Skip to content
June and July are prime grilling months, and there's no better way to celebrate than with fresh, local grilled summer vegetables. Grilling brings out the natural sweetness in vegetables, creating caramelized edges and that irresistible smoky char that frozen vegetables simply can't match. Whether you're a dedicated veggie lover, health-conscious eater, or grilling enthusiast, grilled summer vegetables deserve a place on your table.
Learn how to pickle vegetables with honey
Why Grilled Summer Vegetables Are the Perfect Seasonal Side Dish
Perfectly charred, sweet, and smoky grilled summer vegetables make the ideal seasonal side dish that's both healthy and bursting with flavor. This easy recipe features a delicious honey balsamic dressing that takes these veggies to the next level!
Fresh, Local Vegetables: The Maryland Summer Harvest
Buying local means fresher, more nutritious food and a smaller carbon footprint on your meals. Here in Maryland, especially along the eastern shore, summer brings an abundant rainbow of fresh produce perfect for grilling. Early summer markets overflow with:
- Asparagus
- Bell peppers (especially sweet red bell peppers)
- Summer squash (like yellow squash) and zucchini
- Green beans
- Mushrooms
- Red onions
- Sweet corn
- Cherry tomatoes
For successful grilling, choose firm, sturdy vegetables and cut them into thicker slices to prevent them from falling through the grill grates. Bell peppers are particularly excellent for grilling—the sweet red varieties develop an incredible natural sweetness and smoky flavor that enhances any summer meal.
Benefits of Choosing Local Easy Grilled Vegetables
Whole Foods defines "local vegetables" as those that arrive at the market within a 10-hour drive. Choosing local produce for your grilled summer vegetables offers several advantages:
- Superior Freshness: Vegetables begin losing nutrients after harvest, so locally grown means more nutritious.
- Enhanced Flavor: Less travel time means vegetables are picked at peak ripeness.
- Reduced Environmental Impact: Shorter transportation distances mean a smaller carbon footprint.
- Supporting Local Farmers: Your purchases help sustain local agricultural communities.
The best grilled vegetables are fresh vegetables. Can't find a farmer's market nearby? Consider growing your own vegetables at home! Even a small garden can yield plenty of fresh produce for grilling throughout the summer.
Engaging Kids with Grilled Summer Vegetables
Getting children excited about vegetables can be challenging, but summer offers the perfect opportunity to spark their interest in grilled summer vegetables through creative activities:
Fun Drawing Activity:
- Select colorful vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and corn
- Provide paper and colored pencils or markers
- Use real vegetables or images as models
- Let kids express their creativity while learning about different vegetables
This simple activity helps children identify different vegetables, develops fine motor skills, and may increase their interest in trying the easy grilled vegetables they've drawn. You can even serve the finished vegetables with some toasted bread for a complete kid-friendly meal that might convince them to eat eggplant and other vegetables they typically avoid.
Perfect Grilled Summer Vegetables with Honey Balsamic Dressing
Our signature grilled vegetables recipe features a delicious honey balsamic dressing that enhances the natural flavors of each vegetable. This versatile, quick method brings out the sweetness and smoky char that makes grilled vegetables so irresistible.
Most vegetables need just a few minutes on the grill to heat through and develop those beautiful grill marks. The Eastern Shore Honey in our dressing complements the natural sweetness of the vegetables while balancing the savory notes.
How to Make Grilled Vegetables with Honey Balsamic Dressing
Ingredients
For the grilled veggies:
- Bell peppers
- Summer squash
- Zucchini
- Green beans
- Mushrooms
- Red onion
For the honey balsamic dressing:
- Olive oil (feel free to use extra virgin olive oil if you prefer)
- Garlic cloves
- Balsamic vinegar
- Chopped fresh herbs
- Bee Inspired Honey
- Salt and pepper
One: Prepare Your Hot Grill
Preheat your gas grill to medium-high heat for perfect char and flavor development. If using a charcoal grill, allow your coals to reach a hot temperature with glowing embers for the best results.
Two: Prepare the Vegetables
Thoroughly rinse all your colorful summer vegetables under cool water to remove any dirt or residue. Pat them completely dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Properly dried vegetables will grill better and develop those beautiful grill marks.
Three: Create the Marinade
In a small bowl, blend together some olive oil with the minced garlic cloves. Season generously with salt and pepper. This simple marinade will help the vegetables caramelize beautifully on the grill.
Four: Coat the Vegetables
Place all your prepared vegetables in a large bowl and pour the olive oil mixture over them. Gently toss until every piece is thoroughly coated with the marinade, ensuring even cooking and flavor distribution.
Five: Grill in Batches
Place your vegetables on the preheated grill in batches according to cooking time. Start with green beans and bell peppers, grilling for approximately 10 minutes. Follow with summer squash, zucchini and mushrooms for about 7 minutes. Finally, add the red onion chunks, which need only about 5 minutes to develop perfect tenderness and char. You can close the grill lid between flipping to maintain heat and create a smoky flavor.
Six: Remove From Heat
When all your summer vegetables have achieved the perfect tenderness with beautiful grill marks, carefully remove them from the heat using tongs. Transfer to a serving platter.
Seven: Prepare the Honey Balsamic Dressing
While you grilled vegetables are still warm, blend together the remaining olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Eastern Shore Honey, and freshly chopped herbs in a small bowl. Whisk until well combines into a smooth, flavorful dressing.
Eight: Serve and Enjoy
Drizzle the honey balsamic dressing generously over your colorful array of grilled vegetables. Serve immediately while warm to enjoy the full spectrum of flavors and textures in this delicious seasonal side dish.
Creative Variations for Grilled Vegetables
The beauty of this grilled vegetable recipe lies in its versatility. Here are some delicious ways to customize this recipe:
- Add More Vegetables: Try eggplant, sweet corn, or carrots for variety
- Sweeten the Marinade: Mix honey directly into the olive oil before tossing with vegetables
- Italian Twist: Use Italian seasoning with the olive oil for Mediterranean flavors
- Make It a Complete Meal: Pair with Grilled Chicken Kebabs, BBQ Honey Brisket, or Fish Tacos
- Indoor Option: Use a stovetop grill pan if outdoor grilling is available
Serving Suggestions for Grilled Summer Vegetables
For a complete summer feast featuring your grilled veggies:
- Serve on a white platter to make the colorful vegetables pop visually
- Garnish with freshly chopped herbs like basil, parsley, or mint
- Sprinkle with fresh lemon juice for a tangy taste
- Offer a signature summer cocktail as a refreshing accompaniment
- Consider a light dessert featuring seasonal berries to complete the meal
Keep the grill on and make some Grilled Peaches for dessert!
Why Grilled Summer Vegetables Should Be Your Go-To Summer Side
Grilling fresh summer vegetables is not only delicious but also a healthy way to enjoy seasonal produce. The high heat of grilling preserves nutrients while creating incredible flavors that can't be achieved through other cooking methods.
Whether the vegetables come from your backyard garden or local farmer's market, grilling transforms them into a memorable side dish that celebrates the best flavors of summer. With minimal prep time and maximum flavor impact, these grilled vegetables with honey balsamic dressing will become your new summer staple.
