Tips for Grilling Vegetables

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Grilled vegetables can be delicious when prepared properly. They can also be kind of gross or a bit
of a mess if you don’t use the right approach. It’s ok if you’ve only used your grill to cook meat in the past. Maybe it’s time to expand your horizons and broaden the options on your dinner table. Here are some tips for grilling vegetables that will produce the best results.

Types of Vegetables that are Ideal for Grilling

The good news is that you can probably grill just about any type of vegetable. Grilling releases the food’s natural flavors and can put nice “char” on it that gives it an additional kick. Some of the favorites that work well on a grill include:

  • Onions
  • Potatoes
  • Bell peppers
  • Yellow squash and zucchini
  • Corn
  • Brussel sprouts
  • Mushrooms

Cutting Your Vegetables to Get them Ready for Grilling

The trick to successfully grilling vegetables is to avoid cutting them too thin. Thicker cuts won’t cook too quickly or fall through your grill’s grates. Here are some cutting tips for those popular vegetables:

  •  Onions — Grilled onions are deliciously sweet! Peel them first and then either quarter
    them into small chunks or cut them into ½” thick rounds.
  • Potatoes — Cut large potatoes into ½” cubes or leave small fingerling potatoes as-is.
  • Bell peppers — Either cut your bell peppers into long ½” strips or simply cut them in half.
  • Yellow squash and zucchini — Squash and zucchini have a lot of water content, so they
    can be easy to overcook. Cut them into either ½” rounds or long ways using a mandolin
    with slices at least ½” thick.
  • Corn — Shuck your corn cobs, and they will be ready to place on the grill!
  • Brussel sprouts — Cut off the ends and remove the outer leaves. Then, cut them in half.
  • Mushrooms — Grill portobello mushrooms as-is. Smaller mushrooms can be cut in half.
    Seasoning Your Vegetables for Grilling

Most vegetables could benefit from some simple seasoning before you place them on the grill. One
recommendation is to lightly coat them with olive oil, salt and pepper, and some garlic powder. You can also add some other fun seasonings like balsamic, street corn seasoning, or different marinades according to your tastes.

How Long to Cook Vegetables on the Grill?

The cooking time for your veggies will vary depending on how thick they are sliced, how you are
grilling them, and your level of heat. That said, here is a rough guideline for some different types of vegetables:

  • Onions — Quarters should be grilled for about 15-20 minutes, but round slices will only
    take about 8-10 minutes.
  • Potatoes — Potatoes will usually take about 20-25 minutes to cook on the grill.
  • Bell peppers — Grill ½” strips for about 3-4 minutes per side and halves about 4-5 minutes per side.
  • Yellow squash and zucchini — Grill these veggies for about 3-4 minutes per side.
  • Corn — Corn takes about 15-20 minutes to cook on the grill. Make sure you are rotating it.
  • Brussel sprouts — Depending on how you cook them, brussel sprouts will cook in 10-20 minutes on the grill.
  • Mushrooms — Mushrooms take about 8-10 minutes to cook on the girl and will require flipping.

Different Methods for Grilling Vegetables

What types of vegetables you are cooking and the materials available to you might determine how
you approach your meal preparation. Here are several options for grilling your vegetables:

Directly on the Grill

Large veggies, like corn and large chunks of onion or bell pepper, can be placed directly on the grill. Season them first and cook for about five minutes over medium to medium-high heat before flipping.

Foil Packets

If you have small vegetables, like mushrooms or brussel sprouts, foil packets are an excellent option for grilling. Preheat your grill to medium or medium-high and then place your foil packets on the grill for about 20 minutes. Poke a few holes in the top.

 Grill Basket

Similar to foil packets, a grill basket will protect your veggies from falling through the grates. Preheat your grill to medium or medium-high, and then cook your veggies for roughly 20 minutes, stirring or flipping them about every five minutes.

Vegetable Kabobs

Finally, a favorite way to grill vegetables is by making veggie kabobs. Make sure you combine
similar-sized veggies on your kabobs and then turn them halfway through cooking.

Choose Nick’s of Clinton for Your Grilling Needs

Now that you know how to grill delicious vegetables, it’s time to go shopping. Nick’s of Clinton offers the highest quality products at the most affordable prices in the area. For over 50 years, our family has offered the community a family-oriented shopping experience, a unique alternative to the massive chain stores.

We welcome you to come in and check out our fresh produce, high-quality meats, and signature
seasonings and sauces. We’d be happy to help you with product selection and provide preparation
tips if you need them. Visit or contact us today!

Healthy Breakfast Alternatives

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Some of the most common items we fill up on to start the day are not the healthiest choices. They can be full of white flour or sugar and have little to no nutritional value.

But your morning meal is supposed to be one of the most important ones of the day, setting you up for success or putting you on the wrong path if you make poor choices. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives to those popular packaged and surgery foods that will leave you feeling full and give you plenty of energy to start the day.

Here some healthy breakfast alternatives to put on your next shopping list:

Breakfast Smoothies
Breakfast smoothies are all the rage. Veggie and fruit smoothies are packed with antioxidants and vitamins, and they taste great. One of the best things about smoothies is that you can customize your concoction to suit your particular tastes and needs.

Most people begin with a base, such as coconut water, almond milk, or fruit juice, and then add in their favorite fruits and veggies. You can create a smoothie that is sweet, tropical, savory, or some combination of those flavors.

Muesli
If you tend to get hungry mid-morning, you might want to try a filling but healthy breakfast like muesli. This is a fiber-rich food that expands in your stomach and makes you feel full. It is also packed with vitamin B, which will give you plenty of energy to launch you into the day.

You can prepare this meal by combining ½ cup of water with ½ cup of muesli until it is cooked. You can then add fruit, honey, or other toppings to your taste.

Fruit Topped Yogurt
If you are not eating yogurt for breakfast, you are missing out on something healthy and delicious. Yogurt is low in calories but is loaded with protein, vitamins, and probiotics.

Greek yogurt is the best choice because it is generally lower in sugar than other options. If you want to sweeten plain yogurt, you can top it with granola, fresh berries, or honey.

Eggs
Eggs are probably the ultimate breakfast food. Why? They keep you full, are loaded with protein and antioxidants, and are incredibly versatile.

You can fix eggs a variety of ways and combine them with just about anything to make a tasty meal. Whether they are fried, poached, scrambled, or hard-boiled, you can combine them with some toast or fresh fruit for a balanced and healthy breakfast.

Almond Butter and Banana Toast
Toast is always an excellent breakfast choice that is loaded with vitamins and fiber. You can improve on that age-old tradition by adding potassium to your toast. Banana toast will give you the benefits of fiber as well as regulate stress and improve mood. Top it with almond butter, and you will have some additional energy to start your day.

Chia Pudding
It might sound weird but hear us out. Chia pudding is a delicious alternative to regular pudding that is rich in fiber, omega-3’s, and antioxidants. You make by soaking chia seeds in a liquid that turns into a pudding-like mix. You can also add things like vegetables and non-dairy milk to your mix and top it off with fresh fruit for a creamy and delicious morning treat.

Quinoa
If you are not a fan of traditional or hot cereal, consider giving quinoa a try for breakfast. This super grain contains a ton of protein, iron, and fiber, and is probably one of the healthiest foods you can find.

Granted, many people complain that quinoa lacks flavor. But it is incredibly filling, making it an ideal breakfast food. You can add flavor with items like maple syrup and fresh fruit to create a natural and wholesome meal.

Granola
Granola is an excellent choice if you want to get away from some of those sugary boxed cereals. But be sure to choose your granola wisely.

Avoid artificial granola that has sugar additives and, instead choose a product that is organic or has all-natural ingredients. Once you have found the perfect granola, you can eat it like you would cereal or mix it in your yogurt.

Oatmeal with Fruit
Oatmeal is a traditional breakfast food that deserves your attention. It is both nutritious and fulfilling. You can create a nearly endless combination of oatmeal goodness by combining the food with milk, syrup, and other natural sugars like fresh fruit.

Get the Highest-Quality Products and Freshest Ingredients

If you would like to make breakfast a healthier and more enjoyable meal, Nicks of Clinton can help. We offer some of the freshest ingredients in the area as well as some unique and high-quality products for any meal.

In the world of big box stores, our team has worked extremely hard to offer our customers the personalized service they deserve. We look forward to serving you at our Gateway Plaza location, or you can give us a call at (301) 843-4825 with any questions.