cayenne pepper for a little extra kick. Add soy sauce or rice vinegar if you’d like more Asian flair!

Setup your grilling tools

You don’t want to run around the kitchen looking for your spatula and tongs while prepping your food. It may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people forget this step.

Once you’ve got everything set up in front of you, you’re ready to start grilling! Check out these common grilling tools for fruits and vegetables:

  • Cast Iron Grill Pan: The cast iron grill pan is great because it’s designed to get hot and stay hot, so you can start cooking your food quickly. The cast iron grill pan also has ridges on its surface that help to keep your food from sticking to the pan.
  • Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Skewers: These skewers are great for grilling all kinds of things, including fruit and veggies. They’re also perfect for making kebabs without worrying about food falling through the holes in normal skewers.
  • Grilling Basket: Grilling baskets are great for cooking vegetables, fruits, and other small food items that you don’t want to fall through the grate of your grill. You can also use them as a serving platter for grilled dips or relishes.
  • Grilling Thermometer: When grilling fruits and vegetables, it’s important to ensure they are done properly. This is where thermometers come in handy. A thermometer will let you know when your food is done so you can take it off the grill without overcooking or undercooking it.
  • Grill Brush: When grilling fruits and vegetables, it’s important to ensure they are done properly. This is where thermometers come in handy. A thermometer will let you know when your food is done so you can take it off the grill without overcooking or undercooking it.
  • Non-stick Mesh Grill Mats: These mats are made from durable, non-stick fibrous material that will keep your grill clean while you cook your food! Just place one of these mats on top of your grill, then add your food directly onto the mat. The mat will prevent any bits from falling into the gaps between the grates and allow you to use less oil when cooking.
  • Vinyl-coated Tongs: These tongs are coated in vinyl to protect against heat damage, making them perfect for use with metal grills or even in ovens. They’re also sturdy enough not to bend under pressure, so they’re perfect for handling heavy items like skewers.

Grilled Fruits

grilled fruit pieces on wooden skewers

Grilling fruits is a great way to add another dimension to your cooking. It’s a great way to add flavor and texture you can’t get from eating raw fruit. And if you’re looking for a new way to cook your fruits, this might be one!

However, grilling does have its drawbacks. It’s important not to grill your fruit too long, or the sugars will burn and turn bitter. If you like the caramelized flavor of grilled fruits, try adding balsamic vinegar or lemon juice after they’ve been grilled until golden brown on both sides.

When grilling any fruit, ensure they are fully ripe before cooking them. If they’re under-ripe, they’ll taste mealy and unpleasant when cooked rather than sweet and juicy.

What Fruits and How to Grill them?

  • Apple: Apples are best when they are in-season and organic. You can slice them up before you grill them to ensure they cook evenly, or leave them whole and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes until they’re soft and juicy.
  • Apricot: Apricots have a short grilling time, so watch them carefully! They should be cooked for about 5 minutes per side on high heat to get them nice and soft—but not too mushy.
  • Bananas: Bananas are great on the grill because their skin protects them from burning too quickly. Just peel and grill over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes on each side until softened but still firm enough to hold their shape (and don’t forget to brush off any excess blackened pieces with a clean kitchen towel).
  • Oranges: Cut the orange in half, then cut each half into quarters. Place the quarters on a sheet of tinfoil on a grill for about 10 minutes. Then remove them and drizzle with honey or agave syrup before serving.
  • Peaches: Peaches need a little more attention than oranges when they’re grilling; they should be flipped every minute or so until they’re soft when pressed with your finger (about 5 minutes total). If you want them softer still, grill them for 5 minutes on each side. Remove from heat and serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream on top!
  • Pear: Grilled pears are delicious—and they make a great dessert! To grill pears, cut them into slices (you could even use an apple corer) and place them on skewers with other fruits like strawberries or apples if you’d like. Grill for about 30 seconds per side until softened, then enjoy warm with ice cream.
  • Pineapple: Pineapples are delicious when grilled because they’re already sweet and ripe, so they don’t need much preparation before hitting the hot coals. Cut them into quarters and remove the core, then brush them with oil and sprinkle with salt before placing them on the grill for about 10 minutes (depending on how hot your fire is). You can add some cinnamon sticks or cloves if you want to get fancy!
  • Watermelon: Watermelon is one of our favorite fruits to grill because it has a unique flavor when cooked this way. To start, cut your watermelon into slices about 1/2 inch thick, brush them with oil or butter, and season with salt and pepper. Next, place them on a hot grill and cook for 2 minutes per side (or until slightly charred).

Fruit Grilling Tips:

  • Grate or slice the fruit into a uniform size so that it cooks evenly.
  • Please ensure the fruit is washed and dried before putting it on the grill.
  • Coat the fruit with a light layer of oil (canola oil works well) before grilling to keep it from sticking to the grill.
  • Grill on medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes per side until lightly browned and soft. It’s important not to overdo it with the heat, as this will burn off all of the sugars in your fruit and leave it bitter instead of sweet!
  • Use a grill basket to keep the fruit from falling through the grates and getting burnt on the bottom.
  • Use skewers to serve your grilled fruit as an appetizer or dessert with other grilled meats or vegetables like chicken or steak!
  • Fruit can be tricky because it’s so delicate, so be careful when flipping it over in order not to lose any pieces into the coals or off the grill altogether.

Grilled Vegetables

vegetable kebabs on skewers grilled on grill or BBQ  on a white plateon a white plate,selective focus. grilled vegetables.

Grilling vegetables is a great way to add some flavor to your meal. Whether you’re grilling for yourself or preparing food for a crowd, these tips will help ensure your veggies turn out delicious every time.

Grilling vegetables should be done over high heat, so it’s important to oil the grate before starting. If you don’t, the vegetables will stick, and it can be hard to get them off.

To grill vegetables, you mustn’t cook them too long—you want them to retain their crunchiness. To achieve this, keep an eye on them and take them off the grill as soon as they reach your preferred doneness level. If you’re unsure how long they need to cook, try this trick: cut one in half, and place it on its side on the grill with the cut side facing down (this will give you an idea of how much longer it needs to cook).

What Vegetables and How to Grill them?

  • Asparagus: Grill these for 5-8 minutes until they are tender but still have some crunch. If you like your asparagus cooked through, add it at the end of cooking time, so it doesn’t get too mushy. Give them a splash of lemon juice and some salt—you’ll love how it makes them taste!
  • Bell Peppers: Bell peppers can be grilled alone or in combination with other vegetables like zucchini and onions. The key is to cook them over low heat (about 400 degrees Fahrenheit) until they are soft but not mushy. Depending on how thick they are cut, this should take about 15 minutes per side.
  • Carrots: Carrots can be grilled whole or sliced vertically into thin strips before grilling them over medium heat for about 10 minutes until tender on the inside with crispy edges from the grill surface (or both!).
  • Corn: Did you know that corn tastes even better when grilled? The corn takes about 10 minutes to cook, then serve it with butter and salt. Or try grilling off half of the cob and mixing it up with avocado and sour cream for an amazing salad dressing (don’t forget the lime juice!).
  • Eggplants: Eggplants have a rich texture and a smoky flavor that work well with grilled foods like steak or chicken breasts. To grill eggplant slices, soak them in water for 10 minutes before grilling so that they won’t charge too easily on your BBQ grill’s hot surface (this will also help keep them from sticking). Grill eggplant slices for about 5 minutes per side until browned and softened—but not mushy!
  • Mushrooms: Mushrooms are delicious when grilled—they get nice and crispy on the outside but stay soft in the middle. To grill mushrooms, cut them into slices about 1/2 inch thick, brush them with olive oil or melted butter, then place them on a medium-high grill for about 10 minutes or until they’re nice and browned. Serve them with pasta or as a side dish with beef or chicken.
  • Potatoes:  The best way to grill potatoes is in slices. Cut them into 1/2-inch thick slices, then brush them with oil or butter (this helps them get crispy). Grill them over medium-high heat until they’re tender but not mushy—about 10-15 minutes per side.
  • Tomatoes: Tomato slices also work well on the grill; just cut them into thick slices, then brush them with olive oil or butter before placing them on the grill for about 5 minutes per side. This will caramelize their natural sugars and make a delicious topping for burgers, sandwiches, or salads!

Vegetable Grilling Tips:

  • Wash and dry the vegetables thoroughly before grilling them, as this will prevent them from sticking to the grill.
  • Use an oil sprayer to coat the grill before grilling. This will help prevent sticking and keep your veggies from becoming burnt or charred.
  • Use skewers on small items like cherry tomatoes or mushrooms. This will keep them from rolling around during cooking, making them less likely to fall through the cracks in the grill grate.
  • If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before using them, so they don’t burn on the grill.
  • Grill your veggies for about 5-10 minutes per side, depending on thickness and desired doneness! You can also use this time to make yourself a drink! It’s hot out there!
  • Make sure you’re using high heat to get some nice char marks on your vegetables—it makes grilled vegetables taste so good!

Wrapping It Up

People often think of grilling as something that can only be done with meat and vegetables. Still, many fruits and vegetables can also be grilled. Grilled fruits and veggies are easy to make and make a delicious side dish. Just cut the fruit or vegetable in half, remove any pits or seeds, and remove any stems before grilling it. Then grill your fruit or veggie over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes per side.

As you can see, there are many wonderful ways to grill fruits and vegetables. The best part is that you don’t have to be an expert chef to do it—you need to be willing to try something new!

All of the tips we’ve discussed will help you get started on your journey of grilling fruits and veggies. You’ll be able to wow family and friends with your creations in no time.