10 Shockingly Grill-Friendly Vegetables

You might not have thought to toss these vegetables on the grill, but give it a shot. They'll be the sleeper hits of your next cookout.

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10 Surprisingly Grillable Vegetables

The most-popular grilling vegetables (squash, eggplant, peppers, onions, anything kebab) are popular for good reason — but there are a few you might not have thought of that do just as nicely with a little fire. Here are our top 10.

Edamame

You've had them steamed, and you've had them boiled. But have you tried them grilled?

Grilled Edamame

A little bit of smoky char makes edamame even more compulsively snackable. Poke some holes in a sheet of foil, then grill them on top of that till lightly browned.

Cabbage

Cut cabbage into thin wedges and grill over medium heat until softened and lightly blackened, then toss with a tangy vinaigrette.

Grilled Cabbage

Perfect alongside any cut of meat in a sweet BBQ sauce or honey marinade.

Parsnips

As summer winds down into fall, throw a couple of parsnips on the grill. Smoke brings out their sweetness and makes them a great side for meatier things.

Grilled Parsnips

Toss them with oil and grill over medium heat in a grill basket until they’re lightly browned and nutty.

Okra

Roll whole pods in oil, then dust with spices (cumin works nicely, as do most Indian spice blends) and salt, then thread okra onto skewers and grill until nicely charred.

Grilled Okra

Paired with a cold beer, they’re the perfect summer finger food.

Artichokes

Grilling artichokes brings out their sweetness.

Grilled Artichokes

They take a while on the grill, so boil or steam them most of the way first (this can also be done the night before), then halve or quarter them and grill on medium until the leaves are wilted and the heart has grill marks, about 10 minutes. Frozen (thawed) hearts work nicely too.

Kale

Most of us have tried grilled romaine by this point; try grilling kale for a change of pace in your Caesar salad.

Grilled Kale

Kale cells contain a little less water than romaine, so they crisp up a little quicker; give the leaves a quick turn on the grill over high heat so they don’t dry out.

Beets

Grilling beets rounds out their sweet earthiness with a little touch of smoke, and it helps them stand up particularly well to the classic beet-salad accompaniments — including blue cheese and fresh herbs.

Grilled Beets

Put them in foil pouches with a little olive oil and grill till soft, then peel. Or throw peeled, halved beets on the grill just to char.

Carrots

Sweet and smoky grilled carrots (in or out of a buttery dipping sauce) give you the concentrated flavor of roasted carrots with the fresh snap of raw: basically the best of both worlds.

Grilled Carrots

Oil and season, then grill for 5 to 7 minutes until done.

Favas

Fava beans are one of our favorite spring/summer foods — they’re fresh and green and hearty, and they're perfect with richer meats.

Grilled Favas

Get young (small, tender) pods, and grill till charred and smoky, then pop out the beans and have at them.

Sweet Potatoes

Cut sweet potatoes into spears or slices and grill over indirect heat for a quick side.

Grilled Sweet Potatoes

The grilled wedges are perfect with a chili-rubbed steak.

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Grilling and Summer How-Tos