Grilling season has officially rolled in! So if you’re looking for healthy recipes to celebrate the barbecue season and take your next gathering to the next level, than these amazing Mediterranean Vegetable Skewers are a wonderful way to do just that!
Whether you want to call them veggie skewers, vegetable kebabs, or shish kebabs, these Mediterranean Vegetable Skewers are packed with great flavor, and make for a delicious side dish to any summer meal.
Grilled Mediterranean Vegetable Skewers – Summer on a Stick!
Grilling is simply the best way to bring out the natural sweetness of fresh vegetables and make them taste incredible, by adding that touch of smoky goodness in every bite.
These veggie kabobs are colorful, full of flavor and perfect as a main dish or a great addition to any barbeques, backyard dinners or weeknight meals. They can also be prepped ahead of time and popped on the grill just before you’re ready to enjoy them!
And the great thing about these veggie skewers is how simple and quick they are to make! Simply toss your fresh vegetables in a lemony marinade, throw them on the hot grill and in half hour you’ve got yourself a perfect summer side dish.
Healthy recipes like this are a wonderful way to make kids eat more veggies, while also enjoying bold and delicious flavors. They are also a healthy option, naturally gluten-free, perfect for vegans and vegetarians alike!
Make ahead Tips
Sometimes we are tight on time, so a few tips and tricks for making things in advance are golden. Here are a few recommendations to give you a head start:
– prepare your veggies in advance – chop all of your veggies one day in advance and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Or, you could pop your veggies on the skewers and store them tightly wrapped like that, ready to go.
– prepare the garlic herb marinade 1-2 days in advance
– if you want to marinate your veggies instead of brushing them, than do it no more than 2 hours in advance, otherwise your veggies will become soggy
Storage Tips
These Mediterranean Vegetable Skewers are best served fresh, straight off the grill. However, if you end up having some leftovers, here are a few tips for storing them.
Refrigerate
You can store the cooked vegetable skewers in an airtight container or zip lock bag, in the fridge, for up to 3 days. These can be served cold as a side dish or in salads, or at room temperature.
If you want to reheat your veggies, the best way to do it is in a 350°F (175°C) oven, for 10-15 minutes.
Freeze
I do not recommend freezing leftover grilled veggies. They have a high water content, which means that, when thawed, they will be very watery and soggy, and no longer hold their texture.
How to serve these Mediterranean Vegetable Skewers
Veggie skewers pair beautifully with a number of dishes such as grilled meats (chicken, steak, pork), even chicken, beef or pork kebabs, for a skewer-only meal (also check out my Mac and Cheese Hot Dogs, and BBQ Pork Sandwich Recipe). They also pair well with different grains, like rice dishes (fluffy rice, risottos), couscous, bulgur, quinoa. Or even with different bread options (pita, garlic bread, focaccia, crusty sourdough, naan, etc.). For a vegetarian or vegan meal, you can pair them with marinated tofu, grilled haloumi cheese, falafel, roasted potatoes, or even some salad options like Greek salad, tabbouleh, Caprese salad, mixed greens, etc (check out my Mom’s Creamy Potato Salad Recipe). You can also enjoy them with various dips or dressings like tzatziki, hummus, chimichurri, various yoghurt dips, ranch dressing, balsamic reduction and so on.
What You’ll Need for this Grilled Mediterranean Vegetable Skewers Recipe
Key Ingredients:
red onion
medium zucchini
red bell pepper
yellow bell pepper
mushrooms
garlic cloves (pressed)
lemon
olive oil
fresh parsley
oregano
honey
sea salt
black pepper
Equipment needed:
cutting board
large bowl
small bowl
Chef’s knife
wooden skewers (or metal skewers)
grill pan (or outdoor grill)
basting brush
tongs
sheet pan
baking paper
Frequently Asked Questions
What vegetables are good for grilling on skewers?
The best vegetables for grilling on skewers are the ones that hold their shape and don’t fall apart or get mushy easily, such as zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, yellow squash, mushrooms, asparagus, onions, cherry tomatoes, even corn on the cob. These veggies not only hold their shape well, but they develop delicious char, flavor and sweetness on the grill. On the same note, do not use watery veggies, such as cucumbers or salads. Also try to use veggies that have similar cooking times. For instance, potatoes or carrots should not be used next to mushrooms or zucchini, unless parboiled first. For vegans and vegetarians, tofu could be a great addition to these veggie skewers, as well.
How long do I grill vegetable skewers?
Grill vegetable skewers for about 10–15 minutes over medium or medium-high heat, turning every 3-4 minutes. You want your veggies to develop those nice grill marks and be slightly charred around the edges – that’s where your flavor is! For texture, you are looking for tender-crisp veggies, so they should still have a little bite, and not be mushy.
Do you need to boil vegetables before grilling?
No, you don’t need to boil vegetables before grilling, just pop them straight on the grill. At least not the usual suspects like zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, yellow squash, mushrooms, asparagus, onions, cherry tomatoes, or corn. The whole point of grilling veggies is to preserve their freshness and enjoy that delicious tender-crisp texture. However, if you want to use firmer, root veggies like carrots, potatoes, beets, than you should parboil them for 4-5 minutes first. This way you don’t run the risk of having unevenly cooked veggies, burnt on the outside and raw on the inside.
Do you put skewers on foil or on grill?
For the best smoky flavor and char on your veggies place them directly on the grill. To prevent sticking to the grill, properly brush the veggies with the herb garlic oil. Using a foil will actually prevent those grill marks and steam the veggies, instead of developing that delicious smoky flavor we are looking for.
How to grill skewers without burning?
To grill skewers without burning, there’s a few things you can do. First, make sure you soak the wooden skewers in water for at least 20 minutes before grilling. Cut your veggies to about the same size so they cook evenly. Brush the veggies with oil to avoid sticking and burning. Turn the veggies regularly during grilling, every 3-4 minutes or so, to ensure they cook evenly on all sides and do not just burn on one side. Grill the skewers on a medium or medium-high heat. If the grill is too hot, the veggies will quickly burn on the outside and remain raw inside.
Grilled Mediterranean Vegetable Skewers Recipe at a Glance
How to Make this Grilled Mediterranean Vegetable Skewers Recipe
(for the exact measurements, please see the recipe card below)
Step 1 – Prepare the veggies
Peel the onions, clean the mushrooms, remove the seeds from the bell peppers. Cut all veggies into similar 1 – 1 1/2 inch (3-5 cm) pieces.
Step 2 – Prepare the garlic herb marinade
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, pressed garlic, parsley, oregano, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
Step 3 – Skewer the veggies
Add the veggies to the presoaked skewers by alternating the colors, so the skewers look pretty. Brush the veggies with the prepared garlic oil.
Step 4 – Grill the veggie skewers
Place the veggie skewers on the grill and cook for 10-15 minutes, until tender-crisp and slightly charred. Turn every 3-4 minutes.
Step 5 – Enjoy!
Once the veggies are done, remove from the grill and enjoy!
These Mediterranean Vegetable Skewers are everything you need for your next summer party: they are delicious, easy to throw together, colorful and best of all, ready in just half an hour.
And if these veggie skewers make their way to your grill (and I really hope they do!), drop a comment bellow. I’d love to know what veggie combinations you tried in your own kitchen!
Other recipes you might like
- Roasted Asparagus with lemon (Ridiculously Easy)
- Creamy Cucumber and Tomato Salad Recipe
- Mac and Cheese Hot Dogs: So Cheesy and Gooey!
- BBQ Pork Sandwich Recipe: Juicy, Tender, and Delicious
- Sour Cherry Soup (Cold and Refreshing Summer Recipe)
Grilled Mediterranean Vegetable Skewers Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1 big red bell pepper
- 1 big yellow bell pepper
- 2 medium red onions
- ½ pound (250 g) mushrooms
Herb Garlic Marinade
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic (pressed)
- zest of 1 lemon
- 2 TB lemon juice
- 1 TB honey
- 2 TB fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 tsp oregano (dry)
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Start by soaking 6-8 bamboo skewers in water for at least 20 minutes before using. This will prevent burning while grilling the veggies.
- Prepare the veggies. Peel the onions and garlic, wipe the mushrooms with a wet sponge, remove the seeds from the bell peppers. Cut all the veggies (except the garlic) into similar sizes, around 1 - 1 1/2 inches (3-5 cm). Cut the onion in half, then each half into 3. Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise, then each half in two lengthwise. Then chop into 1/2 inch (1.5 cm) pieces. Cut the peppers in half and remove the seeds. Cut each half into 3-4 pieces lengthwise and then 1 inch pieces. Make sure your veggies are of similar size, more or less.
- Start arranging the veggie pieces on the skewers. Alternate the colors so they look appealing. Do not squeeze the veggie pieces into each other, they should lightly touch. This will ensure even cooking and no raw patches in between. Arrange the skewers on a baking sheet covered with baking paper.
- Heat up the grill or place a grilling pan on medium or medium-high heat. Once the grill/pan is hot, add the well oiled veggie skewers.
- Prepare the garlic herb marinade. Mix all of the ingredients: olive oil, pressed garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Brush the veggie skewers with the marinade. Use tongs to place the skewers onto the grill.
- Let the veggies cook for 3-5 minutes on one side before turning. This will help develop those nice char marks. Repeat these process 3-4 more times. You can also brush the veggies with more marinade while cooking. As the veggies start to cook and become more tender, decrease the turning time to 2-3 minutes for each side.
- Once the veggies are cooked, serve and enjoy!
Notes
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