By Culinary.net | Contributor
Burgers, sausages, steaks, chicken, pork chops, and the delicious taste of fresh meats often take center stage on the grill. However, for a well-balanced meal, side dishes and vegetables are essential companions.
Before setting up your next backyard grill party, ensure you include delicious vegetables – such as bell peppers, asparagus, onions, tomatoes, zucchini, and others – to enjoy a rich blend of fresh-grilled flavors. Use these straightforward guidelines to grill your veggies to perfection:
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Ignite the Grill
To start, make sure your grill is prepped with high or medium-high heat for optimal cooking. Lighting the grill ahead of preparing your vegetables provides ample time for it to heat up, allowing you to focus on other preparations. -
Get Vegetables Ready
Before grilling, prepare your chosen vegetables. This may include tasks like removing stems, blemishes, pits, and seeds. Once cleaned, consider chopping, dicing, or slicing them according to your recipe needs. -
Apply Olive Oil to Vegetables
Drizzle a light amount of olive oil on your vegetables and toss them to ensure they are evenly coated. This not only helps them to crisp better rather than drying out but also allows seasonings, such as salt and pepper, to adhere effectively instead of falling off during grilling. -
Use Foil Packets or Skewers
If dark grill marks aren’t preferred, place diced or chopped vegetables inside a foil packet before cooking. This steams the vegetables, giving them a softer texture. Alternatively, threading smaller veggie pieces onto water-soaked wooden skewers prevents them from slipping through the grill grates, while still providing a nice crispness. - Monitor Grilling Duration
Each type of vegetable and preparation style requires specific cooking times. Generally, 5 to 10 minutes over direct heat is sufficient. Remember, the smaller and finer you chop your vegetables, the quicker they will cook.
Find additional grilling advice at Culinary.net.
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