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    Oh My Veggies Β» Cooking Tips & Hints

    A Guide to Vegetarian Grilling

    Published: Jul 13, 2016 Β· by Nicole Β· Updated: Aug 2, 2021 Β· This post may contain affiliate links.

    A Guide to Vegetarian Grilling
    It's July and that means we're in the thick of grilling season. With all those hamburgers and hot dogs, it's easy to feel a little bit left out if you're a vegetarian, and if you live in an apartment or a place without a backyard, you might just shrug your shoulders and decide that grilling just isn't for you.

    That's quitter talk! Don't give up on grilling! First, let's go over your grilling options.

    Image Map

    Gas Grills

    Gas and propane grills are for serious grilling. They range in price from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. If I were Vicki Gunvalson and I had an awesome outdoor kitchen and a pool with a grotto, I would invest in an expensive grill like the one pictured here, but I am not Vicki Gunvalson and since we don't grill all that often, we've decided a gas grill isn't worth the investment for us.

    Pros: Temperature control gives you more reliability and predictability in cooking. This is nice! Many gas grills even have temperature zones so you can cook a variety of foods at the same time and cleanup is easier than with charcoal grills.

    Cons: Although there are inexpensive gas grills, they're still the priciest grilling option. You also need outdoor space β€” if you live in an apartment, a gas grill is probably out of the question for you.

    Charcoal Grills

    If the whole cooking outdoors thing appeals to you, but you don't want to commit to a gas grill, then a charcoal grill might be perfect for you. There are some more expensive options, but you can get a small charcoal grill for as little as $30 and it works just fine for a small family.

    Pros: Some people say charcoal grills produce better tasting food. Charcoal grills are cheaper and more portable than their gas counterparts. Small charcoal grills can be brought to picnics or on vacation.

    Cons: Coal isn't exactly environmentally friendly and both lighting the coals and cleaning up afterwards can be a pain. Without precise temperature controls, cooking is a little more unpredictable than with a gas grill.

    Indoor Grill

    While I have a small charcoal grill, I swear by my Cuisinart Griddler and that's what I use most for grilling. No, that's not very outdoorsy of me, but it's no muss, no fuss, and easy cleanup. If you don't have outdoor space and you don't anticipate grilling very often, an indoor grill is a good investment.

    Pros: Many indoor grills have a variety of functions, so you can use them as griddles, waffle makers, and more. They're great for cooks who don't have outdoor space and they can be used year-round. Indoor grills are portable and they don't take up much space.

    Cons: Indoor grills are lacking when it comes to that smoky grilled flavor β€” that's a pretty big con. Many don't heat up as quickly or as hot as charcoal or gas grills and the small size that makes them portable can be a negative too β€” if you're making a lot of food, you'll have to cook in batches.

    Grill Pans

    Grill pans! If you are a commitment-phobe, a grill pan is for you. They take up virtually no space, need very little cleanup, and they're pretty inexpensive, depending on the kind you buy β€” while cast iron grill pans are more expensive, most will last for decades.

    Pros: Like indoor grills, they're portable, take up very little space, and can be used year-round.

    Cons: Most of the cons for grill pans are the same as with indoor grills β€” while you can get that nice searing from the grill, the smoky flavor is missing. Grill pans are the smallest of all the grill options, so you'll very likely have to make your food in batches rather than cooking it all at once.

    Now let's get to the good stuff: FOOD. In general, anything that's not meat will grill much faster than steaks and burgers, so if you're used to cooking meat on a grill, be aware that many vegetarian grilling staples will be done after only a few minutes of cooking when you're using a charcoal or gas grill. Because these foods don't have fat in them like meat does, you'll need to make sure your grill is well-oiled with a high smoke point oil to prevent sticking.

    I did a round-up of 50 vegetarian grilling recipes last summer, but if that's not enough to convince you, here are some of my favorite things to grill:

    8 Foods for Meatless Grilling

    Vegetables

    One word: kabobs! Cut your favorite summer vegetables into uniform sizes, thread them through a skewer, marinate them in your favorite sauce, and grill them up until they're perfectly seared. Zucchini and other varieties of summer squash stand up really well to grilling, as do peppers, eggplant, onions, cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, corn, and even potatoes. If you're not doing skewers, a grill basket or foil packets work well for smaller veggies, while zucchini and eggplant can be cut lengthwise.

    Recipe Ideas
    Grilled Veggie Banh Mi Sandwiches
    Grilled Veggie Gyros with Creamy Cucumber Dill Sauce
    Grilled Artichokes with Roasted Garlic Olive Oil Dip
    Miso-Marinated Grilled Summer Squash
    Thai-Style Grilled Corn with Roasted Peanuts
    Green Curry Veggie Kabobs

    Tofu & Tempeh

    Because it's so soft, tofu can be tricky on the grill β€” the secret is to start with extra-firm tofu, press all the liquid out, and remember that your grill needs to be well-oiled. Tempeh is a little more forgiving when it comes to grilling. Make sure you cut it into big slabs so it doesn't crumble through the slats! Both tempeh and tofu make tasty additions to veggie kabobs.

    Recipe Ideas
    Pineapple Jerk Tofu
    Grilled Teriyaki Tofu Lettuce Wraps with Creamy Sesame Dressing
    Grilled Tempeh Skewers from Cooking Light
    Grilled Tofu Tacos from Cookbooks 365
    BBQ Tempeh Burgers from Yummy Mummy Kitchen

    Portabella Mushrooms

    The grilled portabella is a vegetarian classic with good reason β€” it just tastes good. And it's easy! My very basic, fool-proof recipe is to whisk together equal parts balsamic vinegar and olive oil (not extra-virgin!) with a pinch of salt and a few twists of freshly cracked black pepper. If you happen to have rosemary in your garden, mince a little bit of that to add in too. Marinate your mushrooms in this mixture for an hour or two, then throw them on the grill.

    Recipe Ideas
    Grilled Portabella Muffuletta Sandwich
    Cabernet Portabella Burgers
    Beer-Marinated Grilled Mushroom Tacos with Pepita Relish & Chipotle Crema
    Grilled Portabella Panini with Artichoke Tapenade
    Herbed Portabellas with Fontina & Grilled Vegetables from No Gojis No Glory

    Fruit

    If you haven't had grilled pineapple before, you need to carpe diem and get on that today. Grilled fruit makes a simple summer dessert β€” the sugars in the fruit caramelize, making their flavors deeper and sweeter. In additional to pineapple, stone fruits like peaches and nectarines, mangoes, and even watermelon do well on the grill.

    Recipe Ideas
    Grilled Peaches
    Grilled Watermelon with Smoked Salt and JalapeΓ±o Rings from Boulder Locavore
    Grilled Pineapple Salad from The View from Great Island
    Grilled Pears with Cinnamon Drizzle from A House in the Hills
    Spicy Grilled Mango with Chiles and Crema from Cooking Light

    Greens

    Yes, you can grill greens! And depending on what type of grill you're using, many need less than a minute on the grill and they're done. Heads of romaine lettuce can be grilled up for salad and kale leaves on the grill get crispy just like kale chips, but with the added bonus of that smoky grilled flavor.

    Recipe Ideas
    Garlicky Grilled Kale Salad with Grilled Bread from The Kitchn
    Grilled Caesar Salad from The Little Kitchen
    Grilled Kale Salad with Ricotta and Plums from Bon Appetit

    Polenta

    Like tofu, polenta can be tough to grill β€” if you're using homemade polenta, you'll want to make sure it's cut into big slabs. The store-bought kind tends to be a little bit sturdier, but no matter which kind you use, be sure to oil your grill really well before grilling polenta so it doesn't stick. Grilled polenta can be added to salads or piled high with fresh summer vegetables.

    Recipe Ideas
    Grilled Veggie Salad with Basil-Parmesan Polenta
    Chili Polenta Pot Pie
    Grilled Polenta Cakes from Two Peas and Their Pod
    Grilled Polenta and Balsamic Mushrooms from Martha Stewart Living
    Mexican Grilled Polenta Pizza from Edible Perspective

    Pizza & Flatbread

    Raw pizza dough can be placed directly on the grill instead of being baked in the oven β€” Kare has a grilled pizza dough recipe and tutorial over on Kitchen Treaty that lays out all the details. And if you don't want to mess with raw dough, you can use a pre-made crust too! Naan, pitas, and other flatbreads are also great on the grill, but keep an eye on them β€” you want to get them nicely seared, not burnt.

    Recipe Ideas
    Grilled Caprese Naan Pizza
    Grilled Pizza with Baby Kale, Broccolini, and Chiles from TasteFood
    Rustic Grilled Veggie Flatbread from Cooking on the Front Burner

    Veggie Burgers

    Well yeah, I couldn't leave out the veggie burgers, could I? I tend to prefer store-bought frozen veggie burgers for grilling β€” they seem to stand up to grilling a lot better than homemade veggie burgers. (I've had many "oh no, the veggie burgers are crumbling through the grates!" grilling disasters.) Hilary's Eat Well and Sunshine Burgers are two of my favorite brands because they're made with real food ingredients. If you do want to make homemade veggie burgers on the grill, I'd suggest looking for a recipe specifically made for grilling or place the burgers on a sheet of foil and then put them on the grill so they won't fall through the grates; another option is to bake the patties in the oven until they're solid, and then finish them on the grill.

    Recipe Ideas
    Cauliflower Hummus Burgers with Mint Tzatziki
    Chipotle Black Bean Quinoa Burgers with Sweet Corn Relish
    Thai Veggie Burgers
    Artichoke Spinach Cauliflower Bean Burgers from Vegan Richa
    Our Perfect Veggie Burger from Oh She Glows

    Everything Else

    But wait, there's more! There are so many meatless ways to enjoy your grill, it's impossible to list them all here. Here are a few more that don't fit into the categories above:

    Grilled Quesadillas
    Grilled Field Roast Bratwursts from Kitchen Treaty
    Healthy Grilled Sweet Potato Nachos from Pinch of Yum
    Grilled Halloumi and Quinoa Salad from The Kitchn
    Roasted Pepper Crostini from Kitchen Treaty
    Grilled Poundcake with Berries from Bell'alimento

    « Two-Tone Peach and Blackberry Jam from The Modern Preserver
    Bell Pepper and Corn Pasta Salad »

    Cooking Tips & Hints grilling, summer

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. KalynsKitchen says

      July 13, 2014 at 12:28 pm

      Great post! I am a huge fan of vegetables on the grill!

      Reply
    2. Lucie says

      July 13, 2014 at 3:47 pm

      What a great guide! I love outdoor summer parties with grilling but I was fed up with zucchinnis and aubergines over and over again... I had no idea that you can grill tempeh and tofu. Thank you for all the amazing ideas! πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Kiersten Frase says

        July 14, 2014 at 4:25 pm

        There are definitely lots of possibilities out there! Although I do love grilled zucchini too. πŸ™‚

        Reply
    3. Jessica @ Jessiker Bakes says

      July 14, 2014 at 4:15 pm

      Love this guide! Next of my list is that cauliflower hummus burger...two things currently in my fridge! I saw tempeh at my local health store so got to try that out.

      Reply
      • Kiersten Frase says

        July 14, 2014 at 4:24 pm

        People seem to either love or hate tempeh. πŸ™‚ It's my favorite substitute for ground beef though - you can crumble it up and I swear you can't even tell the difference in tacos and sloppy joes!

        Reply
    4. Margaret says

      July 14, 2014 at 9:09 pm

      What we need in the US is halloumi cheese, which my sister in England gets easily. It is truly a grillable cheese. Marinate/season it, put it in kebobs, it doesn't melt but is delicious. My local Whole Foods had it a bit (on the top shelf) priced crazy (you could have bought great wild salmon for less) but doesn't have it anymore.

      Reply
      • Kiersten Frase says

        July 21, 2014 at 4:15 pm

        I don't know why halloumi is still so exotic here! I've seen it at Whole Foods too, but I'm not sure they carry it at mine anymore either. :/

        Reply
    5. Erin says

      July 15, 2014 at 12:57 pm

      How funny, any apartment I've lived in has only ever allowed gas grills on balconies, not charcoal. Less smoky I think.

      I second the above comment about halloumi. I've found it in Middle Eastern or Greek delis here in Canada.

      Reply
      • Kiersten Frase says

        July 21, 2014 at 4:11 pm

        We never lived in an apartment that allowed any grills on the balconies, but people would buy the little ones and take them out on the lawn to grill. Or sometimes the parking lot. πŸ™‚

        Reply
    6. Vanessa D. says

      July 13, 2016 at 11:34 am

      I grill vegetarian all the time! Extra firm tofu lightly basted in vegetable oil and seasoned, grilled to a crunchy outside. Sweet potato slabs tossed in oil, ginger and chili flakes, zucchini with garlic powder and paprika. All of it is so yummy.

      Reply
    7. Elesia Lillard says

      February 02, 2017 at 5:45 pm

      I don't have a grill could I use my waffle iron instead for grilling veggies?

      Reply
      • Alissa says

        February 03, 2017 at 10:10 am

        I'm not sure how that would work, though I've heard that tofu cooks up great in a waffle iron. Most of the advice in this post applies to cooking with a grill. If you're not ready to invest in one you could always start with a small indoor electric or stove top grill.

        Reply
    8. electric griddle says

      February 17, 2017 at 4:20 am

      This remind me of something we have done while BBQ party . we have friend he was saying I am not taking meat during Monday. he got unlucky due to sudden plan and what we did was got mushroom from Veges shop we mixed it with ingredient and grilled it . Wow That was something really tasty we had it first time. It was good πŸ™‚

      Reply
    9. Alka Talwar says

      January 04, 2018 at 3:01 am

      I barbecue veggie lover constantly! Additional firm tofu daintily treated in vegetable oil and prepared, barbecued to a crunchy outside. Sweet potato chunks hurled in oil, ginger and bean stew chips, zucchini with garlic powder and paprika. Every last bit of it is so yummy.

      Reply
    10. Katy says

      December 01, 2018 at 2:49 am

      Very yummy!!!!!!

      Reply
    11. Helena Gawne says

      August 18, 2020 at 4:45 pm

      Nice article, I can't wait to throw some veggies on my electric grill again soon.

      Reply

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    Nicole is a life long vegetarian and the author of the popular vegan cookbook, Weeknight One Pot Vegan Cooking. She loves sharing her recipes and showing the world just how easy and delicious meatless meals can be!
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