7 Seasonal Vegetables That Taste Better Grilled

Lightly Seasoned Skewers with Vegetables — Askar Abayev/pexels

Grilling vegetables brings out flavors that steaming or sautéing don’t always bring out. The heat caramelizes the natural sugars, adds a little smokiness, and helps vegetables stay firm while softening the inside of soft vegetables. Choosing fruits and vegetables that are in season makes the taste even better because they are fresher and have more flavor. Grilling also makes it easy to prepare, which lets each vegetable’s natural flavor shine through.

1. Corn

Roasted Corn On The Cob — Yasir Gürbüz/pexels

Grilling fresh corn makes it sweeter and juicier because the heat turns the starches in the corn into sugars. The kernels blister a little, which makes the outside smoky and the inside soft. It tastes great with just salt and a squeeze of citrus, and it’s great in bowls, salads, and salsas. When corn is in season, it tastes better without needing extra seasoning to make it taste better.

2. Zucchini

Baked Zucchini Fritters with Yogurt-Herb Dip — Marina Leonova/pexels

Zucchini is great for grilling because it has enough water to stay moist while getting a firm texture and nice char lines. Grilling brings out its mild flavor, making it richer and a little nutty. It cooks quickly, so thin slices or strips that go lengthwise work best. Seasonal zucchini is usually smaller and denser, which keeps it from getting mushy on the grill and helps it hold seasonings like herbs, garlic, or olive oil better.

3. Bell Peppers

Stuffed Bell Peppers with Rice and Veggies — Valeria Boltneva/pexels

Grilling bell peppers is a great way to bring out their natural sugars, which caramelize and make the flavor stronger. When peppers are in season, they get sweeter as they ripen, which makes the grilled result smell and taste better. The skin gets soft and lightly charred, and the meat gets tender without losing its shape. You can use grilled peppers in salads, sandwiches, or grain bowls, or you can just serve them with herbs and a little lemon for a clean and tasty meal.

4. Asparagus

Salmon with Roasted Asparagus — Jacob Yavin/pexels

The heat from the grill brings out the earthy sweetness of asparagus and makes it taste better. It also makes it crisp. Asparagus that is in season is usually thinner, fresher, and less fibrous. This makes it cook evenly without drying out. It cooks quickly on the grill, which makes it great for weeknight dinners. A little olive oil and salt is all you need. Grilling brings out the natural brightness of the vegetables, making them taste better and more rounded.

5. Eggplant

Baked Eggplant with Tomato Sauce — Melanie Dompierre/pexels

Grilling eggplant is good because the heat makes the inside smooth and soft and the outside smoky. This method of cooking makes older eggplants less bitter and brings out the mild, savory taste of seasonal ones. You can grill eggplants that are cut into slices or halves. They go well with herbs, yogurt sauces, or light marinades. You can use grilled eggplant in wraps, bowls, or as a simple side dish.

6. Green Beans

Grilling green beans makes them taste better and smell better because the heat makes them blister and concentrates their flavor. Seasonal beans are crisp and soft, which helps them cook evenly without getting stringy. They only need a few minutes on the grill, and adding lemon juice or light seasoning afterward keeps their fresh taste. You can serve grilled green beans as a side dish, in warm salads, or with grains.

7. Tomatoes

Grilling tomatoes makes them taste better because the heat brings out both their acidity and sweetness. Tomatoes that are in season have more juice and a stronger flavor, so they hold up well on the grill without falling apart too quickly. The char gives it more flavor, which is great for salads, sauces, or as a topping for bread. Grilling naturally brings out their smell and makes their flavor stronger, so even simple seasoning can make them taste better.