Grilling isn’t just for burgers and ribs anymore—your summer deserves more color, crunch, and smoky depth. Picture juicy corn with charred edges, zucchini kissed by flames, and sweet peppers softening under the heat, releasing their natural sugars as they transform into caramelized perfection. These 19 veggie recipes prove your grill is a playground for fresh, vibrant flavors that can steal the show from any steak. Whether you’re hosting backyard gatherings or craving a quick, healthy dinner, these recipes will add excitement to your summer meals, making every bite feel like a celebration of the season’s best produce. Let’s grill.
1. Grilled Corn with Herb or BBQ Butter
Sweet corn reaches its peak potential on the grill, where the kernels caramelize and develop a delightful smokiness. The natural sugars concentrate, creating pockets of juicy goodness with every bite.
Making herb or BBQ butter couldn’t be simpler—just mix softened butter with your favorite herbs or BBQ seasonings. After grilling, slather generously and watch it melt into every crevice.
Pro tip: Leave husks on during grilling for a steamed effect, then peel back for a few minutes of direct flame to get those beautiful charred spots.
2. Grilled Tomatoes
Garden-fresh tomatoes transform when placed on hot grates. Their natural acidity mellows while their sweetness intensifies, creating a mouthwatering contrast of flavors.
Halve large tomatoes or leave cherry tomatoes whole, brush with olive oil, and season simply with salt and pepper. The heat caramelizes their natural sugars while adding that distinctive smoky char.
Serve as a side dish, blend into the world’s best summer pasta sauce, or pile atop grilled bread with fresh basil for an elevated bruschetta that screams summer.
3. Grilled Zucchini
Summer gardens often overflow with zucchini, making this recipe a seasonal necessity. Sliced lengthwise into planks, zucchini develops beautiful grill marks while maintaining a tender-crisp texture.
A simple marinade of lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic transforms this humble squash into something extraordinary. The high heat caramelizes its natural sugars, adding complexity to its mild flavor profile.
Try finishing with a sprinkle of feta cheese and fresh herbs for a Mediterranean twist that pairs beautifully with anything else you’re grilling.
4. Grilled Asparagus
Asparagus and grilling were made for each other. The high heat quickly cooks these elegant spears, preserving their vibrant color and adding just the right amount of char.
Preparation couldn’t be simpler—just toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper before laying perpendicular to the grates. In just 3-4 minutes, they’ll develop smoky flavor while maintaining that perfect snap when you bite in.
Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice or a light dusting of parmesan cheese for an easy side dish that even veggie-skeptics will devour.
5. Grilled Okra with Sriracha Lime Salt
Forget everything you thought you knew about okra! Grilling eliminates the sliminess that turns many people away, replacing it with crispy edges and a smoky flavor that’s downright addictive.
The real magic happens with the Sriracha lime salt—mix sea salt with lime zest and a dash of Sriracha for a spicy-tangy seasoning that perfectly complements the charred vegetable. Thread whole okra pods onto skewers for easy handling on the grill.
Even self-proclaimed okra haters have been converted by this recipe, making it the perfect introduction to this misunderstood vegetable.
6. Grilled Eggplant and Peach Caprese Salad
Summer magic happens when eggplant and peaches meet the grill. The eggplant becomes buttery-soft with a hint of smoke, while peaches caramelize, concentrating their natural sweetness.
Layer these grilled goodies with fresh mozzarella and basil for a twist on traditional Caprese. The contrast between warm, charred fruits and vegetables against cool, creamy cheese creates a texture paradise.
A drizzle of balsamic glaze and good olive oil finishes this unexpected combination that perfectly balances sweet, savory, smoky, and fresh—the ultimate summer salad!
7. Grilled Vegetable Pasta Sauce
Grilling vegetables before turning them into pasta sauce creates depth that stovetop cooking simply can’t match. Eggplant, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes develop intense smoky sweetness when charred over flames.
Once grilled, roughly chop and simmer with garlic, herbs, and a splash of red wine. The resulting sauce has incredible complexity—smoky, sweet, and deeply savory.
Make a big batch when summer vegetables are at their peak and freeze portions for a taste of summer grilling even in colder months. Your future self will thank you when you’re enjoying this concentrated sunshine in December!
8. Grilled Potato & Green Bean Salad
Potato salad gets a smoky makeover when you move it to the grill. Par-boil baby potatoes until just tender, then finish them on the grill for crispy exteriors and fluffy centers with distinctive char marks.
Green beans need just a few minutes on high heat to develop blistered spots while maintaining their snappy texture. Toss the warm grilled vegetables with a tangy mustard vinaigrette that soaks into the potatoes.
Unlike mayo-based versions, this grilled potato salad can sit out at picnics without worry, making it perfect for outdoor gatherings where it will disappear faster than you can say “seconds please!”
9. Grilled Whole Cauliflower with Miso Mayo
A whole cauliflower becomes a showstopping centerpiece when grilled. Parboil it first, then brush with spicy butter before placing on indirect heat with the lid closed to create an oven-like environment.
The exterior develops a gorgeous caramelization while the interior becomes tender and infused with smoky flavor. Carve it at the table like a roast for dramatic presentation!
The miso mayo dipping sauce adds umami richness that perfectly complements the vegetable’s charred notes. Guests will be amazed that something so impressive came from the humble cauliflower.
10. Grilled Corn Salad with Hot Honey–Lime Dressing
Charred corn kernels become the star of this vibrant salad that perfectly balances sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. After grilling corn until lightly charred, slice the kernels off and toss with diced avocado, bell peppers, and red onion.
The hot honey–lime dressing delivers a sweet heat that makes this salad utterly addictive. Simply mix honey with a dash of your favorite hot sauce, lime juice, and olive oil for a dressing that’ll have everyone asking for your secret.
Make extra—this salad disappears quickly at gatherings and tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together!
11. Ginger-Miso Grilled Asparagus
Asparagus spears become extraordinary with a Japanese-inspired twist. The ginger-miso glaze caramelizes on the hot grill, creating a savory-sweet coating that’s impossible to resist.
Whisk white miso paste with grated ginger, a touch of honey, and rice vinegar for the perfect balance of flavors. Brush this mixture onto asparagus during the last minute of grilling to prevent burning while allowing the glaze to set.
A finishing sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds adds nutty crunch and visual appeal. This side dish pairs beautifully with grilled fish or can stand alone as part of a vegetable-focused meal.
12. Grilled Mustard Broccoli
Broccoli transforms from everyday vegetable to crave-worthy treat when coated in spiced yogurt sauce and grilled. The florets develop crispy, charred edges while maintaining tender stalks—a textural contrast that makes this dish special.
Mix Greek yogurt with mustard, cumin, and a touch of honey for a marinade that both flavors and protects the broccoli from direct flames. The yogurt creates a delicious crust as it cooks.
Even broccoli skeptics will reach for seconds of this smoky, tangy side dish. For best results, cut broccoli into large florets with stems attached to prevent them from falling through the grates.
13. Grilled Fennel
Fennel’s licorice-like flavor mellows beautifully when grilled, developing sweet caramelization that converts even those who normally avoid this distinctive vegetable. Cut bulbs into wedges, keeping the core intact to hold each piece together on the grill.
A simple olive oil, salt and pepper preparation lets fennel’s transformed flavor shine. The edges become crispy while the interior turns tender and almost creamy in texture.
Serve alongside grilled fish, add to salads, or toss with pasta and a squeeze of lemon for a light summer meal. The subtle anise flavor pairs particularly well with Mediterranean dishes.
14. Grilled Sweet Potato Baba Ghanoush
Traditional baba ghanoush gets a sweet twist when made with grilled sweet potatoes instead of eggplant. The potatoes develop an incredible smokiness while their natural sugars caramelize, creating complex flavor that regular roasting can’t match.
After grilling until tender, blend the flesh with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and a hint of smoked paprika. The resulting dip maintains that distinctive smoky essence that makes baba ghanoush so special.
Serve with warm pita, vegetable crudités, or as a spread on sandwiches. This unexpected preparation will have guests guessing the secret ingredient while coming back for more!
15. Ember-Roasted Corn and Leeks
Channel your inner caveperson with this primal cooking method that creates unmatched smoky flavor. Push corn and leeks directly into the glowing embers of your charcoal grill for a technique that predates cooking grates.
The husks and outer layers char completely while protecting the interior, infusing everything with intense smokiness. The natural sugars in both vegetables concentrate dramatically, resulting in extraordinary sweetness.
Brush away the blackened exterior to reveal perfectly cooked treasure inside. Finish with a sprinkle of flaky salt and good butter for a simple preparation that highlights the transformation that only fire can provide.
16. Grilled Halloumi with Watercress
Halloumi cheese was made for grilling—its high melting point allows it to develop gorgeous grill marks and a crispy exterior while maintaining a tender, squeaky interior. The saltiness of this Cypriot cheese pairs perfectly with peppery watercress.
Slice the cheese into half-inch planks and grill just until marked on both sides. Toss fresh watercress with lemon juice and olive oil, then top with the warm grilled cheese.
The contrast between warm, salty cheese and cool, crisp greens creates a perfect light lunch or appetizer. Add grilled bread and a glass of crisp white wine for summer dining perfection!
17. Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
This crowd-pleasing appetizer combines the smoky goodness of bacon with the fresh snap of asparagus. The bacon crisps perfectly on the grill while basting the asparagus with its flavorful fat.
Bundle 3-4 asparagus spears together and wrap with a strip of bacon, securing with toothpicks. Place bundles on indirect heat first to render the bacon, then finish over direct flames for crispy perfection.
The contrast between crispy, savory bacon and tender-crisp asparagus makes these bundles irresistible. They disappear quickly at gatherings, so make more than you think you’ll need!
18. Grilled Squash
Summer and winter squashes alike transform on the grill. Zucchini, yellow squash, and butternut develop concentrated sweetness and smoky char that elevates their natural flavors.
For summer varieties, slice lengthwise and grill quickly over direct heat. Winter squashes benefit from par-cooking in the microwave before hitting the grill for those beautiful marks and caramelization.
A finishing drizzle of maple-soy glaze takes grilled squash to the next level—just reduce equal parts maple syrup and soy sauce until slightly thickened. The sweet-savory combination perfectly complements the vegetables’ natural flavors and smoky char.
19. Grilled Vegetable Platter
The ultimate summer entertaining solution combines various grilled vegetables into a colorful, impressive spread. Bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms, and asparagus create a rainbow of options with different textures and flavors.
Marinate vegetables in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and herbs before grilling each to its perfect doneness. Arrange on a large platter with fresh herbs scattered throughout for a presentation that’s both rustic and elegant.
Serve alongside a homemade aioli or romesco sauce for dipping. This versatile platter works as an appetizer, side dish, or even main course for vegetarian guests!
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