Delicious and Flavorful Marinated BBQ Grilled Vegetables

Nowadays, families are spending less time in the kitchen and more time outside, making use of the warmer weather to cook on the grill and enjoy the outdoors. Spending almost every night of the week in the backyard grilling up classic, easy-to-make dishes like juicy hamburgers and loaded hot dogs. We also like to grill fresh, crispy summer vegetables as healthy sides to our meals.

This recipe blog post will help you elevate your grilling game by charring the vegetables on the BBQ or roasting them in the oven. Afterward, marinate them in a flavorful combination of lemon, herbs, and garlic for a truly special dish.
vegetables are good for grilling
Which vegetables are good for grilling?
Almost every vegetable other than leafy greens is wonderful for grilling such as:

  • zucchini
  • mushrooms
  • asparagus
  • capsicum/bell peppers
  • eggplant/aubergine
  • red onion

These have a great variety of colors, textures, shapes, and flavors. Plus, these vegetables are easy to grill without using any special equipment like grilling baskets or skewers.
Marinade for Grilled Vegetables
Marinade for Grilled Vegetables
The ingredients in the marinade are literally just like any standard salad dressing. The only difference is that there’s less oil in vinegar. The vegetables themselves are tossed in olive oil before grilling and it retains the juiciness from the oil quite well after grilling. So you don’t need as much oil for the marinade.
Should you marinate vegetables before grilling
Should you marinate vegetables before grilling?
The key to making the best-grilled vegetables of your life is marinating them AFTER you cook them, not before! Hot veggies absorb flavor much better than raw ones.

Creativity in the kitchen is fun, but sometimes we get ahead of ourselves. Take marinating vegetables, for example. It might seem like a good idea, but it actually doesn't work that well. Some veggies will absorb oils and vinegar, sure mushrooms and eggplants are among them however they don't take on flavors easily and if you use salt they'll start to sweat, making them less juicy and less desirable come BBQ time. Marinating certain vegetables, like bell peppers and zucchini provides no benefits when they are raw.
Marinated BBQ Grilled Vegetables Recipe
Marinated BBQ Grilled Vegetables Recipe
Ingredients
Vegetables:

  • 2 red bell peppers
  • 2 yellow bell peppers
  • 2 red onions
  • 1 eggplant, halved lengthwise, then 0.5" thick semi-circles
  • 2 zucchini, 1/3" thick slices on diagonal
  • 2 bunches of asparagus, ends trimmed
  • 7 oz button mushrooms
Grilling / Roasting:
  • 1/4 cup (65ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp each salt and pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup parsley, roughly chopped (or chives)
Grilled Vegetable Marinade (dressing):
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tsp white sugar
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
  • 1/2 tsp each of dried basil, parsley, oregano, thyme 
  • 1/2 - 1 tsp chili flakes (adjust the spice to taste)
instruction grilled vegetables
Instructions
For The Marinade:
Add the ingredients to a jar, screw on the lid tightly, and shake it until everything is mixed well. Then, set it aside for at least 10 minutes so the flavors can marinade together.
Cutting The Vegetables:
  • Keep your food in larger pieces so you don't have to turn dozens of items on the grill, and so nothing falls through the grates.
  • To prepare the bell peppers, first cut off the "walls," then slice each one diagonally into larger pieces.
  • For the onion, be sure not to cut off the root end (the hairy end)! Peel it, then slice it in half before cutting it into wedges.
Grilling / Roasting The Vegetables:
  • To prepare your grill, start by lightly oiling it down. Then turn the heat up to high. You can also place it in an oven that's been preheated to 250°C/480°F.
  • For this recipe, you will need a large bowl or tray. Next, add your desired vegetables. After that, drizzle oil over the top of them and then add salt, pepper, and garlic to taste. Use tongs to mix everything together.
  • Cook the following on a BBQ until tender-crisp with charred edges, then remove and place into a large bowl.

Cooking Times of The Vegetables:

  • Asparagus and zucchini - Grill for two minutes on each side. (Or, bake in the oven for ten minutes without flipping.)
  • Bell Peppers, mushroom, and onion - Grill each side for 3 minutes, then bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Be sure to flip after 10 minutes have passed.
  • Eggplant - Grill for four minutes on each side. Stick a fork in the middle to make sure it's soft, but not soggy! (Oven: 18 minutes)
Marinating The Grilled Vegetables:
  1. While the vegetables are still warm, pour on the dressing and mix everything together.
  2. Set aside for 10 or more minutes before serving, and add parsley for garnish.
Outdoor Kitchen Outlet

Consider trying this simple recipe that is both delicious and flavorful at your next cookout. If you need help choosing a grill, Outdoor Kitchen Outlet is your one-stop shop for all your outdoor grilling needs. We offer various sizes and styles of high-quality grills to make your selection process easier. Browse our selection at our website or call us at (888) 667-4986 to start cooking some delectable marinated grilled veggies!

Back to Recipes

Share this