We bet you didn’t know you could grill fruits and vegetables! Let’s take a look at some of these fruits and vegetables that are perfect for the grill season.
1. Avocadoes
Avocadoes are considered superfoods for a reason! Loaded with heart-healthy fats while low in calories, they lower bad cholesterol, increase good cholesterol and promote healthy cells.
Avocadoes have a very mild taste. As such, they work well in both sweet and savory dishes. To grill them, drizzle some olive oil on an avocado half and season with salt and pepper. The avocado will still taste very creamy but will have a luscious smokiness to it.
2. Zucchinis
This summer favorite is always a hit wherever it goes. From kebabs to salads to sandwiches to stews, zucchinis can complement almost any dish. This is partly because zucchinis are so abundant—any home gardener can grow their own zucchinis. On top of that, they’re easy to harvest in bulk and freeze for later consumption.
Zucchinis are rich in water, helping you stay hydrated even in the hot summer sun.
3. Bell Peppers
Did you know bell pepper vegetables are technically classified as fruits and taste great on the grill? They’ve got seeds in them, which all true fruits have!
With that said, you might not know that bell peppers are even richer in vitamin C than oranges are. They have double the daily recommended intake and will do wonders for your immune system if you eat them regularly. Just take care not to grill them too hot—vitamin C is heat-sensitive and dissipates easily.
Try grilling your bell peppers and stuffing them with ground meats or quinoa for a quick, filling meal.
4. Okras
A staple in the southern United States, okra is an amazing vegetable with tons of nutritional value. They’re most notable for having lots of soluble fiber that reduces cholesterol levels in the body and improves your digestive system. They’re also very rich in Vitamin B, which helps metabolizes carbohydrates and fats in the body.
Be sure not to overcook okra—the more overcooked they are, the slimier they feel on the tongue! If you’re not a fan of the sliminess, soak it in vinegar for half an hour before grilling it.
5. Tomatoes
Here’s another pseudo vegetable that’s actually a fruit that is tasty on the grill! While they’re sweet and juicy as they are, when grilled, tomatoes become super rich and sometimes savory. They taste glorious when paired with grilled meats such as burgers and steaks, so keep that in mind for the next time you’re hosting a barbecue.
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a chemical that’s good for cardiovascular health. They improve the function of your heart and reduce pain all over the body due to their anti-inflammatory properties.
6. Mushrooms
Looking for something that tastes and feels like meat but isn’t actually meat? Mushrooms! These fungi are fun guys because they give you all the salty, umami flavor without the meat. You can replace your meat entirely with mushrooms or mix in mushrooms with your meat mixtures so you don’t consume as much meat.
Mushrooms are low in fat and have lots of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Indeed, mushrooms are one of the very few plant-based sources of Vitamin D!
7. Asparagus
With asparagus, simple is better. Just slap it on the grill and you’ve got addicting vegetables that you can munch on for hours on end just like fruits! And while too much of a good thing can be bad, there aren’t a lot of bad things you can say about asparagus. They’re chock-full of Vitamin K, producing blood clots that aid your body’s healing. They also make your bones healthy and strong.
8. Corn
Who doesn’t love corn? These bright yellow crops are full of carbohydrates and fiber, giving you the energy to last you throughout the day. They’re also rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, compounds that promote eye health!
Corn is in season during the summer, which makes them perfect for cookouts and barbecues. We recommended grilling them on the cob with some butter or using the corn kernels to dress salads or sauces.
9. Onions
Admit it—onions were probably the first vegetable you thought of when you read the title! While extremely pungent when raw, they become crunchy and almost sweet when they’re cooked or grilled. Grilled onions are best on top of a burger but also work great as a side dish.
Onions are rich in antioxidants. These are compounds that flush out free radicals in the body, which are harmful things that cause cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Furthermore, onions boost heart health by reducing heart disease by 65%!
10. Peaches
This may sound surprising, but these sweet and juicy fruits actually taste great on the grill too. They are resilient in high heat and make for a tasty treat that is both sweet and smoky. Just make sure to use fresh peaches—canned or frozen peaches are too mushy to hold shape on the grill.
Peaches are full of fiber that’s great for the digestive system. It also decreases cholesterol, which is great for the cardiovascular and endocrine systems!
11. Pineapples
Pineapples belong on pizza, and anyone who disagrees can fight us on that! Fruits and vegetables in general are great on the grill and on pizzas!
Pineapples provide fresh, tropical flavor to an otherwise greasy meal. Need something to cut through that sirloin steak? Pineapple. Need a pop of color on your shish kebab? Pineapple. Need something to marinate your meats with? Pineapple.
12. Coconuts
Raw coconut is the white, fleshy part of a ripe coconut. They are absolutely loaded with fiber—indeed, two small pieces carry a whopping 16 g of fiber. That’s half the daily recommended intake in one go!
However, try not to eat too many coconuts—they may be healthy, but they’re high in fat and aren’t the best if you want to maintain your weight.
That would undoubtedly be difficult since grilled coconut is so tasty.
13. Watermelons
Last but not least of all the grill worthy fruits and vegetables is the hardy watermelon. Refreshing on a hot summer’s day, they’re also great on the grill for a sweet and smoky treat. People who love grilled watermelon say that it tastes like squash and that they prefer it to raw watermelon any day! Either way is good, though.
Watermelons, as the name suggests, are full of water. They keep the body hydrated, maintaining healthy organ systems and strengthening your immune system.
