Can Vegetables Be Grilled on the BBQ? Grilling Tips

The barbecue is a favorite for cooking various cuts of meat ... but eventually, someone is probably going to wonder about grilling vegetables on the BBQ - you know, so that you can get some extra flavors and nutrients from something other than meat! Can vegetables be grilled on the BBQ? They sure can, and the results are very tasty. Here are some tips to get you started.

• Nearly any type of vegetable will work on the grill, but some work better than others. Perennial favorites are BBQ corn-on-the-cob, asparagus, eggplant, mushrooms, garlic, onions, peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, and (of course) barbecue potatoes.

• Vegetables will vary widely in grilling times. They do need to be watched carefully to make sure they don't burn. Try to barbecue veggies together that have similar cooking times.

• You can mix up vegetables with different cooking times if you like... just be prepared to hover over the grill to add or remove vegetables depending on the various grill times.

• Try to keep vegetable chunks / slices a consistent width - generally about 1/2" to 3/4" thick.

• If need be, and you're not much into hovering over the BBQ but you still want to grill up a variety of veggies, chop up veggies that take longer to cook into smaller chunks or slices to help even out the cook times.

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  A grilling basket is a good and convenient way to make sure veggie chunks don't fall through the cooking grate. You can always skewer vegetables - alternate colorful veggies for an eye-catching appetizer or side dish.

• No grill basket available? Tinfoil works too. Just wrap the veggies in heavy-duty foil (or a couple of layers of regular foil) and place on the BBQ.

• Use marinade or herbs if you like. It's not even necessary to have a recipe - even a simple preparation can add a ton of flavor. For example, a quick brush of olive oil and a sprinkle of a few fresh herbs can make a world of difference in taste. Or give the veggies a quick spritz of lemon juice.

• If you're not marinating your veggies, consider soaking them in cold water for about 30 minutes before grilling. This will help to prevent them from drying out. Pat them dry and brush lightly with oil prior to grilling.

• A fresh rosemary sprig makes an excellent basting brush and adds flavor as you baste!

• Veggies are done when they are lightly charred and are soft and cooked in the middle. Don't overcook, or they'll be mushy.

If you've ever wondered, can vegetables be grilled on the BBQ? The answer is a resounding, yes! Find more BBQ tips for your next cookout, or check out BBQ vegetable recipes.